Park Place – Page 55 – Park Place Dealerships

December 1, 2015December 1, 2015

$50,000 Cash Left Behind in a Mercedes-Benz

Service technician Juan Ibarra was working on a Mercedes-Benz SL550, that Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth received as a trade-in, when he discovered a bag in the trunk. When he opened the bag he saw stacks of $100 bills.
“I jumped back like I’d seen a snake,” said Ibarra. “My first thought was, ‘is this dirty money?’ I immediately took it to my service director. Nobody wanted to touch it. We didn’t even count it.”

“Juan has always been a real ‘go-to’ guy,” said George Johnson, General Manager at Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth. “He’s a man of the highest integrity. I’m very proud of him.”

Juan Ibarra with Park Place Motorcars FW General Manager- George Johnson

“It never even crossed my mind to take any of the money,” said Ibarra. “We just wanted to find out who the money belonged to and get it back to them.”

It took about a week before the owner was tracked down. Turns out he was a bail bondsman and the cash didn’t exactly belong to him either. The money was given to him for a bond. Needless to say, he was very relieved to get it back.

After counting the money, he confirmed that all $50,000 was accounted for and was thankful someone honest had found it. “About a month later the guy came back with a nice card and some money in it,” said Ibarra. “The card was enough for me. He was very grateful.”

November 30, 2015December 14, 2015

Maserati Expands 2016 Portfolio

The 2016 Maserati line-up has two powerful new additions in its latest product portfolio. The Italian automaker is now offering an S version of its Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans, each equipped with a high-powered V6 410 HP rear-wheel drive variant. Maserati also introduces new enhanced safety and convenience features to its expanded range of sedans such as Start & Stop System, Blind Spot & Rear Cross Path alert, Power Trunk Lid/Hands Free feature, premium Harman Kardon 900 watt audio system, Clari-Fi on Bowers & Wilkins sound system, SIRI Smart Personal Assistant and a new wheel collection.

Other product highlights include exclusive Ermenegildo Zegna specially fashioned interior trim package now available on both Ghibli and Quattroporte models. Designed in collaboration with the legendary Italian fashion brand, these silk interiors are specially outfitted and woven, much like a fine Italian suit. Available in three color variants (Nero, Cuoio and Rosso), this tailored interior option is now available on the 2016 Maserati sport sedans and will later extend to the full Maserati range.

Maserati continues to offer its range-topping GranTurismo coupe and convertible models. The GranCabrio Sport and GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition feature an exceptional degree of personalization for clientele to pair with its vigorous naturally aspirated V8 engine and signature drive. The GT line is the ultimate expression of Maserati’s design ethos, combined with the purest of driving pleasure.

As Maserati expands its offerings, it continues to strengthen its position and grow its share in the luxury segment. The Company persists, pushing the cusp of design innovation to stay its course on the cutting edge of the automotive industry.

For more information about Maserati please contact:

Malcolm Gage at Maserati Dallas, (214) 849-5355; MGage@10.2.54.33

Oscar Restrepo at Maserati Fort Worth, (817) 263-3696; ORestrepo@10.2.54.33

November 27, 2015November 30, 2015

McIlveen Brings International Flair and Caring Heart to Auto Industry

Mariza McIlveen of Grand Prairie didn’t imagine a career in the automotive industry for herself. She started out in the hospitality industry working for luxury hotels. But she quickly found her passion was for helping people grow in their careers. “I was born and raised in Sri Lanka,” said McIlveen. “I went to high school in Singapore and college in Hawaii. I got into the hospitality field because my Dad was a pilot for Singapore Airlines, and he always pictured his little girl in the hotel business. I worked hotel operations for the first part of my career, and discovered that I enjoyed helping people grow. I would hire front desk agents and mentor them. Watching a few move on to do big things in their career, I decided I wanted to be in Human Resources. It gives me great pleasure to give people the chance to get into a great company and grow.”

