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 GoTM  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.