Ted,

the European Delivery program is a fun and exciting opportunity to pick up your car in Europe and drive it there!

The savings can be substantial, unless it is not a HIGH TICKET car and/or it is a model that the US retailers discount sharply...then it might not be worth your trouble.

As noted on posts below, pick up and dropp of is free of charge in Goteborg, Sweden and Ghent, Belgium (actuallu DROP-OFF only is free in Bremerhaven, Germany). Otherwise, there are various pick up and drop off charges in 20 other cities across Europe.

The car must remain within the boundaries of European Union countries otherwise insurance is null and void.

The order lead time is more than 12 weeks at this time so if you plan to pick up a car in December, if I were you, I would place an order no later than September 15. You will need to give your retailer a $4,000 deposit (10% of which will be forfeited by Volvo if you cancel the order AFTER IT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED by Volvo, usually 4-5 business days after the reatiler has submitted it). The rest will be due 30 days before delivery in Europe.

You will have to purchase insurance (yes, the rate is not very good) for a minimum 15-day period. After you drop off the car at a designated location, you will see your car anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks if you are on the E. Coast or Midwest or close to 4 weeks if you reside in the Southwest or West Coast. Shipping charges are included, you will pay your state's applicable taxes and registration fees once you pick up your car from your retailer. The car will be shipped to your retailer FREE of charge from the port of entry.

While you are in Europe, the warranty is 12months/12,000 miles, when the car enters the US then it will assume the remainder of its US-warranry, 48months/50,000 miles.

If you plan to stay in Europe longer than 6 months you will have to renew the Swedish export application for a fee. You CANNOT renew that again after the 2nd 6-month registration has expired. Well, you can, but you will have to pay V.A.T. (close to 36% of its value!!!).

It should be fun...especially if you go to Paris...wonderful city!

My wife and I are picking up an S80T-6, next month, for my work, in Germany...we are looking forward to driving the car in Germany and Austria!

Yannis

Stillman Volvo