Jaguar Land Rover Alexandria Becomes the First BIT-Certified Auto Dealership
Despite the massive size and operational needs of automotive dealerships, it is rare for one to achieve a green building certification for its operations and maintenance (O&M). While there were 16,835 franchised dealerships in the US in 2023, less than 30% were benchmarking energy data in ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® (NADA 2023 Full-Year Report). The Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) dealership in Alexandria, VA, recently went beyond tracking building performance to implement 16 O&M best practices through Southface Institute’s Building Improvement Toolkit (BIT) program, becoming the first ever BIT-certified auto dealership.
Choosing Operational Excellence
When the Beyer Auto Group outgrew their 22-year-old Land Rover facility, they worked with the Penny Design Group to construct a new 51,319 square-foot JLR auto dealership with a 14-car showroom, 25 service bays, and a luxury interior. Fairfax County, where the building is located, incentivizes green building goals and certifications. This influenced the project design team to consider Southface’s EarthCraft Light Commercial certification for the initial construction. However, given the dealership’s emphasis on long-term operational efficiency and performance, JLR ultimately chose a certification pathway better aligned with ongoing building operations that was still supported by the county: BIT Building certification.
As a digital platform, BIT Building is designed to help anyone responsible for operations to save money and resources through simple, practical best practices. It is an especially sustainable path to long-term value because most energy use stems from the day-to-day operations of existing buildings— rather than relying solely on new construction.
The Journey to Certification
BIT Building applies 16 Best Practices across four key categories: Tracking and Benchmarking, Performance Auditing, Planning, and Implementation. By collecting performance data and identifying efficiency opportunities, project teams can move quickly into action—setting and executing short-, mid-, and long-term goals to drive measurable improvements.
JLR Alexandria achieved BIT Building certification in March 2025 by implementing all 16 Best Practices. Through the Annual Sustainability Planning Best Practice, the dealership set phased goals to continuously improve their sustainability:
- Year 1: The team will achieve quick wins and foundational improvements by enhancing waste diversion with better recycling signage and deploying indoor air quality sensors for a healthier environment.
- Years 3-5: Efforts will drive operational efficiencies and strategic changes, including energy-efficient purchasing and sustainability training to embed environmental awareness in daily operations.
- Year 6+: The long-term vision centers on visionary projects and leadership aspirations, such as expanding electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure to support the transition to EVs and reinforcing the dealership’s leadership in sustainable automotive practices.
BIT Building Program Manager Stephen Ward remarked, “Jaguar Land Rover Alexandria’s team demonstrated exceptional dedication throughout the BIT Building certification process, especially with goal setting. Their responsiveness, timeliness, and proactive engagement in sustainability planning ensured the successful implementation of best practices in operations and maintenance.”
Setting a New Industry Standard
BIT Building certification is projected to save JLR Alexandria 5%-20% on utility costs compared to what they would have otherwise paid. The recognition also distinguishes them as a leader in sustainable automotive practices.
Beyer Auto Group is proving that sustainability and operational excellence go hand in hand—even in industries not traditionally associated with green building. With BIT Building, any facility can chart a realistic, cost-saving path toward a healthier, more resilient future.
Ready to drive efficiency at your facility? Join other leaders like Jaguar Land Rover and start operating smarter today. Visit BIT Building to get started.