Park Place Dealerships Recognized As Winners Of Prestigious Manufacturer Awards

At Park Place Dealerships, we pride ourselves on being Experts in Excellence. That statement extends throughout our organization, and multiple dealerships, with the lofty goal of providing an extraordinary automotive purchase and ownership experience. As a result of that goal, we are proud to announce that several of our dealerships have received awards from their respective manufacturers for maintaining the integrity and excellent client service that should be expected from a luxury automotive dealership.

Park Place Dealerships Awards

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Park Place Motorcars Dallas, Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, and Park Place Motorcars Grapevine have received the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best Dealership Recognition Award based on outstanding performance in 2012. This award, presented annually, goes to the top performing Mercedes-Benz dealerships for demonstrating superior performance in various areas of their business.

“These dealers are exemplary representative of the Mercedes-Benz brand: an entrepreneurial spirit fueled by a commitment to excellence and strengthened by a total focus on customer satisfaction,” said Steve Cannon, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

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Park Place Porsche Dallas was once again recognized for the 17th consecutive year in 2013 through the Porsche Premier Dealership Program, which identifies the top 25 Porsche Dealers in North America. The Porsche Premier Dealer designation recognizes and rewards those Porsche Dealerships that best embrace the Porsche Business Model – achieving the highest performance among their peers in Brand utilization, product representation and the development of key Porsche business drivers; and in doing so, succeed as independent entrepreneurs who routinely exceed the expectations of their Porsche customers.

Recognition as a Porsche Premier Dealer bestows the pride and prestige of being named one of the most highly regarded Porsche dealerships in North America, ad Park Place Porsche Dallas is driven to continue our commitment to excellence that gained us this distinction.

Pride of Jaguar

Park Place Jaguar Plano has been awarded the Pride of Jaguar Retailer Excellence Award. The award is the highest honor a Jaguar dealer can receive, and 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.

“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.

Elite of Lexus

The Elite of Lexus award is reserved for those dealers who excel at everything they do. From sales and service to the overall ownership experience, these dealerships are truly in a class all their own. Lexus bestows this honor on only a very select group of dealerships, based on customer ratings and a rigorous series of operational and certification requirements. We are honored to say that Park Place Lexus Plano has earned this prestigious award 19 times and Park Place Lexus Grapevine earned it the past 11 consecutive years.

The 2013 Jaguar XF : A New Supercharged V6 and Much More

2013 Jaguar XF Dallas

From its lightweight aluminum spaceframe construction to its bold styling, the XF has carved out a niche as a fun alternative to traditional luxury sedans by offering unparalleled driving involvement and agility.

Even though Jaguar’s flagship had a refresh just two years ago, the company isn’t resting on its laurels. A pair of new engines, a new transmission and all wheel drive are some of the new features which have been added this year to keep the 2013 Jaguar XF on top. For the first time in recent memory, buyers will be able to get a car which not only has the looks and agility expected from a Jaguar, they’ll be able to get this driving experience while being able to beat its rivals at the gas pump. Here are some of the key highlights to the XF:

Jaguar XF Dallas

Supercharged V6: Jaguar Returns to the Six Cylinder
Name any classic Jaguar, and chances are that it came equipped with a six cylinder: The XJ, XK120 and even the E-type were all built around these engines, and they had no problem beating their V8-powered rivals. The company is finally returning to this design with the introduction of the first new Jaguar engine in fifteen years: a supercharged 3.0 liter V6 based on the AJ V8.

The designers did a lot more than merely cut off a couple cylinders and called it a day. A new, more compact supercharger combined with a water to air intercooler and a re-engineered combustion chamber help this engine produce 335 hp and 331 lb-ft. of torque. While the cylinder may be 50 hp and 49 lb-ft. of torque less than the outgoing 5.0 liter V8, the new V6’s flatter powerband and lower weight provides almost identical on-road performance.

The innovation extends past the motor: Counterbalancing and redesigned engine mounts eliminate vibration, giving the V6-powered XF all the smoothness of its eight cylinder cousin. The new stop/start system also cuts fuel consumption in stop-and-go driving, yet is so quick the motor is running before the driver has time to move his or her foot from the brake pedal over to the accelerator.

