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Rooted In Racing Heritage: McLaren Houston Named Motorsports Dealer

Over the past few months, McLaren Houston has gone through a few notable updates, both of which will contribute to an elevated McLaren experience.  First and foremost, McLaren Houston is an official member of the Park Place family of dealerships. Now you can expect the same high-performance experience, personal service, and lux amenities that make Park Place, Your Place in Houston, Texas. But that’s not all, McLaren Houston has been named an official McLaren Motorsport Dealer- one of only five in the country.  This means that we have received the green light to sell McLaren track cars, including the 570S GT4. Below we discuss McLaren’s Robust Racing heritage and how its positively influenced McLaren GT and Motorsports- bringing high performance to our clients.

Racing Heritage Translates Into the Relentless Desire to Innovate

Like many performance-driven manufacturers, McLaren is a staple name in the world of motorsports, track cars, and racing.  McLaren Racing is focused in the world of Formula 1, which, according to the company, demands excellence: “To design, build and operate a Formula 1 car at race-winning levels requires focus, ambition, imagination, dedication and microscopic attention to detail.”

Both McLaren Racing and Formula 1 have blossomed over past 5-10 years with growing racing calendars, multinational hosts, employees, and rosters. McLaren Racing’s successes are driven by a passionate desire to innovate- a heritage that translates into the whole of the McLaren Group, including McLaren Automotive. The F1 knowledge and expertise have been instrumental when developing and enhancing technology for client road cars and track cars among other things.

On the Track with McLaren GT

Established in 2011, McLaren GT’s purpose is to build and support all GT race activities. The team is housed in Surray at the former home of McLaren Racing and are responsible for the design, development, and production of 650S GT3, 570S GT4, and 650S and 57S Spring models.

McLaren Motorsports takes this wealth of racing knowledge and gives our clients the opportunity to experience McLaren track performance like never before.

Superior Track-Honed Performance Found at McLaren Houston

McLaren Houston currently has the 570S GT available for purchase. The McLaren 570S GT4, an exclusive offering of McLaren Motorsport dealers, sports an absolutely stunning carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis architecture to add strength while reducing unit weight.  This model is the first time that the MonoCell II technology has been made available in the GT4.

It’s superior track-hone performance perfect for when you’re heading out to one of the Houston area’s many racetracks. 

If you’re interested in ordering a 570S GT4 of your own or want to learn more about other McLaren Motorsport offerings at McLaren Houston- contact us at www.mclarenhouston.com.

 

 

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Calling All Car Clubs: New Opportunity and Registration Extension for Luxury & Supercar Showcase

Calling All Car Clubs – New Opportunity for Oct. 13
Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase at Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas

Deadline extended to Sept. 15 to submit cars for Collectors’ Concours 

 

Park Place Dealerships’ Selection Committee has extended the deadline to September 15 to register a vehicle for the Collectors’ Concours at the second annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase, to be held Saturday October 13, 2018 at the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas. In addition, Car Clubs are invited to enter the best of their club in a new Car Club Showcase area.

“We have already received some spectacular cars for consideration in the Collectors’ Concours,” said Brian Ratcliff, co-chair of the Judging Committee for the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase. “From vintage and classic to contemporary and supercars, we’re looking for those rare and exclusive cars that you don’t often see at area car shows. We’re also reaching out to DFW car clubs to invite them to showcase some of their best vehicles in our Car Club Showcase. The clubs will be grouped together across from the VIP Area in the Porsche Pavilion.” 

Trophies designed by Dallas sculptor Brad Oldham, best known for his Traveling Man installation in Deep Ellum, will be awarded for Best of Show, Chairman’s Choice and Salesmanship Club winners in the Collectors Concours. Awards from Bachendorf’s will also be given to Best In Class winners in each of the 10 classes, and First and Second Place winners in each class. In addition, there will be a People’s Choice Award for the Best in the Car Club Showcase.

To submit a vehicle for consideration, visit www.luxurysupercarshowcase.com and click on Register Vehicle. The show is limited to 150 selected cars that register and are approved by the Selection Committee. Once accepted there will be a $75 entry fee per vehicle, which includes two VIP All-Access Passes ($200 Value), car signage and show credentials, among other benefits. Entries for the Car Club Showcase can also sign up online. Just click on the “Car Club” tab. For more information, email info.showcase@10.2.54.33.

