GENWiki

        
        
        
                        Buy a New Car in Europe
        
             The next time you're ready to buy a new car, look
        to the showrooms in Europe.  In Europe, you can choose
        from many makes and models (with optional U.S.
        environmental and safety standards, if you want to sell
        the car in the United States).  These cars are exactly
        the same as those you'd see at showrooms in your
        country.  But they cost less, and European sales tax
        (which can run as high as 35%) is not added to cars
        bought by foreigners. 
             All things considered, you can save enough
        purchasing your new car in Europe to pay for your
        trip -- and have money left over.  By purchasing the
        car in Europe, you save more than enough to enjoy a
        week or two tooling Europe's country roads in your new
        automobile.  And if you do use your new Mercedes as
        transportation during your European vacation, you'll
        also save the cost of renting a car. 
             Almost any European car dealership in your country
        can handle the transaction for you.  When you plan your
        trip, try to arrange to pick up the car and to leave it
        for delivery to your country in cities specified by the
        dealer.  Volvos, for example, will be shipped free to
        the United States if you drop the car off in either
        London or Antwerp. 
             If you intend to resell the car in the United
        States, Be sure to specify that your car be equipped to
        conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and
        to U.S. or California emissions regulations.  If you
        get a car that does not meet these standards,
        modification costs will wipe out any savings you reap.
             Rest assured that any new car bought in Europe
        comes with the same manufacturer's warranty as a car
        bought in your country.  We're not talking "grey
        market" deals here, we're talking about tourist
        purchase arranged by the car's manufacturer and
        authorized dealers. 
             The following European dealers handle cars built
        to U.S. specifications: 
             Shipside Tax Free World on Wheels B.V., Shipside
        Buildings, Kruisweg 631, P.O. Box 430, 2130 AK
        Hoofddorp, The Netherlands; (201)818-0400 in the United
        States.  This company operates showrooms and delivery
        centers at airports in Amsterdam and Brussels.  It
        offers a large selection of makes and models.  A free
        catalog is available upon request. 
             Cars of Copenhagen, Vodroffsvej 55, DK-1900,
        Copenhagen, Denmark; tel. (45-3) 5-37-7800. 
             Iczovitz Tax-Free Cars, Claridenstrasse 36,
        CH-8027 Zurich, Switzerland.  This company sells the
        following makes built to U.S. specifications: Audi,
        Mercedes, Saab, Volvo, and Volkswagen.
             For a real insider's guide to buying a tax-free
        car in Europe, the definitive book is available from
        Scope International Ltd., Forestside House, Forestside,
        Rowlands Castle, Hants. PO9 6EE, Great Britain.  Tell
        them you want information on the tax-free car report.