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Park Place Partners with Arlington ISD

Park Place Motorcars Arlington General Manager, Terry Powell, recently presented Arlington ISD Assistant Superintendent, Michael Hill, with a check in support of the Arlington ISD Education Foundation.

Education is one of Park Place’s main pillars of giving back and since 2017, the dealership has donated $10,000 to the Arlington ISD Education Foundation. In addition, Park Place Motorcars Arlington’s Circle of Excellence held a coat drive and other initiatives in support of the district.

Located at I-20 and Collins in Arlington, the 91,000-square-foot Mercedes-Benz dealership recently showcased the all-new 2019 A-Class, an entry-level luxury compact for today’s tech-savvy driver. Test drives are available for the A-Class and all other available models at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

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4 Reasons Why the New 2020 GLE is an SUV ‘Game Changer’

This year Mercedes-Benz has taken on a new level of luxury with game changing technology at class breaking price points. It began with release of the new A-Class with base models coming in around $32,500, and now it’s time to take that new innovative vigor to the world of SUVs. 

Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, states they are “committed to shaping a new era of mobility in which the focus is on the customer.” Introducing the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE, equipped with  MBUX Infotainment, elevated interior comfort, efficient performance, and an attractive exterior design. 

So here’s a short walk through, from our own Park Place Mercedes-Benz experts of 4 reasons why this SUV is worth a test drive.

1. GLE Exterior Re-Design

The GLE showcases its attractive new front fascia with striking front headlights with its ultra wide beam of the LED Intelligent Light System projecting the maximum light intensity. A terrific sight at night when leaving the office or dinner party.

As you walkaround the GLE, you will appreciate the dominant presence the mid-size SUV has from the side profile. Illuminated running boards and enhanced wheel options add fresh flavor to the GLE’s character. The rear LED taillights also had additional flare and supportive awareness for drivers.

2. MBUX Infotainment

As soon as one opens the door to a 2020 GLE, you’ll see the dramatic dashboard developments. Two 12.3 inch digital screens dominate the dashboard and invite users to engage with the widescreen technology. The instrumental cluster features two dials with informative Mercedes vehicle alerts and notifications.

The COMAND multimedia screen has now morphed into the MBUX infotainment screen that allows users to engage with a touchscreen monitor. Previous generation GLEs only allowed use of a COMAND controller or touchpad near the center console. Artificial intelligence also crafts the user experience as you can activated the voice recognition by saying, “Hey, Mercedes.”

3. Interior Comfort

A significant development for all occupants is the increase in the GLE’s wheelbase. An additional 3.1 inches have been added to the SUV as rear passengers earn significantly more legroom.

The front passengers are not ignored in the comfort arena thanks to an optional ENERGIZING Comfort system. With amazing blends of lighting, massages, and music available to passengers, one can set the mood on the drive to the gym by yourself or the drive to brunch with your date.

4. Efficient Performance

The 2020 GLE350 sports a new 2.0L Inline-4 cylinder turbo engine improving fuel efficiency and maintaining 255 HP in addition to the 273 lb-ft torque from the previous generation SUV line. Drivers will also enjoy a fluid 9-speed transmission that allows for quicker response times during a daily commute. To enjoy a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine, one would have to purchase a GLE450 that upgrades performance to 367 HP and 369 lb – ft torque.

If you have interest in upgrading from your current SUV model to a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE, visit Park Place to view our current demos and stay tuned for more inventory.

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CARROLL EDUCATION FOUNDATION GALA TO BE HELD MAY 18 IN KELLER

Carroll Education Foundation (CEF) has been integral in supplementing funds for teachers and educators to bridge the gap between state funding and the needs of the teachers to provide a quality education to Dragon students. For the past 11 years, Park Place Dealerships has supported CEF and will be the presenting sponsor of the Carroll Education Foundation Gala next month.

With a theme of “A Night with Carroll Superstars,” the CEF Gala will be held Saturday, May 18 at The Bowden in Keller. The CISD Superstar Teachers will be revealed. The event is already 85% sold. More information is available at carrolleducationfoundation.org/annual-gala/

Gary Venner, Robert Hinkle, Kathy Talley, Leighanne Christon and Matt Woolsey at the Carroll Education Foundation reception at Park Place Motorcars in Grapevine, Texas on April 4 2019. (Michael Ainsworth)

A kick-off reception was recently held at Park Place Motorcars Grapevine in conjunction with the launch of the all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan and the new GLE SUV.

