Dealership – Page 11 – Park Place Dealerships

February 14, 2017February 14, 2017

7 Tips to Keep Your Luxury Vehicle at Peak Performance

Congratulations! You have officially entered the luxury market and are now the proud owner of an exceptional automotive. Becoming a luxury car owner at Park Place does have its perks, from sales to service, your client experience will be unmatched as our experts take care of your Porsche, Mercedes, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar, or Bentley, like it’s their very own.

Upkeep can be difficult for any automotive owner, but driving a high-end vehicle means that any lapses in maintenance could be very costly to the performance and lifespan of your luxury automotive, not to mention your wallet.

Here are seven essential tips to keep your luxury vehicle in pristine condition throughout your ownership experience, courtesy of our Park Place experts:

1. Use Your Dealer for Service

Luxury vehicles are expensive vehicles no matter the make. Whether Lexus, Mercedes, or Jaguar, your dealer is extremely knowledgeable about that specific vehicle. Most even require the dealer technicians to have special training and tools to perf
orm maintenance on the high end models.

Tom Kruzel, Service Director at Park Place Lexus Grapevine, says that many times vehicles come through that others have “tried to work on” and it ends up costing the client more money and more time to get the vehicle back in shape. Regular service at the dealership means that the service experts can catch many things, like a leaking water pump, before they become a concern or you need to call a tow truck. If you need to schedule a service appointment with Park Place- it’s easy to do using our online Service Scheduler.

2. Use Factory Parts

Factory parts are worth the investment. Research and development spends enormous amounts of time and money to make your vehicle world class- and that means outfitting the cars with quality parts that are manufacturer specific. You wouldn’t put gasoline in a diesel fuel tank, so why use aftermarket parts made to “look” like factory parts to service your luxury vehicle?

3. Detail Your Car

Cam Mayfield, Service Director at Motorcars Dallas, recommends performing a yearly detail to maintain the new car, luxury look and protect your paint. Not only does this keep your eye-catching vehicle look shiny and new, but it also helps hold the car’s value in case you decide to trade in or sell in the future. Marc Lustig of Infiniti Las Vegas, adds that a waxing every 6 months will further help maintain your vehicles paint.

4. Clean Off Any and All Bird Droppings

After your cars been detailed and waxed, be diligent in cleaning off any and all bird droppings as soon as you can. Bird poop will not only make your luxury vehicle look dirty and ill maintained, but the bird droppings can actually etch into the paint if left sitting.

5. Regularly Inspect the Tires

Tires are the only part of the vehicle that actually touches the road; they affect your vehicles handling, ride, braking, and overall safety. Luxury cars actually have soft compound tires that can be costly to replace, so regular tire maintenance and inspection come highly recommend by all of the Park Place Service Directors.

To maintain optimum performance, tires must have the correct air pressure; tread depth, and balance. Under inflated tires is a leading cause of using excess fuel and straining the engine, adds Rod Moreno of Park Place Lexus. Moving a flat tire is not easy- and for good reason. Checking your tires on a regular basis says Park Place Motorcars Arlington’s Service Director, Jeff Cole, is an important step in protecting your safety and your automotive investment.

Ideally, tire inspections should be performed at least once a month – especially if you drive over potholes and road debris, live in a hot climate, or regularly drive long distances. And if you are planning on taking a long road trip, always inspect your tires for small problems, such as a nail, before it becomes
a more expensive and time-consuming issues.

6. Don’t Forget to Align the Wheels

After you take care of your tires, don’t forget to align the wheels! Wheel alignment should be performed yearly. If your vehicle has impacted any kind of road hazard, get it aligned as soon as possible. When your wheels are out of alignment, your tires can wear unevenly and your vehicle might not handle the road safely. Remember- new tires can be expensive- so follow recommended tire maintenance routines to save money and keep you safe.

7. Keep a Battery Tender

Vince Knighton, Service Director of the Park Place Premier Collection, recommends keeping the vehicle on a battery tender if it will sit for a long period of time. If they are not maintained, and you do decide to take your Bentley or Rolls Royce out for a spin, the battery will go flat and you will be left stranded.