McIlveen started at Park Place Dealerships in 2014, and was recently named Human Resources Manager for the new Park Place Motorcars Arlington, which opened November 2, 2015. “I am a certified HR professional,” continued McIlveen. “My goal each day is to make sure that I have taken care of our members’ (employees) needs, and that I am available to lend a hand or ear. My goal is to create a fun work environment for the new dealership… to help it grow and be recognized for its ‘can do’ attitude.”

When asked what advice she would share with women considering a career in the automotive industry, McIlveen replied, “Everyone at Park Place is very respectful and I have never felt out of place. They’ve been eager to share their knowledge with me. We even have one of the first female Mercedes-Benz parts managers in Texas, and one of a very few in the country. Park Place offers ongoing training for our members to advance.”

Empowering women to succeed in the automotive industry is just one of many intriguing stories you’ll find among the “experts in excellence” at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.

November 18, 2015November 19, 2015

Volvo XC90 Wins SUV of the Year. Again.

No stranger to accolades, the all-new 2016 Volvo XC90 is the Motor Trend SUV of the Year. “Everyone at Volvo Cars is exceptionally proud to win the Motor Trend SUV of the Year award,” said Lex Kerssemakers, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. “The all-new XC90 is a strong indicator of things to come at Volvo.”

When it was introduced in 2002, the original Volvo XC90 won Motor Trend’s SUV of the Year as it redefined the seven-passenger SUV segment.

To judge contenders for the award, Motor Trend’s editorial staff conducted an exhaustive three-phase testing process. Phase one includes a full tech check and weigh-in, then full track testing to establish baseline data for acceleration, braking, and handling. Phase two involves three days of road loops offering a range of road surfaces and traffic conditions to evaluate ride and handling, engine and transmission smoothness and responsiveness, wind and road noise, and ergonomics. An off-road section tests traction, stability, and braking control systems. In the third phase, the judges debate and deliberate.

Developed from the ground up on Volvo’s unique Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), with a 316 horsepower, supercharged and turbocharged Drive-E engine featuring an EPA rating of 25 mpg highway, a tablet-like Sensus control system, and understated Scandinavian design, the all-new 2016 Volvo XC90 sets a new standard for the luxury SUV segment.

With its full suite of IntelliSafe features and two more world firsts for safety. The all-new Volvo XC90 is also the safest Volvo ever, earning top safety rating from the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

For more information about the Volvo XC90 or to schedule a test drive, please contact:

Donny Lambrecht, New Car Director at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33

November 16, 2015November 20, 2015

Park Place Lexus Grapevine Takes Service to New Heights

The all-new 2016 Lexus RX 350, sits in an equally brand new, state-of-the-art showroom at Park Place Lexus Grapevine. The newly renovated dealership is getting ready to reveal more exciting renovations this week.

Our new, expansive service drive is now open!

The new service drive has 4 lanes to better accommodate our clients, and if you’re stopping-in for a car wash, be sure to pull into the exclusive “Car Wash” lane furthest to the right.

After you drop off your vehicle, enjoy the newly renovated client lounge with Admiral Club- which includes a kids play room and a TV. Grab a snack, or enjoy a cappuccino from our state-of-the-art coffee machine- that we bet rivals some coffee shops in town.

While you enjoy the Lexus lounge, your Lexus is also in for a luxurious experience in our brand new, top of the line car wash.

Have errands to run, but your car needs service? Great news! We just expanded our fleet of loan cars, so you won’t miss a beat while our Certified Lexus Technicians work on your car.

Add Park Place Lexus Grapevine to your list of things to experience. We’re excited about our latest renovations, and additions. We invite you to come experience it for yourself.

For more information about a new or pre-owned Lexus, please contact:

Charles Owen, New Car Sales Director at (817) 416-3130; cowen3@10.2.54.33

Juan Puentes, Pre-Owned Sales Director at (817) 416-3308; JPuentes@10.2.54.33

November 16, 2015December 21, 2015

Park Place Tailgating Fun With Southlake-Carroll Dragons

Park Place Lexus and Motorcars Grapevine have been a proud sponsor of the Southlake-Carroll Dragons for 5-years. Carroll High School and the Dragons Football are near and dear to alum Matt Woolsey, Park Place Lexus Grapevine General Manager. We love tailgating with the amazing Dragons fans, and they get in on the fun as well.

