Winners to attend 2012 Olympics in London
Looking over BMW of North America’s list of dealers receiving Center of Excellence honors in March, you might find several familiar names. “Quite a few of these dealerships have a great relationship with the BMW Car Club of America,” notes CCA Executive Director Frank Patek. The Indianapolis dealer, Dreyer & Reinbold, for example, was a great support facility for Oktoberfest 1999; that was during a very hot August, and more than one BMW needed air-conditioning service!
Club affiliation is not really one of BMW NA’s criteria, of course. “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.” Less than 10% 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.
“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.”
Commenting on the lopsided number of Houston dealers, Patek laughs, “Maybe it’s those Texas Road Monkeys, our Houston Chapter members who spend the entire year getting ready to caravan to O’Fest!”
California’s Peter Pan BMW has frequently offered tech sessions to the Golden Gate Chapter, and of course Bobby Rahal BMW attracts more than a little interest from BMW racing fans. Noting the long history of Club support by Chapman BMW in Arizona—just as an example—Patek says, “I’m sure many of the others on this list support their local chapters of the BMW CCA—and vice-versa. When you have a great car, a great dealer, and a great Club, then you really enjoy the ultimate driving experience.”—Satch Carlson
2012 Center of Excellence Award Recipients
Hendrick BMW, Charlotte, NC
Don Jacobs BMW, Lexington, KY
Peter Pan BMW, San Mateo, CA
BMW of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT
Dreyer & Reinbold, Inc., Indianapolis, IN
Kuni BMW, Beaverton, OR
BMW of Houston North, Houston, TX
Schomp BMW of Highlands Ranch, Highlands Ranch, CO
Savage BMW, Ontario, CA
East Bay BMW, Pleasanton, CA
Performance BMW, Chapel Hill, NC
Bobby Rahal BMW of South Hills, Canonsburg, PA
United BMW of Gwinnett Place, Duluth, GA
BMW of Stratham, Stratham, NH
Thompson BMW, Doylestown, PA
Passport BMW, Suitland, MD
BMW of Ridgefield, Ridgefield, CT
Momentum BMW, Houston, TX
Advantage BMW, Houston, TX
Sandia BMW, Albuquerque, NM
BMW of Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, SC
BMW of Monrovia, Monrovia, CA
BMW Gallery, Norwood, MA
Desert BMW of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Valencia BMW, Valencia, CA
Chapman BMW, Chandler, AZ
BMW of Alexandria, Alexandria, VA
Braman Motorcars, West Palm Beach, FL
BMW of Minnetonka, Minnetonka, MN
BMW of Greenwich, Greenwich, CT
Classic BMW, Plano, TX
