Buying a New Volvo? Here’s What It’s Like to Take Delivery in Sweden

Volvo has opened the order books for the 2027 Volvo EX60 electric SUV, which has a starting price of $59,795 in the U.S. for the base P6 with a range of up to 307 miles and $62,145 for the P10 AWD with a range of up to 322 miles. The performance P12 AWD will come later, boasting upward of a 400-mile range.

Sure, you can skedaddle up to your nearest Volvo dealer to buy one, or you can make a vacation of it. Volvo has an Overseas Delivery Program that takes you to its ancestral home of Gothenburg, Sweden, where you can take delivery and spend time driving around Europe in your new car before having it shipped stateside.

The Overseas Delivery Program (ODP) has been around for more than 50 years for U.S. customers, traditionally averaging about nine vehicles a day from May to September, but it’s now doing about 12 a day. It currently accounts for about 1 percent of annual sales. About 75 percent of buyers who choose this adventure are new to the brand, according to Matt Raggi, Volvo’s senior overseas delivery sales operations specialist.

The delivery program is only for vehicles produced in Europe. Currently that includes the 2026 Volvo XC40 (which has been extended a model year) and the 2027 XC60 and 2027 XC90, which will have deliveries this summer, likely late July. Later this fall the 2027 EX60 will be added to the roster.

Touring Sweden in a Volvo XC90.

Trying Out the Delivery Experience

We spent a few days in Gothenburg, where we experienced a delivery, unwrapping a 2026 XC90 T8 Ultra plug-in hybrid in aurora silver (the color of the first ray of sunshine to hit the water) to drive for a few days, exploring the area.

The program is only available if you purchase or finance the new vehicle, but Volvo is looking at adding the program for leased models.

Included in the price is a 4 percent discount on the vehicle, airfare (premium economy), two-night hotel, and a dinner credit. The VIP delivery itself is now performed inside the new World of Volvo, a five-story brand experience center and vehicle delivery center with exhibits, interactive displays, a car collection, restaurants, meeting rooms, and conference and event space.

The World of Volvo has historic Volvos and more on display.

Spend the Day at World of Volvo

The experience includes an immersive day at World of Volvo where you can learn tidbits like the meaning of Volvo (Latin for “I roll”). It outlines the history of the company; the first Volvo was a ball bearing crafted by SKF in 1915. There’s a sales manual from 1936 instructing dealers on how to sell a Swedish car. Volvo closed its museum in 2023 and the most iconic vehicles are now on display at World of Volvo.

Those taking delivery get access to the exclusive lounge, lunch, and of course the delivery itself that involves a Price Is Right style sheet pull to see your new baby. You then spend about an hour with a vehicle specialist getting to know your new car. If it’s an electric vehicle, you can drive it outside yourself, but if it has an internal combustion engine, the front wheels are hoisted up and it’s towed outside. When possible, you can get a tour of the nearby Torslanda factory.

Aspects of the program can be upgraded or downgraded, such as class of airfare, choice of hotel, or adding extra nights. Current Volvo owners get a third night. There are five restaurant choices to spend your 1,000 SEK (about $108) credit.

Exploring the area around Gothenburg.

Delivery is usually four to six months from the time of ordering and plunking down your deposit. You work with a travel advisor on the overall experience. At its conclusion, your new vehicle is shipped across the ocean. Allow 6–8 weeks for the east coast, 9–11 weeks for the west coast. Car and owner reunite at the Volvo dealership where it all started to finalize payment and hand over the keys for good.

Temporary registration and insurance are provided; the car is insured for 15 days while touring around Europe, but it can be extended by up to 60 days before the car is dropped off at any of four locations throughout Europe. Many customers choose to take the temporary red European license plate home as a souvenir.