Starting at a base price of $33,000, the sporty new A-Class is the entry-level luxury compact for today’s tech-savvy driver. With advanced voice recognition software, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the car responds to commands and requests much like the smart phones. Powered by a turbocharged inline 4-cyclinder engine that pumps out 188 horsepower, and driven by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with manual shifting, this peppy sedan can go from 0-to-60 mph in about six seconds.

The fourth-generation GLE, priced at $58,000, is king of the mid-sized SUVs. Standing tall on the new “Modular High Architecture” platform, the GLE looks great and performs even better. Both come with Mercedes’ nine-speed automatic transmission.

Both models also feature dual 12.3-inch screens mounted side by side on the dash, one for virtual gauges and the other for the infotainment touchscreen. Simply say, “Hey, Mercedes,” and the new MBUX system’s voice-command feature will respond to commands such as “Find the nearest restaurant,” and it will set the destination in the navigation system. Say, “I’m cold,” and it’ll raise the interior temperature. Like your smart phone, the more you use it the more it gets to know your preferences.

ABOUT CARROLL EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Carroll Education Foundation’s mission is to build financial support from the community and corporate partners to ensure excellence in education for all students in CISD.

ABOUT PARK PLACE DEALERSHIPS

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

 

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Skyline High School Visits Park Place for Automotive Career Preview

Students from Skyline High School in Dallas ISD got a unique look into working at a luxury dealership upon graduation. Park Place Dealerships hosted more than 40 students from Skyline this morning for a tour of the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche dealerships on Lemmon Avenue.

The students were able to explore the service areas, showrooms, training rooms, and parts departments of both dealerships and learn about jobs within the company, including access to unique technician opportunities. Park Place regularly provides students with access to master technicians, general managers, human resources, service managers, and leadership from the company so students can personally see the opportunities that are available to them.

One of the most popular questions asked today was, “how much money can I make by working at Park Place?” Cam Mayfield, service director at Park Place, responded with an overview of pay for different jobs. The student’s eyes lit up when they heard a master certified technician has the potential to be paid upwards of six figures at Park Place.

Because of the company’s growth, Park Place is continually looking to develop the highest quality technicians for its 16 full-service dealerships located across Dallas-Fort Worth.  Park Place hired numerous high school graduates as technicians in 2018. 

To learn more on how to apply or refer a future technician to our DFW programs visit Park Place Careers.

 

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and represents luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

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West Texas Roots Run Deep, a #MyParkPlace Moment

The intersection of education and sports
 forever changed two local men’s lives. From young athlete, to coach, to client, Dr. Nate Hearne shares his perspective on trust.

Dr. Nate Hearne grew up in poverty: one of eight children living in a small three-room house that lacked indoor plumbing. His mother worked as a domestic helper and his father a gas station attendant in a small West Texas town. He struggled with trust issues. But he left a lasting legacy on many young people along the way.

“I grew up wearing hand-me-down clothes with patches sewn on them,” says Dr. Hearne.  “I hated elementary school. I wanted to quit. But when I started seventh grade, I had a science teacher, Mr. Clyde Hague, who greeted me every day with a smile, a firm handshake, and an encouraging word. Because of his affirmations in the classroom, I came to a self-awareness that those C’s and D’s I made in elementary school were not an indication of my intelligence.”

Dr. Hearne met another strong influencer when he tried out for seventh grade football.

“Because of my football coach, Mark Wallace, who affirmed me on the field every day, I came to the awareness that those clothes with patches on them and holes in my shoes were not indications of who I was going to be.”

Athlete to Coach to Client

Hearne went from being a kid who hated school to wanting to be a coach and a science teacher.

“Those men saved my life.  I continued making good grades. I went to high school and made the honor roll. I attended college on an academic scholarship.  I coached football and taught science for 25 years. And the only reason I went into teaching and coaching was to live out those two men’s legacies. Every athlete that I coached, I wanted to give him that big Coach Wallace hug and tell them, ‘I knew you could do it.’ I wanted to affirm every student that came into my classroom as Mr. Hague had done for me.’’

Friday Night Lights

Dr. Hearne was an assistant coach in the Permian High School football program when they won six State Championships. In 1988, an author followed Permian through their football season and wrote “Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and A Dream,” which made the New York Times “Top Ten Bestsellers” List. In 2004, the film was released. A few years later the television show became an Emmy-Award winning series.

“When my book, “Friday Night Lights: Untold Stories from Behind the Lights” was released, many former students reconnected with me,” said Dr. Hearne. “One of those students was Tony Carimi. I was his basketball coach when he was a 16-year-old high school sophomore. Recently, Tony invited me to speak at the annual executive leadership meeting for his company, Park Place Dealerships, and we reminisced about the good ol’ days.”

