Volvo Abroad Supply Program: How shopping for a automobile turns right into a European trip

I simply returned from one of many coolest journey experiences I’ve ever had — one which you could uncover for your self with the acquisition of a brand new Volvo.

Volvo invited me to check out its signature Abroad Supply Program, a singular alternative for U.S. automobile patrons to choose up their new car straight from its birthplace in Gothenburg, Sweden. What unfolded was half street journey, half luxurious getaway and half deep dive into the DNA of one of many world’s most famed automobile manufacturers. Here is the way it went.

What’s the Volvo Abroad Supply Program?

As a substitute of ready to your new Volvo to reach at your native dealership, Volvo’s Abroad Supply Program wraps your automobile buy right into a curated expertise, together with airfare, resort lodging, a manufacturing unit tour and a curated introduction to your new automobile. All in all, the Abroad Supply Program turns a transaction into an journey.

The bundle consists of round-trip premium economic system airfare for 2 on Volvo’s most well-liked accomplice, Scandinavian Airways, or one other airline inside Volvo’s baseline price range. You may keep for 2 nights at a luxurious resort in Gothenburg, take pleasure in dinner at an acclaimed native restaurant and spend a full day on the Volvo campus.

There, you may get a VIP unveiling of the car, take a tour of the Torslanda manufacturing facility, go to the World of Volvo expertise and luxuriate in a Scandinavian lunch at Ceno, Volvo’s on-site restaurant. You may additionally obtain 15 days of complimentary European registration and insurance coverage so you possibly can drive proper out of the showroom and straight into your European street journey journey.

On the finish of your journey, you possibly can return the automobile to Volvo in Gothenburg for cargo dwelling to the U.S., which is included along with your car buy, or drop it off at certainly one of practically 20 different cities throughout Europe (for a further payment). It is solely as much as you.

The Abroad Supply Program is simply out there to prospects seeking to buy their automobile. Nonetheless, you possibly can finance your buy or purchase outright. And for those who’re an current Volvo buyer, this system comes with a further perk: an additional night time of resort lodging in Gothenburg. You simply have to indicate proof of possession to your retailer or the Volvo-provided journey agent.

I got here into the expertise with excessive expectations and left fully hooked — not solely on Volvo, but in addition on the Scandinavian area itself.

Flights to Sweden

The Abroad Supply Program consists of round-trip premium economic system tickets for 2 to Gothenburg. Whereas SAS is Volvo’s most well-liked airline, you possibly can fly one other service if the whole stays inside the program’s airfare allowance otherwise you pay the distinction. Individuals in this system can even choose to improve to enterprise class by paying the fare distinction or downgrade to economic system as a way to convey extra passengers.

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I flew out of Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD) close to Washington, D.C., on SAS’ Airbus A321LR, a more recent narrow-body plane designed for transatlantic consolation. The premium economic system cabin was refreshingly fashionable, with ample legroom, a comfy amenity equipment, and scrumptious meals and drinks. Dinner consisted of couscous, a charcuterie plate, salad and dessert, whereas breakfast included eggs, mushrooms and Brussels sprouts, in addition to yogurt and low.

The snug seat, beneficiant amenity equipment and distinctive service ensured that my in a single day, transatlantic flight flew by, and I even received a few hours of excellent sleep. Earlier than I knew it, I used to be touching down in Copenhagen.

After a straightforward customs course of throughout my layover, I boarded a brief hop to Gothenburg. Simply 10 hours after leaving dwelling, I used to be greeted on the airport by a non-public Volvo-arranged automobile service that whisked me to my resort in model.

Resort keep in Gothenburg

Volvo permits Abroad Supply Program prospects to select from a number of premium motels in Gothenburg, together with the stylish Radisson Blu Scandinavia Resort and centrally positioned Gothia Towers. I opted for Jacy’z Resort & Resort, a daring, bustling property that felt like a extra luxurious Moxy with a Scandinavian twist.

