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Jaguar Announces New F-Type Production

We’ve been showing you the sleek Jaguar C-X16 concept car for several months. Enthusiasts and car pros were super excited about this car, and we caught wind in February that it might not be a concept any longer. Now, we have an affirmative.  This super sports car – a full-size, (and convertible at launch) will be dubbed F-TYPE. It’s expected to be available for purchase in 2013. Target dates and production schedule to be announced later this year. The exciting news was announced last week at the New York Auto Show last week.

The C-X16 debut last September as a concept vehicle was exciting and so well-received – that Jag execs sprang into action to get the car into production. Jaguar’s Director of Design, Ian Callum, Director of Design, said: “A true sports car needs to be pure in both its purpose and its form; to have the opportunity to produce such a car for Jaguar has been a privilege both for myself and for my team. The C-type, D-type and E-type Jaguars were all sports cars that held true to this principle in their era, and the F-TYPE will hold true to that same principle in its time, a time that is soon to arrive.”

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Ferdinand Porsche, Designer of the Iconic Porsche 911 – Dies at Age 76

Today we say goodbye to the designer of the legendary Porsche 911 – Ferdinand Alexander Porsche.

Porsche announced today that the grandson of Dr. Ferdinand Porsche, who founded the company in the 1930’s, died today in Austria at the age of 76. The cause of death was not mentioned.

Ferdinand Porsche designed the classic 911 in the 1960’s died today in Austria at the age of 76. The sleek elements of his design have been the cornerstone for seven generations of Porsche 911, and now are also very prominent in the brand’s other models such as the Cayenne, the Panamera and the Cayman.

“The creator of the Porsche 911 has founded a culture of design in our company that distinguishes our sports cars even today,” Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller told the Associated Press today.

Photo, USA Today/AP

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Dallas Storms Bring Major Dent Repairs On Local Vehicles

Dallas was hit hard by the storms this Tuesday. Tornadoes, major winds and huge, (even horizontal) wrecked buildings, yards and cars for several hours this week. As Dallas folks start to pick up pieces and clean up – insurance companies are busy too, with storm claims.

The same thing is happening in our business with hail damage repairs and windshield repairs. We expect our body shop to be extremely busy over the next few weeks. And, we just wanted to remind all of our clients (and anyone who needs help with their car or has an automotive insurance claim on their car) that we are here to help, now serving you from our Dallas Body Shop as well as our Grapevine Body Shop.

We offer full collision repair, and will walk you through the entire process start to finish. We’ll work with your insurance company, to make sure that your car will be as good as new. We also offer auto glass repair – using the finest quality equipment. We can replace your windshield or repair chipped glass.

Perhaps your car was not damaged extensively, ad only requires paintless dent repair. There are any dents we can fix without paint, sanding or extended stays at the body shop.

Call us or come by for more information – we are happy to help you!

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Jaguar Plano wins Pride of Jaguar Dealer Award

Jaguar Plano has been awarded the Pride of Jaguar Retailer Excellence Award. The award is the highest honor a Jaguar dealer can receive. It is only bestowed on dealers who take the ideals of excellence and turn them into a way of doing business for every customer, every day. Earning the Pride of Jaguar requires that all areas of a Jaguar dealership’s business are focused on the customer. There are three key components to achieving Pride of Jaguar: providing an exceptional customer experience; exemplary sales satisfaction performance; and excellence in service quality.

“To achieve this accomplishment is a tremendous success, but to receive the award in our very first year of eligibility is truly outstanding,” said Stephen James, General Manager of Jaguar Plano. “Our staff dove right in, learning everything they needed to know about Jaguar, while adhering to Park Place’s stringent standards of excellence in every phase of our business. This is a great honor.”

Pride of Jaguar winners are dealers who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence and the Jaguar brand. Evaluation was based on customer satisfaction, sales performance and staff training during the 2011 calendar year. Only 16 select dealers are honored with this award each year. Jaguar has a network of 164 dealers across the U.S.

“The Pride of Jaguar award annually honors those select dealers who exceeded expectations in customer satisfaction, sales performance, and overall business excellence. These dealers are key elements in Jaguar’s continued success,” says Andy Goss, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC.

Photo by David Alvey: Left-to-right: Mike Cotroneo, Jaguar Plano Sales Manager; Daniel Syvrud, Jaguar Plano Sales Manager; Angela Adams, Jaguar Plano Parts Manager; Kevin Boles, Jaguar Plano Service Manager; Stephen James, Jaguar Plano General Manager; and Mike Mykeloff, Market Manager, Jaguar Land Rover North America

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Park Place Salutes Community Partners – Grapevine/Colleyville Education Foundation

The Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation was founded in 1998 to provide funds for programs and opportunities that benefit GCISD students and staff. While core educational needs are met through the allocation of tax dollars, the margin of excellence is possible only by contributions and efforts that go above and beyond the minimum. Foundation funds are used to facilitate student achievement and skill development, recognize and encourage staff excellence and expand community involvement from individuals, businesses and civic organizations. Since its inception, the foundation has funded 875 projects, distributing more than $1.4 million to GCISD, affecting more than half the teachers and all the students.

