Tom Griffin, president of Honolulu Ford-Lincoln in Honolulu, has been nominated for the 2012 Time Dealer of the Year Award.

The nomination recognizes Griffin as one of the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrates a long-standing commitment to community service.

Griffin, 69, will be honored at the 95th annual National Automobile Dealers Association convention on Feb. 4 in Las Vegas. He was chosen to represent the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 50 dealers from 17,000 nationwide nominated for the 43rd annual award.

The award is sponsored by Time magazine in association with Ally Financial, and in cooperation with NADA.

A panel of faculty members from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan selects one finalist from each of the four NADA regions and one national Dealer of the Year.

Ally said it will make charitable contributions to local community causes on behalf of all 50 nominated dealers across the United States. In addition, the 2012 national winner will receive a $10,000 contribution for a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of his or her choice.

"Auto dealers have a tremendous impact on the vitality and strength of communities across the U.S.," said Tim Russi, executive vice president of North American operations for Ally Financial.