High Performance People at Park Place Jaguar- April 2017

High Performance

Park Place Dealership’s commitment to provide client service excellence is not just a “catch phrase”…it is a pledge to deliver extraordinary ownership experiences to each and everyone one of our clients.  To consistently uphold a standard as high as ours is no easy task- but, Park Place is proud to have a team full of high performance people who go above and beyond to provide our clients with an authentic and unmatched client experience- 100% of the time.

Brad Pyatt, Sales Experience Manager, is our High Performance Member of Month for Park Place Jaguar Plano– because of his commitment to excellence day in and day out- for the past 15 years!

pp_jag_plano_brad_pyatt-4_480x720_72_RGBBrad’s exceptional service stems from his long journey to Park Place. Deeming himself an Army Brat, Brad moved around quite a lot when he was young, specifically every 10 months until he was 11 years old. His client first mentality began developing at a young age, thanks to his Grandpa, his role model, who was an old school county dentist. He taught Brad key things like patience, understanding, that there is more to life than material gains, and most importantly how to love his wife.

“He [My Grandfather] and my Grandmother were married in 1946 after having known each other for less than 6 months. At the time of his death at 94, they were married for 68 years…what an example” 

After graduating high school, he attended Texas Tech, in Lubbock, to pursue a degree in marketing and management. Opportunity came knocking after graduation, and he moved to Dallas, and eventually made his way to Park Place after reading an AD in the Sunday paper (that’s right, the newspaper). He officially joined the Park Place team in 2002, and he has been thriving in the every-changing atmosphere that accompanies automotive sales. He emphasizes why this role at Park Place is a perfect fit for him because, “In sales, every day is different and growing up as I did I don’t really care for the same old thing over and over again.  How boring is that?”

Some additional fun Facts about Your Park Place Jaguar High Performance Member of the Month include:

  • Personal Mantras: “There’s no harm in not knowing the answer” & “Sometimes it’s OK if we don’t have a plan…we can wing it”
  • In his free time he takes his Jeep Wrangler on Jeep Jamboree and other off-roading trips and boating on Lake Hubbard

Taking his grandfather’s life lessons to heart, Brad says that he doesn’t do anything “crazy” to provide a unique experience to all of his Park Place clients, rather he just wants to keep his client’s at ease and make the experience an enjoyable one by keeping treating people right and keeping his clients laughing.

“I just treat people right, don’t sound like a “car salesman”, don’t use sales people jargon but most important…just have fun.  I like to keep my clients laughing and make friends.”

So why has Park Place been Brad’s Place for the last 15 years?

Authenticity, genuine relationships, and great leadership: “Park Place is my family away from home.  I spend more time here than anywhere else but it doesn’t feel like work.  We have a great atmosphere at Jaguar that starts at the top with Cuzzo.  He is a great guy.  He’s fair, he’s reasonable, and he’s approachable.  What more could you ask for in a leader?”

So if you’re looking for a  unique experience driven by you that’s delivered by a high performance team of experts in excellence, give Brad Pyatt of Park Place Jaguar Plano a call- he’d be more than happy to make Park Place, Your Place.

How it Werks at Park Place BodyWerks

Park Place BodyWerks is the #1 volume collision repair and paint & body shop facility in Texas with three locations in the DFW area. The success of the shop is intertwined with that of Park Place Dealership’s first Mercedes Dealership off Lemmon Avenue in Dallas, which was bought 30 years ago.  Fast forward to 2017 and BodyWerks now has additional presences in Grapevine and Fort Worth.

Eric Mckenzie
Eric McKenzie, Director of Body Shop Operations

From major accidents and incidental dings to hail damage, Park Place BodyWerks has any vehicle covered with first class service, thanks to the expert shop team and their dedicated leadership. Our teams understand the complicated process of getting an exceptional vehicle back to pre-damage condition and they are more than happy to guide all clients through the repair process to make it as seamless and stress free as possible.

Eric McKenzie, Director of Body Shop Operations, answered some frequently asked questions about BodyWerks and how our team can make your vehicle restoration a uniquely first class (and easy) experience.

Q: What’s the difference between a dealership service department and a BodyWerks repair shop?

