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• Fifty-six percent of parents feel they are "always on the go"

• "Knowing how to discuss certain subjects," "being interrupted," and "finding time" are the top three obstacles parents face when attempting to have an important conversation with their children

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jun 24, 2004 -Research released today reveals that 67 percent of parents name the family vehicle as a convenient place to have a meaningful conversation with their children, according to a study by Chrysler Group, the long-standing leader and inventor of the ultimate family vehicle – the minivan – and Harris Interactive®, a worldwide market research and consulting firm.

The survey also found that nearly 70 percent of parents spend most of their time outside of the house with their children in the family vehicle (67% mentioned the family vehicle as one of their top three places).  Survey results show that families spend an average of 1.3 hours in the car every day and take an average of 5.3 road trips per year.  Overwhelmingly, parents sometimes or often use this time to talk to their children about school (91%), friends (90%) and values (82%).

Chrysler Group issued the study as part of its commitment to support Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children, in a partnership with the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.  Family Day, which takes place on every fourth Monday in September – the 27th in 2004, encourages parents to make time to talk and listen to their children.  According to CASA, families that practice good communication, whether it be in a vehicle or at the dinner table, are more likely to have children that are substance free. 

"Chrysler Group recognizes that today’s family is juggling a more hectic schedule than ever before, and a greater number of parents are using time spent in the family vehicle to discuss important topics with their children," said Christine MacKenzie, Vice President, Corporate Research and Reporting - Chrysler Group.  "We design our Chrysler and Dodge Minivans with the family in mind to provide a comfortable environment that both parents and their children can enjoy when on the road."

The Chrysler Group/Harris Interactive study was fielded online by Harris Interactive among 1,895 parents or legal guardians of children five years and older who own or lease a vehicle.  In addition to time parents and children spend in the family vehicle, areas investigated include topics of conversation, family activities while traveling in the family vehicle and common obstacles they face when attempting to have a quality conversation with a child.

"The study reveals the changing dynamic of family time," said Laura Light, Research Director of Public Relations Practice at Harris Interactive.  "The research conducted on behalf of Chrysler Group shows that families are taking advantage of the time spent together in a vehicle to open the lines of communication with their children."

Other Findings

• Almost one in two (49%) say they spend a lot of time in their family vehicle

• Other subjects parents sometimes/often discuss with their children in their family vehicle are:
  • 81 percent talk about extra-curricular activities such as sports or music lessons
  • 69 percent discuss chores
  • 65 percent talk about lifestyle or health issues, such as drugs, alcohol, or sex

Methodology
Harris Interactive®, via its QuickQuery^SM  online omnibus, fielded the 13 question survey on behalf of Chrysler Group.  The online study was conducted among a nationwide sample of 1,895 U.S. adults including 808 men and 1,087 women 18 years of age or older.

The data were weighted to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity and propensity to be online. 

Interviewing for this omnibus survey was completed during the period June 11 through June 16, 2004.

The sampling error for the total sample is plus or minus 1.5 percentage points.  The sampling error for those answering the children and cars question is plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.

Chrysler Group Minivans

Chrysler Group introduced the minivan in 1983.  Since then it has sold more than 10 million minivans in 72 countries, introduced 50 minivan-first features and earned more than 150 awards industry-wide.  The new 2005 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan minivans are more than 16 percent quieter than previous models and offer another minivan-first – the new Stow 'n Go™ seating and storage system with fold-in-the-floor second-and third row seats.  The seating configuration goes from seven seats to two in less than 30 seconds, and when the seats are in the upright position, 12 cubic feet of storage space becomes available. 

Family Day
Chrysler Group’s Family Day efforts will encourage Americans to find time during the week surrounding Family Day (September 25 – October 1) to "unschedule" from school activities, work commitments and extracurricular engagements to simply enjoy time together. 

Harris Interactive®
Harris Interactive (www.Harrisinteractive.com) is a worldwide market research and consulting firm best known for The Harris Poll®, and for pioneering the Internet method to conduct scientifically accurate market research. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, Harris Interactive combines proprietary methodologies and technology with expertise in predictive, custom and strategic research. The Company conducts international research from its U.S. offices and through wholly owned subsidiaries—London-based HI Europe (www.hieurope.com), Paris-based Novatris and Tokyo-based Harris Interactive Japan—as well as through the Harris Interactive Global Network of independent market- and opinion-research firms.

CASA

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University is the only national organization that brings together under one roof all the professional disciplines needed to study and combat all types of substance abuse in all sectors of society.  CASA’s missions are to: inform Americans of the economic and social costs of substance abuse and its impact on their lives; assess what works in prevention, treatment and law enforcement; encourage every individual and institution to take responsibility to combat substance abuse and addiction; provide those on the front lines with the tools they need to succeed; and remove the stigma of substance abuse and replace shame and despair with hope.

Dodge to Unleash HEMI Power in Police Car Market

• Dodge in Pursuit of Police Car Sales

• 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT Available for Police Special Service Uses

• Police Package to Be Offered on 2006 Dodge Magnum

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jun 24, 2004 -Unlawful drivers will soon face a Dodge Magnum grille in their rear view mirror, along with a HEMI® under the hood.  Dodge is upping the ante in the law enforcement market with a new rear-wheel-drive Dodge Magnum police car powered by the legendary HEMI V-8 engine. 

With police requirements squarely on their radar, Dodge engineers integrated specific law enforcement vehicle features and functionality into the original design of the Dodge Magnum, minimizing the need for numerous aftermarket retrofits.   

"Dodge Magnum is bold, powerful and capable," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President, Dodge Marketing.  "Dodge Magnum offers affordable performance to those who patrol and protect our communities."

» Read More

High-Performance, Rear-Wheel Drive Vehicle Brings Back Legendary HEMI®Engine to Market

Joliet, Ill., Jun 24, 2004 -When the field for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series starts their engines for the July 11, 2004 Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, they will be led to the green flag by the 2005 Dodge Magnum RT - the Official Pace Car of Chicagoland Speedway.

The 2005 Dodge Magnum, which debuted this spring, returns with HEMI® power and rear-wheel-drive.  Magnum is the first rear-wheel drive car for the Dodge brand in nearly 20 years.  The legendary engine that powered Dodge's muscle cars of the 1960s has been re-engineered and reborn as a modern, high-performance, fuel-efficient and durable powerplant known as the all-new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8.

The Chicagoland Dodge Dealers Advertising Association is the official vehicle partner of Chicagoland Speedway and is using the July 11, 2004 Tropicana 400 to showcase the return of the Dodge muscle car.

“Dodge has been a tremendous partner of Chicagoland Speedway and we are excited to have the new 2005 Magnum RT as the Official Pace Car for our July Tropicana NASCAR weekend,” said Matthew Alexander, vice president and general manager of Chicagoland Speedway.  “As one of the premier sporting facilities and events in the Chicago market we are an extremely valuable resource for companies looking to market new products.  The new 2005 Dodge Magnum RT leading the NASCAR field to the green flag to start our races is a powerful way to reach the consumers.”

The Dodge Magnum RT Pace Car will have 20" wheels and Competition Graphics.  It is powered by the HEMI engine, which has 340 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque and can go from zero to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds.

The HEMI-powered 2005 Dodge Magnum RT features an industry-first cylinder deactivation system which saves fuel while retaining HEMI power.  The Chrysler Group Multiple Displacement System (MDS) seamlessly turns off the fuel consumption in four cylinders of the 5.7-liter HEMI engine when V-8 power is not needed. This provides a combination of world-class performance and fuel economy.  Chrysler Group has developed and is the first to offer MDS on a modern, large-volume vehicle in North America.

“We’re thrilled to see the all-new Dodge Magnum featured as the Pace Car at this year’s race.  The timing is perfect since Magnum is just entering Dodge showrooms.  It’s sure to grab a lot of attention,” said Bill Gustaveson, president of the Chicagoland Dodge Dealers Advertising Association.

The Chicago Metro Dodge Dealers Advertising Association (Chicagoland Dodge Dealers) represents the 55 Dodge Dealers in the metropolitan Chicago area.  The Association has been a sponsor of the track since 2000.

