Volvo Cars of North America Sell More Overseas Delivered Cars than Any Rival

BMW is Now Displaced to Number Two for Overseas Delivery

Buying a new European import? Why not pick it up overseas after touring the continent and seeing all the sights? Thats an option that more and more buyers are choosing than ever before, and Volvo owners are currently the most traveled group.

For the first time in the brands history, Volvo is number one for overseas delivery, beating previous leader BMW by 280 deliveries in 2003, with 2,028 units sold.

Is it that the Swedish automakers cars are more dynamic now than ever before, attracting a younger, more adventurous buyer? That could be it, as previous European delivery leader BMW could only muster a still respectable 1,748 deliveries. Mercedes-Benz came in a distant third, 1,256 units below Volvo at 772 vehicles while Saab, Volvos longtime Swabian rival, could only manage to interest 72 buyers to pick their cars up in Sweden.

Volvos overseas program has grown by an amazing 22.3 percent over the last year, a positive sign for the Ford Motor owned division.

"Its exciting to see Volvos Overseas Delivery program growing so quickly," says Lasse Magnusson, Overseas Delivery manager. "We take care of our customers from the beginning to the end, in line with our Care by Volvo philosophy. We feel that Volvo offers a superior program to our competitors and our sales for 2003 prove it."

After a customer custom builds their new car or SUV, Volvo offers a look behind the scenes to where their car is built.

"Volvos Overseas Delivery Program also presents a great opportunity for our customers to see first-hand where their car was built and gain a unique perspective on our commitment to safety," added Magnusson.

Whats more, those who take delivery of their car overseas arent limited to a rigid preset travel itinerary. They dont even have to pick it up in Volvos home city of Goteborg, Sweden, but of course theyll miss the factory tour and the opportunity to test it out around the automakers private track.

"If they choose, owners may take possession of their new car in Paris or London or any one of the other eleven major cities in Europe and tailor their driving vacation any way they like," commented Magnusson.

While the brand states flexibility makes their overseas delivery program so popular, they also offer seven pre-planned "Discover Scandinavia" driving tours. They range in length from 3 to 11 days, according to Volvo, with each drive promising wonderful adventure and marvelous scenery. Accommodations sound enticing as well with quaint country manors on the list, as well as inns and full-service hotels.

The best part are the prices, which range from $500 per person for three-day adventures up to $2,515 per person for 11-day treks.

Volvo offers overseas delivery on all of its 2004 and 2005 models, including its recently introduced S40 sedan and V50 sport wagon, impressive XC90 sport utility, sporty S60 sedan, recently revamped S80 sedan, commodious V70 and XC70 Cross Country wagons, and stylish C70 convertible.