The luxury lifestyle event benefits the Momentous Institute, owned and operated by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1920, which is committed to building and repairing social and emotional health for children. Each year, the organization serves more than 6,000 children and family members through its nationally acclaimed Momentous School and innovative Therapeutic Services. 

Last year’s inaugural event featured more than 100 cars from private collectors in the Collector’s Showcase, including Best In Show – 1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost; Chairman’s Choice Award – 1938 Bugatti 57C Atalante; Salesmanship Club Choice Award – 1952 MG Roadster; Best In Class – VINTAGE – 1933 MG Magna L-Type Racer; Best In Class – CLASSIC – 1996 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo; Best In Class – CONTEMPORARY- 2009 Aston Martin DBS; and Best In Class – EXOTIC/SUPERCAR – 2009 Koenigsegg CCXR.

The 2018 event will feature a fashion show by Highland Park Village, live entertainment, specialty boutiques, and a Kid’s Area presented by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, featuring the North Texas Diecast Collectors Club’s interactive Hot Wheels track, freshly popped popcorn, a soda pop truck and games. Many of Dallas’ favorite food trucks will also be on scene providing a vast array of delicious options.

The 2017 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase sold out. Tickets to this year’s event range from $25 – $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP All Access, including the VIP Lounge with complimentary food and beverages. Tickets are at LuxurySupercarShowcase.com.

Participating restaurants featured in the VIP lounge include LAW, OUTLAW Taproom, Dallas Chop House Burger, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Taverna, Bistro 31, Kai, Toulouse Café and Bar, Lombardi Family Catering, Cool River Café, III Forks Restaurant, Frost 321 and Make Your Life Sweeter, as well as several other restaurants.

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

Partners to date include the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Allie Beth Allman & Associates – A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate, Urban Realty, Celebrity Cruises, Hill & Wilkinson, Irving CVB and Irving Chamber, The Trade Group, Bachendorf’s, Brad Oldham Sculpture, RideCentric, Hagerty Insurance, Perks & Provisions, Peroni Beer, Lilium Florals, Lisa R. Daniels, Digital 3 Printing, Fauxcades, Promo Resources, The Vineyard at Florence, Sunnyland Outdoor Furniture, ExxonMobil, Dealer Industries, Garages of Texas, Ratcliff Financial Services, Steinway & Sons, D Magazine, and NBC 5, among others.

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 representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. A new Porsche dealership will open in Grapevine this summer. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

 

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Douglas Schnitzer Leads Park Place Select as Director of Operations

Douglas Schnitzer is certainly no stranger to Park Place Dealerships, but as he leads our newest revenue venture, Park Place Select, as the Director of Operations, a “get to know you” introduction was an absolute must. After going through a question-and-answer session, one thing is clear- Park Place Select is in very capable, intelligent, and extremely driven hands.

Where are you from? Born and raised in the Bayou City of Houston, Texas.

Who is your role model and why? My grandfather, Ken Schnitzer, Sr., who unfortunately passed away in 1999, remains a role model of mine to this day. He was a hard-bargaining businessman, a charismatic leader, and a generous philanthropist. He valued honesty, integrity, and loyalty, and he treated people with the utmost dignity and respect. These are also values that I hold in high regard, and I strive to emulate him in my life.

When did you begin your career at Park Place? I began my career at Park Place in 2010 as an Assistant Service Manager at Motorcars Dallas. After spending several years pursuing opportunities in other industries and obtaining a graduate business degree from the University of Texas at Austin, I rejoined the company in 2017 on the sales floor of Porsche Dallas.

What led you to join the Park Place Team? In many ways, the automotive industry remains fairly archaic and tends to abide by the mantra of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Park Place as a company encourages and rewards innovation and is constantly looking for ways to improve in order to remain at the forefront of the industry, as evidenced by the new Park Place Select subscription service. There is a forward-thinking nature that permeates the organizational culture, and that is something I wanted to be a part of.

Can you recount a specific moment or experience that led you to the automotive industry? I can remember a trip to Dallas – I was probably 15 years old – when my father brought my brother and me by the Mercedes dealership, which was still on Oak Lawn at the time. Like any kid, I was completely enthralled by all of the cool cars. We ended up test driving an SL500, and when my dad let me take it for a lap around the block, I was hooked. I have been interested in the business ever since.

