Everett Hellmuth Nominated for TIME Dealer of the Year

Everett Hellmuth, President of Passport Auto Group, has been selected as one of only 47 dealers nationwide nominated for the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year Award. The honor recognizes exceptional auto dealers for their business success, community involvement, and leadership within the industry. Everett represents the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition.

A lifelong automotive enthusiast, Everett began his career reconditioning vehicles in high school and selling cars in Alexandria, Virginia, after college. In 1991, he took a major leap and purchased a small BMW dealership during the Gulf War, founding Passport BMW and laying the groundwork for the family-owned Passport Auto Group, now celebrating more than 30 years of growth and community service.

Everett’s focus on long-term investment extends to every Passport facility. After opening a flagship location in 2008, Passport BMW began a major renovation and expansion in 2024 and 2025 to meet BMW’s newest design standards. For 13 months, the team operated from onsite trailers while the dealership expanded its service reception and pickup areas, created a luxury guest lounge with dedicated café, quiet, and TV seating zones, and added six technician bays to its 50-bay service center. “Our goal was to go beyond expectations and deliver a truly world-class experience for every guest,” Everett said.

Community impact remains central to Passport’s mission. Through Passport Cares, the company supports local families, schools, and shelters with donations, volunteerism, and matching gift programs. In 2024 alone, Passport and the Hellmuth family helped fund more than 11,000 meals for Central Union Mission and provided free fuel, warehouse staffing, and bikes for children at Title I schools.

“Our goal has always been to create something meaningful for our customers, employees, and community,” Everett said. “When you remove barriers like food, fuel, or transportation, you restore dignity.”

Dealers are nominated by state associations, and finalists are selected by the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan. The national winner will be announced on February 5, 2026, at the National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas.