I simply returned from one of many coolest journey experiences I’ve ever had — one 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 novel alternative for U.S. automotive patrons to select up their new automobile 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 an alternative of ready in 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 facility 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 financial system airfare for 2 on Volvo’s most popular 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 automobile, take a tour of the Torslanda manufacturing facility, go to the World of Volvo expertise and luxuriate 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’ll be able to drive proper out of the showroom and straight into your European street journey journey.
On the finish of your journey, you’ll be able to return the automotive to Volvo in Gothenburg for cargo dwelling to the U.S., which is included together with your automobile buy, or drop it off at considered one of practically 20 different cities throughout Europe (for an extra payment). It is solely as much as you.
The Abroad Supply Program is simply accessible to clients seeking to buy their automotive. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to finance your buy or purchase outright. And in case you’re an current Volvo buyer, this system comes with an extra perk: an additional night time of lodge lodging in Gothenburg. You simply have to indicate proof of possession to your retailer or the Volvo-provided journey agent.
I got here into the expertise with excessive expectations and left utterly 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 financial system tickets for 2 to Gothenburg. Whereas SAS is Volvo’s most popular airline, you’ll be able to fly one other service if the whole stays inside the program’s airfare allowance otherwise you pay the distinction. Members in this system can even decide to improve to enterprise class by paying the fare distinction or downgrade to financial system as a way to carry 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 financial 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 occasional.
The comfy seat, beneficiant amenity equipment and distinctive service ensured that my in a single day, transatlantic flight flew by, and I even received a few hours of fine sleep. Earlier than I knew it, I used to be touching down in Copenhagen.
After a simple customs course of throughout my layover, I boarded a brief hop to Gothenburg. Simply 10 hours after leaving dwelling, I used to be greeted on the airport by a personal Volvo-arranged automotive service that whisked me to my lodge in type.
Lodge keep in Gothenburg
Volvo permits Abroad Supply Program clients to select from a number of premium resorts in Gothenburg, together with the stylish Radisson Blu Scandinavia Lodge and centrally situated Gothia Towers. I opted for Jacy’z Lodge & Resort, a daring, bustling property that felt like a extra luxurious Moxy with a Scandinavian twist.
There, the facilities have been no afterthought. Noteworthy particulars included a digital driving vary, shuffleboard and cornhole, an indoor pool, and a vigorous bar and restaurant that drew locals and vacationers alike. The situation 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, smooth furnishings and considerate design. The true standout was breakfast. Jacy’z served probably the most spectacular complimentary spreads I’ve ever seen, with American staples like scrambled eggs and pastries alongside Nordic classics like pickled herring, smoked salmon, laborious 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 facility, the place you get an up-close take a look at how a contemporary Volvo automotive is constructed. Watching robots and people in good synchrony was mesmerizing. I witnessed in awe as vehicles began as naked skeletal frames and rolled out of the ability prepared for the street.
It is necessary to notice, nevertheless, that if the manufacturing facility tour is a must-do in your Abroad Supply record, you will wish to schedule your expertise to keep away from the manufacturing facility’s annual shutdowns, which traditionally happen between July and August for summer time and late December for the vacations.
After the tour, you are welcomed into the Volvo Lounge, completely for Volvo’s Abroad Supply clients, the place you’ll be able to sip espresso and luxuriate in snacks when 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 international influence. I stepped right into a wind tunnel, tried out an working excavator and even composed beats utilizing sounds from the manufacturing facility 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, situated contained in the World of Volvo constructing, felt curated and elevated. Regionally sourced substances and a seasonal menu made for a scrumptious, gentle noon pause earlier than the principle occasion: my introduction to my Volvo for the week.
You are led to a smooth showroom the place your automobile sits beneath a material cowl. In my case, a heat, educated and enthusiastic crew member named Axel handed over the keys after which I received to do the honors. I channeled my interior sport present host and pulled off the fabric draping to disclose a stunning Volvo XC90 Extremely T8 plug-in hybrid. Axel gave me an intensive walk-through of the mannequin, exhibiting me tips on how to navigate every thing 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 together with your brand-new automotive.
Why it is good 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 in case you need assistance planning your journey, for a small payment, 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 time 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 clean 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 tons to discover. The town has immersive museums and an opera home; the latter has a sloping marble roof you could stroll all the best way to the highest of for a panoramic view of the harbour you will not quickly neglect.
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 in your new automotive may look like an indulgence. However whenever you take a better take a look at what’s included — a 4% low cost off the producer’s steered retail worth, round-trip airfare for 2, lodge lodging, behind-the-scenes experiences and worldwide transport — it turns into clear this is likely 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 automobile buy worth. The one further value chances are you’ll encounter is in case you select to drop off your automobile at considered one of Volvo’s different accepted areas throughout Europe, which comes with a dealing with payment. Alternatively, you’ll be able to select to drop off the automobile at considered one of Volvo’s different accepted areas throughout Europe, for an extra dealing with payment.
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 might require longer lead instances. At all times test together with your licensed Volvo retailer when planning your order.
As for the automotive’s return journey, transport from Europe to the U.S. sometimes takes a number of weeks, relying in your drop-off location and closing vacation spot. Volvo supplies monitoring and updates all through the method by way of its devoted dwelling cargo notification system, so that you’re by no means at midnight about the place the automobile is or when it would arrive.
Find out how to ebook
Reserving the expertise is refreshingly simple. 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 will probably be utilized towards the ultimate value of the automobile.
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 might probably additionally help with constructing out an prolonged itinerary in case you plan to discover extra of Sweden or the higher European continent. Upon arrival in Gothenburg, the expertise is curated from starting to finish: transfers, lodge check-in, manufacturing facility 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 situations:
1. The 2-night lodge keep is simply eligible on any new Volvo automotive orders.
2. Volvo Vehicles is simply accountable for the core journey bundle; something exterior this bundle, together with further journey and actions, will probably be between the shopper and our journey company.
3. Please word: We can’t at all times assure a manufacturing facility tour. The choice to not permit visits might come on the final minute, and in case of cancellation, we’ll inform the involved events promptly.
4. The complimentary registration and insurance coverage supplied by Volvo Vehicles are for 15 days. Extra insurance coverage could be included for added charges.
5. Vacationer autos should be exported from the European Union inside two months of their supply date, supplied the exportation is made in Sweden.
6. Automobiles dropped off at areas aside from Gothenburg will incur an extra payment. Please consult with the Volvo Residence Cargo Program for a full record of accessible areas and pricing. U.S. vacation spot cost nonetheless applies.
7. Extra phrases and situations apply. See your licensed Volvo Vehicles retailer for extra data.