If it drives like the V8, is as quiet as the V8 and is as smooth as the V8, then why go for the V6? According to EPA estimates, fuel economy has gone up two mpg in both city and highway driving, saving drivers thousands in fuel costs over the life of the vehicle while providing performance superior to its six cylinder rivals.

Four Cylinder: Hybrid Economy Without Hybrid Complexity
After a very positive reception in the Land Rover Evoque, parent company Tata has decided to send the SUV’s turbocharged 2.0 liter four cylinder over to Jaguar for use in their cars, starting with the XF. The lightest engine in Jaguar’s history, this motor provides 240 hp and 251 lb-ft. of torque allowing the car to go from 0 to 60 in 7.5 seconds. EPA estimated fuel economy figures have yet to be released, but highway fuel economy should be at least 29 mpg on the highway, handily beating heavier, more complex and far more expensive rivals like the Mercedes Benz S400 Hybrid.

Supercharged V8s: Ultimate Performance
The supercharged 5.0 liter V8 continues to be available in 470 hp tune in the XF Supercharged and 510 hp tune in the XFR. New this year is the Speed Pack, bringing aerodynamic and suspension improvements which allow the XFR to hit a top speed of 174 mph. Like the V6, the V8s also get the stop/start system for improved fuel economy.

All Wheel Drive: More Traction and More Speed
Buyers now have the option of ordering their V6-powered XF with Jaguar’s new Intelligent All Wheel Drive system. This computer-controlled system gathers information on wheel speed, braking and steering angles to provide the right amount of power to each tire. Not only does this improve traction in bad weather, the system adjusts to body movement for better handling and quicker launches.

Eight Speed Transmission: Fast Shifting and Increased Smoothness
The six speed automatic has been replaced by a new 8 speed ZF automatic, improving fuel economy and power. Thanks to some clever tuning by Jaguar engineers, drivers can switch gears using the paddle shifters with all the speed of a DSG transmission but without the associated weight penalty.

New Stereos
Bowers and Wilkins stereos are returning to Jaguar, providing stunning audio performance while drawing less power. Standard on the XF is a 380 watt, 14 speaker system with the option of a 825 watt, 20-speaker unit. Both systems can stream via Bluetooth, a pair of USB ports or Auxiliary jacks. HD radio is included, as is a single-slot CD player with a “virtual” CD changer held on a 30 GB hard drive. The system can copy and hold audio from up to 10 CDs, eliminating the wait needed to swap discs in a traditional changer.

Without a doubt, Jaguar is definitely starting off the New Year by maintaining their top spot for 2013 luxury sedans. Click here to see the new 2013 Jaguar arrivals at Park Place Jaguar.

Park Place Jaguar Plano Announced As The Best Dealership To Work For By Automotive News

Best Dealership to work for Jaguar Plano

On Wednesday October 17th, 2012, during an evening ceremony at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago, Automotive news announced the rankings for their “100 Best Dealerships To Work For.” We are honored to say that not only was Park Place on that list, but Park Place Jaguar Plano landed at number one!

Best Dealership to work for Jaguar PlanoSince welcoming the Jaguar Plano dealership into the Park Place family, there have been drastic changes in the way the dealership looks, feels, and most importantly, how it operates. As you walk through the dealership, you will meet an incredible team of Park Place Members who are devoted to serving our clients with the utmost in care and integrity, with a focus on our continuous goal of being “Experts in Excellence”. Everyone knows that there are a lot of moving parts to make a client’s experience outstanding, from the moment they pick up the phone to talk with us or walk into the dealership, to the time they leave with a smile, and this award is an astounding testament to the fact that providing an excellent experience cannot be achieved without stringent hiring practices, training, and guidance that allows a team to work as a whole towards a common goal.

To be known as the number one dealership to work for in the country is truly an amazing accomplishment for us and we are thankful for the team that helps us achieve it every day. In the words of Park Place Dealerships’ Founder and Chairman, Kenneth Schnitzer, “You can have the prettiest buildings in the world and the best cars in the world, but if you don’t have people who are knowledgeable and well trained to deliver outstanding client service, then you’re wasting your time.”

We are so proud to receive this recognition, and hope that you will visit us at Park Place Jaguar Plano to see for yourself how special a dealership experience can truly be.

For more information about Automotive News’ “100 Best Dealerships To Work For”, you can read about the award at the Automotive News website.