Auburn Hills, Mich., June 10, 2004 - In 1951, Chrysler Corporation introduced its entry in the post-war horsepower race, a V-8 engine designed with hemispherical combustion chambers. Quickly dubbed the HEMI^®, its power and efficiency made it an instant favorite for all sorts of motorsport vehicles. Although reluctantly retired in 1959 due to high manufacturing cost, the HEMI design was still unsurpassed. In 1964, NASCAR competition sparked the HEMI's return, and it has remained available for motorsport use ever since. Now, 50 years after the original, there's a new HEMI whose efficiency and power make it ideal for today's needs.

In 1951, we said:
"The secret of the FirePower engine lies in the Hemispherical Combustion Chamber, developed and perfected by Chrysler Engineers."

This type of combustion chamber is used in aircraft engines, and it has been used in several expensive, low production cars of foreign make.

The FirePower engine not only produces more power than any other passenger car engine in the world, but it develops more power for its piston displacement than any competitive engine, which is conclusive proof of its efficiency.

A specially printed Chrysler brochure explained that engines have to breathe just as animals do, inhaling a combustible air-fuel mixture and exhaling the exhaust gases after combustion. The easier the engine breathes, the greater its volumetric efficiency and the more power it produces. The hemispheric combustion chamber design of the 1951 FirePower engine allowed large valves to be located across from each other instead of side-by-side, improving flow and allowing larger valves.

The design of the hemispherical combustion chamber allowed more complete burning of the air-fuel mixture, with flame from the central spark plug kept short, direct and evenly distributed. An efficient engine minimizes heat loss; heat is energy.

Now, we say:
"Our new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 is an elegantly simple design that delivers the power and fuel efficiency that today's customers desire."

The breathing and combustion advantages of the HEMI remain unchanged; the same laws of physics and thermodynamics still apply.

The new 5.7-liter HEMI engine lets the superiority of the HEMI design benefit from the many advances in engine technologies over the past 50 years.

Among them:

• Aluminum cylinder heads to reduce weight
• Fuel injection and electronic throttle control to achieve more precise air/fuel mixtures
• Two spark plugs per cylinder and coil-over-plug ignition technology to improve the HEMI's famous combustion efficiency still further.
• High-mounted camshaft
• Rocker arms with greater stiffness and low inertia

The result now, as in 1951, is an engine with class-leading performance.

Auburn Hills, Mich., June 10, 2004 - The Chrysler Corporation stunned the racing world on Feb. 23, 1964, when stock cars equipped with its powerful 426 HEMI^® engine swept the Daytona 500, taking first, second and third places in stock car racing's most prestigious event. The engine also set a new average speed record for the track of 154.33 mph.

While the engine's life on the racing circuit was brief - NASCAR quickly imposed stricter engine specifications in an effort to level the playing field - that February day was enough to set the public clamoring for HEMI - style horsepower.

In 1966, Chrysler began offering a slightly tuned-down version of the 426 HEMI race engine (called the "street HEMI") as an option in Plymouth Belvederes, Dodge Coronets and Chargers. The era of the true muscle car had arrived.

The cylinder head configuration with a nearly centrally located spark plug in a hemispherically shaped combustion chamber gave the classic HEMI engine it name. This unique architecture has an inherent airflow that translates into big power.

The street HEMI came with dual, four-barrel carburetors mounted on an aluminum dual-plan intake manifold. The engine's advertised horsepower and torque were 425 hp and 490 lb.-ft. of torque. However, many drivers claim the output was closer to 500 hp.

"Prior to 1964, we were racing on the NASCAR circuit using a 426 Max Wedge (which had a wedge-shaped head design), but we weren't having much success," recalls Bill Weertman, Chrysler's Manager of Engine Design at the time. "Senior management wanted to change that. Our engineering team knew from previous experience with the HEMI design that it could produce the necessary power."

Indeed, Chrysler engineers assisted in the development of a HEMI engine that in 1965 set a new land speed record for a wheel-driven vehicle. The car, with four HEMI engines mounted in-line, set a two-way record of 409.277 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah.

