For decades, American car buyers with a taste for travel had the option to pick up their new European car right at the factory, tour the continent behind the wheel, and then ship it home. Known as overseas or European delivery, the programs once stretched across several German and Swedish brands, offering discounts, perks and the romance of a vacation baked into the deal. But as of 2025, the field has narrowed. Only Volvo and Porsche still maintain full-fledged overseas delivery programs for U.S. customers, while BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi have all closed theirs.
Volvo’s “Overseas Delivery” program remains the most comprehensive, operating out of Gothenburg, Sweden. Buyers who put down a $6,000 deposit can fly to Sweden, where the brand provides round-trip airfare for two, two hotel nights, and a curated experience at the World of Volvo facility. Guests enjoy meals, lounge access, and, when the plant is operating, a guided factory tour. Vehicles are handed over at a VIP delivery center, fully registered and insured for up to two weeks of driving in Europe. Afterward, the car is shipped back to the United States at no extra cost, provided it is dropped off in Gothenburg. Customers who prefer to end their trip in another European city can do so, though a transfer fee may apply.
The Volvo program is open to U.S. residents only and is limited to specific models. Current offerings include the XC60 and XC90, along with plug-in hybrid variants, plus the XC40 in gasoline form and the V60 and V90 Cross Country wagons. Volvo’s electric models, such as the EX30 and EX40, are not listed. While the old appeal of sizable price discounts has faded, the package still delivers real value for buyers who want to combine a major purchase with a Scandinavian vacation.
Volvo Overseas Delivery Tourist →
Porsche takes a slightly different approach with its European delivery program, based in either Zuffenhausen or Leipzig, Germany. Buyers can choose to collect a sports car at the historic home of the 911 and 718, or pick up a Cayenne or Panamera in Leipzig. The program includes access to the Porsche Museum, a factory tour, and the opportunity to see where the car was built. Customers are provided one hotel night, an airport transfer, and temporary European registration and insurance for two weeks. After the trip, the car is shipped to North America, with shipping included in the program fee.
Unlike Volvo, Porsche does not cover airfare, and there is a charge for the program itself—commonly cited at about $2,500. Still, the draw is strong. Owners not only get to explore Germany and neighboring countries in their new car, but they also take delivery in the birthplace of one of the world’s most famous sports car brands. Most Porsche models qualify, though the Taycan and Macan Electric are excluded.
In years past, overseas delivery was a far larger field. BMW ran one of the most celebrated programs, centered in Munich, where customers could pair pickup with a tour of the BMW Welt and museum. Mercedes-Benz offered something similar in Stuttgart, with packages that included airfare, hotels and insurance. Audi also participated, with pickup and factory access in Ingolstadt. All three programs are now shuttered—Audi ended its version in 2018, and BMW and Mercedes-Benz discontinued theirs in 2020. While these automakers now emphasize U.S.-based performance delivery experiences, the chance to drive your new German car on its home turf is no longer available.
That makes Volvo and Porsche the last remaining players in what was once a broader industry perk. Both programs have shifted away from pure financial incentives toward offering experiences. The cost of shipping and insurance, once optional add-ons, are now built into the programs, and buyers are less likely to save money outright. Instead, they are paying for a unique blend of travel, brand immersion and ownership experience. Plus, they don’t have to pay for a rental car!
For consumers, the takeaway is clear: if you want to combine your new-car purchase with a European vacation, your choices are now limited to Sweden or Germany. Volvo leans on hospitality and bundled travel perks, while Porsche focuses on prestige and brand heritage. Either way, the programs offer something that can’t be replicated at a U.S. dealership—a chance to meet your new car at the very place it was born, take it out on European roads, and return home with both a vehicle and a story to tell.
