LAS VEGAS — Tenneco Inc. has introduced line of advanced-technology replacement shock absorbers and struts engineered specifically for foreign-nameplate vehicles that offer more control while providing a smoother ride, the company says.
The new Monroe OESpectrum shocks and struts, featuring the company’s latest global original equipment valving technologies, will be available through Monroe distributors and service providers in early 2011. First developed by Tenneco's European counterparts, the brand is being brought to the United States to replace the Sensa-Trac, Tenneco's key shock & strut brand for more than two decades.
But the brand switch was made only after more than two years of extensive product testing, market research and supplier and installer acceptance were carefully tested, says Bill Dennie, director, channel management, North American Aftermarket, Tenneco.
The OESpectrum offers the handling precision and control most foreign passenger vehicle drivers want, while filtering out the ride harshness commonly encountered on these types of vehicles. The blend of control and comfort was created through an internal damping control technology first developed for leading global vehicle manufacturers.
The line also allows customers to expand their businesses into foreign-nameplate and specialty shops they previously weren't able to service, Dennie says.
“OESpectrum shocks and struts are the answer for parts distributors and service providers that want to grow their share of the foreign-nameplate category,” Dennie says. “This sophisticated product offering helps give Tenneco and our channel partners a significant new competitive advantage in addressing the needs of today’s ride control market.”
Monroe OESpectrum shocks and struts utilize Tenneco’s “Twin Technology Active Control System,” consisting of its latest Impact Control Valve (ICV), which delivers control under virtually all driving conditions, and a patented Low Speed Tunability (LST) piston design that isolates impact-related noise, vibration and harshness.
The benefits of OESpectrum units were validated by an independent third party in skid-pad testing conducted by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). These tests showed that several foreign-nameplate models equipped with OESpectrum units had significantly better lateral stability than the same vehicles equipped with brand-new units from a leading aftermarket competitor and degraded OE shocks and struts.
“We also worked with dozens of service shops and other businesses to measure customer acceptance and satisfaction with OESpectrum products, and the results were well beyond our projections,” Dennie says. “Participating shops were able to gain new ride control sales across a full range of foreign nameplates based on the performance of OESpectrum units.”