While for many the HEMI legacy began in the 1960s, Chrysler's experience with the design dates back to the late 1930's, when engineers began experimenting with different types of engine designs in an effort to improve performance. During World War II, Chrysler also developed a military aircraft engine equipped with a HEMI head.

In 1951, Chrysler introduced the HEMI V-8 engine to the public. The engine produces 180 hp, an impressive output in those days. The first cars to carry the new engine were the New Yorker and Saratoga lines. Between 1951 and 1953, HEMI engines were offered on the Chrysler and Imperial, DeSoto and Dodge. Although the engines carried different names - "Firepower," "Fire-dome" and "Red Ram" - and were manufactured in separate facilities, they shared a similar design approach with each engine having its own size range.

The 426 HEMI had little in common with these earlier versions except for the basic valve train arrangement and spark plug location, according to Weertman.

An expensive option at the time ($600-$800 on cars that had base prices of $2,300 to $4,200), the street HEMI was popular among car enthusiasts and those cruisers who wanted to have the biggest, baddest engine on the street.

"If you were idling at a stoplight and the car next to you had 'HEMI' in its nameplate, there was no doubt who would be the fastest off the line," said Weertman, who retired from Chrysler in 1987.

The street HEMI passed into history in 1971 as concerns about emissions and fuel consumption led to a major detuning of all high performance engines. About 10,000 426 HEMIs were manufactured for street use in the engine's five-year run.

Still, the love affair with the original muscle car engine continues today through Web sites and enthusiast magazines devoted to the HEMI. Today, restored true HEMI cars command very high price tags.

Race tracks, cruise events and museum exhibits aren’t the only places where HEMI^®-powered vehicles take center stage. They’ve been immortalized over the years through parts on big and small screens alike. And their star power is still strong.

From 1996-2001, a 1971 Plymouth HEMI Cuda played sidekick to Don Johnson and Cheech Marin in CBS’s popular "Nash Bridges" television series.

HEMI’s film work also includes roles in such flicks as:
• Bullitt - 1968
• Dirty Mary and Crazy Larry - 1974
• Phantasm - 1979
• Heart Like a Wheel - 1983
• Phantasm II - 1988
• Natural Born Killers - 1994
• Blade  - 1998
• Gone in 60 Seconds  - 2000
• The Fast and the Furious - 2001
• Blade II  - 2002  

1964 HEMI-powered stock cars win 26 of the 62 NASCAR Grand National races.

2003 5.7-liter HEMI is 56 lbs. lighter, has 41 percent more power and 12 percent more torque than the 5.9-liter Magnum wedge head engine it replaces.

2004 After nearly 50 years, the HEMI engine returns to a Chrysler brand passenger vehicle in the new Chrysler 300 and, after nearly 30 years, to a Dodge brand passenger vehicle in the Dodge Magnum, fitted with the all-new 5.7-liter HEMI V-8.

2004 Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum RT are the first modern-production vehicles produced in North America to feature cylinder deactivation - the Chrysler Group Multi-Displacement System (MDS) turns off four cylinders in the 5.7-liter HEMI engine when V-8 power is not needed for up to a 20-percent fuel savings.

Auburn Hills, Mich., June 18, 2004 - The legendary engine that powered Chrysler's muscle cars of the 1960s has been re-engineered and reborn as a modern high-performance, fuel-efficient and durable power plant known as the 5.7-liter HEMI^® V-8 engine.

The modern Chrysler Group 5.7-liter HEMI engine is elegantly simple. It achieves power, fuel economy and emissions goals with a design that is uncomplicated and cost effective.

The HEMI engine is also extremely versatile, offering best-in-class performance in the Dodge Ram and Dodge Durango. It is configured to be a smooth premium engine in the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum RT, and soon it will power the all-new 2005 Jeep_® Grand Cherokee.

The modern HEMI is engineered to deliver outstanding performance and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), resulting in a highly refined power plant. The engine gives the all-new 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee best-in-class power, with 90 percent of the engine's peak torque available from 2400 through 5100 rpm, for excellent performance.