A: Your dealership service department takes care of vehicle maintenance and warranty mechanical repairs for their new and pre-owned clients.  BodyWerks handles insurance claims, collision, and storm damage repairs for all Park Place Clients.

Q: What are some examples of damages that are fixed by BodyWerks?

A: BodyWerks can perform all collision, paint and body, and structure repairs to most vehicles on the road. All three locations are manufacturer certified for all brands that are sold by Park Place, specializing in primarily luxury vehicle repairs.

Q: Who’s performing the repairs on my vehicle and are they certified?

A: Our manufacturer certified technicians work on the vehicles.  All technicians are manufacturer trained and many have more advanced training for Park Place specific brands using the latest technologies and equipment available especially as it pertains to the more advanced materials.

Q: Will my insurance cover my damage?

A: Yes, insurance should cover most claims. The only thing our clients need to do is initiate the claim, then the experts at BodyWerks will handle and guide you through the rest of the process.

So why choose Park Place BodyWerks among other body shops in Texas? Park Place BodyWerks are one of the only few shops in the state that are certified to repair all the Park Place brands. The technicians are highly specialized and far more equipped to repair Park Place exclusive vehicles than an average shop that lacks access to manufacturer training and advanced technology to repair today’s luxury vehicles.

Another differentiating factor is that BodyWerks shops are not a Direct Repair Provider or Preferred shop for any insurance company. What does this mean? It means that repairs can be made to meet Park Place’s, and most importantly, your standards – not the insurance company’s. At Park Place BodyWerks, the client truly comes first- and our seasoned shop managers and technicians, will treat you like no other body repair facility in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.

To make an appointment call any one of our three locations, or visit us online at www.parkplace.com/BodyWerks-About

 

 

 

McLaren 720S Revealed at Geneva International Motor Show

The new McLaren 720S maked its global debut on March 7th at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show, introducing the second-generation of McLaren’s Super Series and simultaneously raising previously accepted limits of performance in the supercar sector.

“Super Series is the core of the McLaren business and personifies the blend of extreme performance, crafted luxury and unparalleled driver involvement that is the McLaren heartland. This is the first time we have replaced a product family and the new 720S is absolutely true to McLaren’s pioneering spirit in being a revolutionary leap forwards, both for our brand and the supercar segment.”

Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive

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The unveiling of McLaren’s new supercar confirms both the 720S name and 720PS horsepower of the first model in the second-generation McLaren Super Series, details which have been teased online in recent months. The Surrey, England-based manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sports and supercars, has issued a series of six press releases since January, each accompanied by an image or film containing a numerical reference – and it can now be revealed that 1 x 2 x 3 x 4 x 5 x 6 equals 720…

The new 720S is lighter, faster and even more dynamically capable than its McLaren 650S predecessor, with unparalleled levels of interior space and sophistication and a breadth and depth of abilities that will engage and exhilarate the driver.  One glance at the 720S identifies it as a bold reinterpretation of McLaren’s design language; rooted in aerodynamic principles, the beautiful form has nothing superfluous about it: immediately and undeniably a McLaren, the new 720S is arguably the most distinctive and remarkable McLaren yet.

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One of the key points in the design of the new Super Series is the absence of radiator intakes on the side of the car; this function is carried out instead by the unique ‘double-skin’ aerodynamic form of the dihedral doors, which channel air to the high-temperature radiators that cool the mid-mounted engine.

The new M480T engine powering the 720S continues the lineage of McLaren’s multiple-award-winning, twin-turbocharged V8 engine series. The 4.0-litre engine, which has 41 percent new part content compared to the 3.8-litre engine that continues to feature in the McLaren Sports Series, generates a maximum of 720PS and 770Nm of torque.

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Performance is truly astonishing: standstill to 100km/h (62mph) takes less than 3 seconds and just 5 seconds later the car has passed the 200km/h (124mph) mark on its way to a maximum speed of 341km/h (212mph). Braking is equally impressive, the new 720S coming to a halt from 200km/h (124mph) in just 4.6 seconds, covering 117m. Additionally, the extreme efficiency of the engine also goes beyond mere velocity: the new McLaren 720S delivers 10.7 litres/100km combined fuel economy and CO2 emissions of just 249g/km in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

McLaren’s expertise in carbon fibre structures – every road car built by the British manufacturer since the McLaren F1 in 1993 has had a carbon fibre chassis – underpins the construction of the new 720S; the architecture of the car is based around a new carbon fibre ‘tub’ and upper structure, the McLaren Monocage II. This technology delivers extreme strength and rigidity in a lightweight structure and is the ideal base for any supercar. A range of aluminium alloys are also used extensively in the chassis, as well as for some body panels.

