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Audi. BMW. Mercedes-Benz. Saab. Porsche. Volvo. European's leading luxury automakers are all doing it. What, exactly, is it? Offering U.S. customers generous price discounts and complimentary air-fare and hotel stays when they take delivery of their new car directly from its overseas factory of origin.

They even throw in personal tours of the factory! Perhaps in case the weather in breathtaking Gothenburg doesn't cooperate during your visit.

Is your engine revved?

Volvos is the most successful of the overseas delivery programs. Their 99% customer satisfaction rating speaks for itself.

So how does overseas delivery work? While some details differ from one automaker to the next, Volvo's four-step process is representative of all the programs:

  1. You pre-order an eligible car at your local dealership. Not all models qualify for overseas pick-up, but in return for that inconvenience, you receive a discounted, haggle-free price. Volvo customers typically save 8% of the car's sticker price.
  2. You pick up your new car at a factory or delivery center in Europe. Volvo picks up travel and accommodation costs for two for its customers. Who knew that purchasing a car could lead to a romantic holiday in Sweden?
  3. You get to test drive your new car on European roads, without the salesman sitting in the backseat explaining all about the air conditioner. Volvo provides spectacular tours for test-driving, or you can go exploring on your own.
  4. Before you leave to return home, you drop off your car back at the factory or another drop-off location. The automaker handles transport arrangements, excise taxes, import duties and everything else necessary to ship your new car to you. It arrives in the U.S.and is yours for good a few weeks later.

If there's a drawback of overseas delivery, it's probably the wait for your new purchase to arrive in the U.S. The thousands of dollars you save and the memories of your free trip abroad might just make up for that.

Hit the air before you hit the road.

Learn more about overseas delivery options from the automakers themselves.

Audi.com
BMW.com
Mercedes-Benz.com
Porsche.com
Saab.com
Volvo.com
Purchase globally. Finance locally.