November 18, 2016November 30, 2016

Park Place Lexus Recognized For Best Practices In Customer Focus By Baldrige Performance Excellence Program

Texas-based Park Place Lexus has been recognized for a best practice in customer focus by the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, part of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award program.

“The path we started more than a decade ago to pursue the Baldrige Program has led to improved strategies and best management practices we have implemented to better serve our clients,” said Ken Schnitzer, chairman and founder of Park Place Dealerships. “We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to consistently deliver a positive customer experience.”

Park Place has two Lexus dealerships in North Texas that jointly received the recognition. Park Place Lexus Grapevine, located near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and Park Place Lexus Plano, just north of Dallas, employ more than 570 people. In 2005, the two dealerships received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest Presidential honor for sustainable excellence through visionary leadership, organizational alignment, systemic improvement and innovation.

“Based on our continued improvement through a systematic approach to goal-setting, measures and reviews, we offer our clients the best automotive purchase and ownership experience,” remarked Jordan Case, President of Park Place Lexus. ”We continue to improve our processes of learning what we could do better and pushing ourselves to be the best in our industry.”

During a recent visit from Baldrige examiners, a site visit evaluation team spent several days interviewing 400 of Park Place’s nearly 600 Lexus members. Park Place Lexus was one of six organizations in the country to receive a best practices honor. The complete list includes:

City of Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colorado—leadership
Kaiser Permanente San Diego, San Diego, California—leadership
Maury Regional Medical Center, Columbia, Tennessee—leadership
Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina—leadership and strategy
Park Place Lexus of Texas, Plano, Texas—customers
Southern Management Corporation, Vienna, Virginia—workforce

The Baldrige Performance Excellence Program raises awareness about the importance of performance excellence in driving the U.S. and global economy; provides organizational assessment tools and criteria; and educates leaders in all type of organizations about the practices of national role models. Since the first Baldrige Award recipients were recognized in 1988, 109 awards have been presented to 102 organizations (including seven two-time award recipients). The Baldrige Award recognizes the nation’s top-level performers in six categories: manufacturing, service, small business, health care, education and nonprofit.

November 2, 2016

Park Place Porsche unveils new 2017 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Design Edition

Park Place Porsche is the only Flagship Exclusive Dealership in Texas

Park Place Porsche recently hosted a party on the expansive lawn of the Camp House at Dallas Arboretum to unveil the new 2017 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Design Edition. But like this eagerly anticipated new sports car, this exclusive event was not your average garden party. For starters, guest had a choice of a Patrón margarita served sweet, spicy, herbal or fruity. The Krish Coffee bar allowed similar customization for hot beverages. You could choose your pasta cooked exactly how you wanted it — with your hand-picked ingredients — prepared personally for you by III Forks Restaurant’s executive chef Chris Vogeli. And, as the sun set over White Rock Lake, the cover was pulled back to reveal the bold new Porsche 911 Targa 4S Exclusive Design Edition in Etna Blue with the Porsche logo and stripe glistening in white gold metallic along its sides.

“We wanted the party to reflect the customization options available for our clients,” said Patrick Huston, General Manager of Park Place Porsche. “As one of only a dozen Porsche Exclusive Flagship dealers in the country, and the only one in Texas, we can offer our clients an unprecedented level of personalization for their cars. Options go well beyond a choice of leather or paint colors. We can sit down with a client and select from dozens of different options to make any Porsche model uniquely their own. And we can show them how the options work together in real time on our computer. They can even compare pricing as they design the car of their dreams.”