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A new generation of McLaren’s Proactive Chassis Control, new suspension and the established excellence of McLaren’s power-assisted, electro-hydraulic steering, all combine to deliver huge reserves of grip, balance and performance and an unmatched breadth of dynamic capabilities.

The hand-crafted luxury inherent in a McLaren, with the authenticity of fine leathers and machined aluminium, is complemented by the revolutionary new McLaren Driver Interface, which comprises a Folding Driver Display and Central Infotainment Screen. In combination with a cabin environment that establishes new standards in the supercar segment for visibility, space and comfort, these attributes give the new McLaren 720S an incredible degree of usability and validate its claim to be the most complete supercar on sale today.

McLaren 720S

Technical specification

Engine configuration M840T engine, 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, 3,994cc
Drivetrain layout Longitudinal mid-engined, RWD
Power PS (bhp/kW @ rpm 720 (710/537) @ 7,500
Torque Nm (lbs ft) @ rpm 770 (568) @ 5,500
Transmission 7 Speed SSG
Suspension Independent adaptive dampers, dual wishbones, Proactive Chassis Control II (PCC II)
Brakes Carbon Ceramic Discs (F: 390mm R: 380mm)
Wheels (inches) Front: 9J x 19; Rear: 11J x 19
Tyres F: 245/35/R19 93Y (XL); R: 305/30/R20 103Y (XL)
Length, mm (inches) 4,543 (179)
Wheelbase, mm (inches) 2,670 (105)
Height, mm (inches) 1,196 (47)
Width, with mirrors, mm (inches) 2,161 (85)
Width, mirrors folded, mm (inches) 2,059 (81)
Width, without mirrors, mm (inches) 1,930 (76)
Lightest dry weight, kg (lbs) 1,283 (2,828.5)
DIN Kerb weight, kg (lbs) [fluids + 90% fuel] 1,419 (3,128)
Luggage capacity Front: 150l; Rear: 210l

Performance data*

ACCELERATION
0 -60mph 2.8 seconds
0-100 km/h (0-62mph) 2.9 seconds
0-200 km/h (0-124mph) 7.8 seconds
0-300 km/h (0-186mph) 21.4 seconds
0-400 m / ¼ mile 10.3 seconds
Maximum Speed 341km/h (212 mph)
200 – 0 km/h (124mph – 0) braking 4.6 seconds/117 m
100 – 0 km/h (62mph – 0) braking 2.8 seconds/29.7 m
EFFICIENCY
CO2 emissions [NEDC] 249 g/km
Fuel consumption – EU mpg (l/100km)
Combined
Urban
Extra urban
10.7 l /100km
15.8 l /100km
7.9 l /100km

* All figures subject to confirmation. MPG (UK/US) not yet available.

A Knod to the Past and Statement of the Future: the Maserati Alfieri Concept Car

The Alfieri Concept Car is much more than just a name or a car; it is a tribute to Maserati’s past and a statement to the future of Maserati design.

Simple & Clean 

The design is clean and simple- reducing complexity in a more compact and aggressive interpretation of the A6 GCS’s spirit. The body design includes a deep concave grille without the normal chrome surround, giving the illusion of a floating grille. The glass house area is clean and the rear corners of the concept car are cut back to make the car look lighter than it really is- a classic detail of the Italian design language.

The interior design is just “one line” with leather seats, dash, and center console. The gear lever and clock come from solid blocks of aluminum.  Although more than just a

modernized A6 GCS, there are design elements in which the link to the A6 is abundantly clear in the long front bumper line and the chamfered tail. But, the overall concept is like nothing seen from Maserati in a long time, reminding the world of the brand’s deep rooted racing heritage.