A Coach’s Impact

Today, Tony Carimi is the Chief Operating Officer at Irving–based Park Place Dealerships.

“Coach, do you remember that conditioning drill you had us do called snakes?” Carimi asked. “I said, “Yes, I definitely do.”

For this drill players would run out of the main gym and up into the stands. They would run up and down the stairs, snaking their way through the stands, across all the stands. And they’d have to do this before practice even began.

“Tony could run those snakes drill all day and never break a sweat. He ran his hardest and never quit… never slowed down. I remember one day hearing the upper classmen berating Tony.”

“Carimi, slow down. You’re making the rest of us look bad, if you don’t slow down we’re going to get you after practice,” his teammate said.

“I blew the whistle to end the conditioning, and called Tony over. I looked him in the eye. ‘Carimi, don’t you EVER let anyone else dictate your behavior on this team. You have been blessed with a special gift, and I want you to use that gift every single day,’ I told him.”

“You have individuals and experiences that leave an everlasting impression on your life,” remembers Carimi. 

“Coach taught me valuable leadership and character qualities.  He invested in cultivating and growing not only great athletes but even better humans.  He personally helped maximize my potential for the short-term goal of winning a game, while planting seeds to help maximize my potential in the larger game of life.”

The Right Touch

Dr. Hearne and Carimi recently teamed up to make a dream come true for Dr. Hearne’s wife, Callie.

“I wanted to do something special for my wife’s birthday,” recalls Dr. Hearne. “As I drove by the Park Place Motorcars store in Arlington one day, I remembered how Callie always dreamed of driving a Mercedes-Benz. But I absolutely hate the car buying experience. It’s just hard for me to trust.”

Park Place has just the right touch with its “One Touch” solution, providing clients with a single person to walk them through the entire purchasing process. This allows the sales associate and client to build trust to help with all of the client’s needs.

Dr. Hearne remembered Tony was in upper management at Park Place and gave him a call.  Carimi said, ‘Coach, don’t worry about it. Call your wife and have her meet you at the dealership.’

“When she sat in the car, I asked how she liked it, said Hearne. “Of course, she said she loved it. And then I told her it was hers. Even the receptionist was crying. It was a magical moment.”

An Honor to Give Back

“For me, it is an honor to be part of something so special in his life,” said Carimi.  “To help Dr. Hearne purchase Callie’s dream car was a role that was decades in the making. For me to be a member of an organization that reflects the constant striving for excellence that he helped impress upon me as a young man, brings the story full circle.  Through my role at Park Place, combined with the relationship I have had with Dr. Hearne for more than 30 years, I was able to leave an impression on his life.” 

“My wife and I had never been treated with such respect and professionalism before in the car buying experience,” concluded Dr. Hearne. “Park Place is ‘My Place’ because it’s all about the service.”

“It is more than just games won or transactions that business creates,” said Carimi. “To know that Dr. Hearne is able to look in his rearview mirror as he leaves our dealership and say, ”wow,” makes all of those snake drills worth it!”

Miss a story? Watch Dr. Hearne’s #MyParkPlace moment online at www.ParkPlace.com/MyPlace

 

 

 

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Park Place Reveals Mobile Pop Up for all New Automotive Experiences

Park Place Dealerships revealed its new mobile pop up at the 2019 DFW Auto Show this past March. The Mobile Experience Unit will be used across DFW at events throughout North Texas to bring the Park Place brand directly to the automotive enthusiast.

“The mobile pop up gives us the opportunity to expand the presence of our brand beyond the parameters of the dealership,” said Dave Evans, Chief Marketing Officer at Park Place Dealerships. “Experiences play a huge role with customers today and are the main drivers of customer engagement. We believe the mobile pop up allows us to engage with the consumer wherever we want to take it.”

 

During the DFW Auto Show, the pop up will be onsite to deliver an inclusionary experience for everyone who stops to visit the Park Place area. The mobile unit has already provided innovative experiences for clients at both the 2018 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase and at the COTA track.

Park Place continues to be an innovator in the automotive space by developing unique offerings to expose current and potential clients to the brands. In the past year, Park Place introduced and expanded Park Place Select, an automotive subscription service.

“As a company, we must be in tune with where our clients spend their time and how they use their vehicles,” remarked Evans. “Our client’s transportation needs are as diverse as they are, and range from attending festivals and sporting events to shuttling friends and family to racing their cars, or simply enjoying life. We expect the mobile pop up will help us deliver an unparalleled, client-focused experience.”

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

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A Short History of Mercedes-AMG Prestige and Performance

The Mercedes- AMG Series is highly sought after, providing another breed of Mercedes-Benz performance to the market. Across the globe in Burgstall, Germany, the AMG was born in the year 1967 thanks to Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. What began as a passion for motorsports and a mission to develop racing engines is now an exclusive offering for the iconic luxury manufacturer.

Park Place Motorcars is Certified AMG Elite Dealer. You can actually configure your AMG dream at Park Place Motorcars Dallas in our AMG Showroom.
 

A Short History of the AMG Series:

Upon first glance, you will most likely notice that the AMG series wears a different, sportier look, where it is clear that performance is the ultimate goal without even looking directly at its engine. In 1971, AMG first made headlines with the 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, finishing first in class and 2nd overall in a 24-hour race and quickly outgrew their Burgstall mill with a stark increase in customer requests for ‘high individualized, high performance’ vehicles.  The mid-1980’s brought the Hammer, which is a Mercedes-Benz 300E that topped out at nearly 190 mph and 375 lb-ft of torque. For the time, it was a sleek and powerful machine, making its mark in the automotive performance sphere.

It wasn’t until 90s, 20 plus years after its inception, that Daimler Benz and AMG signed an official agreement of cooperation. Fast forward to 2005, and AMG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler. In that same decade, the C36 AMG became the first Mercedes-Benz AMG model marketed in the United States.

AMG and Mercedes-Benz made continuous improvements over the next decade, introducing an engine developed wholly by AMG, releasing the Black Series with SLK55 and CLK63, the groundbreaking and most powerful C-Class (the C63) in 2007, and in 2010 creating an AMG, super sports icon, the SLS AMG with gullwing doors. Fast forward to 2015, and Motor Trend selected the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S as the 2015 Best Driver’s Car saying:

“It put all 503 of its horsepower to the ground like an all-wheel0-drive supercar and gripped the road through high-speed corners like a winged racer.”

The Present of AMG: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Edition 1

Announced in May 2018, Mercedes-AMG will offer a distinctive Edition 1 with an exclusive interior and exterior appointments for the 2019 model year.  The AMG Aerodynamics package for this exclusive Edition 1 includes a larger front splitter and integrated flics in the front bumper, and optimized diffuser and a fixed rear spoiler, which can be mechanically adjusted so the driver can adjust the driver characteristics to suit their individual preferences or specific circumstances.  

The Edition 1 is only available for the top-of-the-range AMG GT 63 S model, which sports the most powerful AMG engine to date, the AMG 4.0-liter V8 bi-turbo engine. The Edition 1 can reach a top speed of 195 mph and propel a vehicle from standing start to 60 mph in an estimated 3.1 seconds.

Other recent releases of AMG models include the new Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster, an extension of the Mercedes-AMG sports car portfolio. For a full history of Mercedes-AMG, click here.

 Park Place Motorcars, an AMG Certified Elite Performance Center

AMG Certified Elite Performance Centers allow clients to experience the thrill of the brand and we assure you the AMG Showroom isn’t your typical dealership experience. Park Place Motorcars is a certified AMG Elite Performance Center, where we can provide clients with a high-performance AMG experience.  Check out the video below and view our recent delivery of twin AMG GT Rs. Powered by a twin-turbo 4-liter V-8 that produces 577 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, the rear-wheel-drive sports car accelerates from 0 – 60 mph in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 198 mph. And it’s a real head turner.

 

Configure your AMG dream at Park Place Motorcars Dallas in our AMG Showroom.
 

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Mercedes-Benz Campaign Empowers Amazing Women Contributors

Mercedes-Benz joins the automotive world in making room for women with the She’s Mercedes campaign, beginning with the story of Bertha Benz.

As the automotive world continues to shift its efforts to make room for women, Mercedes-Benz has made an effort to highlight the amazing professionals who strive to be difference makers within their communities.

Flashback to the very first long distance car ride in 1886, as Bertha Benz – wife of Karl Benz – ensured that the automobile concept that her husband had would carry out the best or nothing principle Mercedes owners enjoy today. There are so many women that strive for excellence with their tenacious grit. Unfortunately, many of these women also go unnoticed.

 

Mercedes-Benz has other ideas. The brand has inspired an initiative to empower women all over the world who aim to achieve personal and professional success. She’s Mercedes is a hub where women can connect and exchange ideas, share experiences, and learn from one another. The networking circle aims to create conversation, develop new ideas, and drive determination. Women from several backgrounds and industries are encouraged to attend events where they engage in dialogue about their career achievements, mistakes, and goals.

On March 11, 2019, Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow was a VIP guest at the “She’s Mercedes Dinner” during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas. During an interview session, Paltrow discussed with many professionals in industries ranging from business and fashion to creative and tech. The Goop founder also acknowledged the issues of balancing health, work and family life.

“It’s fantastic that we are able to welcome Gwyneth Paltrow as our guest at our ‘She’s Mercedes Dinner’ at SXSW,” said Kerstin Heiligenstetter, Head of She’s Mercedes. “As a successful actress, entrepreneur and mother she has been a role model for the power and skills of women for many years, so she embodies the objectives which we want to intensify and promote with She’s Mercedes.”

The platform has been a pillar of Mercedes’ “Best Customer Experience” strategy since 2015. The brand’s goal is to dive deeper into dialogue with women and increase the significance of the brand for the group. For more information on the initiative follow Mercedes.me/she and its social media channels on LinkedIn and Instagram. She’s Mercedes continues to grow and encourages women to join the She’s Mercedes Lounge and connect with fellow successful counterparts.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8th) during March, we must remember to appreciate the unwavering integrity our women achieve every day. Whether you’re a Golden Globe and Oscars award winning actress like Paltrow or new to the automotive industry, there are many opportunities for women to own during their careers.

If you have interest showcasing your people passion at Park Place, please visit www.parkplace.com/careers to begin or continue a career in automotive.  If you’re interested in learning more about Women in Automotive Council from a few council members, stay tuned as Park Place shares more about this dynamic initiative.  

For the Latest She’s Mercedes Campaign Visit:  Alondra De la Parra 

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The Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase is Set to Return on September 28, 2019

IRVING, Texas (March 4, 2019) – The 3rd Annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, Dallas-Fort Worth’s premier luxury lifestyle and automotive event, will return this fall to the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2019.

“The community has come out in force to support this event the last two years,” said Ken Schnitzer, Park Place Dealerships founder and chairman. “The third annual event will again showcase some of the most exotic and exciting vehicles that will please enthusiasts of all ages. What began three years ago as an engaging opportunity to celebrate our 30th anniversary has quickly turned into the foremost luxury lifestyle and automotive event in this region.”

Park Place Dealerships represents some of the most coveted brands in the world, including Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Land Rover, and Jaguar which will all be featured at the event.

In keeping with a true lifestyle event, Park Place will expand its fashion, food and retail offerings within the Porsche Pavilion. There will be music performances on the Lexus Live Stage and beverages at The Mercedes-Benz Beer Garden on the lush Four Seasons TPC Championship golf course.

Within the event will be a juried Collectors’ Concours, featuring a diverse selection of rare supercars, luxury, sports, vintage and classic cars from private collectors.  The motoring festival also will include a Car Club Expo powered by Park Up Front as well as the beloved Kid’s Zone. 

Iconic luxury shopping and dining destination, Highland Park Village, will present a runway show produced by Jan Strimple Productions for the second year. The fashion show will feature looks from prestigious brands presented exclusively in the climate-controlled pavilion on the resort grounds, with retail pop-ups for guests to shop the day of the event.

Dallas’ Mad Hatter Shane Walker will return to judge the 2019 Haute Hat Contest on The Million Air Stage with categories for stylish men and women. Guests are encouraged to pair a hat with their favorite resort-inspired ensemble.

Ranging from $25 – $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, which includes the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages from dozens of the area’s finest restaurants, tickets are on sale at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com. VIP Tickets are limited and have sold out the previous two years.

In 2018, the top Collectors’ Concours award winners were presented with the “Spirit of Park Place” hand-crafted sculpture by Dallas artist Brad Oldham:

  • Best of Show – 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB 6C
  • Chairman’s Choice Award – 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II
  • Salesmanship Club Award – 1980 BMW M1

A Thank You To Our Returning Sponsors

Returning partners include the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, VIP Lounge Sponsors Allie Beth Allman & Associates – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate|URBAN, Captain’s Lounge Sponsor Celebrity Cruises, The City of Irving, Hill & Wilkinson, Hagerty, Event Architecture, AT&T Business, AVSD Productions, Digital 3 Printing, Fauxcades Décor, Brad Oldham Sculpture, D Magazine and NBC 5.

