Two Hyundai dealerships joined with the manufacturer during the past week for events to benefit charity and the local community.

In Holyoke, Mass., Gary Rome Hyundai hosted a car safety seat check, providing free education and inspections for local families as part of Hyundai Motor America’s partnership with Baystate Health Foundation to expand child passenger safety efforts in the community.

The safety check was Hyundai’s third in that partnership.

As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, Hyundai also donated $25,000 to fund additional car and booster seats for the Baystate Pediatric Trauma Surgery Injury Prevention Car Seat program.

“At Hyundai, safety is more than a feature of our vehicles, it is a commitment to our communities,” Hyundai Motor North America chief safety officer Cole Stutz said. “By continuing our partnership with Baystate Health Foundation, we are proud to empower families with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their children and drive with confidence.”

In a news release, Hyundai cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data that found proper car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers, but some 46 percent of car seats are installed incorrectly.

During the car seat safety check certified child passenger safety technicians guided parents and caregivers through the correct installation and use of car seats, and checked the seats to verifying expiration dates, manufacturer recalls and proper fit.

Families in need of new car seats or whose seats did not meet current safety standards received free replacements. Since partnering with Hyundai Hope in 2023, Baystate Health Foundation has provided more than 220 car and booster seats to families in need.

“Baystate Health Foundation is grateful to Hyundai for once again this year ensuring that children in our community have a safe ride,” interim vice president for philanthropy Kathy Tobin said. “Thanks to Hyundai’s partnership, parents, grandparents and caregivers can drive with confidence knowing that car seats fit properly and are installed in their vehicles correctly.”

In Indianapolis, Rohrman Automotive Group was part of a donation presented to the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis by Hyundai Hope on Wheels, the OEM’s foundation dedicated to fighting childhood cancer and supporting patients.

Tim Dement, general manager at Bob Rohrman Indy Hyundai, spoke on behalf of Hyundai’s 850 dealers nationwide at the check presentation, which was held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge race weekend.

Hyundai and its dealers have donated money for each new Hyundai vehicle sold since 1998. In addition, Hyundai Hope on Wheels, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit funders of pediatric cancer research, donates $100 to a local children’s hospital for every lap led by a Hyundai during the IMSA season. Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital received $38,700 from this year’s donation.

“At Rohrman Automotive Group, we believe in doing our best to make a difference in our communities, and we’re doing that in a few ways during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,” CEO Ryan Rohrman said. “I’m proud we could be part of this donation with Hyundai to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital to support the incredible care they provide for children and families.”

This month, Rohrman Automotive Group is donating $50 for every new car sold at its 22 dealerships in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, with the proceeds going to regional charities on the front lines in the fight against childhood cancer.

During IMSA race weekend, the No. 33 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR featured a special Hyundai Hope on Wheels paint job to highlight Hyundai’s commitment to fighting childhood cancer.

Earlier this month, Hyundai Hope on Wheels celebrated its 27th anniversary with a commitment to contribute $27 million this year to 106 hospitals and research facilities nationwide, bringing its total to $277 million since the organization was formed in 1998.

Swickard invests in Portland with BMW store acquisition

Jeff Swickard, CEO of Swickard Auto Group, said he has acquired BMW of Portland from Lithia Motors, a deal that includes the franchise and its real estate.

A University of Oregon graduate with longstanding ties to the region Swickard said his decision to keep BMW of Portland in the city’s Goose Hollow neighborhood reflects his commitment to keeping jobs, investment and activity in the city’s core.

“This purchase is a personal and professional investment in Portland,” he said. “Portland has been a part of my life for decades, and this is my way of investing in its future.”

Swickard also purchased the landmark “Big Pink” U.S. Bancorp Tower this summer, bringing his investment in the city to more than $110 million during the past six months.

Nevada-based Swickard Auto Group operates 53 franchises in Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii, with a focus on premium automotive brands and community investment.

In a news release, Swickard said many of BMW of Portland’s employees will remain with the dealership, and noted its Oregon dealerships’ record of operational success, with Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville ranked No. 1 in the nation for dealer performance, and BMW of Eugene and Gresham Toyota winning win top awards from their manufacturers.

“BMW of Portland has incredible potential, and we are committed to making it one of the top BMW dealerships in the country,” he said. “We are excited to welcome the team and customers into the Swickard Auto Group family.”