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BMW X6 M and X7 Selected for two Wards 10 Best Awards for 2020.

BMW is very proud to be named a Wards 10 Best UX (User Experience) award winner for the BMW X7. Earlier this month, the X6 M was named a Wards 10 Best Interiors award winner for 2020. BMW X7 The seven-passenger BMW X7 arrived in 2019 and immediately resonated with BMW customers looking for the increased space and comfort of a three-row Sports Activity Vehicle without any compromises in performance or handling which BMW is renowned for. more The X7’s luxuriously appointed interior is underpinned by the very best technology that BMW has to offer. Now in its seventh generation, BMW’s iDrive and the new Live Cockpit Professional work together to offer the driver and passengers multiple ways to interact with their Ultimate Driving Machine. Two 12.3-inch fully digital displays and large colorful head-up display deliver information in an easy to use and intuitive format. From the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant’s voice control to the central touch screen, hand gestures and familiar iDrive rotary controller, ways of interacting with your BMW has never been more effortless. “We are grateful to the WardsAuto jurors for their continued vehicle testing in these unprecedented times to bring important information to the new car shoppers.” said Ralph Mahler, Head of BMW Product Planning and Strategy. “BMW first introduced the concept of iDrive nineteen years ago and with today’s seventh generation, it is truly the most intuitive interface in the industry. We want to offer our owners the choice to interact with their BMW in any way they want to, and our new user interface delivers on this promise.” “The X7, BMW’s largest vehicle ever, incorporates the first-rate drivetrain and interior one would expect from the German luxury brand, but it’s also designed to sooth the soul with a user experience beyond compare,” says Tom Murphy, WardsAuto Managing Editor. “The X7 has a ‘Caring Car’ menu as part of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which serves as a portal to personal wellness and rejuvenation. The X7’s infotainment system also has ‘Experience Modes’ to tailor your ride for optimum comfort. The driver can toggle through ‘Executive,’ ‘Expressive’ and ‘Well Being,’ each one adjusting comfort settings based on your mood or situation. Beyond all that, the X7 has quick phone pairing, wireless charging, WiFi connectivity, up to eight USB ports, brilliant graphics, an intuitive iDrive user interface and top-notch driver-assistance systems. You can’t ask for much more.” BMW X6 M When the BMW X6 was first introduced, it started a completely new Sports Activity Coupe segment in the industry. Now, twelve years later, in its recently launched third generation, the X6 and the 600 hp X6 M in particular continue to win over enthusiasts not only in the U.S. but around the world. “Customers are drawn to the X6 M’s muscular and outgoing personality.” said Ralph Mahler, Head of BMW Product Planning and Strategy. “We are especially proud of the global success story that this vehicle, designed for and built in the U.S. market, has become. The designers, engineers and product planners have all worked very hard to deliver on the customers’ expectations of their X6 M providing the absolute best combination of luxury and sport. We thank the WardsAuto editors for this important recognition and are happy to accept it on everyone’s behalf.” “There are certain design and styling elements that make a BMW interior unmistakable.” said Tom Murphy, WardsAuto Managing Editor. “The dramatic coupe-like profile makes the X6 look much sportier than a conventional SUV, and the interior amplifies these themes with carbon-fiber trim, tri-color stitching and a color scheme that demands your attention. But it’s the seats, with hexagonal quilting on Merino leather, that shine as the brightest star in the X6 M interior, with integrated head restraints and massive shoulder and hip bolsters that secure front-row occupants for the full experience of the Ultimate Driving Machine.”

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BMW adds New SiriusXM with 360L Platform for 2021.

