Swedish Engineering customer Marie Rasmussen and her husband, Larry Smith, knew they were spoiled when a white stretch limousine picked them up at the airport. But it got better from there when the limo dropped them off at the plant where their brand new, right off the showroom floor, custom ordered Volvo 940 station wagon waited for them to drive away in. “It was as if we were there for the birthing,” Marie said. “We chose the color, the model and extras here in the United States, then flew to Sweden to personally pick the car up.” The Rasmussen/Smiths had flown into Sweden on a free round-trip flight, and enjoyed a one-night hotel stay, compliments of Volvo. The limousine was also put on the automaker’s tab.

Marie has been a Roseburg, Oregon, resident since 1965, and a teacher and administrator for nearly 29 years at Umpqua Community College. She is Chairperson for the Fine and Performing Arts department, and teaches art history, painting, design and calligraphy.

A self-confessed Volvo enthusiast since 1987, Marie said she was first attracted to the Swedish-made car because of its reputation for reliability and trouble-free miles. Her whole family now owns Volvos, including her daughter who still drives the car Marie handed down to her when the odometer reached 150,000. “Everyone’s as enthusiastic as I am,” Marie said. “The reason is that Volvo’s don’t require as much repair and maintenance as other makes and models.”

With summers off and plenty of time for worldly education, Marie and Larry travel extensively. The couple’s three-week trip to Europe in 1995 not only included airfare, a night’s lodging and a limo ride, it saved them thousands of dollars on the price of their station wagon through Volvo’s Overseas Delivery Program. In addition, the couple drove away from the plant in their new car, avoiding having to use public transportation or the expense of renting a car to sightsee. Behind the wheel of their shiny new car the Rasmussen/Smiths drove all around Northern Europe; to places they might otherwise not have been able to visit. The couple even camped when they could, using the back of the station wagon as their bed. “We got to see a lot of beautiful countryside and stop at many of the little villages,” Marie remembered. “I even got to enjoy some of the more obscure art museums. If we had taken the train or other forms of public transportation we would have missed all the nuances.”

Though the Rasmussen/Smiths didn’t take Volvo up on their suggestion to test drive their new car at the Factory Delivery Center’s private test track, they did take the time to tour the facility. For new arrivals and those weary from travelling, Volvo has equipped the Center with restrooms, showers, a playroom, television and video corner. They’ve also included an accessories shop where new Volvo owners can spruce up their vehicles and give it a personal touch.

For Marie and Larry, the trip to Sweden was well worth repeating. “When the Volvo we’re driving gets more miles on it than we’re comfortable with, we’ll pass it on to a family member and return to Sweden for another vacation and another Volvo.”

Volvo’s Overseas Delivery program has flights from about 22 U.S. departure points and 27 European destinations. For more information about the program, visit their Website at www.volvocars.com.