History Of European Delivery For BMW
EARLY DAYS
Today’s European Delivery (also called Overseas Delivery, Factory Delivery, and Tourist Delivery) programs trace their roots back to the 1950s when members of the armed forces returning from Europe brought with them a taste for smaller, sportier European cars. Many soldiers and airmen shipped their own cars to the States.
At the time, with the exception of the occasional Volkswagen Käfer (Beetle), a foreign car was truly unusual in the United States. Indeed, the eventual popularity of European cars was largely due 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 imported and/or marketed Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jaguar, and BMW vehicles.
In the mid 1960s, with the advent of the jet age, Hoffman, then BMW’s main importer, 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). The car 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 and BMW were not alone. Mercedes-Benz, Saab, Volvo, Porsche, and Volkswagen had all started to offer factory and/or European delivery to American tourists. Audi is a relative newcomer to European Delivery, having announced its first program in 2006.
Indeed, before safety and emissions regulations made it impossible to bring in a European-spec vehicle, enterprising car dealerships in Europe advertised their own European Delivery programs
Airport Transfer and Tours
Rolf Raffelsieper – BMW Pick-up Service
Herr Raffelsieper started working for BMW in 1967. For a very reasonable fee, he will pick you up at Flughafen München Franz Josef Strauß and take you directly to the BMW Welt ,the Audi Forum, or directly to your hotel. He is also available to meet you at your drop-off in Munich and take you to the airport or back to your hotel and he also conducts local tours. E-mail him at rolf.raffelsieper@web.de.
Winter Tire Rental
Many European countries require winter tires in wintertime. E.D. Winter Tires rents and installs winter tires – and stores your original tires and wheels – so you can drive safely in wintry conditions
The Diesel Driver.