BMW is proud to announce the addition of SiriusXM with 360L to many BMW vehicles starting from the 2021 model year. Available on the 2 Series Gran Coupe, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 8 Series, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and Z4 Roadsters, SiriusXM’s next generation platform expands audio entertainment options for the BMW owner by offering new features and listening options in and out of their vehicle. The first BMW models equipped with SiriusXM with 360L are expected to be available at BMW dealerships this summer. First available on BMW models in 2002, SiriusXM has been an important and well-received part of the integrated entertainment services offered to BMW customers. With the latest SiriusXM with 360L listening experience, drivers and their passengers gain access to more than 10,000 hours of SiriusXM’s recorded On Demand content whenever they want – including exclusive interviews, unique shows and live performances. With more live channels, an extensive selection of ad-free music, plus sports, wide-ranging entertainment and news, the new expanded platform offers almost limitless options. more “BMW produces some of the finest vehicles in the world, and their reputation for delivering the ultimate driving experience is well-deserved. BMW’s broad adoption of SiriusXM with 360L will give drivers a more rich, diverse and exclusive audio entertainment offering,” said Chris Paganini, VP, Automotive Partnerships, for SiriusXM. “SiriusXM with 360L will be available in several of BMW’s most popular 2021 models, meaning more drivers than ever can discover and enjoy exactly what they want, when they want, from SiriusXM’s variety of premium content.” New BMW vehicles equipped with standard SiriusXM with 360L include the top-tier 12-month All-Access subscription which also allows for listening on the SiriusXM app on mobile devices and on connected home devices. “For almost two decades, BMW drivers have been enjoying the unique entertainment content provided by SiriusXM. In-vehicle entertainment has always been important and today, our customers’ expectations have grown to include the choice to listen to exactly what they want to listen to in that moment,” said Ralph Mahler, Department Head, BMW Product & Strategy. “Just as we were back in 2002, we are excited to be one of the first to offer the new SiriusXM with 360L service to our owners and drivers. Offering entertainment options is as critical to us as offering a choice of how you wish to interact with your vehicle to make driving your BMW an exciting experience every single day. This experience must always be premium however and this premium experience is what our partnership with SiriusXM brings to the enthusiastic BMW owners.” New SiriusXM with 360L Platform Highlights include: On Demand: Choose from thousands of hours of On Demand shows, performances and interviews, available for the first time ever in your BMW, so you never have to miss a moment. For You: Search less and enjoy more — get personalized recommendations of channels and On Demand shows, curated just “For You” based on your listening history and SiriusXM favorites. Live Sports Category: Find NFL, MLB®, NBA, NHL®, college football and basketball games and other sports —in pre-game, in-progress or final states — in one location for quick access to the action. Favorite your team to get its broadcast whenever you tune in. Genre Category Menus: Easily browse and find the genre of channels and other content that fits your mood. Related: Get recommendations of channels and shows related to what you’re currently listening to, so there’s always something up next. Search: Just enter the artist name or channel you’re looking for to easily find what you want to listen to. Profiles: Create up to 5 SiriusXM user profiles so every listener has their SiriusXM Favorites and personalized recommendations just a touch away. Future Software Services and Updates BMW vehicles that feature SiriusXM with 360L will be equipped to receive software updates that will allow BMW owners and lessees to receive the latest features from SiriusXM. One expected future software update will enable 360L’s newest feature, Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora. With Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora, drivers can create their own ad-free music stations based on the artist they are listening to, then give songs a thumbs up or thumbs down within the SiriusXM service, or even skip songs, to create their own personal channel that plays more of what they want.

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Best wishes for a safe 4th of July Weekend from Passport Auto Group

Happy 4th of July We wish you a joyful and safe celebration of this remarkable day in our nation's history. Stay safe and enjoy your relaxing weekend this 4th of July

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BMW announces support for Digital Key for iPhone. A secure and easy way to use iPhone as a car key to lock, unlock, drive, and share keys with friends.

