The C30 oozes cool and hip from any direction.  The large glass hatch, which contributes to excellent visibility from the driver’s seat, gives the rear a unique look that recalls the highly regarded Volvo P1800, ca. 1971, which was Roger Moore’s conveyance of choice in The Saint.  The front, which retains traditional Volvo styling cues, is actually cute.

It features four comfortable bucket seats, excellent instrumentation, and handling that’s vaguely sporty.  It feels more peppy than it is, but it has more than sufficient power to be a satisfying and entertaining daily driver.

Standard features on the entry level C30 include 17” wheels, a 50/50 split rear seat,  HD Radio, a USB interface, and a superb, leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel.

Standard safety features include stability control, ABS, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtains, and whiplash protection.

Options that should not be overlooked include the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Keyless Drive, Bluetooth, heated seats, and Park Assist.  Cruise control is an option, unlike with most other vehicles today.

–Jonathan B. Spira is the Editor of Executive Road Warrior and Chief Analyst at Basex, a knowledge economy research firm.

Station wagons have become so untrendy that at this point they may be becoming trendy again.  Those drivers who do want to give the wagons a chance will want to consider the Volvo V70, which shares its platform and drivetrain with the S80 sedan (reviewed in our October 2007 issue).  The V70 was all new for 2008 and features SUV-like cargo room, decent fuel economy of a sedan, and an array of standard features including a three-way split rear seat (40-20-40).  The Convenience Package includes a humidity sensor for the climate control, front and rear park assist, a power tailgate, and a secure compartment in the rear for valuables.   The optional Park Assist camera guides the driver when parking or backing up, providing much better visibility than rear view mirrors.

The V70 is largely unchanged for 2009.  New standard features for 2009 include hands-free Bluetooth communications, and fog lights.

New options include a technology package with active bi-Xenon headlamps outfitted with washers, Sirius satellite radio, the superb Dynaudio Premium Sound System, and rear seat headphone jacks and audio controls.

Although acceleration and fuel economy are fair at best, the V70’s spacious and well-appointed cabin, not to mention competent handling and a smooth ride, make it worthy of consideration.

–Jonathan B. Spira is the Editor of Executive Road Warrior and Chief Analyst at Basex, a knowledge economy research firm.

Summer. A time when the business traveler’s mind turns to… convertibles!

Nothing says summer like a bright red convertible.  Unless it’s a medium-blue convertible. Or a metallic grey roadster.

In the automobile’s earliest days, all cars were open; the open car continues to be seen as sporty and adventurous and perfect for hot summer days.  The rest of the time, they were drafty, noisy, and considered less safe than cars with metal roofs.

Starting with Mercedes-Benz in 1998, car makers have found a way of marrying the driving pleasure of a convertible without its disadvantages by offering a power-operated retractable hardtop convertible.  These convertibles are practically indistinguishable from coupes and the metal roof provides enhanced safety and comfort for the occupants.

To learn more, I spent a week each with the BMW 335i Convertible, the Volvo C70, and the Mercedes-Benz SLK350.  To complete the droptop look, I needed to be outfitted appropriately so I added Car Shoe’s signature moccasin driving shoes and Prada PR52FS  sunglasses.

Opening or closing the roof of one of these cars is a sight to behold.  The windows go down, the two- or three-piece metal roof (one of the pieces is the glass rear window) opens in sections in a fluid motion, the trunk opens rearward, and each section of the roof nests above the other.  The windows go back up and the trunk can be opened in the usual manner (albeit with very limited storage space).

Even with an increasing number of cars with retractable hardtop roofs, it’s still a remarkable technology.  Expect an audience when performing this act in a public place.

BMW 335i Convertible

The 2008 BMW 335i Convertible is a driver’s car, an engineering marvel. Its twin-turbo motor was designed to cruise the Autobahnen of Germany at speeds of 150 mph yet it’s just as much at home negotiating winding mountain roads with no body roll in the corners.  And it seats four passengers comfortably.

The top lowers in 22 seconds and, for cars equipped with the Comfort Access smart key option, the top can be lowered from outside the vehicle by holding down a button on the key fob.

Inside, BMW thoughtfully places special reflective leather which can keep the seats up to 30 degrees cooler than conventional leather seats when the top is down.

The car’s Logic 7 stereo and satellite navigation system are excellent (the nav includes traffic information) and its Bluetooth phone integration is unparalleled.  But the droptop really gives an entirely new meaning to the feeling of Freude am Fahren (the Joy of Driving, to borrow from BMW’ vaunted slogan) that one experiences.

Inside, the sports seats hug the driver and front passenger and the integrated iPod/USB option provides infinite entertainment options.

MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350

Unlike the BMW and Volvo, which seat four, the Mercedes-Benz SLK350 is a true roadster, intended less for practicality and more for giving the driver the feeling of the open road. There’s no doubt that Mercedes succeeds with the SLK; its V-6 is the fastest of the three we tested as well.

Inspired by Mercedes’ Formula 1 race cars, the SLK features an aggressive, dramatic design.  Inside, the driver finds a clean dashboard layout and shapes that continue the theme with firm yet comfortable seats and great audio.

Driving the SLK with the top down is not only for hot summer days; Mercedes’ Airscarf system channels warm air to your neck and shoulders through vents in the headrests.

Volvo C70

Top up or down, the Volvo C70 is just about the sleekest Volvo I’ve ever seen (the Passion Red paint didn’t hurt it in this department).  Inside, with comfortable seating up front and a 12-speaker Dynaudio stereo that produces spectacular sound, I found myself wondering why I ever considered a car with a fixed roof.  The 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder motor provides decent power and gas mileage.

While the C70 is a looker, it doesn’t deliver spirited sporty driving.  It is however perfect for cruising on a hot summer day. For a day trip to a Biergarten on Long Island, the Volvo was the perfect way to transport two passengers (the rear seats offer very limited legroom).

Perhaps ensuring that all bases are covered, a W button gear on the shifter activates winter mode, which keeps the automatic transmission engaged in lower gears for longer periods of time (presumably the top will be up when this feature is in use).

–Jonathan B. Spira is the Editor of Executive Road Warrior and Chief Analyst at Basex, a knowledge economy research firm.

The Swedish Vikings were among the first business travelers.  While Vikings from Denmark and Norway conquered and colonized to the west and southwest, Swedish Vikings traded to the east and southeast.

The Vikings were also renowned for their shipbuilding abilities, building vessels that were seaworthy and strong.  Today, this ability is most visible in cars from the region, such as those from Volvo, a company founded by two Swedes, Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson, in 1924.  Their plan was to build cars more suited to Scandinavian driving conditions than what was being imported at the time.

Volvo, Latin for “I roll,”  first gained a following in the U.S. with the stylish PV444, a derivative of which was a glass fiber sports car designed in the U.S in 1955, followed by the iconic P1800 sports coupe, styled initially by Ghia, made famous as the car driven by Roger Moore in “The Saint” TV series.

In 1956, Volvo introduced the 120 (sometimes called the Amazon), which was one of the first cars designed with accident protection and safety features.  Innovation in safety continued: in 1959, Volvo introduced three-point safety belts to the world.

Volvo’s cars in the late 1960s and 1970s continued to hold thought leadership in safety and environmentalism with crumple zones, rear-facing child seats, collapsible steering columns, side collision protection, and the three-way catalytic converter.

Today, Volvo always gets top marks in government administered crash and safety tests.  The 2006 S80 got five stars in all front- and side-impact crash tests and for its rollover resistance rating plus a “Good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  No data was available for the 2007 S80 but we expect it to perform similarly.

The Volvo S80, redesigned for 2007, is the latest from the land of the Vikings to come ashore in the U.S.  It comes in two versions: the S80 3.2-liter inline six cylinder version with 235 hp and the flagship S80 V8 4.4-liter V-8 with all-wheel drive, with xxx hp and 325 pond-feet of torque.  The 2007 has a slightly longer wheel baser, is one inch taller, and a bit wider than its predecessor.

