Dodge 'Avenge Your Commute' Gives Consumers Who Live Life in the Stress Lane Something to Write About

SEE ALSO: Dodge Buyers Guide

Commuters can register at HERE

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., March 26 -- From the congested I-405 in Los Angeles to the overcrowded I-87 in New York, commuters nationwide are traveling great distances to make a living. Today, more than 10 million consumers drive more than 60 minutes each way to work and research shows that commuting can take a toll on a consumer's health(1).

In recognition of National Stress Awareness Day on Tuesday, April 17, Dodge is going to great lengths to help commuters minimize the stress caused by the daily grind. Dodge is inviting frustrated commuters to write an essay about why they believe they have the most stressful daily drive and are most deserving of a new car. The writer of the winning essay will be flown out to Los Angeles -- the city with the worst commute -- to take part in a special Dodge "Avenge Your Commute" event on Monday, April 16, which will allow the winner to relieve his or her commuter stress by physically taking out his or her frustrations on a vehicle. And to make the winner's future daily commutes more pleasurable, he or she will also win an all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger.

In addition to offering an all-new vehicle with available features such as the Chill Zone(TM), MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment Radio and heated/cooled cupholder to make the daily commute more enjoyable, Dodge is also teaming up with internationally recognized life coach, Dr. Martha Beck, to provide tips on alleviating some of the stress that comes with battling bumper-to-bumper traffic.

"Let's face it; not every commute is going to be a fast ride," said Dr. Beck, a best-selling author and columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine. "Accepting that fact from the word 'go' is probably the most important thing we can do to keep our commuter-stress levels low. Then, when we're on the road dealing with slowdowns and pile-ups, we can use all kinds of strategies to get even more relaxed. Ultimately, even bumper-to-bumper gridlocks can become opportunities to get back in touch with ourselves and turn a potentially stressful situation into a positive experience. With a little conscious attention, the commute we've come to dread can become a genuinely enjoyable part of our lives."

Come Along for the Ride

Commuters can register at HERE for a chance to win the all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger. Consumers can submit their essays online, beginning Monday, March 26 until Wednesday, April 11 at 11:59 p.m. (EDT). During registration, interested participants will be asked to submit a 250-word essay answering the following questions -- "What makes your commute so stressful?" and "How would owning a 2008 Dodge Avenger relieve your stress?" All participants must be 18 years or older, and hold a valid driver's license at the time of entry.

"Commuters are spending a lot of time in their cars each day and we believe it is important for them to be comfortable and confident that their car will get them to their destination safely," said Tom Loveless, Director - Dodge Brand Marketing and Global Communications. "The Dodge Avenger offers a perfect blend of reliability, innovative technologies and bold styling, which sets it apart from the other mid-size vehicles on the road. By awarding one lucky commuter with a new Avenger, we hope to help him or her jumpstart their commute, and make the ride more pleasurable and less stressful."

About the Dodge Brand

With a U.S. market share of 6 percent, Dodge is the Chrysler Group's best- selling brand and the fifth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2006, Dodge sold than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market. Dodge continues to lead the minivan market with a 20 percent market share in the U.S. In the highly competitive truck market, Dodge has a 15 percent market share. Dodge is also entering key European volume segments with Nitro and Caliber.

About the 2008 Dodge Avenger

The all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger is an all-new mid-size sedan that combines bold, aggressive Dodge styling with innovative interior features, high-levels of safety and reliability, exhilarating performance and excellent fuel efficiency of 30 miles per gallon (mpg) (32 mpg based on 2007 EPA fuel economy standards). Among the Avenger's standard features that would make any commuter safer and more comfortable are side-curtain and front-seat-mounted side air bags, Chill Zone(TM), theft alarm and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. The Dodge Avenger has a starting MSRP of $18,895, including destination.

(1) Commuting in America III, the latest decadal review of the nation's commuting patterns authored by transportation consultant Alan Pisarski and published by the Transportation Research Board.