The new Porsche 911 Targa 4 comes standard with a 350-horsepower, 3.4-liter flat-6 engine that starts at $102,595. The 400-hp, 3.8-liter flat-6 Targa 4S is $117,195. But, consider MSRPs as merely suggestions as you can configure your Targa any way you want it. For instance, a seven-speed manual gearbox is standard, but the optional PDK gearbox allows you to roll through gears even faster. You can even choose air vents that match your car’s upholstery. Or you might prefer chrome vents. Again, the options are only limited by your creativity. However you outfit your car, it can leap from 0-to-60 mph in about 4.2 seconds. Don’t worry. It’s wide stance and all-wheel drive grips the road even in tight curves.

Following assembly, all vehicles are hand-finished on the Porsche Exclusive production lines in Zuffenhausen, Germany. For 30 years, Porsche Exclusive has strived to deliver individuality straight from the factory and boasts a long-standing tradition in the creation of limited vehicle projects. With each vehicle, the customer receives a specially designed indoor car cover as well as a bound photo album in graphite-blue leather, which documents the development process of their car and features its specific vehicle identification number (VIN).

Park Place partnered with III Forks Restaurant, Patrón Tequila and Lakewood Brewing Co. on this fantastic event. Other sponsors included Verona Privé Maison, which provided sophisticated lounge groupings for guests’ comfort during the sunset reveal.

Located at 6113 Lemmon Avenue, near Dallas’ Love Field, Park Place Porsche was selected this year as a Porsche Premier Dealer for the 19th time. Over the years, Park Place Porsche has been recognized by Porsche Cars North America as the most consistently winning dealer in North America.

November 1, 2016November 2, 2016

The Park Place Mission Told Through Real-Life Experience

At Park Place Dealerships, our mission is “To create an extraordinary automotive purchase and ownership experience.”

It’s one thing to say it, but to see it in action is another. We are elated when our clients share their stories of how enjoyable their real-life experience has been at a Park Place Dealership, and a recent article in Business Reporter, by Keil Hubert, highlights exactly how we hope to stand out in your automotive purchasing experience. Thank you so much for the kind words, Keil, and welcome to the Park Place family.

Keil’s article dives head-first into how the automotive industry has developed over the years, and the subsequent feelings that many car-buyers have developed about the process. He goes on to tell about his experience with Park Place Porsche Dallas, and how that experience stood out among the crowd. We won’t spoil the ending for you, but we will share our favorite quote from Keil.

“This was what I’d been wanting from the car buying experience. Exactly this.”

To read Keil’s full story, please click here. http://business-reporter.co.uk/2016/10/31/american-view-ghost-protocols/

October 10, 2016

Park Place Jaguar Plano honored with Marque of Distinction

Jaguar Land Rover Training Academy honored three Park Place Jaguar Plano employees with their highest award: the Marque of Distinction. This honor is granted annually to one Parts Manager, Parts Professional, Sales Manager, Sales Consultant, Sales Guide, Service Manager, Service Advisor and Technician from each Jaguar and Land Rover brand. Park Place Jaguar members Daniel Syvrud won Sales Manager of the Year 2015; Drew Wilson won Parts Member of the year; and Bob Lynn was the Service Guild winner.

“It is an amazing honor to have Daniel, Drew and Bob on our team,” said Mike Cuzzo, Park Place Jaguar Plano General Manager. “We can proudly say that we have the best of the best to provide our clients the highest level of service. We’ve won the Pride of Jaguar five years in a row and have received the Marque of Distinction the last 3 years, which means we are the number one dealership in the country again. We’ve had at least two of our managers win this award for the past 3 years in a row.”

Out of more than 160 Jaguar/Land Rover dealerships nationwide, Syvrud, Wilson and Lynn scored the highest among their peers in the 2015-16 Journey to Excellence program year. The top eight members from each category were chosen to travel to London, England, where the winners were each presented a trophy by Jaguar Land Rover North America President/CEO Joachim “Joe” Eberhardt.

October 5, 2016

Park Place Lexus Service Consultants Honored with Lexus Skills Showdown Award

Park Place Lexus Grapevine recently had two members (employees) qualify for the Lexus Southern Area’s 3rd annual Technician/Service Consultant Lexus Skills Showdown. This award recognizes the top elite service consultants from 65 different Lexus stores from Texas to North Carolina. Park Place Lexus Grapevine technician Byron McEwen and service consultant Eric Wright qualified and won top awards.

