Mar 13, 2013 , HERNDON, Va.

Audi recognizes 114 dealers with 2012 Magna Society awards

- Magna Society program honors the best of the best among all U.S. Audi dealers
- To earn the award, dealers must meet customer and business objectives set by Audi
- The recognition fits alongside growth of Audi exclusive dealerships in the U.S.

Audi identified its top performing U.S. dealerships throughout 2012, a year that saw the brand and its retail partners post record-breaking sales results.

In all, 114 Audi dealerships earned the 2012 Magna Society recognition by providing superlative customer service while achieving strong overall business performance. Audi also recognized 11 dealerships as 2012 Audi Elite Magna Society winners, signifying their standout performance as the best of the best.

Audi established the Magna Society to recognize U.S. dealerships that stand out as top performers. To qualify, dealerships cannot just meet or exceed sales targets. They must also demonstrate they are maintaining a solid financial foundation, merit high customer satisfaction scores and show their facilities and staffs represent the progressive Audi culture.

"At Audi, we are constantly improving the customer experience each time a consumer interacts with our premium brand," said Mark Del Rosso, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, Audi of America. "With the annual Magna Society awards, Audi celebrates U.S. dealers who have advanced their goals while maintaining a thriving business model."

The annual Magna Society awards fit with long-range plans established by Audi and its franchise partners to make Audi facilities more exclusive. In 2012, the number of dealership locations exclusively selling Audi models increased by the end of the year to 156 in the U.S. from 15 dealerships operating in 1999. In the same year, Audi also increased its share of the U.S. imported luxury car segment to 9.7% based on record annual U.S. sales of 139,310 units.