janice_kane_05“Like most Texas schools, our school district is facing unprecedented budget challenges under the current school finance laws. Park Place Motorcars has generously donated resources for the past few years to the Education Foundation whose sole purpose is to provide resources needed to our school district and where 100% of all donations stay within our school district to assist our students and teachers. Not only has Park Place been the featured sponsor for our Celebrating Our Stars Academic Recognition Banquet for several years, but also for the second year donates scholarships to graduates for continuing education. Park Place understands the importance of successful schools in communities and how communities must work together to ensure the success of our schools. Park Place’s support is a shining example of the need for and importance of collaborative efforts between our schools, community, and corporations. Our heartfelt thanks to Park Place!”  says Janice Kane, Executive Director.

With the unprecedented budget challenges facing Texas schools, the Foundation’s efforts are more critical than ever as educators are being forced to seek funding avenues outside the regular budget in order to continue vital educational programs. 100% of all donations to the Education Foundation stay within GCISD to assist GCISD students and teachers.

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Park Place Volvo is only Texas Dealership to Win President’s Club Award

Park Place Volvo has been named a 2011 recipient of the Volvo President’s Club Award.  The Volvo President’s Club, in its eighth year, acknowledges outstanding performances of the top 10 percent of U.S. Volvo retailers. Park Place is one of only 35 Volvo dealerships nationwide, and the only dealership in Texas, to receive the prestigious award.

“We are truly honored to earn this distinction,” said Rob Schweizer, Park Place Volvo General Manager. “Park Place prides itself on being ‘Experts in Excellence’ and that means incorporating strict standards in every area of our business. But, more importantly, it means that every member of our team is committed to performing at their very best day in and day out.”

In addition to the Volvo President’s Club Award trophy, Park Place Volvo members were treated to a Volvo-sponsored celebration party at House of Blues in Dallas.

“Volvo finished 2011 as the fastest growing luxury brand, with U.S. sales up 25 percent,” said John Maloney, president & CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. “Park Place Volvo truly helped us achieve this with their continued customer focus. We will accomplish great things in 2012 with the dedication and leadership of dealerships like Park Place.”

Volvo Cars of North America provides marketing, sales, service, technology and training to Volvo automobile retailers in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on the entire Volvo product lineup please refer to the Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, media website at: http://www.volvocars-pr.com/.

Left-to-right: Park Place Volvo General Manager Rob Schweizer; Tom Radgoski, Regional Sales & Marketing Manager, Volvo USA; John Kendig, Volvo USA Regional Vice President; Neil Grossman, President, Park Place Volvo; and John Niesman, Market Manager, Texas/Delta, Volvo USA

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Park Place Dealership Group Seeks Summer Interns

Park Place Dealerships is seeking interns for the summer following a successful inaugural year with its internship program.  As part of the company’s effort to recruit students, Park Place headed to area college campuses such as Baylor, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Dallas, and University of North Texas to find interns.

Currently, Park Place is looking for candidates who would be interested in sales, service, finance, IT, training, accounting, and marketing.  The program is designed to provide students with meaningful work experiences, on the job training and ongoing personal development.

“Our primary objective at Park Place is to ensure an extraordinary experience for our clients,” said Kurt Vanous, human resource brand manager at Park Place. “Through our internship program, we can teach students the importance of building relationships and the fundamentals of working on a team for the sole benefit of making the client purchase or sales experience the best it can be.”

The ideal candidates are confident, passionate people looking to grow and succeed with one of the most successful organizations in Dallas/Fort Worth. All candidates must currently be enrolled in college and working towards a degree program.

Farah Ellenbogen, marketing intern from UTD began her internship with Park Place Motorcars Dallas last summer and has continued working with the company. “I was looking for a well-rounded internship experience that allowed me to work on a variety of projects and have some autonomy,” said Ellenbogen. “Park Place offered just that. I was given the chance to take ownership of projects and really get some great hands-on experience. My internship at Park Place has given me the opportunity to hone the skills that I needed to begin my professional career. “

To apply for an internship, please contact Kurt Vanous at kvanous@10.2.54.33.

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One Of The Last New 2011 Lotus Elise SC In The United States – At Lotus of Plano

Lotus of Plano has one of the last, new 2011 Lotus Elise SC in the U.S. This fiery red rocket has a 218 hp, 1.8 liter supercharged 4-cylinder engine. On a car that weights less then 2,000 pounds, that translates into 0-60 mph in about 4.6 seconds.  We could go on an on about leather bucket seats and removable hard/soft tops, but you really only need to get behind the wheel to fall in love with this graceful head-turner.

Contact Brad Pyatt: bpyatt@10.2.54.33. Quickly.