2014 Jaguar F-TYPE Specs Released


The launch of the F‐TYPE at the Paris Motor Show is one of the most exciting and anticipated events in the automotive industry: speculated by the press, fearfully watched by competitors and eagerly awaited by enthusiasts. The car being delivered is better, faster and more beautiful than anything predicted, feared or hoped for. It is an exceptional sports car that will ignite passion in drivers the world over, a true heir to the incredible performance heritage of Jaguar. At launch, the F‐TYPE will come exclusively in a convertible body style with three trim levels, primarily differentiated using performance and dynamic features rather than rising equipment levels:

– F‐TYPE with a 340 horsepower supercharged V6

– F‐TYPE S with a 380 horsepower supercharged V6

– F‐TYPE V8 S with a 495 horsepower supercharged V8

Like every Jaguar product launch the F‐TYPE is boldly looking to the future, but does so standing on the shoulders of giants. This car’s commitment to living up to its unmatched heritage is clear from its name – called the F‐TYPE, it is the spiritual successor to the great C‐, D‐ and E‐TYPE cars of the past. But a bloodline and name is not enough: we could not just call it FTYPE, we had to make it F‐TYPE.

As a new sports car, the first question most people will ask is: how fast is it? With the F-TYPE V8 S running from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds, and a top speed of 186mph, the simple answer is: very. All engine variants benefit from the following:

– Supercharged engines for linear and immediate power delivery.

– Aluminum platform to save weight and increase performance.

– Double‐wishbone suspension for tremendous grip and handling.

– Front‐engine, rear‐drive layout with near perfect weight distribution for exceptional balance.

High power and low weight means effortless speed. By combining powerful engines with an all-aluminum body the F‐TYPE achieves high power to weight ratios for each model to deliver a car that is fast, lively and responsive.

F-TYPE STYLE

The look of the F‐TYPE has purity and simplicity, which gives it lasting beauty. The proportions and stance are uncompromised, for a look of poised muscularity and latent energy. It is the new shape of Jaguar sports cars, which takes the themes established by the Jaguar sedans and evolves them.

Two bold strokes, called ‘heartlines’, define the signature look of the F‐TYPE. These two lines were the first strokes penned by the designers to define the shape:

– The first heartline starts with the blade bisecting the shark gill grille openings of the bumper, runs through the headlights, and over the top of the front fenders before elegantly fading in the doors. This sweeping line is mirrored by the feature line that runs back from the side vent. The top of the side vent meets the lower edge of the clamshell hood, and the vent itself is stamped with the Jaguar name. An additional ‘lightcatcher’ surface detail above the side sills allows the door surface to wrap around the side of the car, creating a fuselage effect.

– The second heartline begins at rear edge of the door, rising to create the powerful haunch over the rear fenders, emphasizing that the car is rear wheel drive. It then wraps around in an unbroken curve, forming a low, wide and elegant tail.

The width of the tail is emphasized by the slim, full‐LED tail lamps that wrap all the way around the fenders almost to the trailing edge of the rear wheel arches. The tail of the vehicle actually tucks inwards creating the impression that the car is actively waiting to leap forward into action.

F-TYPE POWER

The F‐TYPE powertrain lineup is headlined by three supercharged engines: two V6 and one V8. The V6 is the new 3.0 liter, which is a version of the acclaimed Jaguar 5.0 liter V8. The key to those impressive power figures:

– Roots‐type vortex superchargers, mounted in the ‘V’ of the engines.

– Intercoolers to reduce intake air temperature and improve power and efficiency.

– Superchargers that ensure no lag and immediate power delivery, so that the F‐TYPE engines are responsive and eager to rev.

The engines of each F‐TYPE model are mated to a new 8‐speed ‘QuickShift’ automatic from ZF. It features closely spaced ratios and is specifically engineered for this sports car application with shifts that are shorter and more immediate, with almost no perceptible interruption of torque delivery in shifts. In the past an automatic transmission in a sports car would have been unthinkable, but this new generation of transmission has none of the compromises and all of the benefits:

– Limited power interruption during shifts.

– Once in 2nd gear, a clutch mechanism locks the torque converter to create a direct mechanical connection between the engine and the driven wheels for more direct and responsive feel.

– Adaptive Shift strategy responds and tailors shifts to how the car is being driven, from relaxed to aggressive.