Fuel economy has also been improved, but not at the expense of HEMI performance. Chrysler Group has developed and was the first to offer Multi-Displacement System (MDS) on a modern, large-volume vehicle in North America with its debut on the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum. Now with the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler Group will offer fuel-conserving MDS in a sport-utility vehicle. The MDS seamlessly alternates between four cylinders when V-8 power is not needed, and V-8 mode when more power from the 5.7-liter HEMI is in demand.

The modern HEMI engine offers more horsepower and torque than any Chrysler Group vehicle passenger car engine since the legendary 426 HEMI of the '60s and '70s. In the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Magnum, the 5.7-liter HEMI produces 340 hp @ 5000 and 390 lb.-ft. at 4000.

The 5.7-liter HEMI engine debuted on the all-new Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 as the standard engine offering. Producing 330 hp at 4800 rpm and 375 lb.-ft. at 4200 rpm, the HEMI provides more power than competitive standard V-8 engines. Versus competitive vehicles with similar size gasoline engines, it provides best-in-class acceleration and towing capability. The HEMI is available in the Dodge Ram 1500 to create the most powerful mass-production, light-duty pickup on the market. The 5.7-liter HEMI engine is also available in the Dodge Durango, producing 335 hp at 5200 rpm and 370 lb.-ft. at 4200 rpm.

Production of the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine is at Chrysler Group's state-of-the-art Saltillo Engine Plant II in Saltillo, Mexico.

2005 Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Jeep Grand Cherokee Feature HEMI^® Power with Maximum Fuel Economy

• Uncompromised HEMI^® Power
• Standard Equipment with HEMI V-8 Engine
• Up to 20-Percent Improvement in Fuel Economy
• Smoothly Transitions from Eight Cylinders to Four in Just 40 Milliseconds

Auburn Hills, Mich., June 10, 2004 - No other engine in U.S. history has the heritage and recognition of the Chrysler Group HEMI^®. While completely re-engineered from the legendary 426 HEMI V-8 that powered Chrysler muscle cars of the 1960s, the two features that earn the new 5.7-liter HEMI power plant its HEMI name are:

"Got dirt? Then don't buy a small, car-based, all-wheel-drive sport/utility crossover demi-wagon thingy. Nobody with true trail experience would consider one of them a true 4x4 sport/utility. A rutted, rocky, and off-pavement excursion will leave those four-cylinder pantywaists at the trailhead."

Jeep Liberty Limited took the First Place in this comparison. The Bottom Line statement is "The Liberty fulfills the original, go-anywhere mission of sport/utilities without fail or compromise".

"If you're looking for a genuine sport/utility in the purest sense of the universally overapplied term, there remains one clear choice among this trio. The Jeep Liberty can proudly wear the family crest, showing off its circular headlamps, seven-slat grille, and a "can do!" attitude."

"The Unlimited's box-section frame adds 10.0 inches to the standard Wrangler's wheelbase, extending it to 103.4 inches. There's also an additional five inches of rear overhang, which pulls its overall bumper-to-bumper dimension to 165.1 inches, or 15.0 more than the abbreviated model. The additional space is unequally apportioned in the interior. Leg and knee room in the back seat are expanded by just under two inches. But a whopping 13.0 inches is allotted to the area behind the rear seat. Cargo volume goes from 9 to 29 cubic feet. Out-of-sight cargo space has about doubled,..."

Car and Driver Magazine : Jeep Wrangler Unlimited : July/2004

New 500-horsepower Viper-powered Truck Joins Ram Party

• Dodge Storms Truck Market with Introduction of Two New 2005 Trucks

• Chrysler Group President and CEO Dieter Zetsche Unearths the Most Capable Off-Road Pickup on the Planet — the New 2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon — and the Viper-powered 2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab

CHELSEA, Mich., Jun 15, 2004 - First the earth moved. And then ... a blur.

Dodge unleashed two new, leading Dodge Ram pickups today, as the all-new 2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon burst from the ground here at the DaimlerChrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds, followed immediately by the familiar rumble of Viper V-10 power as the new 2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab raced into position as the newest member of the Ram and SRT families.

