HERNDON, VA - Providing strong customer service while achieving high overall business performance was no simple feat as economic headwinds worsened toward the end of last year. Yet 35 Audi dealers nationwide excelled on both scores, earning Magna Society awards for 2008.

Audi established the Magna Society to recognize U.S. dealerships that stand out as the best-of-the-best. To qualify, dealerships can't 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.

"This is far more than a sales contest," said Reinhard Fischer, director, Network Management, Audi of America. "It is a broad-based measurement of dealers leading the way in firmly establishing that the Audi experience is a superior experience for American luxury car buyers."

The annual Magna Society awards thus mesh with long-range plans established by Audi and its franchise partners to make Audi facilities more exclusive. Between 2003 and 2011, Audi dealers have made plans to spend $1 billion on facilities - a level of investment that has changed little amid the current economic downturn. Since 2002, the number of exclusive Audi dealerships has increased a remarkable 70 percent to 126 out of 270 overall in the U.S.

"Commitment like this from dealers shows the excitement generated by the Audi brand and the collection of exceptional motor cars Audi has been introducing in recent years," said Johan de Nysschen, president, Audi of America. "It is the basis for a very bright future for Audi, its dealer partners and, most of all, customers."

The 2008 Magna Society award winners listed by state are:

Arizona

Audi Chandler, Chandler, AZ

California

Audi Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA

Stevens Creek Audi, San Jose, CA

Bakersfield Audi, Bakersfield, CA

Hoehn Audi, Carlsbad, CA

Keyes Audi, Van Nuys, CA

Pacific Audi, Torrance, CA

Connecticut

Danbury Audi, Danbury, CT

Florida

Classic Audi, Orlando, FL

Audi Naples, Naples, FL

Georgia

Jim Ellis Audi Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

Indiana

Team Audi, Merrillville, IN

Iowa

Carousel Audi Iowa City, Iowa City, IA

Kentucky

Blue Grass Audi, Louisville, KY

Massachusetts

Audi Burlington, Burlington, MA

Audi Westwood, Westwood, MA

Bernardi Audi, Natick, MA

Michigan

Audi of Rochester Hills, Rochester Hills, MI

Williams Audi, Lansing, MI

Delta Audi, Grand Rapids, MI

Minnesota

Carousel Audi, Minneapolis, MN

Nevada

Desert Audi, Las Vegas, NV

New Hampshire

Audi of Nashua, Nashua, NH

New York

Burdick Audi, Cicero, NY

Ohio

Audi Willoughby, Cleveland, OH

Sunnyside Audi, Middleburg Heights, OH

Oregon

Sunset Audi, Beaverton, OR

Pennsylvania

Vision Audi, Leesport, PA

Knopf Audi, Allentown, PA

Rhode Island

Inskip Audi, Warwick, RI

South Carolina

Audi Columbia, Columbia, SC

Washington

University Audi, Seattle, WA

Wisconsin

Audi North Shore, Brown Deer, WI

Car City Audi, Eau Claire, WI

Zimbrick Audi, Madison, WI