– Corner Recognition interacts with other vehicle systems to recognize if the car is in a bend to prevent upshifts while cornering.

– Full manual control via paddles mounted to the steering wheel, or using the new SportShift selector in the center console.

– Complete driver control when shifting manually: in Dynamic Mode the transmission will not automatically upshift, even at redline

– Throttle blips on downshifts when in Dynamic Mode to match engine and gear speeds for smoother shifts.

– Responsive acceleration through closely spaced gears 1 to 6.

– Better highway fuel economy through the overdrive gears (7th and 8th).

With power and performance being the deciding factor in the success of a sports car, the F-TYPE is poised to take the competition by storm, but the luxury and refinement that makes a Jaguar so unique has not been forgotten. A car of this caliber is certain to turn heads, and with sales expected to begin in May of 2013, the wait is nearly over to experience this incredible journey as Jaguar begins it’s push back into the luxury sports car arena.

For more information about the legendary new F-TYPE and when it will be available, feel free to reach out to your favorite Park Place Jaguar Sales Consultant and check back on our blog for more news!

Jaguar Partners With Gilt.com For The Ultimate Luxury Deal

If you aren’t familiar with Gilt.com, it is an online shopping site where one can find deals on such luxurious items as vintage watches, designer shoes, made-to-order clothing lines, and a variety of other lifestyle items for those with a refined taste. One thing you don’t usually see on the site, however, is a car. You might ask, but a browse around their online store tells the story. Gilt is an online retailer that doesn’t simply sell products, but showcases the highest quality, most unique, and most coveted items available. It took a special partnership with Jaguar to create a deal that fit this model, and now you have the opportunity to reap the benefits.

With the launch of Jaguar’s ultra-luxury sedan, the 2013 XJL Ultimate, they have taken a step into the world of beautiful luxury design, cutting edge technology, and the addition of details that the truly discriminating luxury automotive enthusiast dreams about. Long comfortable drives with the world at your fingertips through wirelessly connected iPads, digital screens, hidden workspaces, and control of your own automotive experience become readily available in this a vehicle. All while chilling a bottle of the finest champagne with two bespoke champagne flutes within the beautifully designed center console extending between the rear seats.

So, what sort of deal, you may ask, could you add to this amazing vehicle to make it better? This is where the Gilt partnership comes in. On Friday, September 21st, at 12pm ET, the ultimate luxury package will be available for Gilt members to purchase.

The Package Includes:

The opportunity to reserve for purchase at a Jaguar Retailer, an All-New 2013 Jaguar XJL Ultimate, in a “Designers Choice”, Polaris White exterior with jet black interior trim for $155,000 MSRP*. The buyer will reserve the vehicle online and will complete purchase through the buyer’s local Jaguar Retailer. The Retailer will be contacted by Jaguar to receive the buyer contact information to finalize the purchase and coordinate vehicle delivery.

Upon purchase of the vehicle, the buyer will receive a roundtrip airfare for two to London; a stay in the Jaguar suite at 51 Buckingham Gate; a gourmet dinner cooked in suite by a world renowned Michelin-starred chef; a meet and greet with Jaguar’s Design Team; and a bottle of chilled Lanson Champagne. 

The buyer will also receive a $2,500 Gilt credit to spruce up the buyer’s wardrobe for the trip to London.

Don’t miss out on this never before seen partnership between Jaguar and Gilt, and make your way over to Gilt.com at noon ET on Friday September 21st to stake your claim on this amazing opportunity.

*MSRP excludes destination, delivery fee, tax, title, license and other local fees.

Forbes’ Most Beautiful Cars of 2012

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The definition of beauty is a highly subjective matter, one that hinges on personal opinions and emotions, but as a whole, it’s pretty easy to agree that Forbes did a fantastic job in coming up with their list of the “Most Beautiful Cars of 2012.”

With incredible Italian, English, Danish, and German examples of automotive artistry, this “top 9” list pulls from a broad spectrum to excite your visual sense. Even more exciting, in our personal opinion, is that 5 of the top 9 most beautiful cars of 2012 can be found in a local Park Place Dealership.

For the full list, you can read Forbes’ “Most Beautiful Cars Of 2012” here, or check out the gorgeous cars on the list that can be found at Park Place Dealerships below!

