European delivery programs combine the excitement of driving your new vehicle with the thrill of a European vacation. Many brands offer discounts on the price of the vehicle and a number of travel perks that can offset the cost of your vacation. Volvo will even pay for your flight to Sweden!
These programs (currently offered by Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo) allow you to special order your new vehicle to your exact specifications and pick it up at the brand’s European factory. You get to drive it around Europe during your vacation, and then have it shipped back home when you return (known as redelivery).
European delivery does require some planning ahead—typically about three months in advance of travel. You will also need to wait an additional two to three months for the car to be shipped back home afterwards. But in exchange for some advance planning you get to experience your new car on its home turf before you take it back home.
How does the European delivery process work?
Cartelligent can help you through the process or you can work with your local dealer. You will need to decide two things in advance:
- Exactly how you want the vehicle configured so that you can have it special ordered
- When you want to arrive in Europe to pick your new car up
After your order is placed, you will get a confirmed delivery date and you can book your flight and start planning your trip. You’ll need to sign the final paperwork in the US a week or so before you leave.
Once in Europe, you’ll arrive at the delivery center and factory at the date and time indicated to pick up your new vehicle. You then drive off to enjoy all that Europe has to offer. When your trip is complete, you can return your car to the same location or at a selected alternate drop-off location (often near major airports). The car will then be prepped for shipment to the US where you can pick it up several weeks later at your Cartelligent branch or local dealership. All import paperwork and transportation charges are handled by the manufacturer.
What does European delivery include?
Most European delivery programs include:
- A special discount on the vehicle (except Porsche)
- Catered meal(s) on your delivery date
- One night hotel stay (at pre-selected hotels)
- Tours of the factory and museum
- European vehicle insurance for a two week trip (this can be extended for an additional cost)
- European maps loaded to your navigation system for the duration of your travels (if applicable)
- Shipping from the factory to your local dealership in the US after your trip
Each manufacturer’s program is a little different so we’ll explore them individually in more detail:
BMW European Delivery
Destination: BMW Welt, Munich, Germany
The BMW European delivery experience includes the following:
- Preferred pricing on Lufthansa flight to Germany
- Transportation from the airport to the factory
- Factory tour and museum visit
- Meals at the Delivery Center Café on your delivery date
- Fourteen days of auto insurance
- Shipping from the factory to your local dealership in the US
Travel Options:BMW has five optional arranged packages such as “Spa Sport & Drive” or “Castles & Mozart” that you can purchase or make your own itinerary.
Drop-off: The vehicle can be left at one of 12 drop-off locations throughout Europe.
Redelivery: 6-10 weeks from the time the vehicle is dropped off.
Vehicle pricing: Most models qualify for a 7% discount off of MSRP. Final price may actually be lower and is determined by negotiation with selling dealer.
Notes: European delivery is not available on the i3, i8, X3, X4, X5, and X6.
Mercedes-Benz European Delivery
Destination: Mercedes-Benz Delivery Center, Sindelfingen (near Stuttgart), Germany
The Mercedes-Benz European delivery experience includes the following:
- Professional travel assistance for hotel and airline reservations
- One night hotel stay in Stuttgart
- Transportation from the airport to the factory or hotel
- Factory tour and museum visit
- Breakfast or lunch at the Delivery Center on your delivery date
- Fifteen days of auto insurance
- Shipping from the factory to your local dealership in the US
Travel Options: Mercedes-Benz has optional arranged packages such as “Black Forest/Alps Rally” or “Alpen Route” that you can purchase or make your own itinerary. The brand also offers discounts at select hotels throughout Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Drop-off: The vehicle can be left at one of 15 drop-off locations throughout Europe.
Redelivery: 6-12 weeks from the time the vehicle is dropped off.
Vehicle pricing: Most models qualify for a 7% discount off of MSRP. Final price may actually be lower and is determined by negotiation with selling dealer.
Notes: European delivery is not available on the B-Class, GL-Class or M-Class.
Porsche European Delivery
Destination: Porsche Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart, Germany or Porsche Leipzig, Germany
The Porsche European delivery experience includes the following:
- One night hotel stay
- Transportation from the airport to the factory or hotel
- Factory tour and museum visit (Museum is in Zuffenhausen)
- Lunch in VIP Dining Room on your delivery date
- Sixteen days of auto insurance
- Shipping from the factory to your local dealership in the US
Travel Options: The brand leaves it up to the new owner to plan the remainder of their trip—the thrill of driving a new Porsche on the autobahn in combination with the museum and factory tour is reason enough for enthusiasts to choose European delivery.
Drop-off: The vehicle can be left at one of 18 drop-off locations throughout Europe.
Redelivery: 6-10 weeks from the time the vehicle is dropped off.
Vehicle pricing: No discount offered. Final price is determined by negotiation with selling dealer.
Volvo European Delivery
Destination: Volvo Factory Delivery Center, Gothenburg, Sweden
The Volvo Overseas Delivery experience includes the following:
- Two round trip tickets to Sweden
- Transportation from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the factory
- One night hotel stay
- VIP factory tour and museum visit
- Swedish lunch on delivery day
- Fifteen days of auto insurance
- Shipping from the factory to your local dealership in the US
Travel Options: Volvo has arranged a variety of optional tours you can choose including “Castles and Manor Houses” and “Great Golf in Sweden and Scotland” or you can make your own itinerary.
Drop-off: The vehicle can be left at one of 20 drop-off locations throughout Europe.
Redelivery: 6-12 weeks from the time the vehicle is dropped off.
Vehicle pricing: Vehicles qualify for a 3-10% discount off of MSRP.
Notes: Volvo is the only European delivery that allows clients to order their new car with Europe-exclusive colors and wheels.
Whether you want to pick up your new vehicle at the factory in Europe or at your nearest Cartelligent branch, we can help you understand your options and get a great deal on exactly what you want. Call our team of car-buying experts at 888-427-4270 or get started today.