Boston - Volvo (NYSE: F) announced on Tuesday that it will be the first automaker in the U.S. to offer HD Radio technology on almost all of its models, beginning in the fall of 2008. The digital AM/FM radios can access programming from more than 1,500 U.S. AM and FM stations, including multicast channels from over 700 stations that expand on existing programming.

Seattle - Microsoft has signed advertising deals with Volvo and Chivas Brothers, which will support two webisode series from TV production company Reveille ("The Office," "Ugly Betty"), the Associated Press reported. Financial and product placement details of the arrangements were not disclosed. Volvo will sponsor a series called "Driving School," while Chivas Regal will be involved with a travel and adventure series, "This is the Life," both of which are slated to premiere on MSN Video in the next six months.

Let's make a guess that about 70% of people who have purchased a new car are happy about their purchase.  One would hope that it's higher ... but for the purposes of making my point, let's keep it a bit lower.  People buy cars for a variety of reasons, from design appeal to safety to brand loyalty.