Both come with leather upholstery, wood trim, power seats, and dual-zone climate control.  The interior is very clean and Scandinavian modern, although the center console suffers from far too many buttons for too little functionality.  Volvo’s seats are among the most supportive and comfortable we’ve seen and the rear seems more spacious than a BMW 5er or Mercedes E Class.  The test model came with ventilated front seats, which add to driving comfort, particularly on hot and humid summer days.

Our test car featured an excellent audio system by Dynaudio, a Danish company known for high-end sound systems, featuring 12 Dynaudio drivers, a Dolby Pro-Logic II Processor, and dynamic power amplifiers.  The positioning and adjustment of the speakers were tailored specifically for the passenger compartment of the S80 so that all occupants receive the same level of sound quality regardless of seating position.  Volvo offers an iPod/USB interface for $335 although our test car did not come with it.

The interior of the S80 was whisper quiet with little or no wind noise.  Gauges were well placed and easy to read with a speedometer and tachometer most prominent in the cluster.  The quality of the materials, including plastics, was excellent.

Our S80 also had the optional satellite navigation system which pops out of the dashboard in the center.  In the interest of safety, Volvo includes a wireless remote control that allows the passenger to control the system when the vehicle is in motion.  We found the system fairly simple to use.  Volvo does not use the system’s screen for other purposes, which is unfortunate as it’s well placed in the driver’s field of vision and  would be more convenient than the LCD panel used for the radio and limited on-board computer.

SAFETY

Volvo has designed several innovative safety features which are available as options on the S80.

BLIS – Blind Spot Information System

Small cameras are mounted below both  sideview mirrors to monitor traffic.  As a car passes next to the S80, a small amber light near the A-pillar lights up to warn the driver.  This is a good idea, esp. since the B-pillars and C-pillars of the car limit the driver’s ability to detect cars nearby and many drivers don’t know how to adjust their sideview mirrors to compensate for the blind spot.

Collision Warning System, bundled with adaptive cruise control ($1495)

Driver is alerted to a potential crash by a beeping and flashing red LEDs in the driver’s field of vision.  Driving home from a meeting, a car cut across three lanes of the highway so as not to miss an exit.  The Volvo’s system slowed the car and warned me just as I was about to put my foot on the brake.

PCC – Personal Car Communicator, security and the alarm includes heartbeat sensor alerting the owner if someone is in the Volvo who presumably should not be there.

DRIVING

The S80 felt safe, sure and predictable, but not exhilarating.  It handled more like a front-wheel-drive car, thanks to its 61.5%  weight bias up front and the fact that the all-wheel drive system sends 95% of the engine’s power to the front wheels under normal conditions.  (BMW and Audi maintain a more balanced 50/50 split on their all-wheel drive powertrains under normal driving conditions.)

The ride was very comfortable and smooth, the car corners well, but driver is seemingly too well isolated from his surroundings.   Still, Volvo still manages to inculcate a feeling of safety in every aspect of the car, including making the driver feel safer just for driving a Volvo.

The cool, clean Scandinavian interior sports simple lines and controls which aren’t too complex, except for the busy looking center console which seems to have more buttons than functions.  The only thing missing was Bluetooth communications for my mobile phone; this is a dealer-installed option which my car did not have.

Driving off, I wonder: did the Vikings have ventilated seats on their voyages?

THE DETAILS
2007 Volvo S80 V8
Base price/price-as-tested $47,350/$60,105
Drivetrain Front engine, all-wheel drive
Engine 4.4-liter/311 hp/32-valve V-8
Transmission 6-speed Geartronic Automatic
Curb weight 4,065 lbs
Wheelbase 111.6 in
Length x width x height 191x 73.3 x 58.8
0-60 mph 5.6 seconds
EPA city/highway fuel economy (mpg) 17/25

–Jonathan B. Spira is the Editor of Executive Road Warrior and Chief Analyst at Basex, a knowledge economy research firm.

