How to Combine a Self-Drive Holiday with the Mercedes-Benz European Delivery Program

Did you know you can combine a unique way of purchasing a brand new Mercedes-Benz vehicle with a self-drive European vacation?

Under the little-known Mercedes-Benz European Delivery Program, Americans can order a brand new Mercedes-Benz vehicle at their local dealership in the United States a few months before delivery and then collect and drive their shiny new car while on their European vacation.

At the end of your European vacation, you leave your new Mercedes-Benz at a predetermined drop-off point and your car will “miraculously” appears in the USA a few weeks later.

History of the Mercedes-Benz European Delivery Program:

The delivery program was introduced in the 1950s when World War II US servicemen were ready to return to the United States after active duty. Elvis Presley was among the few servicemen who took advantage of buying a sleek European car before returning home.

Mercedes-Benz started marketing this program in the 1960s to get car buyers to think outside the box about their dream European vacation and about buying a prestigious car. With the increasing popularity of passenger flights between the US and Europe, car buyers were lured to kill two birds with one stone: buying their dream car and spending a vacation in Europe.

The factories

Each day from the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz factory located just 14 miles outside Stuttgart, Germany, 200 vehicles are picked up directly by insightful buyers who are combining their car pick-up with a European driving tour. Bremen, located 77 miles from Hamburg is another city where you can take delivery of your new vehicle.

Taking delivery of a Mercedes is easy - Most car buyers assume they have to go through a long process of filling out paperwork (you do have papers to fill out). Some think they have to pay an arm and a leg before driving the vehicle of their dreams.

Here are 10 benefits of the Mercedes-Benz European Delivery Program according to MBUSA:

Up to 7% off vehicle MSRP on selected models (not including S600, CLS63 and E63 Sedan and Wagon).

One night complimentary hotel accommodation in a luxurious Stuttgart hotel and $200 Delta Travel Voucher for airfares. Travel assistance is available.

Sindelfingen Factory Tour or Bremen Factory Tour.

Two tickets to Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart - the only museum with 125 years of automobile history with over 1,500 exhibits.

15 days of complimentary European road insurance with options to extend up to 12 months.

Shipping to selected US dealers and marine insurance included in the purchased price of the vehicle.

Complimentary breakfast or lunch at the Delivery Center.

Two complimentary taxi coupons for transfer from airport or main train station to hotel or to the Delivery Center.

Full tank of fuel, enough for anyone to hit the road from the factory to the Autobahn.

Destination charge is waived.

Best of all, you get a unique experience of vacationing and purchasing your new car. You also save time and money on car rentals and European road insurance.

How to combine it with a self-drive European tour:

Determine where you would like to pick up your vehicle - Stuttgart or Bremen.

Choose your own destinations and travel at your own pace with your own itinerary or select the tour packages suggested by MBUSA. The suggested tour packages are Black Forest , French Riviera, Ludwig’s Castle, Salzburg and Munich, and Alps Rally & Alsace Region.

Choose the number of days you would like to have your self-drive vacation. You get 15 days of complimentary European road insurance with options to extend.

Finalize where you would like to drop off your vehicle to be shipped to the US. The drop off cities are Paris, Hamburg, Berlin, Bremerhaven, Sindelfingen, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, and Nice. You can drop off in Madrid, Koper (Slovenia) and Italy for an extra fee.

More information: MBUSA

Read: 5 Things to Do in Stuttgart

Want to drive on the Autobahn in a high-performance vehicle? Check out the Mercedes-Benz European Delivery Program.