AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Dodge Dakota is conducting a national search for the Ultimate Guy – someone who is strong, capable, works hard and plays even harder.

“The Dodge Dakota Ultimate Guy contest is looking for the guy who values the three Ts: Tools, Toys and Trucks,” said Fred Diaz, director of Dodge Communications, Chrysler Group. “He is the kind of guy who respects and uses power tools on a regular basis, owns a grill and is not afraid to use it and either has a truck, had a truck or sees a truck in his near future.”

Consumers can submit a Dodge Dakota Ultimate Guy nomination at www.dodge.com/ultimateguy. The essays, in 150 words or less, must characterize the nominee’s bold distinctive style, unique qualities and capabilities, and why he stands out in a crowd. Nominations are being accepted until March 31.

Twelve finalists will be selected by judges. One lucky finalist will be named as the Dodge Dakota Ultimate Guy and win the Grand Prize: a 2005 Dodge Dakota, plus a Dakota Dream Sports Day with four of his friends. The 11 semi-finalists will all receive an ultimate tailgating prize, including portable grill, stainless steel cooler and deluxe chairs.

According to a national survey commissioned by Dodge and conducted by Harris Interactive, U.S. women want the “man” back in manly. Ninety percent of women prefer a regular, capable and laid-back guy to just 5 percent still wanting the hip, fashion-conscious “metrosexual” male.

Women are most interested in being able to count on their man, as dependability took the top spot for best characteristic (92 percent). In a close second, women said their ideal man can make them laugh (88 percent). These two traits also ranked tops for men in the opposite order, who believe their friend’s most important trait is a sense of humor (66 percent) with dependability a close second at 62 percent.

As to how a woman’s ideal guy prefers to spend his free time, the survey found women would rather he spend more time hanging a mirror than standing in front of one. Home improvement projects ranked number one at 72 percent, as compared to spending time on their appearance by shopping for clothes (10 percent) or working out with a personal trainer (9 percent).

Additional survey results revealed:

Shopping for Milk, Eggs, Shampoo: Seventy-five percent of women said they want a guy who buys his shampoo at the same place he gets his milk and eggs. Only 17 percent of women want a man who buys his products at salons.

Rough Hands Rule: Sixty-one percent of women prefer their man’s hands to be rough and hard-working opposed to well-manicured (39 percent).

“Cab” Means Truck, Not Cabernet: Women want a man who spends his money on his car or truck, not fine wines (45 percent to 18 percent).