“You’ve got to have a dream, something to hold onto, something to give you drive into the future”… the words still ring true for Erik Habberstad, owner and operator of Habberstad BMW in Huntington, as the advice given to him by his Father, Howard Habberstad over 35 years ago about the Dealership that the elder Habberstad founded in 1970.

Habberstad BMW began as a vision by Howard Habberstad, the dealership’s original founder. As a young immigrant from Brooklyn, Howie became fascinated with motorsports. He attended races, car shows, and even picked up a job as a mechanic at the youthful age of 16. In 1942, Howie quit his job as a mechanic, and joined the US Army as an infantry soldier. After WWII, Howie became convinced that his true passion was motor machines – planes, trains, and of course automobiles.

After working odd jobs and saving virtually every “penny” for almost two decades, in 1967 Howie purchased a Meyer’s Manx Dune Buggy distributorship providing “kits” to build cars. Immediately, the distributorship became a huge success. As a reward for Howie’s proven entrepreneurship, he was presented with the opportunity to purchase a BMW franchise in 1970. Howie proceeded and launched Habberstad BMW of Huntington, New York.

By 1995, Howie retired and passed the leadership role of Habberstad BMW to his son, Erik Habberstad. Erik, a graduate of the renowned Northwood University in Michigan, quickly expanded his father’s legacy with massive growth of Habberstad BMW.

Within only a few years of Erik taking the helm, Habberstad BMW’s sales of new vehicles more than doubled. The dealership became the largest pre-owned center on Long Island and gained BMW’s highest customer satisfaction rating. Habberstad continues to expand today with the introduction of new models, a new franchise (Mini), and an additional location in Bay Shore.

Erik continues his father’s commitment to customers and the local community. Erik knows that a Habberstad customer is part of the Habberstad family, and without the support of the Habberstad customers the dealership could not be here today.