"Whether it's power, speed, torque or off-road prowess, Dodge Ram continues to lead the competition in every category," said Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO, Chrysler Group. "As the most capable off-road pickup on the planet, the Dodge Ram Power Wagon goes places no other pickup can, while the Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab hauls in more ways than one."

Before the ground shook, Dodge Ram was already the leading truck on the market with a lineup long on superlatives:

• Dodge Ram 1500 with legendary HEMI^® power is the most powerful mass production light-duty pickup on the market;

• Dodge Ram SRT-10 is the Guinness Book of World Records fastest production pickup ever; and

• Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Cummins 600 is the strongest pickup on the market with 600 lb.-ft. of class-dominating torque.

With the return of the new 2005 Dodge Ram Power Wagon and the addition of the new 2005 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab to the Chrysler Group family of performance vehicles, Dodge Ram adds to its impressive list of leadership claims:

• The new Dodge Ram Power Wagon is the most capable off-road production pickup ever created

• Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab is the fastest, most powerful four-door pickup, offering enthusiasts ultimate performance coupled with extraordinary convenience and utility

"The impressive list of Dodge Ram leadership claims continues to expand," said Darryl Jackson, Vice President — Dodge Marketing. "The Dodge Ram Power Wagon absolutely demolishes the competition in off-road capability, while the new Dodge Ram SRT-10 Quad Cab delivers convenience, capability and Viper performance in one incredible package. The Dodge Ram family of trucks continues to dominate the competition across the board."

» Read More

Chrysler Group's "Minivan Summer Games," a series of real-world competitions, invites families to go for the gold and win a new 2005 Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan

• Hundreds of families compete to win an all-new 2005 Chrysler or Dodge minivan with Stow 'n Go™ seating and storage system as well as a dream vacation

• Families qualify online at www.minivansummergames.com beginning June 14

• Eight Semi-Final competitions throughout the country; Final competition takes place in New York City

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jun 14, 2004 - Chrysler Group, the inventor and long-standing leader of the minivan segment, has created the first-ever Minivan Summer Games in celebration of the all-new 2005 Chrysler and Dodge minivans with Stow ‘n Go^TM  seating and storage system.

Beginning June14, 2004, the Minivan Summer Games will test the speed, coordination and teamwork of contenders in a series of increasingly challenging events that typify the rigors and hectic pace of everyday life. The families or teams that demonstrate the most grace under pressure will drive home in either a brand new 2005 Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan.  The new Chrysler or Dodge minivan will include the Stow 'n Go seating and storage system that allows owners to fold their second and third row seats flat into the floor in 30 seconds flat.

"We wanted to create a fun competition featuring all the unique features of our Chrysler and Dodge minivans, especially our exclusive Stow 'n Go seating and storage system," said Larry Lyons, Vice President, Front-wheel Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group.  "This competition is our way of recognizing the fundamental life skills that families demonstrate every day in our minivans.  May the best Minivan Summer Games contenders win!"

To prove that they are world-class minivan contenders, interested participants must pass through three rounds of increasingly difficult competitions, including the Qualifying Round, Semi-Final Games and National Games.

All interested Minivan Summer Games contenders are invited to the Qualifying Round, which asks contestants to fill out an entry form and questionnaire at www.minivansummergames.com.  The questionnaire requires families to write a convincing story explaining why they should be selected to compete and how a new 2005 Chrysler Town & Country or Dodge Grand Caravan could change their lives.

Approximately 400 champion families from the online Qualifying Round will be contacted by judges and invited to compete in the live Semi-Final Games that will be held in eight markets across the country: Boston, Cheyenne, Wyo., Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, Raleigh, N.C., Gilroy, Calif., and Virginia Beach, Va. Semi-Final events will require teams to demonstrate their skills at loading a new Chrysler or Dodge minivan, the ease in operating the new Stow ‘n Go seating and storage system, knowing where all 14 cup holders are located and identifying key product features, among many other fun competitions.

