15 June 2001: Volkswagen in the US has set up RadioVW (RadioVW.com), a 24-hour live-stream internet radio station featuring an array of more than 120 artists, including REM, Dusty Springfield, Ahmad Jamal and James Brown.

In its first four weeks, RadioVW had more than 72,000 hits, and people listened for at least 15 minutes, which compares to around 10 minutes staying time for visitors to the basic VW internet site.

According to the producers RadioVW is a much cheaper way to get advertising out 24 hours a day, with the music being 'a brand extension' where the association with VW will stay with the listeners every time they hear those songs.

All music is available for online purchase and RadioVW has a click-to-buy rate of 10 percent, comparing to the industry average of 1 percent.