European delivery
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European delivery programs are those arrangements that continental European automobile manufacturers make with their dealerships throughout the world, to attract consumers who will combine the purchase of a European-made automobile with a trip to Europe. These are typically aimed at the North American market, which constitute the most profitable market for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo and Porsche. According to an article by Jonathan Spira, who has authored multiple articles on the topic, the programs have their origins going back to American GIs who brought European ("foreign") cars back with them starting in the 1950s. The advent of the jet age in the 1960s, allowing Americans to more easily take European vacations, was a further impetus to such programs.[1]
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[edit] General Description
The programs vary depending upon the manufacturer, but the programs tend to share certain commonalities such as reduced or free airfare for one or two persons to fly to Europe to tour the factory and take possession of their car. Such arrangements are typically made with the involvement of a dealership in the purchaser’s country of origin. Once the purchaser takes possession of their automobile, he can typically tour with the car in Europe legally for up to five months. Depending on the manufacturer, it may be the purchaser's responsibility to ship their vehicle back to the purchaser's country of origin, but most carmakers make these arrangements on behalf of the buyer (including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volvo, according to their respective websites) by having them drop it off at a designated shipping agent such as E.H. Harms USA, Inc.
Manufacturers cite the program as a way to build customer loyalty as few customers ever forget the European delivery experience or experience buyer’s remorse. If combined with a vacation that was going to be had anyway, the European delivery program saves the traveler the cost of renting a car while in Europe. More importantly, customers have the opportunity of taking their cars (especially Grand Tourers) to exotic destinations such as the Côte d'Azur or Alps, where the roads are more scenic and challenging than their North American counterparts; indeed European automakers often advertise their vehicles in such places. As well, German Autobahns have no speed restrictions compared to US and Canadian freeways, so this allows an auto enthusiast to fully exploit the potential of their high performance European cars.
European delivery is usually less expensive than taking delivery in a North American dealership, however Porsche charges a fee depending on the vehicle.[2][3]
[edit] Obstacles
European delivery is not available for European brand vehicles produced in North America, such as the BMW X5, X6 and X3 which are built at the Spartanburg, South Carolina plant.
Japanese makers, who despite heavy manufacturing presence in North America, still assembles most North America-bound luxury and sports models in Japan, have yet to initiate a similar program. A theoretical program would probably face increased difficulty because while not illegal to operate in Japan, vehicles for the North American market have their steering wheels on the opposite side of vehicles designed for the Japanese market, which would make operation somewhat more difficult. Another factor is the complications of registering a vehicle in Japan due to anti-congestion laws and severe traffic in Japan's major cities.
Despite being a member of the European Union, which permits LHD and RHD vehicles to be registered in most member countries, British luxury automakers have similar difficulties in implementing such a program due to right-hand drive in Great Britain.