Examples of the fierce competition in the Semi-Final round include:

• Stow ‘n Go Bonkers - Players must scramble around the minivan, against the clock, to close all the seats and must then sort through a stack of oddly shaped cargo to load the biggest items with the highest point values.
• Stuff Enough Stuff - Contestants collect small, funny-shaped objects and rush around inside the minivan to stow them all out of sight.
• Water (cup) Polo - Families run full-speed with cups of water and try to get the water-filled cups into the cup holders without spilling the water.

One family from each of the eight Semi-Final Games will proceed to the National Games to be held in New York City on July 31, 2004.  Competitions will be different in scope and more challenging than the Semi-Final round and the overall competition will be fierce.

Three winning teams will be awarded in the National Games - Gold, Silver and Bronze.  The family that is awarded the Gold Medal will win a dream vacation to their location of choice anywhere in the world and receive a new 2005 Chrysler Town & Country.  The Silver Medal family will receive a new 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan and a family vacation anywhere in the U.S.  The Bronze Medal winner will enjoy a two-year lease on a new 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Since introducing the minivan 20 years ago, Chrysler Group has sold more than 10 million minivans worldwide and has a 34 percent share of the minivan market.  The minivan market continues to be vibrant with industry-wide sales averaging 1.2 million for the past 10 years.

Swift's 38th Annual Super Sizzlin' Summer Savings continues!Click Here to See This Weekend Specials

• Dodge “Premiere 2004” kicks-off with Premiere Night on June 17, continues with Premiere Days through June 21

• Dodge NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers join Premiere Night festivities

• Premiere 2004 attendees can register to win an all-new 2005 Dodge Magnum and special NASCAR weekend

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jun 03, 2004 -Dodge NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers and Dodge dealers nationwide are inviting more than 4 million consumers to a “sneak preview” of new Dodge vehicles at “Premiere 2004” celebrations nationwide.  The festivities begin with an invitation-only Premiere Night event at nearly 2,000 dealerships on June 17 and continue with open-to-the-public Premiere Days through June 21.

Consumers will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the new face of Dodge including the all-new 2005 Dodge Magnum, 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with Stow ‘n Go™ seating and storage and the HEMI®-powered 2004 Dodge Durango.  

Premiere 2004 attendees can also register to win an all-new 2005 Dodge Magnum, the ultimate transportation for the lucky winner to a special NASCAR weekend at an upcoming race.  The winner and their guest will also become honorary members of a driver’s pit crew. 
       
As part of the Dodge Premiere Night festivities, guests can ask questions of the stars of Dodge racing via a broadcast into dealerships coast to coast. Dodge drivers participating in the program, hosted by NASCAR broadcaster and Fox announcer Mike Joy, and Joe Eberhardt, Executive Vice President – Global Sales, Marketing and Service, Chrysler Group, include:

• Rusty Wallace - #2 Miller Light Dodge
• Kasey Kahne - #9  UAW/Dodge Dealers Dodge
• Ryan Newman - #12  ALLTEL Dodge
• Jeremy Mayfield - #19  UAW/Dodge Dealers Dodge
• Sterling Marlin - #40  Coors Light Dodge
• Casey Mears - #41  Target Dodge
• Jamie McMurray - #42  Havoline Dodge
• Jeff Green - #43 General Mills Dodge

“We are thrilled to have our Dodge racing teams on hand as we launch our new products,” said Darryl Jackson, Vice President - Dodge Marketing.  “Dodge Premiere 2004 events build on the successful Chrysler Premiere Night in April where more than 200,000 consumers visited our dealerships nationwide as we launched the all-new Chrysler brand line-up.”

