September 24, 2003                                                  EXHIBIT 99.1

TECUMSEH PRODUCTS COMPANY
(NASDAQ:  TECUA and TECUB)

                    DAVID M. RISLEY APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF
                            TECUMSEH PRODUCTS COMPANY

Tecumseh, Michigan, September 24, 2003 . . . . Tecumseh Products Company, today
announced that David M. Risley has been appointed to the Board of Directors. His
appointment increases Tecumseh's Board of Directors to eight members.

"I am pleased to welcome Dave to our Board of Directors," said Todd W. Herrick,
Tecumseh's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Dave brings a broad range of
manufacturing industry experience and insight to Tecumseh."

Mr. Risley is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for La-Z-Boy
Incorporated of Monroe, Michigan, a leading furniture manufacturer. Prior to
joining La-Z-Boy, Mr. Risley was Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial
Officer of Aeroquip-Vickers, Inc., an Ohio-based manufacturing firm serving the
industrial, aerospace and automotive markets.

Mr. Risley received a BBA in Accounting from the University of Iowa in 1966, and
an MBA in Finance from Loyola University of Chicago in 1970.

"I am delighted to have been asked to join the Tecumseh Board of Directors,"
said Mr. Risley. "I look forward to contributing to Tecumseh's growth and
exploring ways to enhance Tecumseh's presence in the marketplace."

Tecumseh Products Company is a full-line independent global manufacturer of
hermetic compressors for residential and commercial refrigerators, freezers,
water coolers, dehumidifiers, window air conditioning units and residential and
commercial central system air conditioners and heat pumps; gasoline engines and
power train for lawn mowers, lawn and garden tractors, garden tillers, string
trimmers, snow throwers, industrial and agricultural applications and
recreational vehicles; electric motors and components, including AC and DC
motors, blowers, gear motors and linear actuators for a wide variety of
industrial and consumer applications across a broad range of industries; and
centrifugal pumps, sump pumps and small submersible pumps for industrial,
commercial, marine and agricultural applications.

Contact:          Pat Walsh
                  Director of Investor Relations
                  Tecumseh Products Company
                  (517) 423-8455