There, the facilities had been no afterthought. Noteworthy particulars included a digital driving vary, shuffleboard and cornhole, an indoor pool, and a full of life bar and restaurant that drew locals and vacationers alike. The situation made it simple to stroll to Gothenburg’s Previous City and pattern town’s thriving food-and-drink scene.

My room supplied expansive metropolis views, smooth furnishings and considerate design. The actual standout was breakfast. Jacy’z served one of the spectacular complimentary spreads I’ve ever seen, with American staples like scrambled eggs and pastries alongside Nordic classics like pickled herring, smoked salmon, exhausting cheeses, rye crispbread and pickled cucumber. I’m unashamed to say that I went again for extra a number of instances.

The VIP Volvo expertise

The day at Volvo begins with a guided tour of the Torslanda manufacturing unit, the place you get an up-close have a look at how a contemporary Volvo automobile is constructed. Watching robots and people in excellent synchrony was mesmerizing. I witnessed in awe as vehicles began as naked skeletal frames and rolled out of the power prepared for the street.

It is necessary to notice, nevertheless, that if the manufacturing unit tour is a must-do in your Abroad Supply listing, you may wish to schedule your expertise to keep away from the manufacturing unit’s annual shutdowns, which traditionally happen between July and August for summer season and late December for the vacations.

After the tour, you are welcomed into the Volvo Lounge, completely for Volvo’s Abroad Supply prospects, the place you possibly can sip espresso and luxuriate in snacks when you full some extra paperwork. Then it is time to discover the World of Volvo, a thoughtfully designed, interactive showcase celebrating the model’s historical past and world impression. I stepped right into a wind tunnel, tried out an working excavator and even composed beats utilizing sounds from the manufacturing unit flooring. Whether or not or not you are collaborating within the Abroad Supply Program, this museum-caliber expertise alone is value a go to.

Lunch at Ceno, positioned contained in the World of Volvo constructing, felt curated and elevated. Domestically sourced elements and a seasonal menu made for a scrumptious, mild noon pause earlier than the principle occasion: my introduction to my Volvo for the week.

You are led to a smooth showroom the place your car sits beneath a fabric cowl. In my case, a heat, educated and enthusiastic workforce member named Axel handed over the keys after which I received to do the honors. I channeled my interior sport present host and pulled off the material draping to disclose a beautiful Volvo XC90 Extremely T8 plug-in hybrid. Axel gave me a radical walk-through of the mannequin, exhibiting me find out how to navigate every part from the therapeutic massage seats to the Bluetooth audio system, in addition to hybrid charging and gas administration.

Then, it is time to drive proper out of the showroom and create your first once-in-a-lifetime reminiscence along with your brand-new automobile.

Why it is excellent for a street journey

Volvo consists of 15 days of registration and insurance coverage with each Abroad Supply, so that you’re free to hit the street as quickly because the keys are handed over to you. Extra protection is offered for as much as two months if you would like extra time in Europe. And for those who need assistance planning your journey, for a small payment, Volvo’s accomplice journey company, Adtrav Journey Administration, can help with itinerary design and prolonged journey preparations.

My route took me by way of each Sweden and Norway, and each second behind the wheel each spoiled me for all times as a driver and made me fall in love with Scandinavia as a traveler.

My first pit cease was a sculpture park, just below an hour north of Gothenburg. It is set in a sweeping nature protect, dotted with large-scale sculptures by Scandinavian artists — a hanging mix of artwork and panorama that feels distinctly Nordic.

From there, I continued on to Smogen, a seaside city on the west coast that doubles as a summer season escape for Swedes. The rocky shoreline, colourful harbor cottages and crisp sea air made it an unforgettable vacation spot that I vowed to return to. I spent the afternoon cliffside, consuming the perfect fish-and-chips I’ve ever had and watching locals dive into the ocean from easy granite outcroppings. And sure, I did finally work up the braveness to make the leap myself.

