Summary of Accounting Policies

Consolidation and Presentation

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. These items are covered in more detail elsewhere in Note 1, Note 7, Note 10, and Note 12 of the consolidated financial statements of Tenneco Inc. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

We have noncontrolling interests in five 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.

In May 2014, we sold a 45 percent equity interest in Tenneco Fusheng (Chengdu) Automobile Parts Co., Ltd., to a third party for $4 million. As a result of the sale, our equity ownership of Tenneco Fusheng (Chengdu) Automobile Parts Co., Ltd. changed to 55 percent from 100 percent.

The following is a rollforward of activity in our redeemable noncontrolling interests for the years ending December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively:



	2015			2014			2013
	(Millions)
Balance January 1	$	35		$	20		$	15
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	33			23			14
Sale of 45 percent equity interest from Tenneco Inc	—			4			—
Capital Contributions	—			1			—
Dividends declared	(24		)	(13		)	(9		)
Balance December 31	$	43		$	35		$	20

Inventories

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, inventory by major classification was as follows:



	2015		2014
	(Millions)
Finished goods	$	257	$	272
Work in process	233		221
Raw materials	135		137
Materials and supplies	57		58
	$	682	$	688

Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods. Work in process includes purchased parts such as substrates coated with precious metals.

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.

At December 31, 2015, accumulated goodwill impairment charges include $306 million related to our North America Ride Performance reporting unit, $32 million related to our Europe, South America & India Ride Performance reporting unit and $11 million related to our Asia Pacific Ride Performance reporting unit.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, 2014 and 2013, as a result of our annual goodwill impairment testing, the estimated fair value of each of our reporting units exceeded the carrying value of their assets and liabilities as of the testing date.

The changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:




	Clean Air Division							Ride Performance Division
	North America		Europe, South America & India			Asia Pacific		North America		Europe, South America & India			Asia Pacific		Total
(Millions)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	14	$	14		$	—	$	10	$	31		$	—	$	69
Translation Adjustment	—		(2		)	—		—		(2		)	—		(4		)
Balance at December 31, 2014	14		12			—		10		29			—		65
Translation Adjustment	—		(1		)	—		—		(4		)	—		(5		)
Balance at December 31, 2015	14		11			—		10		25			—		60

We have capitalized certain intangible assets, primarily technology rights, trademarks and patents, based on their estimated fair value at the date we acquired them. We amortize our finite useful life intangible assets on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 5 to 50 years. Amortization of intangibles amounted to $5 million in 2015, $4 million in 2014, and $5 million in 2013, and are included in the statements of income caption “Depreciation and amortization of intangibles.” The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our finite useful life intangible assets were as follows:



	December 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization
	(Millions)					(Millions)
Customer contract	$	8	$	(4	)	$	8	$	(4	)
Patents	2		(2		)	3		(2		)
Technology rights	29		(19		)	26		(15		)
Other	10		(2		)	11		(2		)
Total	$	49	$	(27	)	$	48	$	(23	)

Estimated amortization of intangible assets over the next five years is expected to be $3 million in 2016, $2 million in 2017 and $1 million in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Plant, Property, and Equipment, at Cost

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, plant, property, and equipment, at cost, by major category were as follows:



	2015		2014
	(Millions)
Land, buildings, and improvements	$	561	$	569
Machinery and equipment	2,569		2,655
Other, including construction in progress	288		266
	$	3,418	$	3,490

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. Short and long-term accounts receivable outstanding were $1,126 million and $1,088 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts on short-term and long-term accounts receivable was $16 million at both December 31, 2015 and 2014. Short and long-term notes receivable outstanding was $5 million at both December 31, 2015 and 2014. The allowance for doubtful accounts on short-term and long-term notes receivable was zero at both December 31, 2015 and 2014.

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. Unbilled pre-production design and development costs recorded in prepayments and other and long-term receivables were $21 million and $23 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, plant, property and equipment included $64 million and $59 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for original equipment tools and dies that we own, and prepayments and other included $107 million and $98 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for in-process tools and dies that we are building for our original equipment customers.

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. Capitalized software development costs, net of amortization, were $58 million and $54 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and are recorded in other long-term assets. Amortization of software development costs was approximately $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and $15 million for both years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and is included in the statements of income (loss) caption “Depreciation and amortization of intangibles.” Additions to capitalized software development costs, including payroll and payroll-related costs for those employees directly associated with developing and obtaining the internal use software, are classified as investing activities in the statements of cash flows.

Accounts Payable

Accounts payable included $93 million and $91 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, for accrued compensation and $17 million and $39 million at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, for bank overdrafts at our European subsidiaries.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities on the basis of the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences that exist between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and their respective tax values, and net operating losses ("NOL") and tax credit carryforwards on a taxing jurisdiction basis. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will apply in the years in which we expect the temporary differences to be recovered or paid.

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.

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 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 $1,916 million, $1,934 million and $1,835 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, 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. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements of Tenneco Inc.

Engineering, Research and Development

We expense engineering, research, and development costs as they are incurred. Engineering, research, and development expenses were $146 million for 2015, $169 million for 2014, and $144 million for 2013, 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. Our engineering, research, and development expense for 2015, 2014 and 2013 has been reduced by $145 million, $159 million and $169 million, respectively, for these reimbursements.

Advertising and Promotion Expenses

We expense advertising and promotion expenses as they are incurred. Advertising and promotion expenses were $54 million, $57 million, and $53 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Foreign Currency

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 intercompany balances which are designated as long-term investments. Our results include foreign currency transaction losses of $6 million in 2015, of $1 million in 2014 and $13 million in 2013. The amounts are recorded in cost of sales.

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 asset position of $1 million at December 31, 2015 and a net liability position of less than $1 million at December 31, 2014 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 November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires companies to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent on the balance sheet instead of separating deferred taxes into current and noncurrent amounts. For public business entities, the standard is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for all companies in any interim or annual period. We adopted this standard as of December 31, 2015 and applied prospectively. Adoption of this guidance resulted in a reclassification of our net current deferred tax asset to the net non-current deferred tax asset in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015. No prior periods were retrospectively adjusted.

In May 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). ASU No. 2015-07 removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Such investments should be disclosed separate from the fair value hierarchy. For public business entities, the standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements but will impact pension asset disclosure.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. For public business entities, the standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in this update is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. We adopted this standard for the first quarter of 2015 and applied retrospectively. Please refer to note 5 in our notes to consolidated financial statements located in Part II Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further discussion.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an amendment on revenue recognition. The amendment in this update creates Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. In addition, the amendment supersedes the cost guidance in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts, and creates new Subtopic 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs-Contracts with Customers. The core principle of Topic 606 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The FASB has approved a one-year deferral of the effective date from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2018, while allowing for early adoption as of January 1, 2017 for public entities. We will adopt this amendment on January1, 2018. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance on 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. The net asset balance of our subsidiaries in the countries in which we operate that have such restrictions was $248 million and $218 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These central banking restrictions do not have a significant effect on our ability to manage liquidity on a global basis.