Since the 1960s, several thousand Americans each year have taken a trip to Munich, Germany with one goal in mind.  Unlike the other American tourists, they are not there for the beer, the Schnitzel, the museums and art galleries, and the Gemütlichkeit alone.  The real reason for the trip: to pick up a new BMW at BMW’s factory delivery center.

The author's new BMW 330xi at the InterContinental Hotel and Resort in Berchtesgaden

For years, BMW has been among a handful of European automakers that offer Americans the option of picking up their cars at the factory.  The Americans take delivery, drive on the Autobahnen, Bundesstraßen, Landstraßen, and Autostrade of Europe for several weeks, and have the cars shipped back to the United States.  The trip has become almost an annual ritual for some; indeed a third of the customers have picked up a car at the factory in previous years. I am a member of that group, having joined the club in January 1982

2363 BMWs were sold through BMW’s European Delivery program in 2005; in 2004, the number was 1999. Customers are drawn by packages that can include significant discounts (published discounts are seven percent on most models; individual dealers will frequently offer even better pricing), discounted or free airfare, meals, and the thrill of a factory tour that is the birthplace of the car being picked up.

Just as legend tells us that the Loreley bewitched the hearts of sailors on the Rhine, the Autobahn bewitches the hearts of American drivers.  The opportunity to drive a BMW in its native habitat, the German Autobahn, is a major draw.

The European Delivery program has its roots in the 1950s when members of the U.S. armed forces returning from Europe brought with them a taste for smaller, sportier European cars. Many shipped their own cars to the States with the help of E.H. Harms Auto Forwarding & Shipping.   Harms was founded by Egon H. Harms, a German soldier who had been captured by the Americans at the Battle of the Bulge.  After he was released, he started moving military vehicles back to different ports; as more U.S. bases were built in Europe, he began shipping soldiers’ cars stateside as well.

At the time, other than the occasional Volkswagen Käfer (Beetle), a non-U.S. manufactured vehicle was an unusual sight in the United States.  Their appearance was mostly due to U.S. soldiers and to Max Hoffman, the Austrian emigrant automotive entrepreneur who, starting in 1948, single-handedly created the imported car business in the United States and during his career marketed Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jaguar, and BMW vehicles.

Most of his energy was focused on BMW. Hoffman started importing BMWs in the 1950s, and he was the exclusive importer from 1960 until March 1975, when BMW of North America was formed, reportedly buying Hoffman out for $16 million.  Hoffman remained co-chairman and a member of the design committee (he was instrumental in the creation of the BMW 507).

In the mid 1960s, with the advent of the jet age, Hoffman saw an opportunity to boost both sales and mindshare for BMW by offering prospective buyers the opportunity to take their first European vacation and drive around Europe in their own car (naturally, a BMW), which would follow them back to the U.S., giving the traveler a unique experience, saving money on the car purchase, and eliminating rental charges.

Hoffman was not alone. By the end of the decade, Mercedes, Saab, Volvo, Porsche, and Volkswagen all offered factory delivery for tourists.

European Delivery sales are arranged through BMW dealers in the United States.  Many dealerships have one salesperson as a designated specialist.  With minor exceptions, the cars do not come out of the dealer’s allocation so there is no floor cost to the dealer; essentially, it’s like selling an extra car.  Buyers should expect more paperwork (after all, buying a car usually doesn’t involve one’s passport) and buyers need to be aware that the wait time for redelivery can be six weeks to eight weeks.

Buyers receive premium auto insurance with no deductible for 14 days.  It can be extended at extra cost.  Each car is custom built, and needs to be ordered at least three months prior to the desired delivery date.  Buyers need to be aware of German (and other national) holidays when making travel plans; the delivery center is closed on German holidays and drop-off centers (over a dozen throughout Europe) are likely to be closed on local holidays.

European Delivery also has a “season” which runs from mid-March to mid-November.  Deliveries in the off season, after mid-November, are not recommended if your car comes with summer or performance tires.  German law requires the use of winter tires (tires must be designated with M+S, and all season tires do qualify).