“We’re honored to have Byron and Eric on our team at Park Place Lexus Grapevine,” said Matt Woolsey, general manager of Park Place Lexus Grapevine. “Offering clients a fabulous experience is our first priority and we work tirelessly to hire and train the right people to serve our clients. We can proudly say that we truly have the Best of the Best in the Lexus Southern Area to provide service at the highest level to our clients.”

Lexus Master Technician Byron McEwen and Assistant Service Manager Eric Wright were graded as a team and also individually on their performance in the overall Lexus service process. Each individual and team were graded on greeting and writing up a client, the process of diagnosing and repairing a vehicle, and performing a delivery with the client after repairs were completed.

Out of 43 teams, McEwen and Wright took second place earning each of them $1,500 prize money. In the individual competition, Assistant Service Manager Eric Wright took first place in the ASM service writer up competition. Wright is rated as the #1 ASM out of nearly 600 in the Lexus Southern Area. Wright received an additional $1,000 for his efforts.

Located at 901 Highway 114 East, Park Place Lexus Grapevine is the only automobile dealership to ever win the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The award is the only formal recognition of performance excellence of both public and private U.S. organizations given by the President of the United States. The dealership has also been recognized as an elite of Lexus Dealer 16 years in a row, and received a #1 national ranking in customer satisfaction.

August 29, 2016November 30, 2016

Park Place Motorcars Arlington Sales Greeter Leaving Her Mark On Arlington

When you first walk into the lobby of Park Place Motorcars Arlington, you’re sure to be captivated by Gabree Torres. The 23-year-old sales greeter is vivacious and charming. But there’s more than meets the eye to this energetic young lady.

Torres is finishing her Masters of Social Work degree at the University of Arlington. And she’ll leave her mark on the campus before she graduates in December.

Earlier this year, she was selected to paint a horse sculpture for the UTA Spirit Horse project.

“I saw a flyer on a bulletin board and only had two days until the deadline to submit my design,” said Torres, “but I knew this opportunity was mine.”

Torres had previously painted seven large murals in a San Angelo hospital while attending San Angelo State for her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

“Gabree submitted a design that showed three students in academic regalia at commencement,” said Jennifer Fox, UTA Assistant Director of Student Governance. “The UTA Ambassadors, a group of 25 elected student leaders that serve as the official hosts and hostesses of the campus, really liked her design. The proposed location for this year’s Spirit Horse was near the College Park Center, the on-campus arena where commencement ceremonies are held. We did not advertise this when soliciting proposals, so the fact that Gabree’s design also fit well with our proposed location was a nice surprise. We did ask her to add an ‘athletics’ component to the horse since our volleyball and basketball games are also held in the College Park Center. She quickly revised her sketches, and the end result was beautiful.”

Torres’ Spirit Horse was recently unveiled at the Maverick Stampede, a UTA Welcome Week event. The final installation will be later this semester.

In addition to working at Park Place Motorcars and attending school, Torres is completing an internship at a local mental health treatment facility. She also does photography for Calvary Arlington, a local church that meets at the Arlington Music Hall.

“I hope to work with the Domestic Violence population once I graduate,” said Torres. Not surprising for a determined young lady who seems to make an impression everywhere she goes.
Park Place Motorcars Arlington is a 91,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz dealership located at I-20 and Collins that opened December 2015.

July 14, 2016

Park Place Porsche partners with Cattle Baron’s Ball to unveil the new 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster

Completely redesigned 718 Boxster and Boxster S feature new flat-four turbo engine with increased horsepower and torque

More than 325 guests recently attended the unveiling of the new 2017 Porsche 718 Boxster at Park Place Porsche. The event also kicked off the Cattle Baron’s Ball raffle benefiting the American Cancer Society, which features a chance to win a new Porsche 718 Boxster; a $10,400 Rolex Sea-Dweller from Eiseman Jewels NorthPark Center; a $10,000 Personal Shopping Experience at Highland Park Village; a 7-Night Stay at the Esperanza Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico; a $10,000 debit card from PlainsCapital Bank; and a Susie Straubmueller python tote and clutch.

“The new 718 Boxster is stunning,” said Patrick Huston, General Manager of Park Place Porsche. “It’s quicker and more responsive and was very well received by our guests. We’re pleased to partner with Cattle Baron’s Ball to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. They do a great job of keeping much of the money raised right here as it is applied to cutting-edge research projects at UT Southwestern, Baylor Research Institute and the UT School of Public Health.

Park Place Porsche and partners offered a sumptuous selection of palate pleasers from Wild Salsa and Chop House Burger Restaurants plus spirited sips, including the Milagro Ancho-Rita and Monkey Shoulder Summer Smash with specialty beers Local Buzz and Modelo and wines Gabbiano Promessa Pinot Grigio and BV Coastal Pinot Noir. Guests also enjoyed a personal appearance by PlainsCapital Bank’s mascot Mo the Buffalo.

The new Porsche 718 Boxster (MSRP $57,050) and 718 Boxster S (MSRP $69,450) come equipped with 2.0 liter and 2.5 liter, flat-four cylinder turbo engines, respectively. The 718 Boxster delivers 300 horsepower AT 280 lb-ft torque, going from 0 – 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The 718 Boxster S offers 350 hp, 309 lb-ft, to rocket from 0 – 60 mph in 4 seconds.

While the look is very similar to the outgoing model, every body part is new, with the exception of the front and rear trunks, windshield, and convertible top. Larger air intakes up front and a dazzling new Porsche-branded tail fin sets the 2017 Boxster apart from previous models. Underneath, there’s a completely retuned suspension and redesigned electric-assist steering. Both the 718 Boxster and Boxster S come equipped with Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) with electronically adjustable dampers for control that grips the road and hugs the curves. Both models come standard with a 6-speed manual, with a 7-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic with manual shifting mode optional.

The 2016 Cattle Baron’s Ball will be held Saturday, October 15th, at Gilley’s Dallas, featuring Dwight Yoakam on the VIP and Live Auction Stage and Toby Keith On the Main Stage. Over the past 40 years of events, Cattle Baron’s Ball has raised nearly $60 million towards the ongoing pursuit of a cure for cancer. For more information on the Porsche 718 Boxster raffle and other raffle prizes, go to https://www.cattlebaronsball.com/?nd=raffle_info

Park Place Porsche was recently selected as a Porsche Premier Dealer for the 19th time. Over the years, Park Place Porsche has been recognized by Porsche Cars North America as the most consistently winning Porsche dealer in North America. Park Place Porsche is located at 6113 Lemmon Avenue, near Dallas’ Love Field.

June 22, 2016June 24, 2016

Behind the Badge: Mercedes-Benz

A shining star on a postcard led to the creation of the world-recognized symbol that represents Mercedes-Benz today.

The history of Mercedes-Benz and their vision to be “the best or nothing” extends as far back as the late 1800’s. Gottlieb Daimler originally founded Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) in 1890 while Carl Benz began Benz & Cie in 1883. Both businesses helped lay the foundation of motorized road transportation. After Daimler passed away in 1900, chief engineer Wilhelm Maybach took over and brought-on Austrian-born businessman and racing enthusiast- Emil Jellinek as a partner. Jellinek’s daughter Mercédès– her name meaning “grace” in Spanish –was the inspiration for the brand name as Jellinek popularized her name by using it as his racing pseudonym.

In 1909, Daimler’s two sons Paul and Adolf remembered a postcard their father sent their mom nearly 4-decades ago. The postcard featured a three-pointed star marking the location of his house in Germany, with the explanation that one day the star would shine over his factory and bring prosperity. (The History Behind the Mercedes-Benz Brand and the Three-pointed Star; by eMercedes-Benz) DMG took the star as the company’s logo. At the same time, Benz & Cie trademarked its own logo: a laurel wreath surrounding the company’s name.