What passions do you have that have driven your success at Park Place? I tend to be very analytical by nature. As you know, this is a very complex business, and I have always enjoyed the challenge of diving into the data and financials to understand what makes companies tick. I am also so privileged to work and collaborate with a group of incredibly intelligent and visionary professionals who take great pride in the success of the company as a whole. Their collective enthusiasm is a great motivating force.

How did you become affiliated with Park Place Select? In mid-February, Mr. Grossman called me and asked if I could come to his office for a meeting that afternoon. I honestly didn’t have a clue what the purpose of the meeting was, but my eyes immediately lit up when he asked if I would be interested in helping lead Park Place Select, the new subscription business, which was scheduled to roll out in early May. This was a once in a lifetime chance to be involved with a cutting-edge business concept that will be transformative to the way consumers think about their transportation needs – it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

How is Park Place Select going to be successful this year?  Park Place Select will be successful by creating memorable experiences and meaningful moments for our clients. Through a passionate focus on service, our concierges will develop a strong rapport with our clients and be able to truly understand what is meaningful to them, in order to provide personalized service that exceeds their expectations.

What’s the key component of the Park Place Select experience? The key component of the Park Place Select experience is the flexibility and convenience afforded to the members combined with an unparalleled selection of vehicles. Through the user-friendly mobile app, we are able to match members with the perfect vehicle for any occasion. You could drive a Mercedes S-Class during the work week, flip into a Porsche Boxster for a Friday date night, then flip into a Range Rover for a weekend road trip. This is truly a revolutionary service that gives members the ability to meet the changing needs of their lifestyle without owning multiple vehicles.

Any additional comments regarding new programs and initiatives that we can look forward to in 2018? We are currently evaluating the possibility of adding a “Premier” tier to the Park Place Select subscription program, which would include many of the vehicles available through the Premier Collection, among others. Exciting times!  

Edit January 2020: The Premier Tier was successfully added to the program.

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Introducing Park Place’s Path to Purchase

In world full of “click to buy” goods and services, it was only a matter of time before the automotive purchase experience evolved to meet modern shopping expectations. The automotive dealership landscape is changing, and our goal is to provide clients with a seamless path to purchase in the dealership or online.

Park Place Dealerships is no exception and proud to introduce Park Place’s “Path to Purchase.” High-Performance purchasing is as simple as ‘click to buy’ with our newest digital retailing tool.  In a matter of minutes, you can start your purchase online from the comfort and convenience of your own home, desk, or favorite coffee shop. After you complete the 6 online steps, all that’s left is for you finalize your purchase and pick up your keys with one of our team members. It’s another way we are striving to make our Park Place home, your place. 

Let’s walk through the steps of Park Place’s Path To Purchase, to hopefully answer any looming FAQs about the new digital retailing experience:

  1. Select Your Vehicle:

First, choose your model after browsing our extensive selection of luxury vehicles- or click straight to your dream car. Once you’ve landed on the make and model of your dreams, click or tap the “Click to Buy” button.

  1. Negotiate Pricing

Choose Lease or Finance and all available incentives will be applied automatically, including optimal lease and finance terms, taxes and fees.  If you’d rather just make us an offer, that’s an option too. It’s quick, easy, and transparent.

  1. Sort Finance Solutions

Provide your credit score to pre-qualify for financial solutions that fit your needs and our online experts will assist you in selecting the best option for you.

  1. Value Your Trade

Kelly Blue Book will give you an instant offer, and the value of your trade-in redeemable with or without purchase. There’s no pressure, we just want to give you the tools.

  1. Options

Do you want an extended warranty, service warranty or contract, wheel and tire protection, or guaranteed asset protection (GAP) insurance? You can accomplish this with Step 5.

  1. Finalize

Click or tap submit and your information will cruise straight to your Park Place dealership.  Schedule a time to meet with a dedicated Sales Experience Manager to finalize your purchase and pick up your keys. Or, even better, let us deliver to your home or office.

