BMW Is Shutting Down Its European Delivery Program for U.S. Customers

For years, BMW’s European delivery program has been a fun alternative for buyers picking up a new car. Instead of waiting for their new ride to arrive at their local dealership, the program allows them to fly to the BMW Welt building in Germany—a part of the automaker’s Munich headquarters—to take delivery, and get a tour of the facilities. Well, the program is coming to an end for U.S. customers this year.

A BMW North America spokesperson confirmed to Road & Track via email it will be winding down the availability of its European delivery program by the end of 2020. From the statement:

While European delivery is being taken advantage of less and less, BMW says it’s seen an increase in customer deliveries taking place at the company’s Greenville-Spartanburg experience center in South Carolina. Like the European delivery program, it’s available with any new BMW, and includes time on track, a tour of the Spartanburg plant, and a visit to the BMW Zentrum Museum. The benefits? You don’t have to leave the country to experience it, or wait weeks for your car to arrive via boat after you take delivery.

The last day to submit a pre-reservation for European delivery is May 18, with the last delivery events happening in September. According to Autoblog, BMW will reportedly honor the requests for 2021 model-year vehicles if the buyer submits a reservation before the deadline.

BMW isn’t the first company to shut down its European delivery program recently. Audi killed off its program for U.S. customers at the end of 2018 due to “changes in [its] distribution process.” According Volvo’s website, its overseas delivery program is still available.

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