LAS VEGAS – Tenneco has introduced an extensive line of advanced-technology replacement shock absorbers and struts engineered specifically for foreign-nameplate vehicles.

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.

Developed through years of research and on-vehicle testing, Monroe OESpectrum units provide an unprecedented level of handling precision and control while filtering out the ride harshness commonly encountered on many foreign-nameplate applications, the company says.

According to Tenneco, a unique blend of control and comfort is made possible through an exclusive internal damping control technology first developed for leading global vehicle manufacturers.

“OESpectrum shocks and struts are the answer for parts distributors and service providers that want to grow their share of the foreign-nameplate category,” said Bill Dennie, director, channel management, North American Aftermarket, Tenneco. “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 exceptional control under virtually all driving conditions, and a patented Low Speed Tunability (LST) piston design that isolates impact-related noise, vibration and harshness, according to the company.

Tenneco said the benefits of OESpectrum units were validated 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 degraded OE shocks and struts and brand-new units from a leading aftermarket competitor.

“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 said. “Participating shops were able to gain new ride control sales across a full range of foreign nameplates based on the performance of OESpectrum units.”