Hail damage hits auto dealers

AUSTIN - Hailstones larger than golfballs pummeled northwest Austin.  Wednesday's brief but intense severe storm system left millions of dollars in damage in its wake.

The BMW of Austin on McNeil Drive near 183 has over 300 cars with broken or cracked windshields. One car even sports a five inch hole in its fender.  All of the cars that could not be parked inside have some sort of damage.

"In my 30 years experience in this business, I've never seen this kind of damage happen this quick," said BMW of Austin's President Steve Late.

BMW says they have already been approached by dent repair companies and are looking for storage facilities for their vehicles.  Insurance adjusters will be on the lot Thursday afternoon. Once the cars are repaired, the dealership must reveal the damage to potential customers. The cars are often sold at lower prices.

"I will tell you that today with BMW now with what's happened here, people are going to save thousands of dollars," said Late.