New Audi Bethesda dealership opening tomorrow

The finishing touches have been being applied to the new Audi Bethesda dealership at 7015 Arlington Road over the last week. I gave you a sneak peek last Friday. Now, the official opening date has been announced as tomorrow, Monday, March 15, 2021.

Audi Bethesda signs lit (Photos)

Signage has now been fully installed at the new Audi Bethesda dealership at 7015 Arlington Road. You may recall the dealership sign had been installed a week ago, but wasn't lit yet, and the Audi rings logo had yet to be added. Now the rings have been added, and all were lit last night. 

Illustrated moments from Audi racing history are now being installed on the showroom wall. The company's racing legacy stretches back to its three consecutive victories at the International Austrian Alpine Rally between 1912 and 1914.

What does the Audi four rings logo mean? According to the manufacturer, the rings represent the Auto Union partnership formed by four German manufacturers after the worldwide recession of 1929. From left to right, the rings stand for Audi (founded by August Horch - who translated "Horch" into Latin as "Audi" when he left his own company and couldn't use its name), motorcycle manufacturer Dampfkraftwagen (DKW), the original Horch company, and motorcycle and small car maker Wanderer.

Audi Bethesda signage installed - and a look back at construction of the dealership (Photos)

Signage has been installed on the facade of the new Audi Bethesda dealership at 7015 Arlington Road. It's the latest example of modern German auto dealership architecture that we've seen in the last four years in Montgomery County, from Audi, BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche. Let's take a look back at the construction process, with the demolition of Crawford Tire, grading of the site, the building of the frame structure and walls, and - below - the latest phases of completion, with photos I haven't published before, in chronological order:

This final photo is from last
evening, March 4, 2021

Bethesda construction update: Audi Bethesda (Photos)

There has been significant progress on the structure that will become the new Audi Bethesda dealership at 7015 Arlington Road. The sidewalk is closed in front of the site. EuroMotorcars plans to open the new facility in 2021.

Bethesda construction update: Audi Bethesda dealership (Photos)

EuroMotorcars has just opened its new Mercedes Benz/AMG dealership facility at 7020 Arlington Road in downtown Bethesda. Now work is starting on constructing EuroMotorcars' Audi Bethesda dealership across the street. A Goodyear tire business was demolished. Now the site has been graded, and construction of the new building is starting.

Audi Bethesda proposed Arlington Rd. dealership on Planning Board agenda

The new EuroMotorcars Audi Bethesda dealership proposed for the Crawford Tire property at 7015 Arlington Road will be reviewed by the Montgomery County Planning Board at their July 11, 2019 meeting. While the project is by-right under the standard development option, the board must declare that the increased number of automobile trips projected for the dealership are acceptable under the County Adequate Public Facilities ordinance.

Tan area shows footprint of dealership
building proposed for the 7015 Arlington Road site

Audi Bethesda's new dealership would be 19387 SF in size, compared to Crawford Tire's existing 6200 SF facility. The new dealership would generate 31 net new morning peak-hour person trips, and 39 new evening peak-hour person trips, beyond the current tire center's vehicle traffic. Planning staff are recommending approval of the adequate public facilities determination.

Audi dealership proposed for Arlington Road in Bethesda

One block of Arlington Road may need to be renamed with an automotive theme, as a new dealership could be added to the existing EuroMotorcars and Ourisman VW/Volvo businesses already there. An Audi dealership is being proposed for 7015 Arlington Road, currently home to Crawford Tire and Auto Service (a.k.a. Goodyear).

7015 Arlington Road

EuroMotorcars' Audi Bethesda today is located at 7106 Woodmont Avenue. Its service center is at 5206 River Road, slightly closer to the proposed 7015 Arlington location. Ourisman VW/Volvo is right next door to the potential Audi site, and EuroMotorcars' main dealership is directly across the street from it.

Audi Bethesda now has bicycle loaner program

Tom Brady probably wishes his Audi dealer had what Audi Bethesda just added. The dealership at 7106 Woodmont Avenue has just launched a bicycle loaner program. It's not only the first Audi dealer in this market to have the program, but the whole concept is so new even nationally, that this article is the first in the world to report on it.

See and be seen on an Audi bike around Bethesda Row, and turn heads on the Capital Crescent Trail - a real conversation starter. Coincidentally, Audi Bethesda's service facility is on the CCT at 5206 River Road.

Photo courtesy Audi Bethesda