The auto industry is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by megatrends like electrification, sustainability, and connectivity. At the forefront of this transformation is Tenneco, a global leader in automotive products, whose Tenneco Braking and DRiV divisions are redefining brake technology for original equipment (OE) and aftermarket applications.
In this exclusive Q&A with The BRAKE Report, Marco Frecchio, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Sales Executive for Tenneco Braking, and Verónica Martínez Zanatta, VP & GM, Mexico & LatAm for DRiV, share insights on how Tenneco is navigating these trends, seizing growth opportunities, and shaping the future of braking innovation.
What are the current megatrends in the transportation industry, and how are they impacting OE braking?
Marco Frecchio, Tenneco Braking: We’re seeing four megatrends reshaping transportation: Connectivity, Sustainability, Shared Mobility, and Electrification. Connectivity and Shared Mobility don’t fundamentally alter braking systems, which remain safety-critical. However, Electrification and Sustainability are game-changers. For electric vehicles (EVs), we’re leveraging our expertise in NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) management—a key metric for EVs—while ensuring uncompromised safety and stopping power. On sustainability, our Low Emission Brake (LEB) technology, adopted by major European OEMs for Euro 7 platforms, and copper-free formulations reduce particulate emissions. We’re also adopting renewable energy in manufacturing and strengthening supply chain resilience with a global yet regionalized footprint.
How is Tenneco Braking evolving to stay competitive and deliver value?
Marco Frecchio: We’re focusing on three pillars: Customer-Centricity, Innovation, and Competitiveness. Our R&D and operations teams are embedded in customer ecosystems, with four global technical centers and prototype manufacturing integrated into our plants for faster development cycles. Innovation is targeted to accelerate time-to-market, enhance performance, and support customer ESG goals. To stay competitive, we optimize our industrial footprint and production allocation to deliver best-in-class products at competitive costs, helping our customers win in their markets.
China is a hot topic. How is Tenneco Braking approaching this market?
Marco Frecchio: China is a strategic pillar for us. We combine Tenneco’s global engineering and innovation heritage with a fully localized operation tailored to the market’s speed. Our dedicated local organization collaborates closely with Chinese OEMs, delivering globally engineered, locally adapted products. This approach has driven strong growth, and our goal is to operate as a truly Chinese company with global DNA.
Where do you see the biggest growth opportunities for OE and aftermarket businesses in the next five years?
Marco Frecchio: For OE, growth isn’t limited to China and Europe. Our global footprint—from the U.S. to Mexico, Europe to China—enables us to grow in every region. We tailor solutions to local needs, like a fully Chinese organization for China or leveraging Mexican and U.S. operations to serve North America while addressing tariffs. In Europe, we maximize technology for competitiveness. Our goal is to help customers win, because their success is ours.
Verónica Martínez Zanatta, DRiV: In the aftermarket, DRiV is expanding its braking offerings. For example, we recently exited a leased facility in Mexico to increase our manufacturing partnerships and signed an MOU to end a joint venture, enabling us to grow in the Brazilian automotive aftermarket. These moves strengthen our ability to meet regional demand with high-quality braking solutions.
Beyond passenger cars and rail, what other segments is Tenneco Braking targeting?
Marco Frecchio: We’re committed to leadership in three core segments: Passenger Car, Rail and Industrial, and Commercial Vehicle. In Commercial Vehicle, we’re developing solutions for Euro 7 truck regulations (SOP 2030), co-designing integrated systems—discs, calipers, pads—with top-tier partners to deliver performance and sustainability. In Rail and Industrial, we’re expanding our product range to outperform in new markets and with new customers. Our ambition is to shape trends across all braking applications.
Three years from now, what will be the biggest headline in the global braking industry, and what role will Tenneco play?
Marco Frecchio: The headline will be Tenneco Braking reclaiming its position as the undisputed industry leader. We’ve been a leader in OE braking in the past, and we’re determined to reinforce that through innovation and customer excellence. In three years, we’ll look back on a chapter where we pushed the boundaries of braking technology, re-establishing ourselves as number one. As we say at Tenneco every day: GAME ON!
What are DRiV’s plans for the aftermarket braking market?
Verónica Martínez Zanatta: DRiV is actively expanding its aftermarket braking portfolio. By exiting a leased facility in Mexico, we’ve freed up resources to forge new manufacturing partnerships. Additionally, our MOU to exit a joint venture positions us to deepen our presence in Brazil’s automotive aftermarket. These strategic moves enhance our flexibility and capacity to deliver high-quality braking solutions to meet growing demand across Latin America and beyond.
Tenneco Braking and DRiV are not just keeping pace with the transportation industry’s evolution—they’re driving it. With a relentless focus on innovation, sustainability, and customer success, Tenneco is poised to shape the future of braking, from OE to aftermarket, across the globe.
For more insights into Tenneco’s cutting-edge solutions, visit www.tenneco.com.
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