Crossing into Norway, I spent two nights in Oslo, a compact, design-forward European capital with heaps to discover. The town has immersive museums and an opera home; the latter has a sloping marble roof which you could stroll all the way in which to the highest of for a panoramic view of the harbour you will not quickly overlook.

On the return leg, I headed towards Lake Vanern, Sweden’s largest lake. It is a peaceable space surrounded by farmland, forest and a rising variety of boutique lodging. I stayed in a glass cabin on an area farm — a quiet retreat perched atop rolling inexperienced hills of the Swedish countryside.

The actual worth of Volvo’s Abroad Supply Program

At first look, flying to Europe to your new automobile may seem to be an indulgence. However whenever you take a better have a look at what’s included — a 4% low cost off the producer’s recommended retail value, round-trip airfare for 2, resort lodging, behind-the-scenes experiences and worldwide transport — it turns into clear this is without doubt one of the most uncommon and value-packed methods to purchase a automobile.

Volvo even covers the price of transport the automobile again to the U.S. (so long as it is returned to Gothenburg) and takes care of import duties, customs clearance and transport to your native dealership within the car buy value. The one extra value chances are you’ll encounter is for those who select to drop off your car at certainly one of Volvo’s different authorized areas throughout Europe, which comes with a dealing with payment. Alternatively, you possibly can select to drop off the car at certainly one of Volvo’s different authorized areas throughout Europe, for a further dealing with payment.

Planning forward is important. Volvo recommends putting your order about 4 months earlier than your required supply date, particularly for custom-built automobiles, which require a minimal of 100 days. The manufacturing schedule on sure automobiles or engines might require longer lead instances. All the time verify along with your approved Volvo retailer when planning your order.

As for the automobile’s return journey, transport from Europe to the U.S. sometimes takes a number of weeks, relying in your drop-off location and closing vacation spot. Volvo supplies monitoring and updates all through the method through its devoted dwelling cargo notification system, so that you’re by no means at the hours of darkness about the place the car is or when it’s going to arrive.

From that time on, Volvo’s journey company accomplice, Adtrav Journey Administration, steps in to coordinate your flights, resort reservations and Abroad Supply Day logistics. It will possibly additionally help with constructing out an prolonged itinerary for those who plan to discover extra of Sweden or the larger European continent. Upon arrival in Gothenburg, the expertise is curated from starting to finish: transfers, resort check-in, manufacturing unit entry, your time on the World of Volvo and, in fact, the supply of your automobile.

Volvo’s Abroad Supply Program is not nearly shopping for a automobile. It is about making a story — one which begins on the opposite aspect of the world within the place the place your automobile was born.

From the second you arrive in Gothenburg to the primary mile of your European street journey, the expertise is considerate, immersive and genuinely unforgettable. Better of all, when the journey is over, the automobile is formally delivered to you within the U.S. — a one-of-a-kind memento that also has 1000’s of miles left to go.

Phrases and circumstances:

1. The 2-night resort keep is simply eligible on any new Volvo automobile orders.
2. Volvo Vehicles is simply chargeable for the core journey bundle; something outdoors this bundle, together with extra journey and actions, will likely be between the client and our journey company.
3. Please notice: We can not at all times assure a manufacturing unit tour. The choice to not enable visits might come on the final minute, and in case of cancellation, we’ll inform the involved events promptly.
4. The complimentary registration and insurance coverage supplied by Volvo Vehicles are for 15 days. Extra insurance coverage could be included for extra charges.
5. Vacationer automobiles have to be exported from the European Union inside two months of their supply date, supplied the exportation is made in Sweden.
6. Autos dropped off at areas aside from Gothenburg will incur a further payment. Please check with the Volvo Residence Cargo Program for a full listing of accessible areas and pricing. U.S. vacation spot cost nonetheless applies.
7. Extra phrases and circumstances apply. See your approved Volvo Vehicles retailer for extra data.