From weekly tailgating party giveaways to theme spirit nights, Park Place has our clients covered in true Southlake-Carroll fashion. From t-shirts to green flashing rings, the Dragon spirit is hard to miss.

Mike Roberts- largest tailgate party winner November 6, 2015

Amy McBride- largest tailgate party winner November 13, 2015

Fun contests and scratch off tickets provide fun prizes from a free car wash to weekend use of a fun new Lexus or Mercedes-Benz.

The Dirty Car Contest is always a hit and allows us to engage with the fans. While everyone’s tailgating, we drive around and find the dirtiest vehicle. It is then featured on the big screen during half-time and the owner walks away with a complimentary detail from Park Place Lexus and Motorcars Grapevine.

Don’t miss us at the next Southlake-Carroll game, you could win fun prizes! Happy tailgating, and Go Dragons!

For more information about a new or pre-owned Lexus or Mercedes-Benz, please contact:

Park Place Lexus Grapevine:

Charles Owen, New Car Sales Director at, (817) 416-3130; cowen3@10.2.54.33

Juan Puentes, Pre-Owned Sales Director at, (817) 416-3308; JPuentes@10.2.54.33

Park Place Motorcars Grapevine:

Matthew McPherson, New Car Sales Director at, (817) 310-7361; MMcPherson@10.2.54.33

Joseph Turner, Lead Pre-Owned Sales Manager at, (817) 310-7362; JTurner@10.2.54.33

November 12, 2015November 23, 2015

Bentley’s First SUV -The Bentayga Unveiled at Bentley Dallas

An air of excitement and anticipation filled the showroom at Bentley Dallas as guests awaited the unveiling of Bentley’s first ever SUV- the Bentley Bentayga. Draped with a large black cloth, the $229,000 ultra-luxury Bentley Bentayga drew a large crowd.

Park Place Dealerships Chairman Ken Schnitzer and Bentley Motors CEO Michael Winkler personally unveiled the Bentayga to much fanfare.

Guests surged forward for a chance to sit in the car and admire the fine details up close.

The Bentley Bentayga is the fastest, most powerful, and exclusive SUV in the world. And it’s clearly the most luxurious.

As with all Bentleys, the Bentayga will be handmade in Crewe, England, by third- and fourth-generation craftsmen who spend hours stitching, polishing, and refining to perfection the tiniest detail.

While the car comes with a choice of four or five seats covered in a choice of 15 different hues of leather, plus dozens of combinations of exotic woods and brushed metal and carbon fiber trim, the true beauty of a Bentley is the Bespoke program, which offers the ultimate in customization.

This was the first and only opportunity for North Texas to see the vehicle until the 2017 Bentayga hits the market next year.

Powered by a 600 horsepower, twin turbo, W12 engine, the Bentayga will go from 0 – 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and has a top speed of 187 mph.

For more information about the Bentley Bentayga please contact:
Malcolm Gage at Bentley Dallas, (214) 849-5355; mgage@10.2.54.33

The Bentley Bentayga reveal also included delicious treats. Guests enjoyed fresh seafood bites by Eddie V’s and crafted cocktails from Blue Nectar Spirits while relaxing with hand-rolled cigars from Cigar Art, and delectable sweets by Chocolate Secrets.

November 11, 2015December 7, 2015

First McLaren 570S Rolls Off Production Line

At McLaren, everything starts with you- the driver. Every component is there for one reason alone – to create a driving experience like no other. That’s where the new McLaren 570S Coupe comes in. Production of the new Sports Series high-performance sports car is already underway in England.

The first McLaren 570S Coupe to roll off the production line has been delivered to a retailer in the UK and, even before the first customer handover takes place, the global retailer network is holding over 1,000 orders for this superb new addition to the McLaren range, the most attainable McLaren to date.