THE PROCESS

Despite multiple prior European Deliveries, this is the first time I was to go through the entire process, starting with ordering a car from scratch.  For previous deliveries, I had selected a car from the pool of cars BMW maintains for those customers who decide to pickup their car at the factory on short notice.  Fortunately, they always seemed to have the exact car I wanted.

Placing the order with Ricki Shamen at DiFeo BMW

But this time was different: I went to meet with Ricki Shamen at DiFeo BMW on 27 August to place my order.  I had already reviewed all of the colors and options available, so placing the actual order was easy.  Ricki had obtained a production number for me rather quickly, and soon we were tracking my car through the manufacturing process, from 112 (effectively, “about to be built”) to 155 (production completed) to 170 (“at Delivery Center in Freimann for pre-delivery inspection”).  The car I ordered was a 2006 330xi, in Sparkling Graphite with a black leather interior.  Options included the Premium Package (which includes BMW Assist with Bluetooth Wireless Technology), Parking Distance Control, the Sport Package, Styling 162 wheels, iDrive and satellite navigation, Comfort Access, the Cold Weather Package, and power rear sunshades with manual side window shades – pretty much everything but Active Cruise Control, automatic transmission, and Active Steering.

We set a date for the delivery: 10. November.  That meant my car would be manufactured in mid October, ca. one month prior.  And it was, on 11. October.

As the date drew closer, I finalized an itinerary.  I would fly directly to Munich on the ninth and stay the first night in Munich.  After that, I would stay four nights at the InterContinental Resort in Berchtesgaden and make day trips from there.  I would drop off my car in Garching bei München on the 15th, and fly back to New York later that day.

The ninth of November arrived more quickly than I had anticipated.  I had set my alarm for three hours earlier than usual to get a jump on Central European Time (this works every time, ensuring I will be quite sleepy by the time we are aloft).  By coincidence, two acquaintances from the BMW Car Club of American, Rich and Jill Zimmer were to be on my flight as they were picking up an Electric Red E90 325i.

By the time I arrived at JFK, that evening, I was ready to settle in for a long, comfortable flight.  Rich and Jill were waiting for me in the Lufthansa Senator Lounge.  Due to inclement weather, our departure time was repeatedly delayed.  This gave us lots of time to enjoy sandwiches, Brezeln, and Spaten Oktoberfest Bier vom Faß.

After a comfortable flight (Lufthansa’s seats do fold into completely flat beds that are quite comfortable) and multiple delays due to weather conditions on both sides of the Atlantic, we finally arrived at Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauß at 11:45.

Rich and Jill joined me for a quick ride to the Delivery Center.  Upon arrival we headed upstairs to the café, where Thomas Roller, manager of the BMW Delivery Center, was waiting to meet with me.  Rich and Jill completed their paperwork and were brought to their new Electric Red 325i.

The BMW Welt under construction in November 2005

My next meeting was at BMW Welt  with Helmut Pöschl and his colleagues who are planning BMW Welt (more on BMW Welt in an upcoming article but I can promise it will make European Delivery even more of an experience).  Herr Roller offered to accompany me to my meetings, but allowed me to see my new car for a few seconds before we sped off in a very fast 130i.  We didn’t make it back until 17:30 and the Center was empty.  Herr Roller himself did the delivery and off I went to my “Stammhotel” on the Leopoldstraße, the Holiday Inn. This hotel is highly recommended for BMW owners doing European Delivery for one reason (besides the enormous breakfast buffet): the very safe underground parking garage.

The adventure had only begun.  See a related article, Journeys: Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Italy by Car, for details on the 2426 km drive.

HERR ROLLER’S ADVICE

Diplom-Kaufmann Thomas Roller is the manager of the BMW Delivery Center where European Delivery cars are delivered.  He has some suggestions to make the European Delivery experience more fun and less stressful for American visitors.

