Thinking of buying a new European Automobile? Several European manufacturers offer a delivery program where you travel to Europe, take delivery of your new vehicle, drive it in Europe for your vacation, and then drop it off at a designated shipping port. And then in a few short weeks your new car will be delivered to the dealer closest to your home where you can then take delivery.
Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo all offer a European delivery program. Saab is in transition and may continue offering the program, still to be determined.
About.com Budget Travel has an excellent article on the European delivery program, as does each manufacturer, here is a quick summary:
About.com article link
How It Works
Each automaker has its own procedure for taking factory deliveries in Europe, but here's a general synopsis:
1. You arrange to purchase an eligible model at your home dealership.
2. Purchase and travel arrangements are completed.
3. You travel to the factory with the necessary documents, take delivery and travel the highways of Europe.
4. Your trip ends either back at the factory or some other drop-off point in Europe.
5. The car is shipped to your home dealership and arrives a number of weeks later, where you take final delivery.
Audi - Based in Ingolstadt, Germany, Audi is among the newest companies to offer European Delivery. One of the most popular features of the program is Audi allows you to end your European trip in one of 14 cities and there is no drop-off fee for any location.
BMW - As the name of the company implies, Bavarian Motor Works always starts its European Delivery program in Munich. But there is an array of geographic options for drop-off and shipment: 19 locations in six European nations with Italian locations involving an additional fee.
Mercedes-Benz - Mercedes offers two packages: the Standard Package, and the Black Forest-Alps Rally. Both include lodging at selected hotels, 15 days of zero-deductible comprehensive insurance, ground transportation to/from drop-off points, and ocean shipping.
Porsche - From its factory near Stuttgart, Porsche offers 18 drop-off locations throughout Europe. Porsche also offers a Travel Club that schedules road tours throughout Europe. There are also Porsche Weekends that feature scenic or challenging drives.
Volvo - Volvo offers free round trip airfare to Sweden for two via SAS and one night in a Gothenburg hotel. Keep in mind this is a popular program, and its availability often is limited. You may only use the airfares when your car is ready for delivery.
Davault Travel can assist you in planning your European road trip, airline tickets, hotels and tours.
