NOTE: If you’re new to the Volvo Hunt, keep reading below for background information. I will update this space occasionally with important information.

The Semi-Finalists are being informed. Congratulations to the 22 people from each country making it to the finals. It should make for an interesting final puzzle.

Here’s some previously noted information:

Volvo has just released information about the last leg of World’s End:
Important Information About The Semi-Finals

The Semi-Finals will start at Wednesday, May 30 at 14:00 GMT (10:00 AM EST), at World’s End. Only the first person in Canada [or whichever country you're participating in] to submit the correct solution will qualify for the Final and compete against the finalists from more than 20 other countries.

So hurry up and get caught up!

UPDATE:
The game has begun, and will run from May 4th – May 30th. If you’re in Canada, the site to participate in the game is:
http://thehunt.volvocars.net/ca_en/
Anywhere else (US included) remove the “ca_en/” extension from the link.

Official Rules Can Be Found Here.

UPDATE #2:
As rumored, to solve the fifth puzzle, you’ll need to visit a local Volvo dealership to receive a Pirate Map (that will be crucial for the final leg as well). If you are not near a dealership, you can request one (see comments below). If you’re in Toronto, there’s a Volvo dealership at 740 Dundas Street East. Other locations worldwide are listed on the Volvo corporate site.

UPDATE The Third – Spoilers
If you’re looking for help on the puzzles, click here. Be warned, there are spoilers.

THERE ARE 21 PUZZLES. The first person from each of the 22 countries to submit a correct answer to the 21st puzzle have the opportunity to raise the treasure. The final round consists of a competition among the 22 winners.

The access to higher level puzzles are on a time delay. That way, individuals who have yet to sign up or attempt the puzzles will have an opportunity to “catch up.”

And now for the background info:

A Good Old Fashioned Treasure Hunt.

That is what Volvo be planning.

Juxtaposing with the release of Disney’s third chapter in the Pirates series, “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” Volvo is allowing people from 22 countries around the world – Canada included – to search for some buried treasure.

Well, not quite.

There IS a treasure chest somewhere in the bottom of some body of water. Inside this treasure chest is $50,000 (US) worth of Gold dubloons and the keys to a new Volvo XC90 Sport Utility Vehicle. Only, you won’t have to put on your snorkling equipment to find it. Not yet, anyway.

Beginning on May 4th, 2007 Volvo will begin an online challenge (similar to one they did a year ago). This will consist of solving a series of – rumored to be four – puzzles that are increasingly difficult. The winner of this challenge will get to raise the chest from the depths. From a media release (linked to at the bottom):

“After the fourth puzzle, players must visit a Volvo dealership and retrieve a “pilot chart” treasure map with a secret code on it that enables players to continue. The next series of puzzles requires the use of the map to find the treasure within each game.

“… The first to complete the final puzzle within each of 22 participating countries is a finalist. Finalists then face off on June 2, with the winner of the game getting a trip to a final challenge: raising the cask from the depths.

“This year, because we have so many countries, we are narrowing it to a single winner online, then he or she will be flown to a secret location, where they will get an experience of the geographic area, and they will be trained to use special equipment to find the chest.”

Sounds amazing.

A picture of the potential “map” with a secret code has been uploaded by a site devoted to this treasure hunt (Prometheus Digital, linked below):

You can sign up at the Volvo Canada site, and you’ll get an email reminder when the contest begins. If you’re from the US, you can click here to sign up. The rest of the world (if you’re eligible) can sign up here.

Other Links:

Link To Volvo Canada.

A great website called Prometheus Digital has been set up with news and updates on the treasure hunt and can be found by clicking here.

Here’s a news release from the Media Post about the Treasure Hunt.