Dodge Brand Teams Up with the Challenged Athletes Foundation

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ --

• Dodge named "Official Vehicle" of the Challenged Athletes Foundation's 2010 Million Dollar Challenge (Oct. 16 – 22) and 2010 San Diego Triathlon Challenge (Oct. 24)
• Dodge Grand Caravan minivans to lead 100 bikers participating in the Million Dollar Challenge from San Francisco to San Diego
• Dodge vehicle display includes Dodge Grand Caravan with special mobility package and the company's Automobility Program specialists

The Dodge brand today announced its partnership with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) for the 2010 Million Dollar Challenge and 2010 San Diego Triathlon Challenge. The Million Dollar Challenge kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 16 in San Francisco. The San Diego Triathlon takes place on Sunday, Oct. 24.

Dodge has been named the official vehicle of the Million Dollar Challenge. The challenge is a seven-day cycling event which takes riders on a 620-mile journey down the breathtaking California coastline from San Francisco to San Diego. The ride begins on Saturday, Oct. 16, in San Francisco and finishes in San Diego on Friday, Oct. 22. Two specially wrapped Dodge Grand Caravans will lead bikers to the finish line located at Kellogg Park, La Jolla Shores, Calif.

Money raised for the Million Dollar Challenge will help towards the payment of handcycles, racing chairs, sports chairs and sports prosthetics for challenged athletes, as well as help subsidize their competition and training expenses.

The Dodge brand also will be on hand at the San Diego Triathlon Challenge, a 1.2-mile swim, 56 mile-bike ride and 13.1-mile run distance triathlon. Over the past 17 years, this event has helped to raise more than $28 million to support thousands of challenged athletes. The Dodge brand and the Ability Center of San Diego will participate in the event's expo and will have a Grand Caravan equipped with a mobility package. Dodge and the Ability Center will have specialists on site to answer product questions.

Fans and participants can follow the Dodge brand's presence at both events via the brand's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dodge and the brand's Twitter handle (@dodge).

"Like the Dodge brand, the challenged athlete refuses to live life in the slow lane," said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO – Dodge Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "We are proud to partner with the Challenged Athletes Foundation on the 2010 Million Dollar Challenge and the San Diego Triathlon Challenge. We are truly inspired by the vigor and determination demonstrated by these remarkable athletes."

"It's a privilege for the Challenged Athletes Foundation to partner with Dodge on these two unique events," said Virginia Tinley, CAF's Executive Director. "We share a passion for providing an innovative and quality product, or in our case, service, to people to improve lives. The two custom wrapped Dodge Grand Caravans are now a symbol of hope coming down the California coastline."

Challenged Athletes Foundation

The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) is a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved – and stay involved – in sports. CAF believes that participation in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $28 million has been raised and almost 4,800 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF's outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it's a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF's mission is clear: give those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles every opportunity to compete in the sports they love. To learn more, log on to www.challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.

About Chrysler Group LLC Automobility Program

Chrysler Group was the first OEM to offer a commitment to lighten the financial burden of equipment adaptation on new Chrysler Group vehicles. Automobility provides up to $1,000 in cash reimbursement on mobility upgrades on new Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram Truck brand vehicles. Designed to help customers with permanent disabilities enter, exit, and/or operate a new vehicle; Automobility can help customers continue do the things they love to do in life.

Automobility Program information can be obtained by visiting the community support section of the Chrysler Group web site at www.chryslerautomobility.com or by calling (800) 255-9877.

About Dodge

Dodge is a full line of cars, minivans and SUVs that are agile, daring, sensible and inventive. The brand is on a tear for the 2011 model year, redefining itself with six all-new or significantly redesigned new vehicles, introducing new lifestyle packages designed to better meet the needs of its customers, launching catchy new ads that have started conversations with owners and potential owners, actively participating in new events and sponsorships and developing relationships with its long-loyal enthusiast base, as well as reaching out to customers who want cars that leave them wanting more.

The Dodge product line includes the Dodge Caliber, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Charger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Viper SRT10®. Between the end of this year and early next, the brand will fill dealer showrooms with a vast array of new and updated products. The all-new Dodge Durango leads the charge and will be followed by the all-new Dodge Charger and significantly revamped Grand Caravan, Journey, Avenger and Challenger.

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC