I had a wonderful meeting with the director of the Volvo Overseas Delivery program, Anders Robertson, and I learned about the Volvo program. I have always been interested in the programs offered by Volvo, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, BMW and Saab (Saab’s website says the program will be up and running again soon). The individuals who pick up a car from the overseas delivery programs can find a savings of 5–12 percent, and the car is shipped back home as a used vehicle. Don’t expect to have your car waiting for you at the airport when you arrive home — it takes about seven weeks for the car to arrive from where you dropped it off in Europe to a dealership of your choice in the United States. Volvo says they are selling an “experience.” Individuals purchasing a car overseas are not looking for the discount but really want to be part of the manufacturing of the vehicle. All the programs offer a plant tour, which is what grease monkeys want out of the trip. They also include about 15 days of insurance and one night in a hotel near the facility, and Volvo offers two round-trip tickets on SAS. They are upgradable to business or premium-economy class for a fee. Global Traveler reviewed overseas delivery programs in our Luxury Book two years ago. I think it is an interesting subject and valid to include as part of your European vacation experience. Or, perhaps, tack it on a business trip to Europe. Having my quota of cars and drivers at my house, I think this might be a consideration when my lease expires in 2012! Oh, one last point — there are no leasing options with these progams; purchases only. — Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO