Car Family: Autohaus BMW

Years ago in a more utilitarian age, owning a car was a practical matter, and driving simply got you from point A to point B. Today, however, it’s much more about pleasure, about having an experience that fuels an adrenaline rush. Joe Emerson, general sales manager at Autohaus BMW in Maplewood, says passion for the automotive brand and high-quality service help the dealership create real driving excitement for clients.

Emerson points to a number of factors that underpin that commitment. “We stay on the cutting edge of BMW technology, innovation and style,” he says. “Our staff’s extensive training, years of service and dedication to the brand make us different.” Emerson says a number of employees have been with the dealership for two decades or more, and customers appreciate seeing familiar faces when they return for service or to buy a car.

“Taking good care of clients is a big part of our recipe,” he adds. “It’s also about taking care of the people who work here. We describe our team like the spokes of a wheel. Everyone is committed to doing their jobs well, in harmony, so the company runs like a well-oiled machine.” Master technicians and highly trained advisers ensure service visits meet the highest standards, and dedicated sales personnel guide clients smoothly through the purchase of a car, says sales manager Todd Cherry.

The 57,000-square-foot dealership is remodeling in 2019 to elevate the customer experience even further. “We are giving the interior a fresh, updated look with a restyled waiting area,” Emerson notes. For the convenience of service clients, Autohaus has 75 BMW loaner cars, 30 service bays and a sheltered, three-lane dropoff area. Customers also enjoy the dealership’s BMW boutique, which sells branded merchandise for the motor enthusiast. The shop will expand during the renovation process as well.

The dealership is led by general manager Pam Eppers and owned by Peggy Wessel, who took over the business with her mother and sisters when her father passed away in 1981. “We like to let clients know that our company is owned and managed by women,” Cherry says. “It solidifies an environment where everyone enjoys shopping for a car.” Wessel says the Autohaus staff is excited to roll out new models soon, including the X5, X7 and 8 Series.

Autohaus BMW has garnered major recognition for its client commitment, including the BMW President’s Club Award and Center of Excellence Award. According to Emerson, it is the largest family-owned BMW center in St. Louis, and the only local one to achieve the automaker’s Quality Management Certification. It has been dealerrater.com’s top-ranked Missouri BMW dealership in customer satisfaction four years in a row. The company also owns the award-winning Mini of St. Louis dealership.

The BMW store is celebrating 10 years at its current location, an important milestone for any business and one that has been achieved through team effort, according to Cherry. “We are more than a dealership,” he says. “We are a BMW family.”

Pictured above: Joe Emerson and Todd Cherry of Autohaus BMW

Autohaus BMW is dedicated to providing an exceptional customer experience in sales and service. The dealership sells new and certified pre-owned BMWs, as well as other pre-owned brands. Pictured on the cover: Sales manager Todd Cherry and general sales manager Joe Emerson. For more information, call 314.727.9970 or visit bmwautohaus.com.

Cover design by Julie Streiler | Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography