Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Our consolidated financial statements include all majority-owned subsidiaries. We carry investments in 20 percent to 50 percent owned companies in which the Company does not have a controlling interest, as equity method investments, at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings since the date of acquisition and cumulative translation adjustments. We have eliminated intercompany transactions. We have evaluated all subsequent events through the date our financial statements were issued.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates include, among others allowances for doubtful receivables, promotional and product returns, pension and postretirement benefit plans, income taxes, and contingencies.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

We have noncontrolling interests in four joint ventures with redemption features that could require us to purchase the noncontrolling interests at fair value in the event of a change in control of Tenneco Inc. or certain of our subsidiaries. We do not believe that it is probable that the redemption features in any of these joint venture agreements will be triggered. However, the redemption of these shares is not solely within our control. Accordingly, the related noncontrolling interests are presented as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” in the temporary equity section of our consolidated balance sheets.

Inventories

Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods.

Goodwill and Intangibles, net

We evaluate goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if events indicate it is warranted. The goodwill impairment test consists of a two-step process. In step one, we compare the estimated fair value of our reporting units with goodwill to the carrying value of the unit’s assets and liabilities to determine if impairment exists within the recorded balance of goodwill. We estimate the fair value of each reporting unit using the income approach which is based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. The income approach is dependent on a number of factors, including estimates of market trends, forecasted revenues and expenses, capital expenditures, weighted average cost of capital and other variables. A separate discount rate derived by a combination of published sources, internal estimates and weighted based on our debt to equity ratio, was used to calculate the discounted cash flows for each of our reporting units. These estimates are based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and outside of the control of management. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is higher than its fair value, there is an indication that impairment may exist which requires step two to be performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss. The amount of impairment is determined by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying value.

Plant, Property, and Equipment, at Cost

We depreciate these properties excluding land on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Useful lives range from 10 to 50 years for buildings and improvements and from 3 to 25 years for machinery and equipment.

Notes and Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Receivables consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers and unbilled pre-production design and development costs.

Pre-production Design and Development and Tooling Assets

We expense pre-production design and development costs as incurred unless we have a contractual guarantee for reimbursement from the original equipment customer.

Internal Use Software Assets

We capitalize certain costs related to the purchase and development of software that we use in our business operations. We amortize the costs attributable to these software systems over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 3 to 12 years, based on various factors such as the effects of obsolescence, technology, and other economic factors.

Income Taxes

We reported income tax expenses of $122 million, $19 million and $88 million in the years ended 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The tax expense recorded in 2013 includes a net tax benefit of $25 million primarily for tax adjustments related to recognizing a U.S. tax benefit for foreign taxes and changes to prior year estimates.

We evaluate our deferred income taxes quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required or should be adjusted. U.S. GAAP requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established against their deferred tax assets based on consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, using a “more likely than not” standard. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and amount of recent losses, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, and tax planning strategies. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.

In 2012, we reversed the tax valuation allowance that we recorded in 2008 against our net deferred tax assets in the U.S. based on operating improvements we had made, the outlook for light and commercial vehicle production in the U.S. and the positive impact this should have on our U.S. operations. The net income impact of the tax valuation allowance release in the U.S. was a tax benefit of approximately $81 million.

Valuation allowances have been established in certain foreign jurisdictions for deferred tax assets based on a “more likely than not” threshold. The ability to realize deferred tax assets depends on our ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryforward periods provided for in the tax law for each tax jurisdiction. We have considered the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of our deferred tax assets:


•	Future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;


•	Taxable income or loss, based on recent results, exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards;


•	Tax-planning strategies; and


•	Taxable income in prior carryback years if carryback is permitted under the relevant tax law.

The valuation allowances recorded against deferred tax assets generated by taxable losses in Spain and certain other foreign jurisdictions will impact our provision for income taxes until the valuation allowances are released. Our provision for income taxes will include no tax benefit for losses incurred and no tax expense with respect to income generated in these jurisdictions until the respective valuation allowance is eliminated.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue for sales to our original equipment and aftermarket customers when title and risk of loss passes to the customers under the terms of our arrangements with those customers, which is usually at the time of shipment from our plants or distribution centers. Generally, in connection with the sale of exhaust systems to certain original equipment manufacturers, we purchase catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters or components thereof including precious metals (“substrates”) on behalf of our customers which are used in the assembled system. These substrates are included in our inventory and “passed through” to the customer at our cost, plus a small margin, since we take title to the inventory and are responsible for both the delivery and quality of the finished product. Revenues recognized for substrate sales were $1,835 million, $1,660 million and $1,678 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For our aftermarket customers, we provide for promotional incentives and returns at the time of sale. Estimates are based upon the terms of the incentives and historical experience with returns. Certain taxes assessed by governmental authorities on revenue producing transactions, such as value added taxes, are excluded from revenue and recorded on a net basis. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in revenues and the related costs are included in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of income (loss).