The start of production of the new Sports Series heralds a new chapter in the short history of McLaren Automotive. When the full Sports Series family is complete by 2018, it is forecast to more than double the annual volume of McLaren Automotive to more than 4,000 cars per year. The Sports Series is priced from $184,900 for the 570S Coupe.

Jolyon Nash, Executive Director – Sales and Marketing at McLaren Automotive explained, “The start of production of the new Sports Series cars is a pivotal moment for McLaren Automotive. In our short history, we have produced a range of supercars and hypercars targeted at a core, enthusiast buyer. Since 2011, our sales have increased year-on-year with corresponding developments in revenues and profits. The Sports Series is targeted towards a new buyer and opens McLaren up to the sports car market that we have not served to date. The buyer of a Sports Series model will still experience the benchmark performance and driver engagement delivered by every McLaren model, but will also notice the increased usability and practicality that differentiates it from our existing cars. In addition, the Sports Series will make a significant contribution to the long-term sustainability of the company.”

For more information about the McLaren 570S please contact:

Malcolm Gage at McLaren Dallas, (214) 849-5355, mgage@10.2.54.33

November 11, 2015January 6, 2016

Volvo Breaks Ground on Its First U.S. Plant

Volvo Cars of North America President and CEO Lex Kerssemakers, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and other key public officials officially broke ground on Volvo Cars’ first American factory in Berkeley County, South Carolina. “The groundbreaking proves that Volvo Cars follows promises with action,” said Lex Kerssemakers, “Volvo is moving quickly to expand its presence in the United States with new cars, new engines and now, a new factory.”

The South Carolina factory will be the global production home of the all new S60 Sedan. Up to 100,000 cars will roll off the South Carolina plant’s assembly line each year, with the first US-built Volvos expected to hit the showrooms in late 2018.

Volvo saw strong demand for the all-new XC90 7-Seat SUV, which was released this summer, and the XC60 5-Seat SUV, which continues to delight drivers.

Volvo Cars estimates that the factory will employ up to 2,000 people over the next decade and up to 4,000 people in the longer term. The plant would contribute approximately $4.8 billion in total economic output on an annual basis.

For more information about the Volvo XC90 or to schedule a test drive, please contact:

Donny Lambrecht at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33

November 11, 2015

Volvo Raising Money and Awareness for Pediatric Cancer Research One Car Sale at a Time

Volvo is on a mission to raise a million dollars to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand, fulfilling a promise the automaker made to 8-year-old Alex Scott over 10 years ago.
In 2004, Alex was battling cancer but that didn’t deter her vision of helping find a cure. Her goal was to raise $1-Million, one cup of lemonade at a time. Alex caught Volvo’s attention when she receive and inaugural Volvo for Life award nomination. The award honors hometown heroes doing extraordinary things in their communities. At this time, Alex’s Lemonade Stand raised $45,000 for pediatric cancer-related research.

Alex took her vision nationwide, setting up fundraising efforts and virtual lemonade stands on-line for donations. Before she passed away in August of 2004 she had already raised over $700,000 on her own, and reached her million dollar goal, with support from Volvo.
At this time, Volvo employees at dealerships across the nation focused their sales goals…on lemonade, for Alex. Their efforts brought tremendous results, with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised to fulfill their promise to Alex.
Since then, Volvo, a founding sponsor of ALSF, has helped keep the inspiration and legacy of Alex alive, and help bring awareness to pediatric cancer. Today, the foundation she founded with Volvo’s help, has raised over $100 million dollars and funded over 500 research projects.
This holiday season, Volvo is once again committed to donating one million dollars to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, one car sale at a time. With your help, every time we sell a car between now and January 4, 2016, Alex’s vision will reach another milestone with a contribution to her foundation.

During the Wonder of Winter sale event when you purchase or lease a new 2016 Volvo, help support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and get three payments on us. (excludes XC90 and Polestar Vehicles).

For more information about the Wonder of Winter specials or to schedule a test drive, please contact:

Donny Lambrecht at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33