It’s like Amazon meets luxury automotive, and your vehicle purchase experience couldn’t be any more seamless. At Park Place, we are here to serve you- even if that means you would rather stay in the comfort of your own home.  If your interested is sufficiently piqued, visit ParkPlace.com to get started or visit ParkPlace.com/Path-to-Purchase for more information on the newest way to purchase a vehicle with Park Place.

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Preferred Partner Guest Blog: Jack Black’s Two Tips for a Well Groomed Summer

As a Park Place client, you have a repertoire of local luxury partners who offer exclusive perks and benefits to thank you for choosing Park Place as Your Place. As Mother’s Day approached, we introduced our premier florist, Lilium Floral Design, and now as we move closer to warmer months, we turn to an additional for insights into a “well-groomed” summer with some tips from Jack Black, the #1 best-selling men’s skincare brand and a Park Place Preferred Partner.

Tip #1: Black Jack is one of our favorite go-to’s for Father’s Day gifts, and well-groomed dad is a happy dad.

You can’t deny the look of pride when he gets a new haircut, or a close shave without a single battle wound to show for the victory. This Father’s Day, Jack Black recommends gifting that special person in your life with something that can last for more than 24 hours, like the Jack Black Grand Tour set.

The Grand Tour contains travel-friendly selections of Jack Black’s top sellers– Beard Lube, Double-Duty, Pit Boss, Pure Clean, and Turbo Wash. For the dad that wants a day of leisure, a.k.a. couch surfing, there is the Pit Boss Antiperspirant and Deodorant.  For the dad who got the new lawn mower he’d been eyeing, the Double Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20 will keep his brow protected. For the new father that just got a bundle of joy, the Turbo Wash for those excessive diaper changes!

Remember- Father’s Day is June 17th. If you’re looking for something a little more upscale than the mounted trout that sings “Take Me To the River” or the oversized Hula Girl necktie, The Grand Tour is the way to go!

Tip #2: No matter what your plans are this summer if it involves spending time in the sun, protect yourself with a dermatologist tested SPF.

It’s that time again! Vacations are planned, road trips have been mapped, and the pools are officially open for business. Jack Black recommends a product like Sun Guard SPF 45, to keep your skin looking fresh and protected throughout the brutal Texas summer. 

Dermatologist tested and free of fragrance and colorants, this quick-absorbing, oil-free, vitamin-enriched lotion protects the skin from the damaging, drying effects of the sun.

Advanced UVA and UVB sunscreens provide superior protection that stays put in even the most extreme conditions, offering the perfect ammunition for those outdoor enthusiasts who play hard, train hard, and everything in between.

Jack Black is one of our newest Preferred Benefits Partners, who is based out of Carrollton, Texas, and still run by the original founders. Jack Black has grown to become the #1 best-selling men’s skincare brand* because our gut feeling turned out to be true—namely, that the modern man wanted something he wasn’t getting: Nothing complicated. Nothing cosmetic. Just superior skin care.

Click to view more about the Park Place Preferred Benefits Program

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Meet the Most Powerful Levante: the Maserati Levante Trofeo

The Maserati Levante Trofeo made its world debut in Spring 2018 and is the first Levante built around a V8 engine, one of the most powerful engines ever fitted in a Maserati. Available for reservation at Park Place Maserati Dallas, the Levante Trofeo is associated with “unbridled power,”  and can accelerate from 0-60 in approximately 3.9 seconds and reach top speeds of over 300 km/h (about 187 mph).

The 3.8-liter Twin Turbo V8 engine boasts the highest output per liter than any Maserati power predecessor. While this may be a change of pace in power plants, the Trofeo’s engine, just like all other Maserati engines, is still assembled by Ferrari in Milano, Italy. Additionally, the chassis has been tuned to handle the unbridled power output and provide an exhilarating driving experience while retaining ultimate comfort. The Levante Trofeo embodies the essence of the Maserati Gran Turismo philosophy with supercar performance, so say hello to a high-performance and experiential cruise each and every time you step foot on the accelerator.

“It’s proof that when you play with the elements you end up in a storm”, says Maserati CEO Tim Kuniskis. “In the case of Trofeo, the engineers and designers in Modena knew that the driveline parameters were more than able to cope with additional power and they also knew that Maserati had access to the finest engines on earth. So, they were up to the challenge of making the finest luxury SUV also one of the fastest”.