Warranty Reserves

Where we have offered product warranty, we also provide for warranty costs. Provisions for estimated expenses related to product warranty are made at the time products are sold or when specific warranty issues are identified on OE products. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency, and average cost of warranty claims and upon specific warranty issues as they arise. The warranty terms vary but range from one year up to limited lifetime warranties on some of our premium aftermarket products. We actively study trends of our warranty claims and take action to improve product quality and minimize warranty claims. While we have not experienced any material differences between these estimates and our actual costs, it is reasonably possible that future warranty issues could arise that could have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Earnings Per Share

We compute basic earnings per share by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. The computation of diluted earnings per share is similar to the computation of basic earnings per share, except that we adjust the weighted-average number of shares outstanding to include estimates of additional shares that would be issued if potentially dilutive common shares had been issued. In addition, we adjust income available to common shareholders to include any changes in income or loss that would result from the assumed issuance of the dilutive common shares.

Engineering, Research and Development

We expense engineering, research, and development costs as they are incurred. Engineering, research, and development expenses were $144 million for 2013, $126 million for 2012, and $133 million for 2011, net of reimbursements from our customers. Our customers reimburse us for engineering, research, and development costs on some platforms when we prepare prototypes and incur costs before platform awards.

Advertising and Promotion Expenses

We expense advertising and promotion expenses as they are incurred.

Foreign Currency Translation

We translate the consolidated financial statements of foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and a weighted-average exchange rate for revenues and expenses in each period. We record translation adjustments for those subsidiaries whose local currency is their functional currency as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity. We recognize transaction gains and losses arising from fluctuations in currency exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency in earnings as incurred, except for those transactions which hedge purchase commitments and for those intercompany balances which are designated as long-term investments.

Risk Management Activities

We use derivative financial instruments, principally foreign currency forward purchase and sales contracts with terms of less than one year, to hedge our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our primary exposure to changes in foreign currency rates results from intercompany loans made between affiliates to minimize the need for borrowings from third parties. Additionally, we enter into foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts to mitigate our exposure to changes in exchange rates on certain intercompany and third-party trade receivables and payables. We manage counter-party credit risk by entering into derivative financial instruments with major financial institutions that can be expected to fully perform under the terms of such agreements. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. In managing our foreign currency exposures, we identify and aggregate existing offsetting positions and then hedge residual exposures through third-party derivative contracts. The fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts was a net liability position of less than $1 million at December 31, 2013 and is based on an internally developed model which incorporates observable inputs including quoted spot rates, forward exchange rates and discounted future expected cash flows utilizing market interest rates with similar quality and maturity characteristics. We record the change in fair value of these foreign exchange forward contracts as part of currency gains (losses) within cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income (loss). The fair value of foreign exchange forward contracts are recorded in prepayments and other current assets or other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to provide explicit guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. The objective of the amendment is to eliminate the diversity in practice in the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits in those instances. This amendment is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. We adopted this amendment on January 1, 2014. Adoption of the amendment is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to clarify when an entity should apply the liquidation basis of accounting and to provide principles for the measurement of assets and liabilities under the liquidation basis of accounting, as well as any required disclosures. The amendment applies to all entities that issue financial statements that are presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP except investment companies that are regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This amendment is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. Adoption of the amendment will not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to resolve the diversity in practice about whether Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation-Overall, or Subtopic 830-30, Foreign Currency Matters-Translation of Financial Statements, applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part of all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business (other than a sale of in substance real state or conveyance of oil and gas mineral rights) within a foreign entity. In addition, the amendments resolve the diversity in practice for the treatment of business combinations achieved in stages (sometimes also referred to as step acquisitions) involving a foreign entity. This amendment is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. Adoption of the amendment will not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. The guidance requires an entity to measure those obligations as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement amount its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance in this amendment also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. This amendment is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. Adoption of the amendment will not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting guidance to improve the transparency of reporting amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income (loss) includes gains and losses that are initially excluded from net income for an accounting period. Those gains and losses are later reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into net income. This amendment does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. All of the information that this amendment requires already is required to be disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements under U.S. GAAP. This new amendment requires presentation either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, the effects of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income, and that the reclassified amounts be cross-referenced to the other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP. This amendment was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. This amendment has not had a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued an amendment relating to the disclosure about offsetting assets and liabilities. This amendment requires disclosure to provide information to help reconcile differences in the offsetting requirements under U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). A reporting entity will be required to disclose (1) the gross amount of recognized assets and liabilities, (2) the amounts offset to determine the net amounts presented in the statement of financial position, (3) the net amounts presented in the statement of financial position, (4) the amounts subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement not otherwise included in (2), and (5) the net amount after deducting the amounts in (4) and (3). This amendment was effective for a reporting entity’s interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Following issuance of this amendment, considerable concerns were raised regarding the broad scope of this amendment. In response to the concerns, in January, 2013, the FASB issued a new amendment revising the scope of the disclosure requirements to apply only to derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and security borrowing and lending transactions subject to a master netting arrangement or similar agreement. As a result of this new amendment the disclosure about offsetting assets and liabilities did not have any impact to our consolidated financial statements.

Restricted Net Assets

In certain countries where we operate, transfers of funds out of such countries by way of dividends, loans or advances are subject to certain central bank restrictions which require approval from the central bank authorities prior to transferring funds out of these countries. The countries in which we operate that have such restrictions include Argentina, China, South Africa, and Thailand.