National Survey Provides a Chilling Look Inside the Modern Glove Box

- Nearly half of Americans (44 percent) are unwisely storing their vehicle title in the glove box

- Survey reinforces Dodge brand's move to revolutionize the glove box to meet the needs of modern drivers

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., June 28, 2007 -- While its name is universal and it's a standard feature in nearly all automobile makes and models, consumers today are modernizing one of the vehicle's tiniest compartments -- the glove box. According to a Dodge brand survey, 84 percent of Americans no longer use the glove box to store gloves, which is what the space was originally designed for when it was first introduced in the 1920s, and 72 percent of people do not know how the compartment originally got its name.

Dodge conducted a survey to uncover what drivers are storing in today's glove box. The results revealed that nearly half of Americans are storing something they shouldn't -- the vehicle title.

Forty-four percent of Americans are unintentionally sending an invitation to car thieves by storing their vehicle title in their glove box. If a vehicle title gets in the wrong hands, a thief would be able to change the name on the title, sell the vehicle or legally put the keys in his or her pocket.

"Vehicle titles should never be kept in the glove box but rather in a safe place at home or in the office," said Mike Accavitti, Director -- Dodge Brand and SRT Marketing and Communication. "Dodge wants to inform consumers on what should be stored in the glove box and how they can optimize utilization of the space to enhance their lifestyle."

The survey reinforced the Dodge brand's move to revolutionize, or modernize, uses of today's glove box by expanding the area to include the Chill Zone(TM) chilled beverage storage bin in the all-new 2008 Dodge Avenger. In fact, 88 percent of people surveyed said they would store chilled water or juice in their glove box if there was a compartment to keep beverages cooled; 43 percent would store pop or soda and 42 percent snack food.

Handy Glove Box Tips

While drivers need to be more mindful about storing their vehicle title in the glove box, they are on the right track when it comes to storing other essentials. The survey provided a sneak peek inside what people are storing in today's glove box:

  -- Proof of insurance - 94 percent
  -- Vehicle registration - 92 percent
  -- Tissue and napkins - 71 percent
  -- Maps - 63 percent
  -- Flashlight - 53 percent
  -- Sunglasses - 47 percent
  -- First-aid kit - 38 percent

More than one in four drivers (26 percent) say the glove box is the least used compartment in the car. Dodge's Chill Zone(TM) beverage storage bin, which is standard on all 2008 Avengers and on most Dodge Caliber models, helps drivers take advantage of this underused space. The bin can hold and chill as many as four 12-oz. beverage cans

"We understand the mid-size car segment is competitive and therefore Dodge has gone the extra mile to incorporate unique features, such as the Chill Zone(TM) cold beverage storage, in its Avenger and Caliber vehicles," said Accavitti. "With drivers no longer using the glove box to store gloves, we've reengineered this compartment to allow drivers to keep their refreshments chilled during hot summer drives."

Dodge has provided the following handy tips to help consumers utilize the modern glove box:

  -- Keep band-aids, Neosporin and baby wipes for unexpected minor cuts and
     scrapes
  -- Utilize the Chill Zone(TM) to keep snacks at the ready during the
     morning or afternoon commute, after school or between sports practices
  -- Stay alert and decrease road rage by staying hydrated and store cold
     refreshments in the vehicle to avoid dehydration which can lead to
     fatigue and irritability
  -- Organize the glove box with pen and paper to always be prepared in case
     of a fender bender to jot down insurance and license information