Experience Europe Like Never Before with Volvos Unique Delivery Program
Just returned from an unforgettable travel experience that seamlessly blends luxury with adventure — one that you can embark on yourself by purchasing a new Volvo.
Volvo invites U.S. car buyers to take part in its exclusive Overseas Delivery Program, allowing you to pick up your new vehicle right from its birthplace in Gothenburg, Sweden. This program transforms a typical car purchase into an extraordinary journey, combining a road trip, a luxury getaway, and an immersive exploration of Volvo’s rich heritage.
Instead of waiting for your new Volvo to arrive at your local dealership, the Overseas Delivery Program turns your car purchase into a curated experience that includes airfare, hotel accommodations, a factory tour, and a personalized introduction to your new vehicle. This unique initiative not only enhances your buying experience but also turns it into an adventure.
The package features round-trip premium economy airfare for two on Volvo’s preferred partner, Scandinavian Airlines, or another airline within Volvo’s budget. You’ll enjoy two nights at a luxury hotel in Gothenburg, dine at an acclaimed local restaurant, and spend a full day at the Volvo campus.
During your visit, you’ll receive a VIP unveiling of your vehicle, tour the Torslanda production facility, visit the World of Volvo experience, and savor a Scandinavian lunch at Ceno, Volvo’s on-site restaurant. Additionally, you’ll get 15 days of complimentary European registration and insurance, allowing you to drive right out of the showroom and into your European road trip adventure.
At the end of your trip, you can return the car to Volvo in Gothenburg for shipment back to the U.S., included in your vehicle purchase, or drop it off at one of nearly 20 other cities across Europe for an additional fee. The choice is yours.
This Overseas Delivery Program is exclusively available for customers purchasing a new vehicle. You can finance your purchase or buy outright. Existing Volvo customers also enjoy an extra perk: an additional night of hotel accommodation in Gothenburg, provided you show proof of ownership to your retailer or the Volvo-provided travel agent.
I entered this experience with high expectations and left completely captivated — not only by Volvo but also by the stunning Scandinavian region.
The Overseas Delivery Program includes round-trip premium economy tickets for two to Gothenburg. While SAS is Volvo’s preferred airline, you can choose another carrier as long as the total stays within the program’s airfare allowance, or you can pay the difference. Participants also have the option to upgrade to business class or downgrade to economy to accommodate additional passengers.
My journey began at Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., aboard SAS’ Airbus A321LR, a modern aircraft designed for transatlantic comfort. The premium economy cabin was impressive, featuring ample legroom, a cozy amenity kit, and delicious food and beverages. Dinner included couscous, a charcuterie plate, salad, and dessert, while breakfast offered eggs, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, yogurt, and coffee.
The comfortable seat, generous amenity kit, and exceptional service made my overnight transatlantic flight incredibly enjoyable, and I managed to catch a few hours of sleep. Before I knew it, I was landing in Copenhagen.
After a smooth customs process during my layover, I hopped on a short flight to Gothenburg. Just 10 hours after leaving home, a private Volvo-arranged car service greeted me at the airport and whisked me to my hotel in style.
Volvo offers several premium hotel options for Overseas Delivery Program customers in Gothenburg, including the chic Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel and the centrally located Gothia Towers. I chose Jacy’z Hotel & Resort, a vibrant property that felt like a luxurious Moxy with a Scandinavian twist.
The hotel boasted impressive amenities, including a virtual driving range, shuffleboard, cornhole, an indoor pool, and a lively bar and restaurant that attracted both locals and travelers. Its prime location made it easy to explore Gothenburg’s Old Town and experience the city’s thriving food scene.
My room featured expansive city views, sleek furnishings, and thoughtful design. The highlight was breakfast, which offered an impressive spread that included American classics like scrambled eggs and pastries alongside Nordic specialties like pickled herring, smoked salmon, hard cheeses, rye crispbread, and pickled cucumber. I proudly admit to indulging multiple times.
The day at Volvo commenced with a guided tour of the Torslanda factory, providing an up-close look at how a modern Volvo car is built. Watching robots and humans work in perfect harmony was mesmerizing. I marveled as skeletal car frames transformed into fully functional vehicles ready for the road.
If a factory tour is on your Overseas Delivery agenda, be sure to schedule your visit to avoid the factory’s annual shutdowns, which typically occur between July and August for summer and late December for the holidays.
After the tour, you’ll be welcomed into the Volvo Lounge, exclusively for Overseas Delivery customers, where you can enjoy coffee and snacks while completing some additional paperwork. Then it’s time to explore the World of Volvo, an interactive showcase celebrating the brand’s history and global impact. I stepped into a wind tunnel, operated an excavator, and even created beats using sounds from the factory floor. This museum-caliber experience is worth a visit, even if you’re not participating in the Overseas Delivery Program.