At today’s Apple Worldwide Developer Conference it was announced that BMW will become the first carmaker to enable its customers to use iPhone as a fully digital car key. BMW was the first to integrate iPod in their vehicles, first to offer wireless CarPlay and now first to introduce support for BMW Digital Key stored securely in Apple Wallet for iPhone. BMW Digital Key for the iPhone. The upcoming BMW Digital Key for the iPhone will enable customers to just tap to unlock and easily get going by placing the iPhone in the smartphone tray and pushing the start button. Setup of the Digital Key can be done through the BMW Smartphone App. The car owner can also share access with up to 5 friends including a configurable car access option for young drivers which restricts top speed, horse power, maximum radio volume and more. Management of access can be done from inside the car as well as through Apple Wallet. more Additional features of the new Digital Key include: - Storage in the Secure Element of your iPhone and access through Apple Wallet - Power reserve for iPhone where car keys will still function for up to five hours if the iPhone turns off due to low battery - Ability to share access with up to 5 friends via iMessage - Apple Watch compatibility BMW is a leading contributors to the Digital Key standard. The BMW Group was quick to recognise the potential of smartphones as digital keys – if done right. Standardizing the Digital Key contributes to user experience, security and availability in smartphone models all of which were key to the BMW Group strategy for the Digital Key right from the start. Apple and BMW have been working closely with the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) to press ahead with the establishment of global standards. The Digital Key specification 2.0 for NFC has been released in May 2020 while the next generation of Digital Key using Ultra Wideband technology is already well underway. Broad availability for BMW models and iPhones. BMW is excited to announce the availability of Digital Key for iPhone in 45 countries for a broad range of models: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, X5, X6, X7, X5M, X6M and Z4 if manufactured after July 1st 2020. Compatible iPhone models will be iPhone XR, iPhone XS or newer and Apple Watch Series 5 or newer. For more information please visit www.bmw.com/digitalkey Also announced: smart routes for BMW electric vehicles in Apple Maps. At today's Apple Worldwide Developer Conference, BMW and Apple also announced a new feature that will make it easier than ever for CarPlay users to take BMW electric vehicles on longer journeys by automatically taking into account when and where to charge. Drivers can plan their trip in advance on their iPhone or simply enter their destination through Apple CarPlay when they get into the car; either way, Apple Maps will pick the optimal route based on electric range and the locations of charging stations along the way. This seamless, simple feature will first be available for BMW in the fully electric BMW i4 launching next year.

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Happy Father’s Day Weekend from Passport Auto Group

A father is a source of strength, a helper, the finest kind of friend. Happy Father’s Day to all the great Dads out there.

Mazda’s award-winning CUVs 2020 MAZDA CX-3 Our smallest CUV with sporty performance and responsive handling—loaded with standard safety and technology features. more 2020 MAZDA CX-30 Our all-new agile CUV with elevated design and class-leading standard horsepower7 that can keep up with all of your urban and outdoor adventures. 2020 MAZDA CX-5 A dynamic premium CUV that combines sleek design, interior refinements and capable performance to accommodate your ever-evolving needs. 2020 MAZDA CX-9 Our three-row luxury CUV that meets the design, safety, technology and space needs for your family without compromises. 2019 MAZDA CX-5 SIGNATURE DIESEL The highly capable CX-5 Signature with a responsive twin turbo diesel engine and standard i-Activ AWD®. Click here to shop our CUV inventory.

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Has your vehicle been sitting more than usual due to COVID-19? Our experts bring some advice on what can happen to a sitting vehicle.