More Than A Name

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The name Alfieri is much more than just a name- it is a symbol of Maserti’s Italian roots and celebration of their centennial in 2014.  Alfieri Maserati played a central role in founding and running the company it for its first 18 years.  Unfortunately, he died at the young age of 44, robbing him of the chance to be remembered among the auto industry’s most noteworthy talents.  Bearing his family name, it is only fitting that Maserati honored him and the company’s centennial with the unveiling of the Maserati Alfieri Concept Car at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

Experience the Sound of Speed with the 2018 F-Type

The new 2018 F-Type offers effortless performance and precise agile handling combined with everyday refinement and usability.

New LED headlights and updated LED taillights enhance the exterior with their elegance and power. New slim seats lighten the vehicle, providing more space, comfort, and a refreshed style. The F-Type comes in either coupe or convertible body styles, both offering exhilarating performance, astounding handling, and their own unique character.

Experience the sound of speed in the new 2018 Jaguar F-Type.

 

The New Bugatti Chiron Makes Hill Climb at Goodwood Festival

Bugatti never ceases to amaze people with the cars they create. They followed suit again as the new Bugatti Chiron debuted in the hill climb race at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The design of the Chiron will grab the attention of anyone who catches a glimpse just as it did with over 99,000 fans in attendance of the Goodwood Festival. If you haven’t already, we highly recommend you check out Bugatti’s new $2.6 million beast as soon as possible because with a car this fast you just might miss it!

To learn more about the Bugatti Chiron and it’s debut at the Goodwood Festival click here.

Baby Raccoons Rescued From Engine of Mercedes-Benz at Park Place Motorcars Grapevine

As dreary weather and torrential downpours eclipsed Texas last week, an unexpected discovery brought smiles to everyone’s faces at Park Place Motorcars Grapevine. A technician, working on a Mercedes-Benz brought in for service, came face to face with a baby raccoon…and 3 of its siblings.

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Monty Butcher, a technician at Park Place Motorcars Grapevine, opened the hood of a car and found the underside of the hood had been damaged, which begged the question, what caused this damage? Joseph Gonzales was assisting and saw something move and then a little head peeked out from within the engine.

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Immediately, Buddy Ward and Patrick Estes jumped in and started removing parts of the engine. When they realized there were several baby raccoons trapped, Mark Waugh- Body Shop Manager, Doug Prince, and Andrew Zendejas- Service Drive Supervisor helped extract the animals. The Park Place team was able to pull the four baby raccoons safely from the car and put them in a box.

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In the meantime, Scotty MacLean headed off to the store to pick up a cage, pillow and milk to make them comfortable.

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Of course, the raccoons had many visitors throughout the day at the dealership as everyone wanted to meet them!

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A wildlife rescue organization has picked the babies up, where they will be raised until they are able to be released back into the wild.

Park Place has a wonderful history of rescuing animals from cars including a red-tailed hawk in 2011 that was caught in the grill of a Lexus and a kitten that was trapped behind the front grill last year.  Each of these rescues has been a complete team effort!

Lexus’ L/Certified Best Overall Luxury CPO Program for 2016

Lexus’ L/Certified (Certified Pre-Owned) Program won top honors from Autotrader. The magazine recognized L/Certified as the best overall CPO program in the industry! “Among luxury automakers, Lexus’s CPO program “L/Certified” won top honors primarily due to its excellent warranty along with other alluring benefits. L/Certified offers limited bumper-to-bumper coverage for up to six years and unlimited mileage from the vehicle’s original sale date—a risky proposition, but one that shows the brand is willing to firmly stand behind its vehicles. Lexus’s program boasts no deductible for covered repairs, meaning that owners won’t have to pay a penny if their cars suffer a warranty claim. Icing on the cake is the fact that Lexus’s program touts complimentary maintenance covering the next four factory-recommended services for two years or 20,000 miles¬—a small benefit, but one that’s certainly worth mentioning.”

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Certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles are typically late-model, low-mileage vehicles that come with a host of perks like manufacturer-backed warranties, roadside assistance and more. While nearly every manufacturer offers a CPO program, the terms and benefits vary greatly. To make it easy for car shoppers to discover which CPO programs stand out, the experts at Autotrader® analyzed all brands’ CPO terms and selected the 10 best luxury and 10 best non-luxury CPO programs, with one overall winner and nine honorable mentions in each category. For 2016, Autotrader selected Lexus as the winner for Best CPO Program in the luxury category.