Unmistakable Levante Design with Sporty Details

The Levante Trofeo introduces new levels of sportiness to an already stunning Levante design concept. The elegant restyling was mainly focused on the lower front fascia and the rear bumper and is underlined by the 22-inch forged aluminum “Orione” wheels – the largest ever fitted on a Maserati – available in both polished and matte finishes. The air intake in the lower fascia feature are also more aggressive, defined by two aerodynamic wings to visually push the weight of the car’s nose towards the massive front wheels. The rear looks more muscular due to a sharper carbon fiber horizontal element and body-color lower extractor that embrace the oval quad exhaust tips.

Power and Control

The new “Corsa” Driving mode with Launch Control functionality in addition to the existing Normal, I.C.E., Sport and Off-Road modes has been adopted to enhance the athletic character of the ultimate Maserati SUV. “Corsa” driving mode further improves engine response and opens exhaust valves in acceleration, as well as provides faster gear shifting, lower air suspension height levels, sportier Skyhook damping and optimized Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive settings and interacts with Traction Control and ESP systems to maximize driving pleasure.  

The Maserati Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC) system has been incorporated for the first time in a Levante, for impressive driving dynamics, better performance and a genuine Maserati driving experience, by helping to prevent vehicle instability, instead of correcting “driver mistakes” as a traditional Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system does.

Learn more about the Maserati Trofeo: www.maseratiusa.com/LevanteTrofeo

 

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Volvo Cars Adds In-Car Delivery by Amazon Key to Its Range of Connected Services

This new partnership represents a sizeable advancement of Volvo’s digital consumer services and experiences with the On-Call service platform. Volvo On-Call is an app available to clients on their smartphones. By utilizing these avenues to deliver new technologies and products, Volvo is continually looking to enhance the consumer’s whole experience by taking advantage of these new digital services, such as in-car package delivery with Amazon.

The service is available now across 37 cities and surrounding areas in the United States, with more cities rolling out over time. The service is available to millions of Amazon Prime members and the majority of all Volvo owners in the country.

“Simplifying the customer experience is central to Volvo’s digital vision. Receiving a package securely and reliably in your car, without you having to be there, is something we think many people will appreciate. This mix of car and commerce is starting the next wave of innovation and we intend to be at the forefront,” said Atif Rafiq, chief digital officer at Volvo Cars.

Implementing this new service is simple and convenient. Clients can download the Amazon Key App and link their Amazon Account with their Volvo On Call Account to register a new delivery location. After this is completed, the client simply picks the “In-Car” delivery option at checkout. Once the package delivery is about to occur, both apps will notify the client so that they can ensure the vehicle is parked in range fo the delivery address. A delivery driver will then deliver the package during a scheduled time window with clients being notified once the delivery is complete their Volvo locked.

“We’re excited to partner with Volvo Cars to bring Amazon Key in-car delivery to our customers across the U.S. Starting today, Prime members can order tens of millions of items sold on Amazon.com and have them delivered to their car, at no extra cost,” said Peter Larsen, Vice President of Delivery Technology, Amazon. “With Amazon Key In-Car, we’re fuelling another convenient and secure way to get packages to our customers—and we know our customers are going to love it.”

 

“We have offered in-car delivery in Europe since 2015 through programs in the Nordics and Switzerland, and we believe that receiving packages should be as easy and convenient as ordering them online,” said Anders Tylman-Mikiewicz, vice president of consumer connectivity services at Volvo Cars.

To check eligibility and to sign up for Amazon Key In-Car, visit www.amazon.com/keyincar.

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Park Place Select Makes Its Public Debut In Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Park Place Select, an innovative alternative to traditional leasing and purchasing, debuted to the public May 1st, with the first three official flips being completed at 9 AM. It is the only program of its kind offered in Texas, and after a full week, we’ve already experienced the delivery of our first Maserati Ghibli, exceeded 100 flips, and witnessed a surprise birthday gift of a Mercedes C 43 AMG (and the whole Plus fleet) from one very thoughtful husband.  The launch of Park Place Select was a resounding success, but more importantly, our subscribers are already sharing their own Select Stories, showcasing just how a luxury vehicle delivered to you anytime, anywhere can enhance simple moments and life-experiences.