Aged Batteries • Batteries nearing the end of their life can fail if not used on a daily basis. • It can take up to 20-30 mins of driving to re-charge a battery that has been sitting. • We recommend that multi-car families alternate driving vehicles to maintain battery charge levels • If your vehicle is slow to start after sitting for a few days, it may be best to contact us to check your vehicle before quarantine ends and your normal travel resumes. Tire Pressure Warnings (TPM Lights) • As the temperature starts to change during this time of year, the air pressure in your car’s tires will change with it, as cold contracts (pressure down) while heat expands (pressure up). • Manufacturers are aware of this and have programmed your tire monitoring system to have an acceptable pressure “window” to compensate for these temperature changes • The tire monitor system will activate the warning light if, your pressure is lower than the window or higher than the window. Either way, it’s best to address the issue as soon as possible. • Low pressure is usually an indication of a leak, however in the fall, as the temperature drops, it may be the contraction of the cold air that has lowered the tire’s pressure • Lower tire pressure will cause premature wear, decrease handling, and less pothole damage protection • High pressure in the spring can come about from adjusting tire pressure during the cold winter months with a more condensed cold air, as the temperature warms the air expands and raises your tire pressure • Higher tire pressures will cause excessive wear to the center of the tire as the shape of the tire is distorted by the excess, it will also provide a rougher ride and diminished handling. • Checking and adjusting tire pressures is done with an electric air pump and a pressure gauge, we perform this service as a courtesy anytime you check-in at the dealer, if you do not have a pump or gauge your welcome to come to see us for a quick check and adjust. Mice • Believe it or not this is a problem we see often and more so in recent months. As people are not using their vehicles as much, mice are attracted to them for a nice place to nest. The car’s engine compartment provides lots of materials to build their nests from and it’s well protected from predators. In the normal course of daily driving, you scare them off when starting your engine. But, things haven’t been normal as of late. • Telltale signs of mice to include leaf litter in the engine compartment, destruction of engine bay insulation, burning smell after the car warms, and the worst part, chewed wires. • While in most cases, the nest can be cleared out easily, it’s the chewed wiring that can become a real problem and this damage doesn’t always present itself right away. • Damage to electronic components can occur from electrical wire shorts caused by wiring insulation that has been chewed away, leading to costly module replacement • Phantom electrical problem symptoms can arise, ie your horn starts blowing for no reason or the blinkers activate by themselves but then stop as fast as they came on. Radio reception has good days and bad, etc. • In rare cases, engine bay fires can happen from short-circuiting caused by chewed wires contacting, sparking, and igniting nesting litter • We recommend that you pop open your hood and look for signs of mice. Clear away any nesting materials you may find and look for damage. If you’re not sure, let us take a look and verify that everything is okay. • In some case, if you do suffer damage from the scourge of mice, your insurance company may cover the damage, we can help you with filing a claim. Water condensation on the inside of your car windows? • Vehicle’s that sit have a tendency to develop water leaks. This can happen as a result of tree litter, pollen, and dirt clogging small drainage tubes in and around doors, convertible tops, and sunroofs. In the normal course of driving, vibration and rain will flush these clogs out. • As water collects around these clogged drains it can overflow into the vehicle’s interior. The water will collect under the carpet on the floor pan of the vehicle and may go unnoticed for a bit. • The spring temperature changes will provide a clue that this is happening to your vehicle. Overnight temperature differences between the inside and outside of the car can cause excessive condensation on the interior of the windows of a vehicle that has trapped water in its interior. • Other than developing a musty odor, damage from water infiltration can take the shape of rusted components, damaged wiring harness and electrical components that reside under seats and the carpet. These problems can be very tricky to pinpoint and can take many hours to fix. • We recommend that you wash your vehicle regularly to flush away clogging materials, check under floor mats for moisture, and keep an eye out for condensation on the inside of your windows. We can help clear clogged drains and/or repair water damage if needed. As these repairs take some time, we provide loaner cars to customers in need of alternate transportation. Brakes making a grinding noise? • Vehicles that sit for extended periods can gather rust on the brake rotors. This can cause excessive grinding noise on your first drive out of quarantine. • Modern disc brakes, have a large raw metal disc that the brake pads clamp down on when you apply the brakes. The clamping action of the brake pads clears away corrosion on the brake rotor. When the vehicle isn’t driven on a daily basis this corrosion can build to the point where the brake pads cannot effectively clear it away. • The sign of this is grinding noises coming from the vehicle when you apply the brakes. Usually, this noise abates after about 5 stops or so. If it doesn’t you may need to visually inspect your brake rotors through the openings in the wheels of the car. • The following issues can be a sign that your vehicle has a problem with its brakes: • Pockmarks/rust pitting • Deep grooving • Uneven clearing of the rotor’s corrosion. (the rotor will look like the rings of Saturn) • If these signs are ignored, additional signs will become evident. • Pulsation in the brakes caused by an uneven surface developing on the rotor’s surface • Pulsations felt in the steering wheel while stopping are evidence of an issue with the front brakes • Pulsations felt in the seat while braking is evidence of an issue in the rear brakes • Unfortunately, this issue can arise in new and old brakes alike when the vehicle sits. But, if you hear the grinding noise and note any of the issues on the rotor, you can potentially avoid having to replace the brakes by getting them serviced. • We recommend multi-car households rotate the driving of each vehicle to lessen the chance of this issue developing. If you’re unsure, we can inspect your brakes for you. Which is part of our free multi-point inspection?

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend From all of us at Passport Auto

Celebrate the spirit of America and the courage of the brave hearts this Memorial Day.