Restaurants featured in the VIP Lounge include The French Room, LAW, III Forks, Cool River, Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Outlaw Tap Room, Kai, Toulouse, Whiskey Cake, Texas de Brazil, Princi Italia, CRU Wine and Food Bar, Pacific Table, Cork & Pig Tavern, Make Your Life Sweeter, and Carlton Provisions.

Additional sponsors include Lilium Florals, Perks & Provisions, Promo Resources, Sunnyland Furniture, RideCentric, iDesignMeetings, Marquee Event Rentals, Bachendorf’s, Jack Black, Maui Jim, Renegade Cigars, Tito’s Vodka, Peroni Beer, Waste Management, GL Seaman, Ratcliff Financial Services, Garages of Texas, Thermal Printing, and MarineMax Yachts.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

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The Mercedes-Benz A-Class: A Top Contender in the 2019 United States Luxury Market

Mercedes-Benz is introducing a new entry-level sedan to the US luxury segment that screams accessibility without compromising brand integrity. The new A-Class Sedan is an entirely new United States offering from the German manufacturer, with a starting MSRP of below $35,000. 

The only other four-door Mercedes-Benz with a starting MSRP of below 35k is the CLA, which was their first launch in the millennial market back in 2013. Now, 7 years later, the A-Class is ready to not just make its US debut, but cause quite the uproar among millennials wanting to enter the luxury segment on a budget.

In an October Forbes article Mark Aikman, general manager for marketing services for Mercedes-Benz USA commented “It’s our gateway to the Mercedes-Benz brand and will be available alongside the CLA. It will be the new entry point for the Mercedes-Benz brand.”

A Lack of Luxury Features? Hardly.

With an entry level price tag, you might assume that the features would be lacking. That is quite the opposite; Mercedes-Benz wanted to not only introduce a luxury sedan the modern millennial could afford, “but also desire.”  

The A-Class Sedan is equipped with a 2.0L inine-4 turbocharged engine, 188 hp and 221lb-ft of torque, and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. This new model is also available in a 4MATIC variant, which is All-Wheel Drive so all four tires does the same amount of work, which is great for Mercedes drivers who experience tough road conditions.

The technology systems integrate the new MBUX user experience with voice recognition based on artificial intelligence. This AI tech differs from the standard direct voice command because it incorporates natural language processing. The instrument panel and touchscreen multimedia screen come in a standard 7 inch display, with options to upgrade to a 10.25-inch versions.

“A-Class looks fantastic but the big story is really the technology inside of it. Mercedes-Benz is well known for launching latest and greatest technology inside S-Class or other higher-end models. But A-Class is the first vehicle in our lineup to get MBUX,” says Aikman in his interview with Forbes.

Other luxuries already included are dark tinted windows all-around and a large, panoramic glass roof.

Striking Self Confidence

The front exterior is highlighted by a deep panoramic grille tilted towards the front with vertical chrome inserts and the classic star in the center.  The headlamps actually provide another defining moment for the A-Class and the Mercedes-Benz brand. The grid structure on the inside of the headlamp ensures an easily recognizable look, with a special surprise.

The grid structure specials is coated with a UV paint that is exposed to ultra violet light. This makes the headlamps actually glow in different colors, depending on the light medium according the MBUSA press release.  For example, the daytime running lights are white.

The new lighting technology is mirrored in tail of the sedan. According the MBUSA, the new tail lamps were designed as “structural sculptures,” adding to the pleasing outer aesthetics of a road-worthy show car.

The New Millennial Bucket List

Ratings and reviews have been raving about the success of the A-Class Sedan, garnering an initial 4.5/5 rating on CarAndDriver.com and  cnet.com. But there’s an element of storytelling, or ‘doing it for the gram’ that adds to its affordable mystique.

Part of the success of the A-Class and subsequent campaign focuses on adding and checking-off “owning a Mercedes-Benz” to the Millennial Bucket list: “A lot of people think it’s not within reach for them today and they may be putting it off. That’s where we found an amazing correlation between a bucket list and putting that consideration of a Mercedes-Benz, and now an A-Class, on that list — and cross it off,” says Aikman.

Coming early this year, stay tuned to Park Place social media and communications for when the new A-Class officially arrives in our four Park Place Motorcars showrooms. To all Mercedes-Benz admirers the A-Class is ready to redefine the luxury sedan market, and Park Place could not be more excited to make your bucket-list dreams come true this year.

Share Your Story! Tag @parkplacetexas on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Use the tag #MyPlace for a chance to be featured.