• Order Satellite Navigation and get the DVD for Europe.  Having navigation in the car will allow you to enjoy your trip without going astray.  Asking for directions in a language you don’t speak and reading a map for an unfamiliar city takes away one’s enjoyment of the places you came to enjoy.  Arriving hours late for a once-a-day tour can ruin a vacation.
• Learn a few phrases German and the language(s) of any countries you will be visiting.  “Danke” (thank you), “bitte” (please and you’re welcome), and “Guten Morgen” (good morning) will go a long way.
• Plan for local weather.  Don’t order a car with summer (performance) tires for a mid-December delivery.  You (and your car) won’t get very far.
• Read the materials BMW provides, including information about drop-off locations and hours. Ask questions at the delivery center before leaving.
• Don’t overplan.  Many first-time visitors to Europe try to see everything.  Pick a few destinations and get to know them well.
• Verify the location and hours for your intended drop-off location when you pick-up the car at the Delivery Center.

EUROPEAN DELIVERY RESOURCES

The BMW of North America Web site presents an overview of European Delivery, including pricing.

Driving along the Autobahn towards Innsbruck with friends right behind (visible in side-view mirror).

The European Delivery forum at Bimmerfest attracts over 10% of BMW’s European Delivery customers.  They spend time in this online forum, asking questions, making vacation plans, even learning important phrases in German.  Moderated by Bernard Wang, the European Delivery forum at Bimmerfest is a time-tested resource for novice and experienced purchasers.

Rolf Raffelsieper – BMW Pick-up Service.  Herr Raffelsieper started working at BMW in 1967.  He will pick you up at Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauß (airport) and take you directly to the BMW European Delivery Center in Freimann or to your hotel.  He will gladly pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Delivery Center and can also meet you at E.H. Harms and take you to the airport after your drop-off. He can also arrange various tours, including visits to BMW facilities of interest.  E-mail Rolf at rolf.raffelsieper@web.de

Ricki Shamen, DiFeo BMW.  It is rare to work with the same BMW Client Advisor for 16 years.  I have worked with Ricki on multiple European Deliveries (and several U.S. deliveries) over the past 16 years. She enjoys each customer’s trip as much as if she were along for the ride.   Contact her at rshamen@penskeautomotive.com.

European Delivery Calendar.  Photographs from Germany and Austria along with all U.S., German, and Austrian holidays make the European Delivery 2006 calendar a valuable reference and keepsake.

Lufthansa. Lufthansa, German’s flagship airline, serves Munich from 16 cities, offering non-stop service from New York City (JFK and Newark), Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Charlotte, and Boston (in the summertime).  Most flights are operated with Airbus A340 aircraft, configured in a two- or three-class configuration.  Newark flights offer a 44-seat all business class alternative using a Boeing 737-700 corporate jet.  Lufthansa just opened up a new first class lounge in Munich with limousine service to the plane.  For European Delivery customers, Lufthansa offers a special two-for-one package. Visit Lufthansa at www.lufthansa-usa.com/241bmw.

InterContinental Resort Berchtesgaden.  The InterContinental Resort Berchtesgaden is located close to the Bavarian/Austrian border some 150 km from Munich and 35 km from Salzburg, making it an excellent destination for a European Delivery trip. The mountain resort sits ca. 1,000 m above sea level on the Eckerbichl Mountain range, offering spectacular views of Berchtesgadener Land.   Visit the hotel’s Web site for more information.

Holiday Inn Munich City-North  The Holiday Inn, located in the heart of Schwabing, is a short distance from the Englischer Garten and the many shops and cafés on the Leopoldstraße.  It is also situated within minutes of the A9 and has a safe, self-park garage ideal for a brand new BMW.  Visit the hotel’s Web site for more information

EUROPEAN DELIVERY TIMELINE

1.) Ca. three months before the desired date, decide the color and options, and negotiate the price.

2.) Sign the purchase order which your dealer then submits to the European Delivery department with your desired delivery date

3.) Your car is manufactured ca. 30 days prior to delivery

4.) You pay for the car, usually 14 days before scheduled pick up day; if you are leasing, your lease starts on this day.

5.) You pick up the car in Munich.