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0.9% APR, up to $2,500 credit on select models and no payments for 90 days at Passport BMW

Get 0.9% APR, up to $2,500 credit on select models and no payments for 90 days. Click here to browse inventory. 0.9% APR 0.9% APR financing for up to 60 months on any new 2019 and 2020 BMW model (including 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series, Z4, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, i8). Rate is available from participating dealers to very well qualified customers with excellent credit history who meet BMW Financial Services credit requirements. A 60 month finance contract for a new 2019 or 2020 eligible BMW model and an APR of 0.9%, requires 60 month installments of $17.05 per $1,000 financed. No Down payment required. Taxes, title and registration fees extra. Customer liable for insurance, maintenance and repairs. Not all customers will qualify for down payment waiver or lowest rate. Other rates and payment terms available. Subject to availability. APR and valid through June 01, 2020. Qualified rate lock applicants must take delivery within 60 days of initial lock. Visit your authorized BMW Center for important details. 90-DAY TO FIRST PAYMENT PROGRAM Customers with excellent credit history and meeting all BMW Financial Services NA, LLC, credit requirements who purchase a new or used BMW model may defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract signing. This offer is available on retail installment contracts of up to 72 months for new BMW vehicles and up to 60 months on used BMW vehicles. Interest will accrue during 90-day period. Not all customers will qualify. Other financing options are available. Offer is only available on traditional retail installment contracts financed through BMW Financial Services, and is not available on Select, OwnersChoice, Lease, and Pre-Pay contracts. This offer is also not available to customers in Pennsylvania and Maine. Contact your authorized BMW Center for important details. Offer valid through June 30, 2020.

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Passport Auto Group brings you a few ideas on how to make Mother's Day special

Mother's Day is coming up soon! If you are still looking for a few ideas to make her day special, we've put a few suggestions together for you! There are many ways to celebrate Mother's Day such as Spa days, Breakfast in bed but why not buy her the car of her dreams! We have many New and Used vehicles to choose from and we will even deliver it to her! Click here to view our current special offers. If mom already loves the vehicle she's in then we have a few other suggestions too! 1. Purchase a full auto-detail. Our service department can help by making her vehicle ready for summer. Click here to schedule an appointment. 2. Purchase new tires for her vehicle. Click here to view our current offers. 3. Bring her vehicle in for a Multi-Point Inspection to keep her safe on the road. 4. Shop accessories for her vehicle. No matter what you decide on to help celebrate Mother's Day we know she will appreciate it! Happy Mother's Day.

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Happy Cinco De Mayo from all of us at Passport Auto Group

May the light and magic of this celebratory Cinco de Mayo serve to fill your heart and lift your spirits. Have a wonderful day!

Nissan Pathfinder and Maxima named to Parents magazine’s ‘2020 Best Family Cars’ list

The 2020 Nissan Pathfinder and Maxima have been named to Parents Magazine's list of Best Family Cars for 2020. Winners are determined by crash test ratings, as well as evaluations from a Parents-certified child passenger safety technician plus an automotive expert. The results reflect the cars that are "safe for families and fun to ride in." Pathfinder also was named to the list for 2019. "Nissan is honored to have two of our flagship family vehicles recognized by a leading family resource like Parents and their community of more than 15 million moms and dads," said Jared Haslem, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America. more Both Pathfinder and Maxima include Nissan's innovative Rear Door Alert system1 as standard, along with a range of safety and security features, such as standard Automatic Emergency Braking. They are available now at Nissan dealers nationwide. About the 2020 Nissan Pathfinder The seven-passenger 2020 Pathfinder offers a wide range of family-friendly features. Parents looking to stay safe will appreciate a suite of available driver-assistance features including Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning and Intelligent Cruise Control. • "Latch and Glide" seating allows parents to easily tilt and slide the right side of the second row – even with a child seat securely strapped in – to provide easy entry into the third row2. • Parents often have their hands full. Pathfinder's motion-activated liftgate can be opened with a simple kick under the rear bumper. • The available Tri-Zone Entertainment system lets everyone watch, play, or listen together, or on their own – all through a Bose® Premium Audio System. About the 2020 Maxima The 2020 Maxima sports sedan gives parents more fun-to-drive performance with a 300-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine and performance-oriented Xtronic transmission. Inside the Maxima is a driver-oriented cockpit and comfortable seating for five occupants. While fun-to-drive, Maxima is still designed with safety in mind. Nissan Safety Shield® 360, a suite of active safety technologies, is standard across the Maxima lineup. Safety Shield 360 includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking. While we remain open, we can also come to your home or office (within 30 miles of our store) for a demonstration, test drive and/or delivery! Call today to schedule: Passport Nissan of Alexandria 703-461-5280, Passport Nissan of Marlow Heights 301-702-5786

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