BMW's history in the U.S.

[tripower]

Does anyone have any info or a site on BMW's history in the U.S.?
I do see that most BMW's from the late 60's early 70's seem to come from the west coast, specifically California. What is the first dealership on the East Coast, how long has BMW been selling cars in the U.S.?

 

[x_atlas0]

" by the late 50's, BMW exported 85% of its boxer twin powered motorcycles to the United States. At that time, Butler & Smith, Inc. was the exclusive U.S. importer of BMW" -Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_motorcycles

"by BMW's American importer, Max Hoffmann. Tempted by Hoffmann's offer to take a Goertz-designed 503 in quantity, BMW embraced the Goertz proposals and showed a prototype at the 1955 Frankfurt motor show. Production began the following May."

http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/history.html

Looks like they used a different importer for the bikes and the cars.