Each initial delivery was unique as our concierge’s employ their training to provide exceptional and seamless flips for each of the subscribers. Once the concierge completes a flip, the user experience remains simple, efficient, and luxurious. Mike Merrill, one of the first subscribers, reflects on his experience as an on-the-go professional.

 “The Park Place Select program is the ultimate solution for the busy executive. That time and cost saved on inspections, maintenance, DMV trips and washing alone make the program.”

And he’s right. Park Place Select is a unique and innovative offering in a narrow automotive subscription market that takes luxury ownership to a new level of accessibility. Thanks to the coverage provided by Park Place Select, subscribers are taking advantage of a serious opportunity to save money and time. Imagine needing an oil change for a Porsche Macan, a Mercedes C 43, Volvo XC90, or even a Lexus GX. Instead of driving it to the dealership for drop off, you simply text your concierge and they drive another freshly cleaned and maintained sedan, SUV, or convertible to your door. For a seriously on-the-go, on-the-road professional, like Merill, Park Place Select is simply a solution that makes sense.

 

Andre Phillipe, CEO of Andre Phillipe Menswear, also had the opportunity to experience the program. The highlights of his experiences were driven by Select’s unlimited flips and multiple manufacturer availability.  The ability to flip between multiple luxury auto brands as many times as you want really separates Park Place Select from the competition and lets the client really drive their own experience:

“My experience couldn’t have been better. I drove close to $300,000 worth of vehicles over the two weeks I tested the program-Mercedes, Jaguar, Land Rover. The concierge team was responsive, the app was easy to use and the cars were great. It’s the simplicity of this program that I have grown to appreciate so much though. Truly, by the click of a couple of buttons, I got out of an SUV and into a convertible, anticipating a few days with temps in the 70’s. Simple. Simple. Simple. And with a wife, two kids, two great Danes and businesses to run, SIMPLE is all I can take.”

In just a few weeks after the public launch of Park Place Select, the program has received an exceptional response. We are currently accepting reservations for future subscribers.  Follow @parkplaceselect on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on subscriber #selectstories, meet the team, and catch any new program announcements.

Park Place Select Program Snapshot:

  • Drive multiple luxury brands for one monthly fee without a long-term commitment or contract
  • Three program tiers with a different fleet of makes and models of on-brand Park Place vehicles, Prime/Plus/Premium
  • Use the Park Place Select Mobile App to book flips, contact your concierge, and more.
  • Select is experience oriented, which means that the Select team will provide a vehicle that fits the particular experience you type in the app (date night, road-trip, sports practice, errands, etc.).
  • Maintenance and insurance are included, and every vehicle is delivered freshly cleaned and washed.

 

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Meet Hesham Elgaghil- Vice President of Strategic Growth

 Hesham Elgaghil, our Vice President of Strategic Growth, has been with Park Place for a little over 18 years and is the picture of what dedication, hard work, and relentless pursuit can bring you in a company like Park Place Dealerships. Born in Cairo, Egypt, Hesham and his family moved to the USA when he was three years old- a gesture he will always admire his parents for.

“[My parents] sacrificed family, language, traditions, careers, successes etc. and so much from their life in Egypt so that both I and my sister would have a fair opportunity to succeed in life here in the US.” 

Although he didn’t start at the top, his 18-year journey through Park Place has made him that much more of an asset to the future of the Park Place luxury group. In November of 2000, Hesham first joined Park Place Motorcars Mid-Cities, now known as Motorcars Grapevine, until 2005. From 2005 to November 2015, he spearheaded the sales efforts at Park Place Motorcars Dallas, performing the role of General Sales Manager, helping the team achieve a top 5 national ranking.  Hesham went on to lead efforts to create Park Place’s seamless future retail environment, now known as the “One Touch” experience, while also being responsible for the staffing and opening of Park Place Motorcars in Arlington.  He held the position of General Manager for Park Place’s Arlington location from November 2015 to September 2017.

Hesham has most recently cemented himself as one of our newest members of the leadership team as the Vice President of Strategic Growth & Business Development.  One of the first items on his list is assisting in the launch of our newest automotive offering, Park Place Select, Texas’ first-ever multi-manufacturer, automotive subscription service offered by a dealership group.