Dodge vehicles showcased at Premiere 2004 include: 

• All-new 2005 Dodge Magnum : the new shape of American muscle arrives in dealerships in June.  With rear-wheel drive and a HEMI® engine inside, Magnum is a boldly styled, muscular vehicle that delivers on-road performance and smart space that fits customer’s active lifestyles.
• 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with Stow 'n Go™ seating and storage system : the only minivan in the market with second- and third-row seats that fold into the floor.  Dodge Caravan has been the minivan sales leader for more than 20 years, and with more than 15 new features available for 2005, Dodge continues its leadership in the minivan segment.  With a variety of models and prices to choose from, Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan offer more flexibility, more safety features, a quieter ride and the most refined minivan driving experience available today.
• HEMI® powered Dodge Durango: built bigger inside and out, the 2004 Dodge Durango lives up to the “utility” promise of sport utility-vehicles. With best-in-class power, the ability to tow 8,950 lbs. and seating for seven passengers, the broad-shouldered Durango is more powerful than ever with a HEMI® engine.
•  Dodge Ram: the leading truck lineup on the market, includes the Dodge Ram 1500 with legendary HEMI power, the most powerful mass production light-duty pickup on the market; the Dodge Ram SRT-10, the Guinness Book of World Records fastest production pickup ever; and the Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Cummins 600, the strongest pickup on the market with 600 lb.-ft. of class-dominating torque.
• Dodge Dakota: delivers bold Dodge styling and full-size capability.  Dakota offers best-in-class power, payload and towing capability and provides seating for six, making it the most versatile and powerful compact pickup available.
• Dodge SRT-4 : feels like a "tuner" car inside and out with a turbocharged engine and a race-inspired interior. With roominess, value, high-performance driving characteristics and an earth-rattling sound system, it's practical enough for everyday driving yet capable of leading the pack on the race track.

This Saturday & Sunday, June 5th & 6th Monster Truck Show at Swift in Davis.

Interactive Game Tests Your Vehicle Handling Knowledge

Bloomfield Hills,MI, Jun 01, 2004 -The Jeep® brand recently launched the “Go 4x4 Trail Rated Challenge,” a new online "edutainment" game that teaches consumers about on-road and off-road Jeep vehicle safety features and safe driving tips. Jeep developed this Internet destination with Organic, Inc., Chrysler Group's interactive agency of record.

This online experience is unique for the automotive industry. The Go 4x4 Challenge presents a variety of driving scenarios, within a gaming format, to teach Jeep vehicle owners and prospects about how to maneuver safely through challenging on-road and off-road conditions such as deep water, snow, and sand.

“The Jeep brand has been educating consumers about Jeep vehicle capabilities in fun and engaging ways at events for more than 60 years,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President, Jeep. 

To ensure that the safety features were portrayed accurately, Organic Detroit and Organic New York worked closely with Jeep Marketing, Product Planning, Engineering, Legal, and Product Safety to develop the site. Keen attention was paid to the way the vehicles were rendered and how realistically they interacted within each driving scenario.

"Once the idea of incorporating Jeep vehicle safety instruction into an on-line gaming format, we all knew that we hit on something important," said Chuck Russo, Vice President and Managing Director of Organic Detroit. "We believe that truly successful online experiences engage both the minds and the hearts of users and this highly animated solution is already producing phenomenal results."

To take the Jeep 4x4 Trail Rated Challenge, visit http://www.jeep.com/4x4 and click on "Take the Challenge."

Only in a Jeep®
Freedom, adventure, mastery, authenticity and the capability to go anywhere are the hallmarks of the Jeep® brand worldwide.  It is a reputation earned during more than six decades of SUV leadership.  Jeep brand sales are up 17 percent year-over-year in 2004 (through April), with four new models being introduced this year.  The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is now available in dealerships, while the all-new 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty Renegade and Jeep Liberty Diesel launch later this year.  Jeep Trail Rated® communicates the legendary Jeep capability that is designed into every Jeep 4x4.  As the brand’s lineup expands, Jeep branded vehicles will continue to be what they have always been – the most capable.

About Organic, Inc.
Organic creates exceptional online experiences for Fortune 1000 clients by delivering comprehensive web development and interactive marketing programs that drive more profitable customer relationships. Established in 1993, Organic specializes in clients with high involvement products and services such as Chrysler Group, Sprint PCS, Washington Mutual, Tommy Hilfiger, and CIBC. Organic has offices located in San Francisco, Detroit, Toronto, and New York and is a subsidiary of Omnicom Group (NYSE:OMC), a Fortune 500 global marketing and communications company. For more information, please visit www.organic.com.