Passport BMW Named Center of Excellence

BMW of North America Announces Best Dealership Awards for Outstanding Customer Satisfaction, Brand Representation and Operational Excellence

WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ--April 4, 2012: BMW of North America, LLC today announced its annual Center of Excellence honors, awarded to the top performing dealerships in the U.S. Thirty-one of the 339 BMW dealers nationwide achieved "2012 Center of Excellence" status based on their 2011 performance in customer satisfaction, outstanding brand representation, operational excellence and profitability.

Passport BMW of Suitland, Maryland has earned this distinction for 2012 through consistently superior performance, demonstrating a combination of sales leadership and customer satisfaction that placed them at the very top among BMW Centers. This marks the second such victory for Passport BMW. "BMW customers have high expectations of their vehicle and their dealer," said Peter Miles, BMW of North America Executive VP of Operations. "It takes extraordinary and consistent effort to attain the level of a COE dealership."

"The Passport BMW team has done an exceptional job of providing an outstanding and unique BMW ownership experience for our customers. Our customers recognize that through their repeat business and continuous referral of their friends and family. We couldn't be more pleased to receive this award and recognition from BMW," said founder Everett Hellmuth,

Passport BMW, founded by Everett Hellmuth III, in 1991, opened their new state-of-the-art facility in 2008.  With 83,000 square feet on more than 6.5 acres in Prince Georges County, this dealership continues to be one of the leading BMW franchises in the country.  They sell more than 2,600 new and previously owned BMWs annually, as well as employ more than 160 people.

Passport BMW houses 53 service stalls which can service up to 300 cars per day, 6 days per week.  Passport BMW customers receive a wide range of "perks" including a free car wash for all service customers; Valet service to pick up and return cars needing service; Fast Lane service (with no advanced appointment) for repairs taking up to 1.5 hours; and a service loaner.

In addition to their business impact, Passport BMW gives back to the community with involvement in many philanthropic events around the region. For more information, visit Passport Auto

The BMW Group continues to lead the automotive industry as the number one premium auto Manufacturer in the world and is the primary mobility provider for the London 2012 Olympic Games, as well as the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. During 2012, BMW will launch a number of new vehicles in the U.S., including the all-new 3 Series Sedan, 6 Series Gran Coupe, and the M5 Sedan ensuring their position as the number one luxury brand in the U.S.

"The Center of Excellence winners have done exceptionally well," said BMW of North America President and CEO Ludwig Willisch. "In this Olympic year, these 31 are our top athletes, so it's fitting that we send them to the London 2012 Olympics as their reward."