With 18 years of memories, his most prevalent one is when his Park Place family reached out to assist him during one of the most difficult times of his life- when his mother was ill.

“As she passed on, Robert Morris (General Manager of Motorcars Dallas) and Zach Gilbert (New Car Sales Director at Motorcars Dallas) attended her funeral. I will always be grateful for the kindness that was extended to me during the most difficult moment of my life.

His successes are the product of hard work and passions that have driven his performance year after year. One of those passions is his love of sports, primarily basketball. Basketball taught Hesham “commitment, focus, discipline, sacrifice, strategy, anticipation, and most of all, to appreciate and embrace the struggle that comes with the pursuit of success.” 

“I have a passion to reach my potential as a person, father, husband and member. Because of my parents’ sacrifice I have no excuse not to succeed. I’ve been fortunate to have the perfect example of hard work, sacrifice, and determination. My parents taught me that giving anything less than 100% of my best effort is unacceptable.”

So as we move into 2018, what does our Vice President of Strategic Growth think about Park Place’s competitive advantage in the luxury automotive market? Well, he sees nothing but success as we continue to connect the present to the future. “While our core will remain the same, we will continue to challenge ourselves by developing innovative strategies and coupling them with brilliant technologies…working to uncover the next future retail environment, just as we did with our One Touch Sales Process.” 

In closing, Hesham touches on the various new programs introduced to the public in 2018:

“Several new Park Place strategies are paired with dynamic technologies and powered by artificial intelligence.  One to note is our Park Place Select vehicle subscription app. The app uses artificial intelligence to learn and store client preferences. The end result is a machine learning that will understand subscriber preferences and assist us in our evolution of providing  meaningful experiences to our clients.”

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Park Place Lexus Plano Launches the New LS 500

Park Place Lexus Plano partnered with Legacy West to host an evening of luxury to launch the new flagship 2018 Lexus LS 500 sedan. 

“We’re always striving to provide the greatest experience for our clients,” said Jordan Case, president of Park Place Lexus. “Partnering with Legacy West, North Texas’ definitive new dining and retail destination, this event offered the perfect blend of luxury and excitement to launch Lexus’ new luxury sedan. We were just as excited about hosting the executives from our charitable partner, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children’s North Campus, which promises the best in care for Collin County families when it opens later this year.”

Guests floated between three in-dealership destinations to sample delicious plates from Taverna, Toulouse and KAI by Lombardi Family Concepts, as well as Earls Kitchen+Bar, Fogo de Chão and prime BBQ from Carlton Provisions.  Crafted Cocktails like Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur and Hendrick’s Gin Fizz’s, Reyka Cosmopolitan Martinis and Monkey Shoulder whisky smashes wetted whistles, along with wines and beers from Detour and Unlawful Assembly from Legacy Hall. Guests where offered hand-rolled cigars from Cigar Art.

Curated fashions were featured by Johnny Was, Coach, Pockets Menswear, and Filson.  The Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel kept it all up-tempo with ‘business unusual’ entertainment.  

Lexus built its reputation with the launch of the LS (Luxury Sedan) nearly 30 years ago, solidifying its position as the ultimate flagship Sedan. And this new fifth-generation model lives up to its acclaim, combining a luxurious interior with the latest in technology and a fresh design. While the new sedan sits lower to the ground, Lexus offers an air suspension system with an “access function” that can raise the vehicle for even easier access.

Inspired by Japanese lanterns, the ambient interior lighting sets the mood for a luxurious ride. Sweeping lines curve and spread along the contours of the dash, then flow back along the door panels, creating an expansive environment.Anchoring the intuitive infotainment system is a bright 12-inch display, with an optional 24-inch screen, the largest color heads-up display of any production car in the world. 

Powered by an all-new twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6, and matched with a new Aisin 10-speed automatic, this luxurious beast churns out 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque to smoothly propel you from 0-to-60 mph in just over five seconds.

Starting at $75,000 MSRP, the LS 500 sets a new standard for agility, style, and comfort.

Park Place Lexus Plano is located at 6785 Dallas Parkway, on the southwest corner of Spring Creek Parkway and North Dallas Tollway.

 

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,100 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Lotus, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Bugatti, McLaren, and Maserati. A new Porsche dealership will open in Grapevine this summer. For more info, visit parkplace.com.