European delivery presents a rare win-win proposition that lets buyers pick up their new car directly from the factory, often saving enough in the process to fund a European vacation. The details vary from one manufacturer to another, but the basics are the same: You order the car from your local dealer, fly to Europe to pick it up off the line, tour the factory, and take your new ride on a road trip around Europe. Then you drop it back off, fly home, and pick it up again at your local dealership several weeks later.
So why doesn’t every customer take advantage" For starters, you have to pay for the car in full or have financing arranged before it’s even built. There’s generally a lead time of up to 12 weeks between ordering and taking delivery. Also, not every automaker offers such a program, and the ones that do are typically for more upmarket shoppers. Here are details on the five automakers that make European delivery available:
Audi
Audi offers a discount of 5 percent on most models, along with a one-night hotel stay, ground transportation, and breakfast and lunch on the delivery day. Customers can pick up their car at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt or in Neckarsulm. Both include a factory tour, but Ingolstadt also includes museum tickets. Fifteen days of insurance are offered, and the vehicle can be returned at any one of 17 locations.
Nearly the entire Audi lineup (in U.S. spec) is eligible?except the A3 e-tron and the Q5?for the discount, bu...