"The more time we spent on the project, the more we realized the huge potential of it. So we hired great Chinese team members to help out," Striker says.

Striker recalls that they called or e-mailed nearly all Chinese auto brands authorized to operate on European roads. But the car companies hesitated until just before Christmas 2013, when one of their e-mails got forwarded to the marketing director of BYD, which, appropriately, stands for Build Your Dreams.

"We met them at the BYD European headquarters at an industrial park on the outskirts of Rotterdam on a cold day between Christmas and New Year's Day," Striker says.

Isbrand Ho, BYD Auto Europe's managing director, celebrated with them on the day they reached Rotterdam. "I am delighted to see you both here, safe and well," Ho said. "Your success has demonstrated the quality and durability of BYD's products."

Ho said when he heard they were in a traffic accident in Iran, he was very anxious and even thought of halting the trip, but they decided it would continue.

"I thank them for so passionately loving and promoting Chinese brands."

The journey coincides with the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Shanghai and Rotterdam, and Rotterdam's Vice-Mayor Maarten Struijvenberg also welcomed them home.

"We are delighted to welcome these two Dutch guys home. They built their dream thanks to BYD and the other sponsors," he said.

Bikker says when he got home, he realized there was one thing he'd forgotten to do during the trip. At journey's end, he says, he opened the car door and his grandmother came up and hugged and kissed him.

"I should have called her during my trip," he says. "I realized she had missed me so much when I was on the road."