6.) You drop the car off in Europe (within 30 days for BMWFS lease, 90 days for BMWFS finance, 6 months otherwise; insurance for 14 days is included).

7.) Car is transported to port and then put on board ship

8.) Your car reaches USA (from drop-off, this takes up 3-4 weeks for the East Coast, 5-6 weeks for the West Coast)

9.) Vehicle clears customs, is processed at the VDC and shipped to the dealer (depending on a variety of factors, including how backed up U.S. Customs is, this can take 1-2 weeks)

10.) Redelivery

FROM DROP-OFF TO REDELIVERY

Once a BMW owner drops off his car at one of the authorized drop-off points, what happens to it?  For many, the four to eight week block of time is a black box during which all the owner can do is obsess and try to track the vehicle using fairly rudimentary tools.   Once a car is dropped off, it goes by truck to Bremerhaven, Zeebrugge (if the car is dropped off in Amsterdam, Madrid or Paris) or Southampton.  If a car is dropped off in Italy, it is driven to Munich for further transport.

All cars are loaded on the same vessels in the same manner; the only difference is that privately-owned vehicles (the European Delivery cars) have priority over new vehicles if there is a space limitation.

New cars are cleared through customs electronically before the ship reaches port; privately-owned vehicles are cleared individually and manually (paper forms must be sent to customs).

The author's car being checked over at BMW's Vehicle Distribution Center (VDC) in New Jersey

The VDC, or vehicle delivery center (previously known as the VPC), is where your car will be received upon its entry into the United States.  Most cars go to the Port of New York, where they are received at the North East Auto-Marine Terminal.  Cars destined for the west coast go to the VDC at the Port of Hueneme in the Oxnard Harbor District.

When the ship arrives, cars are offloaded by stevedores to the first point of rest, also called the pier, which is part of the Northeast Auto Terminal.  European Delivery cars are segregated on the pier until they are cleared by customs inspectors, who physically inspect each car.

Once the cars are cleared and released by customs, the cars are inspected by AVI (Automotive Visual Inspections) for any damage. Northeast Auto Terminal personnel then shuttles the cars, a ca. 2.4 km trip on a private road, to the VDC.  Once the cars arrive at the VDC, barring the removal of the cosmoline (which European Delivery cars do not have), the process is the same.  Upon arrival, the cars are taken into inventory, washed, and taken into the facility.  Each vehicle is visually inspected for damage.  Damage might have occurred during use in Europe and during transport.  The VDC is especially concerned with safety-related damage or defects such as broken lights or gouges in wheels.  They also check for any factory defects such as “airbag light on.”  Any campaigns (normal updates) are performed and the car’s paper trail is reviewed.

From there, the cars go to your local BMW dealer for redelivery.

EUROPEAN ROAD WARRIOR’S ARSENAL

Keeping in touch with friends and family nowadays during a trip doesn’t mean sending a postcard, unless it’s a digital one.   Given the ubiquity of Wi-Fi, a traveler has little excuse but to e-mail a few pictures of his new BMW within hours of delivery. Having the right arsenal of tools can make this a lot easier.

For this trip, I assembled the following:

• Camera – Sony CyberShot DSC-V3 (7 megapixel)
• Mobile phone – tri-band Sony Ericsson S710a for use with the BMW’s built-in Bluetooth system (phone has with built-in 1.3 megapixel camera)
• Laptop – Lenovo (née IBM) ThinkPad T42 with built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
• Internet Connectivity – Most hotels (including the InterContinental) have wired if not wireless Internet access.  At rates of $20-30 per 24 hours, it is expensive compared to the U.S. standard of $10 per day. Internet cafés and wardriving offer an inexpensive alternative.
• Skype – Skype’s voice-over-IP (VoIP) services allow users to make free calls to each other; a call to a landline phone in the United States from Germany costs € 0.017 per minute.  Skype can be used to place phone calls from Lufthansa flights with FlyNet at the same rates.

–Jonathan B. Spira is the Editor of Executive Road Warrior and Chief Analyst at Basex, a knowledge economy research firm.