Are You a Singing Star in Your Car?

Are You a Singing Star in Your Car?

National Survey Reveals More People Sing in the Car Than in the Shower

MOORPARK, Calif., May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- When you're driving down the road with the music turned up and your favorite tunes piping through the speakers, do you feel compelled to sing? If so, you are like the majority of Americans who tend to break out into song while cruising in their cars. In fact, according to the "Music in Motion" survey of more than 1,000 U.S. drivers, conducted by Directive Analytics and commissioned by Auto Expressions(TM), a leading brand of automotive accessories and air care products, more than 9 out of 10 Americans sing in their cars ... that's more than the number of people that sing in the shower!

With 196 million licensed drivers in the United States(1), just imagine how many drivers could possibly be singing simultaneously on the road at any given time. Results of the survey also found that most people prefer to sing solo in their car since 8 out of 10 people said that they experience 'stage fright' and don't like to sing when there is an audience of other passengers present. Ironically though, 6 out of 10 don't care when someone in another automobile catches them singing in the car -- more than three-fourths of drivers actually continue singing.

Who are the car crooners?

The survey revealed that redheads, not blondes have more fun singing in the car, since 53% of redheads always sing in the car. The survey also discovered that women more often than men sing in their cars, however both men and women born under the Aries astrological sign are more likely to sing in their car than any other sign. Capricorns are least likely to attempt to carry a tune while driving.

What are they singing?

Even with all of the new music and audio technology out on the market today, most drivers still find themselves just singing along to the songs on the radio. The preferred genres of song for the car crooners are rock songs, followed closely by music from the '80s and pop music. However, country songs top the charts for older Americans who exercise their vocal cords behind the wheel.

What are their cars like?

Car manufacturers may want to consider renaming SUVs to "Singing Utility Vehicles," since the survey found that drivers of these types of cars tend to sing the most. Car crooners also enjoy having a fragrant, organized "stage" since 4 out 10 car stars have air fresheners and organizers in their cars.

"It's not hard to believe that people are belting out their favorite tunes behind the wheel to occupy their driving time since most drivers spend more than one hour in their car each day," said Sharon Bykerk, head of marketing communications for Auto Expressions(TM). "We applaud those who like to express themselves whether it is vocally or with the accessories they choose for their cars."

Turn It Up and Win

Are you looking for more ways to sing in the car? Now through September 29th or until supplies last, look for specially marked packages of Auto Expressions(TM) Vent Fresh(R) adjustable air fresheners to find a "Turn it up and Win" scratch-off game piece. Five lucky Grand Prize winners will receive an Alpine music car makeover and 200 First Prize winners will receive an Apple iPod Nano 4GB. All game pieces, whether you are a winner or not, may be redeemed at the iTunes(R) Music Store for a free song download. Log on to http://www.ventfreshturnitup.com/ for more details and official contest rules.

About Vent Fresh(R)

Auto Expressions(TM) Vent Fresh(R) is a scented oil diffuser air freshener that utilizes innovative technology to provide consumers with a sophisticated, adjustable, spill resistant air freshener. The scent is activated by an easy- to-use pull-tab on the back of the product that allows fragrance to diffuse through a semi-permeable membrane. Vent Fresh(R) is clipped directly to your car's air vent. When the car's air is activated -- either heat or air conditioning -- it flows through the membrane holding liquid fragrance, to freshen your car continually. It is available in six scents, including the new Green Apple, Vanilla Blossom and Island Colada scents.

About Auto Expressions(TM)

Auto Expressions(TM) products are produced and marketed by Shell Lubricants. The term 'Shell Lubricants' collectively refers to the companies of the Shell Group engaged in the lubricants business. Shell Lubricants companies are global leaders in lubricants and operate in approximately 120 countries worldwide. They manufacture and blend products for use in a range of applications from consumer motoring to food processing and heavy industry to commercial transport. The Shell portfolio of top quality lubricant brands includes Pennzoil(R), Quaker State(R), FormulaShell(R), Shell Tellus(R), Shell Cassida(R), Shell ROTELLA(R) T, Shell Spirax(R) and a portfolio of car care products and Jiffy Lube(R) services.

About Directive Analytics(R)

Directive Analytics is a full service Marketing Research firm, located in Norwalk CT. DA's senior management is comprised of executives who have previously served at Millward Brown, TNS, GfK, The Gallup Organization and Greenfield Online. We provide our clients with top-notch market research and consulting expertise combined with hands-on involvement typical of smaller research organizations.

Survey Methodology

An online questionnaire of approximately 5 minutes in length was fielded using a random national sample of Greenfield Online panel members. The surveys were conducted in December of 2005. A total of 1,002 interviews were completed among licensed drivers 18 years and older. For results based on the total sample of 1,002 adults, at 95% confidence, the sampling error is +/- 4%.

(1) U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration,

Highway Statistics 2003 http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/

Source: Auto Expressions

CONTACT: Stacy Becker or Allison Greco, +1-973-316-1665,
sbecker@coynepr.com, both of Coyne PR, both for Auto Expressions

Web site: http://www.ventfreshturnitup.com/

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