Jaguar F-Type

To be perfectly honest, you can’t actually see the F-Type in our showroom yet because it hasn’t been released, but it’s easy to see why this re-animation of Jaguar’s sports-car heritage made it on the list

McLaren MP4-12C and 12C Spider

Based on styling cues and technology straight out of F1 racing, this entirely carbon fiber supercar truly is a thing of beauty, with the power to back it up. The flawless, sweeping lines of the body are completely uninterrupted as you will find a lack of hardware, with the incredibly unique dihedral doors opening with a high-tech touch interface rather than traditional handles.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

AMG took the lead in designing both the body and powertrain for this impressive, aircraft inspired, example of AMG engineering. Want to turn heads in a classically styled, modern behemoth of a car? This is a brilliant choice.

Bentley Mulsanne

The Mulsanne blends the best of yesteryear with today’s modern touches. Plush interior, supercar power, and refined design prove where Bentley’s focus stands, the pure joy of the driving experience. That is evident in this quote from Car and Driver, “As extravagant and comfortable as the Mulsanne is, its most impressive trait is its poise.”

Maserati GranTurismo Sport

If your tastes hail from Italy, this inspiring GT car is as good as it gets. With bold lines, an almost sinister style, Italian engineering under the hood, and all of the refinement you’ve come to expect from Maserati in the cabin, this is a car that can scare you and put a smile on your face at the same time.

Park Place Jaguar Plano Named One of the Best Dealerships to Work For by Automotive News

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Only Local Dealership to be Recognized

PLANO, TX (July 16, 2012) – Park Place Jaguar Plano earned the distinction of being named one of the Best Dealerships to Work For by Automotive News in 2012.  Automotive News partnered with Best Companies Group to identify 100 dealerships in the U.S. and Canada that have excelled in creating quality workplaces for employees. The program measured workplace satisfaction through a confidential survey of employers and employees.

“This recognition reinforces our commitment to hire and train individuals who enjoy being a part of a bigger team who ultimately provide the client with a great experience,” said Jordan Case, president of Park Place Jaguar Plano. “Our members have created a culture that is one-of-a-kind and centers around teamwork and strong leadership.”

The list of the 2012 Best Dealerships to Work For was published in the July 9 issue of Automotive News. The top 100 dealerships will be ranked and revealed at the Best Dealerships to Work For program and gala awards dinner on Oct. 17, 2012 at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago.

For complete information about the Best Dealerships to Work For from Automotive News visit www.autonews.com/bestdealerships.

Looking to join a great team and work at one of the Top 100 Best Dealerships to Work For? Check out our careers page and get started! http://jobs.parkplacetexas.com/

 

 

 

 

Park Place Jaguar Plano and Lotus of Plano names General Manager Mike Cuzzo

Jaguar Plano General Manager

Plano, TX (July 13, 2012) – Mike Cuzzo has been named General Manager of Park Place Jaguar Plano and Lotus of Plano. Cuzzo joined Park Place Dealerships, Dallas/Fort Worth’s premier luxury automobile group, in August of 2010 as General Sales Manager of Park Place Lexus in Mission Viejo, California. Cuzzo then moved to Park Place Lexus Plano where sales, member morale, and client satisfaction soared.

During his tenure at Lexus Plano, Cuzzo served as a leader in the Circle of Excellence program, a group whose charter is to raise money in support of local community charities. Within the first six months of his leadership, this group has more than doubled charitable contributions.
 
Cuzzo has worked for almost two decades in the automotive industry. He started his career in 1994 as a salesman for a Honda dealership in Orange County and was quickly promoted to Sales Manager. In 2005, Cuzzo became General Manager of Ford and Mazda of Orange. Cuzzo joined Park Place in 2010 at Park Place Lexus Mission Viejo.
 
Mike Cuzzo lives with his wife and two sons in Frisco.
 
Park Place Jaguar and Lotus of Plano are located 4422 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas 75093.
Jaguar Plano General Manager
Mike Cuzzo; The new general manager of Jaguar Plano and Lotus of Plano

Design Inspirations For Jaguar C-X16 Interior

Julian Thompson, Advanced Design Director for Jaguar Cars and Alister Whelan, the Design Director for the C-X16,  discuss the inspirations and details of the interior of the stunning Jaguar C-X16 Concept. The result is a super-luxurious and well-thought out design brought to life with the finest materials, rich textures, and unparalleled craftsmanship.