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. automotive patrons to select 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 automotive 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 automotive buy right into a curated expertise, together with airfare, lodge lodging, a manufacturing unit tour and a curated introduction to your new automotive. 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 companion, Scandinavian Airways, or one other airline inside Volvo’s baseline price range. You may keep for 2 nights at a luxurious lodge in Gothenburg, get pleasure from dinner at an acclaimed native restaurant and spend a full day on the Volvo campus.
There, you will get a VIP unveiling of the car, take a tour of the Torslanda manufacturing facility, go to the World of Volvo expertise and revel 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 automotive to Volvo in Gothenburg for cargo residence to the U.S., which is included along with your car buy, or drop it off at one in every of almost 20 different cities throughout Europe (for a further charge). It is completely as much as you.
The Abroad Supply Program is simply out there to clients seeking to buy their automotive. Nevertheless, you possibly can finance your buy or purchase outright. And when you’re an present Volvo buyer, this system comes with a further perk: an additional night time of lodge lodging in Gothenburg. You simply have to point out 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 throughout the program’s airfare allowance otherwise you pay the distinction. Individuals in this system also can choose to improve to enterprise class by paying the fare distinction or downgrade to economic system as a way to deliver further 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 comfortable 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 acquired 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 residence, I used to be greeted on the airport by a non-public Volvo-arranged automotive service that whisked me to my lodge in fashion.
Resort keep in Gothenburg
Volvo permits Abroad Supply Program clients to select from a number of premium lodges 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 energetic bar and restaurant that drew locals and vacationers alike. The placement 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, glossy furnishings and considerate design. The true standout was breakfast. Jacy’z served some 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 automotive 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 vital to notice, nonetheless, that if the manufacturing unit tour is a must-do in your Abroad Supply checklist, you will 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, solely for Volvo’s Abroad Supply clients, the place you possibly can sip espresso and revel in snacks whilst you full some further paperwork. Then it is time to discover the World of Volvo, a thoughtfully designed, interactive showcase celebrating the model’s historical past and world influence. 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. Regionally 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 glossy showroom the place your car sits beneath a fabric cowl. In my case, a heat, educated and enthusiastic staff member named Axel handed over the keys after which I acquired to do the honors. I channeled my internal recreation present host and pulled off the material draping to disclose a stunning Volvo XC90 Extremely T8 plug-in hybrid. Axel gave me an intensive walk-through of the mannequin, exhibiting me learn how to navigate all the things 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 automotive.
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 when you need assistance planning your journey, for a small charge, Volvo’s companion journey company, Adtrav Journey Administration, can help with itinerary design and prolonged journey preparations.
My route took me by means 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 placing 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 one of the best fish-and-chips I’ve ever had and watching locals dive into the ocean from easy granite outcroppings. And sure, I did ultimately 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 best way 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 a neighborhood farm — a quiet retreat perched atop rolling inexperienced hills of the Swedish countryside.
The true worth of Volvo’s Abroad Supply Program
At first look, flying to Europe to your new automotive would possibly seem to be an indulgence. However once you take a better have a look at what’s included — a 4% low cost off the producer’s recommended retail worth, round-trip airfare for 2, lodge 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 automotive.
Volvo even covers the price of transport the automotive 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 worth. The one further value chances are you’ll encounter is when you select to drop off your car at one in every of Volvo’s different accredited areas throughout Europe, which comes with a dealing with charge. Alternatively, you possibly can select to drop off the car at one in every of Volvo’s different accredited areas throughout Europe, for a further dealing with charge.
Planning forward is important. Volvo recommends putting your order about 4 months earlier than your required supply date, particularly for custom-built autos, which require a minimal of 100 days. The manufacturing schedule on sure autos or engines could require longer lead instances. At all times examine along with your approved Volvo retailer when planning your order.
As for the automotive’s return journey, transport from Europe to the U.S. usually takes a number of weeks, relying in your drop-off location and ultimate vacation spot. Volvo supplies monitoring and updates all through the method through its devoted residence cargo notification system, so that you’re by no means at nighttime about the place the car is or when it’ll arrive.
The way to ebook
Reserving the expertise is refreshingly easy. It begins with choosing your required mannequin from the eligible lineup and visiting a collaborating U.S. Volvo retailer. There, you will place your order and put down a $6,000 deposit, which might be utilized towards the ultimate value of the car.
From that time on, Volvo’s journey company companion, Adtrav Journey Administration, steps in to coordinate your flights, lodge reservations and Abroad Supply Day logistics. It could possibly additionally help with constructing out an prolonged itinerary when you plan to discover extra of Sweden or the larger European continent. Upon arrival in Gothenburg, the expertise is curated from starting to finish: transfers, lodge check-in, manufacturing unit entry, your time on the World of Volvo and, in fact, the supply of your automotive.
Backside line
Volvo’s Abroad Supply Program is not nearly shopping for a automotive. It is about making a story — one which begins on the opposite aspect of the world within the place the place your automotive 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 automotive is formally delivered to you within the U.S. — a one-of-a-kind memento that also has hundreds of miles left to go.
Phrases and circumstances:
1. The 2-night lodge keep is simply eligible on any new Volvo automotive orders.
2. Volvo Vehicles is simply answerable for the core journey bundle; something exterior this bundle, together with further journey and actions, might be between the client and our journey company.
3. Please word: We can’t all the time assure a manufacturing unit tour. The choice to not enable visits could come on the final minute, and in case of cancellation, we are going to inform the involved events promptly.
4. The complimentary registration and insurance coverage supplied by Volvo Vehicles are for 15 days. Extra insurance coverage might be included for extra charges.
5. Vacationer autos 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 apart from Gothenburg will incur a further charge. Please confer with the Volvo Residence Cargo Program for a full checklist of obtainable areas and pricing. U.S. vacation spot cost nonetheless applies.
7. Extra phrases and circumstances apply. See your approved Volvo Vehicles retailer for extra info.