Lunch at Ceno, located inside the World of Volvo building, was a delightful experience. The restaurant’s locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menu made for a delicious midday pause before the main event: my introduction to my Volvo for the week.
In a sleek showroom, my vehicle awaited beneath a cloth cover. A warm, knowledgeable team member named Axel handed me the keys, and I had the honor of unveiling a stunning Volvo XC90 Ultra T8 plug-in hybrid. Axel provided an extensive walk-through of the model, covering everything from the massage seats to the Bluetooth audio system, hybrid charging, and fuel management.
Then, it was time to drive right out of the showroom and create my first unforgettable memory with my brand-new car.
Volvo includes 15 days of registration and insurance with every Overseas Delivery, allowing you to hit the road as soon as you receive the keys. If you desire more time in Europe, additional coverage is available for up to two months. If you need assistance planning your adventure, Volvo’s partner travel agency, Adtrav Travel Management, can help you design an itinerary for a small fee.
My route led me through both Sweden and Norway, and every moment behind the wheel deepened my love for driving and the Scandinavian landscape.
My first stop was a sculpture park located just under an hour north of Gothenburg, nestled in a sprawling nature preserve filled with large-scale sculptures by Scandinavian artists — a beautiful fusion of art and nature that feels distinctly Nordic.
Next, I visited Smogen, a charming seaside town on the west coast that serves as a summer retreat for Swedes. The picturesque rocky coastline, colorful harbor cottages, and refreshing sea air made it an unforgettable destination. I spent the afternoon cliffside, enjoying the best fish and chips I’ve ever tasted while watching locals dive into the sea from smooth granite outcroppings. Eventually, I mustered the courage to take the plunge myself.
Crossing into Norway, I spent two nights in Oslo, a compact, design-forward European capital with much to explore. The city boasts immersive museums and an opera house, featuring a sloping marble roof that offers a panoramic view of the harbor that you won’t soon forget.
On the return leg, I headed toward Lake Vanern, Sweden’s largest lake. This peaceful area is surrounded by farmland, forests, and a growing number of boutique accommodations. I stayed in a glass cabin on a local farm — a tranquil retreat perched atop rolling green hills of the Swedish countryside.
At first glance, flying to Europe for your new car may seem like an indulgence. However, when you consider everything included — a 4% discount off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, round-trip airfare for two, hotel accommodations, behind-the-scenes experiences, and international shipping — it becomes clear that this is one of the most unique and value-packed ways to purchase a vehicle.
Volvo even covers the cost of shipping the car back to the U.S. (as long as it’s returned to Gothenburg) and takes care of import duties, customs clearance, and transport to your local dealership as part of the vehicle purchase price. The only additional cost you might encounter is if you choose to drop off your vehicle at one of Volvo’s other approved locations across Europe, which incurs a handling fee.
Planning ahead is crucial. Volvo recommends placing your order about four months before your desired delivery date, especially for custom-built vehicles, which require a minimum of 100 days. The production schedule for certain vehicles or engines may necessitate longer lead times, so always check with your authorized Volvo retailer when planning your order.
As for the car’s return journey, shipping from Europe to the U.S. typically takes several weeks, depending on your drop-off location and final destination. Volvo provides tracking and updates throughout the process via its dedicated home shipment notification system, ensuring you’re never left in the dark about your vehicle’s whereabouts.
Booking this experience is refreshingly straightforward. It begins with selecting your desired model from the eligible lineup and visiting a participating U.S. Volvo retailer. There, you’ll place your order and make a $6,000 deposit, which will be applied toward the final cost of the vehicle.
From that point, Volvo’s travel agency partner, Adtrav Travel Management, takes over to coordinate your flights, hotel reservations, and Overseas Delivery Day logistics. They can also assist in creating an extended itinerary if you plan to explore more of Sweden or the broader European continent. Upon arrival in Gothenburg, every detail of the experience is curated, from transfers and hotel check-in to factory access and, of course, the delivery of your car.
Volvo’s Overseas Delivery Program is more than just a car purchase; it’s about crafting a story that begins on the other side of the world, in the place where your vehicle was born.
From the moment you arrive in Gothenburg to the first mile of your European road trip, the experience is thoughtful, immersive, and genuinely unforgettable. Best of all, when the trip concludes, the car is officially delivered to you in the U.S. — a one-of-a-kind souvenir that still has thousands of miles left to explore.