This is fascinating. I knew nothing about this and never would have dreamed of asking. I am constantly amazed at what I learn on this board every day. I am especially impressed that some people got free airfare out of this deal.

So if I want a free vacation in Marysville, Ohio, do you think the Honda company will fly me there to pick up my next car? ;-)

Robespierre, I don't know any Swedish old-timers, could you tell the story please?

Do they make the Honda Pilot in Marysville, Ohio? I wonder if they have such a program.

BMW has SC delivery program where they make the Z4 & X5 where you can go there directly to pick it up. ((b))

Budman, I was kidding, but I might just look into that regardless of what car I buy next.

Hi jennsean-

We currently have a Volvo XC90 AWD T6. We considered the delivery program last fall but just couldn't fit it into our schedule-- maybe next time.

Re: tire chains...we live in Minneapolis and this past winter was fine. No issues driving on snow or ice with our regular tires. It handled very nicely and I felt very secure with the AWD. I would push the "W" button on the gear shift when it was bad weather and that seemed to give me a bit more traction than just the AWD. Of course, we are mostly on paved roads so not sure what kind of terrain you were thinking of driving on.

Have fun! Please post a report and let us know how it went. My hubby and I would love to do this with our next car...

Jane

Why, that was Dagen H.

I have heard the story of the swedish switch from driving on the left to the right way back when, and that they pulled it off without any related accidents, so impressive!

I believe most, if not all, Volvos are made in Goteborg, Sweden (there's a factory tour included when I pick up the car) but I've never thought to ask if it was always that way, there must be something in their literature...

Glad to hear the repair and roadside assistance were good, although of course it's better not to break down in the first place, sorry that happened to you! :)

I can't speak for the BMW, MB, etc. programs, but the airfare is just included in the volvo package (along with one night hotel), P M. I believe Corvette does some type of delivery program wherever it is that they make them (Kentucky?) I'm told Honda and Mini Cooper (other cars I was interested in) do not have any delivery programs overseas or otherwise (MINI may do one in the future), but one hopeful dealer said he might be able to arrange a factory tour if I got to the location myself... not quite the same! :)

Jane R, thanks for the advice. I don't know what the conditions will be since I haven't pinned down the destinations, but it's good to know it was ok in Minnesota. I highly doubt leaving paved roads unless I get lost. I live in the mountains in PA, so I guess I should be ok when I bring it home at least.

Thanks everyone so much, this is really helping!

Anselm, yes, some Volvos are built outside Sweden - I believe it actually is Holland for the S40s but they're probably shipped ex-Antwerp (Belgium) which is a big car shipping point in Europe.

In 1967 Sweden switched from driving on the left to driving on the right. I believe they did it on a Sunday and there are some famous photos of streets with cars all doing a crossover move at the appointed hour. FWIW, the Swedish car manufacturers had all started putting the steering wheel on the left side some time earlier.

If memory serves, everything went surprisingly well ...for several weeks, then once people had relaxed all hell broke loose. I know in my experience the first couple weeks of driving on the "wrong" side are safe because you can think of nothing else. It's when you think you're accustomed to it that you have to watch out.

Awww, you just went and spoiled it. Here's the wiki article:

<b>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_Hand_Drive#Sweden</b>

very cool. i hadn't seen the pictures before. Thanks! :)

The bureaucratic government at the time staggered the implementation, i.e., the trucks started driving on the right in year one and the cars made the switch the following year. :)