On June 28, 1926 representatives of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) and Benz & Cie. signed the agreement for the merger of the two oldest automobile manufacturers in the world.

This marked the birth of Daimler AG and its globally renowned trademark: the three pointed star inside a laurel wreath.

The merger created the foundation for the present-day Daimler corporation. This alone shows the sustainable staying power of the historic merger. The economic conditions in Germany after the First World War were difficult. The same applied to the automobile industry and affected even prestigious companies like DMG and Benz & Cie. – “Germany’s two oldest and largest automobile factories”, as stated in the public announcement of the merger in 1926.

The merger was symbolized by the new brand logo of Mercedes-Benz, which was registered as a new trademark in February 1925. It connected the Mercedes star of Daimler with the laurel wreath of Benz.

The two original trademarks originated in the year 1909 and were continuously further developed until 1926. This was how the two companies began to hone up their presence in the signs system of the automobile industry at an early stage. In the early advertisements and other publications of Daimler-Benz AG, the former logos were therefore frequently shown together with the new brand name of Mercedes-Benz.

So what does the three-pronged star actually represent? According to Mercedes-Benz, it symbolizes the automaker’s drive toward universal motorization with its engines dominating the land, sea, and air (three points). This emblem and symbol further promotes their vision to be the leading luxury automobile brand, perfectly characterized by their slogan of “the best or nothing.”

For information about any Mercedes-Benz models, please contact:

Richard Wasson at Park Place Motorcars Arlington (817) 807-4811; RWasson@10.2.54.33

Zach Gilbert at Park Place Motorcars Dallas (214) 443-8212; ZGgilbert@10.2.54.33

Walter Reed at Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth (817) 263-3618; WReed@10.2.54.33

Matt McPherson at Park Place Motorcars Grapevine (817) 310-7361: MMcPherson@10.2.54.33

June 15, 2016

Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular Another Success

The 14th Annual Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Game Show Spectacular was another great success. Park Place Dealerships is a proud sponsor of the event, which benefits the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and supports numerous initiatives including the construction of the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy at Mercy Street Sports Complex in West Dallas.

The theme for the 2016 Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play was “Fields of Dreams.”

“Park Place Dealerships has been the presenting sponsor of this event since its inception in 2002,” said Rob Sumner, Park Place Dealerships’ director of marketing. “This event has it all: celebrity sightings, great entertainment, and most importantly, an opportunity to raise funds for our community where it is most needed. Working with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation every year is a great experience and partnership as we have similar goals in helping kids maximize their potential.”

Last year’s Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play event raised more than $610,000 for the Rangers Baseball Foundation. Celebrating its 25th year, the Foundation has given back more than $14 million to help area children. The Foundation provides support for youth baseball programs, youth education, youth health, and youth in crisis.

“The Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy really will be a field where dreams come true,” said Karin Morris, executive director of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. “This state-of-the-art facility will provide children across North Texas with a safe place to play baseball and softball. In addition to providing year-round baseball and softball instruction, the Academy will host tournaments, coaching clinics, and skills camps. It will also give young students access to tutoring programs, college prep classes, college and career fairs, financial literacy and internship programs, and MLB industry alternative career workshops.”

The Park Place Dealerships Texas Rangers Triple Play features live and silent auctions, which gives fans the opportunity to bid on fabulous live and silent auction items such as trips to see the Rangers play at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Colorado’s Coors Field, and Houston’s Minute Maid Park, private hitting and pitching lessons with current Rangers players, and many other exclusive Rangers experiences.

One of the evening’s highlights is the Rangers’ players competing against each other in a pair of game shows. This year’s competitions saw the return of the very popular Fielders Feud and Minute to Win It.

The Texas Rangers players, coaches, and front office personnel attend the event so guests get unique access to players and management for autographs and to get a picture with a favorite player. Every year guests remark how much they enjoyed the up close and personal interaction with players and coaches.