“You’ve got to have a dream, something to hold onto, something to give you drive into the future”… Howard Habberstad, Founder.
Habberstad BMW of Bay Shore started out as the vision of a young Norwegian immigrant with a passion for motorsports. As a boy Howie Habberstad attended races and car shows, eventually becoming a mechanic at the young age of 16. Feeling the need to serve his country, Howie left his job to join the US Army as an infantry soldier during the Korean War.
After returning from the Korean War, Howie was certain that his true passion in life was motor powered machines: planes trains, and of course, automobiles. He envisioned owning a business that provided customers with the ultimate motorsport experience.Hoping to make this dream a reality, Howie spent many years working odd jobs and saving his pennies. In 1967, the hard work paid off; Howie purchased a Meyer’s Dune Buggy Distributorship, which provided customers with kits to build cars. The distributorship was an immediate success, and Howie’s proven entrepreneurship earned him the opportunity to purchase a BMW franchise. In 1971, he launched Habberstad BMW of Huntington, New York.
By 1995, Howie was ready to retire and pass the leadership role on to his son Erik Habberstad. Erik, a graduate of the renowned Northwood University in Michigan, quickly expanded his father’s legacy with massive growth of Habberstad BMW of Bay Shore.
Since Erik took the helm, sales of new vehicles have more than doubled. Habberstad BMW of Bay Shore has become one of the largest pre-owned centers on Long Island, and earned BMW’s highest customer satisfaction ratings. Erik continued to expand Habberstad BMW of Bay Shore by introducing the latest BMW models, adding the MINI franchise, and opening a new location in Bay Shore.
Erik Habberstad honors his father’s commitment to customers and the local community – each client is part of the Habberstad family. As Erik likes to say, “We are your BMW center.”
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