DriveTech

Want a vacation? Try the Volvo overseas delivery program

This isn't a review about the Volvo I test drove from Volvo Escondido, the newest Volvo dealership in the county. Overseas and Military Sales Specialist Alan Greenspan didn't want me to talk about the Volvos he sells even though he feels they are the best and safest car on the market. Instead, he wanted to talk about a unique way to buy a Volvo through the overseas delivery program.

So how much does this cost? Not as much as you'd think. When you decide to fly to Sweden to pick up your new Volvo that you ordered at Escondido Volvo (picking the color, interior and options that fit your lifestyle), your Volvo has already been built by the time you arrive.

Here is where it gets real cool - you get two complimentary tickets to fly SAS to Gothenburg, Sweden, the home of Volvo. You are picked up at the airport by a Volvo employee and taken to the four-star Hotel Scandinavia, where you'll enjoy an overnight stay (complements of Volvo) and have a Swedish lunch (also on Volvo). The next morning you're off to the factory in a Volvo limousine to see where Volvos are built.

As you enter the delivery center, an American flag will raise and a large screen TV will announce your arrival by putting your name on the screen. Volvo will take you and your partner on a comprehensive tour of the factory. At the conclusion of the tour, you will then be given your new Volvo as a curtain rises and your Volvo rolls out with claps and fanfare.

Plus, they don't just throw you the keys and say, "have a nice drive." This is a comprehensive "walk around," showing you all the features and options you ordered and how they function. The consultant will stay with you as long as needed to make sure you are totally comfortable with your new Volvo.

Now the fun begins. Where do you want to drive your new Volvo? You can stay in Europe for up to six months (of course, you will have to pay for an extended stay). But Volvo provides insurance coverage, registration and a Volvo consultant who maps out your entire trip, including discount coupons at hotels and restaurants. If you can't decide where you want to go, Volvo has special trips all set up to pick from.

The trip packages are very extensive, from attending a Formula One Race to a sailing event to skiing the Alps. If you're in a hurry, you can fly in, stay the night, go to the delivery center to pick up your Volvo and have it sent back to your hometown and fly home, which sounds pretty ridiculous, if you ask me.

But when you are ready to come home, it's really easy. There are 20 drop-off points in America where your Volvo can be dropped off. There is a slight charge, but if you take your Volvo back to Gothenburg for the flight home, it's included in the price of the Volvo. It takes about six weeks to get your Volvo back to Escondido Volvo but once it arrives, all you need to do is go to the dealership, meet Greenspan again, pick up the keys and drive off. No waiting for paperwork, as it was all done before you left to go to Sweden.

I saved the best for last: If you choose to go to Sweden and use the delivery program you will save up to 8 percent off the price of the Volvo! Airfare on SAS airlines, hotel accommodations for two for one night, lunch, insurance, registration for up to 15 days is all included. So you save up to 8 percent off the price of the car and get an unbelievable vacation, all included.

Stop by Volvo Escondido to speak to Alan Greenspan (no relation to the other Greenspan!) and ask him to show you his book on past customers who have taken the experience. You will be pleasantly surprised. The dealership is in the Escondido Auto Park or call (760) 546-1200.