The number one benefit of any CPO program is the warranty, so we decided that the length of warranty should be the top criteria when choosing this year’s Best CPO Programs,” said Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader.

CPO vehicles offer many of the same benefits of a new car without the higher price tag and steep depreciation. Each vehicle undergoes an extensive inspection defined by the manufacturer and must meet a variety of guidelines from age to mileage. Once certified, these vehicles come with a manufacturer-backed warranty, giving buyers the confidence they desire when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle. In fact, 64 percent of shoppers say that the certification process and warranty give them peace of mind.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LEXUS L/CERTIFIED HERE

SEE AVAILABLE LEXUS L/CERTIFIED VEHICLES HERE

For more information about Lexus L/Certified or other Pre-Owned vehicles, please contact:

Chris Collins, Pre-Owned Sales Director at Park Place Lexus Plano at  972-407-7025 or CCollins@10.2.54.33

Juan Puentes, Pre-Owned Sales Director at Park Place Lexus Grapevine at 817-416-3308 or JPuentes@10.2.54.33

 

 

Meet the Man Behind the Money of Park Place Dealerships

You never know where your success story will begin, but it always begins with taking a chance. Whether you take a chance and reach for the stars or someone takes a chance on you, oftentimes these chances are handsomely rewarded. Such was the case for Rick Stone, Chief Financial Officer of Park Place Dealerships.
After graduating from Stephen F. Austin University with a degree in Finance, Rick was working as an Accounting Clerk for the City of Nacogdoches when a recruiter who believed in Rick and a twist of fate came together with an opportunity of a lifetime, although at the time it may not have seemed like it.

A recruiter I worked with presented me for a job that I was not qualified to hold,” said Stone. “Thankfully the Schnitzer family took a risk on me and put me in an analyst position for the dealership investments.”

After about 3 years, Rick moved to Dallas to work directly with Mr. Ken Schnitzer- Chairman and Owner of Park Place Dealerships. Rick worked on special projects such as acquisitions, financial analysis, real estate and more. Rick took to his new role with tremendous success and saw the challenges as opportunities. In 2007, he led the effort to bring construction management in-house to improve controls and accountability on real estate construction projects.

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In 2015, Rick was promoted to the role of Chief Financial Officer as his predecessor retired. “CFO is the first official title I have ever had with this organization.” During his first two weeks as CFO, Rick made it a point to meet his team face-to-face, although they are dispersed all over DFW as well as Nevada. “In those meetings, one of the common threads in our discussions was the fact that I was there to serve them and not the other way around,” said Rick, “My leadership style is fearless servant, and it works because it’s real. I take the time to know and recognize everyone by their first name or send a quick note of encouragement. They see me every day putting 150% effort right there with them, and they see that I’m not perfect, that I have a sense of humor, and over the past year it has fostered an environment where we support, encourage and edify each other. We laugh together, we cry together, and we battle together. In order to serve others it’s important to establish rapport and get to know the team, because without that rapport they will not seek your service.”

The fearless part of his leadership comes into play by being willing to step out on the thin limbs for his team and for implementing changes, and some may be somewhat unconventional for the industry, to put Park Place in position for greater success. ” It’s [car business] actually a fairly complex business and I thrive on being challenged.”

The fearless factor flows into Rick’s personal life as well. Before he was pouring over financials, he enjoyed pouring his heart out with a good ballad as the lead singer of several hair-metal cover bands during his high-school years. Just recently, he was cast as Mr. Bradley in a production of “Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” FullSizeRender (11)

Family fun includes coaching his sons’ baseball teams for the last 10 years, trips to the beach and tending to a cause close to his heart- youth theatre. “Sounds crazy, I know,” said Rick, “But I’ve seen the confidence in my own kids and in others through performing on stage. In today’s world there are so many ways our youth gets beaten down and discouraged; therefore, it has been refreshing to find an activity that has consistently built them up. The youth is our future and it is incumbent upon all of us to put our youth in position to succeed.”

Best Christmas Pageant Ever-Rick Stone

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RS Baseball Flying Squirrels team

Whether coaching a baseball team or supporting the accounting team at Park Place, working behind the scenes doesn’t present much room for recognition, however to Rick it’s not the trophies or the plaques that motivate him to work harder. “Seeing a deal get closed or a member grow and develop is what really drives me.