Park Place Motorcars Named Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best

All three DFW area Park Place Mercedes-Benz dealerships win prestigious award.

Park Place Motorcars dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Grapevine each received the Best of the Best award from Mercedes-Benz USA. The Dallas store won the award for the sixth consecutive year. The award honors the top 20 percent of 345 dealers nationwide for outstanding sales, service and customer satisfaction.

“We are very proud to earn this award,” said Neil Grossman, president of Park Place Motorcars. “This is the first time all of our Dallas-Fort Worth Mercedez-Benz dealerships have won this prestigious award the same year. From new and certified pre-owned sales to parts and service, Mercedes-Benz’ strict requirements challenge our entire operation. While we strive for excellence in customer satisfaction in all areas, winning the Best of the Best award confirms that we are continuing to meet and exceed our industry’s toughest standards.”

The 2012 Dallas Auto Show Is Underway

The 2012 DFW Auto Show in Dallas is underway, and will run from March 21-25, 2012, at the Dallas Convention Center. Here is a quick preview of what you will find at one of the most anticipated annual events in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The DFW Auto Show in is the ideal opportunity for consumers to compare styling and pricing of most every major manufacturer new cars for sale under one roof, and in just a few hours.

Maserati and Fendi Team Up For Designer Travel Kit Capsule Collection

Maserati has turned once again to uber-luxury designer Fendi for it’s new luggage and accessories Travel Kit Capsule Collection.  What do you get with the kit?  You’ll receive a compact trolley case, a boston bag, two vanity cases, a document folder, two bomber jackets, a Fendi cashmere scarf and a baseball cap with the signature FF jacquard material, aviator sunglasses in gray & yellow leather and a key holder designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi.

The pieces are designed in black Cuoio Romano leather with Selleria stitching, sporting the exclusive Fendi Selleria plaque – that is also engraved with the Maserati Trident logo.  Designed to go with the Maserati GranCabrio Fendi on the Whispered Grand Tour journey, the kit celebrates the two companies common vision of Italian tradition, quality, beauty and craftsmanship.

Last week, Fendi held a private viewing of the upcoming collection at the Fendi Boutique in London, and there were some important attendees –  Pink Floyd drummer and Maserati aficionado Nick Mason, Senior Vice-President of CNH Global NV Eduardo Teodorani Fabbri and socialite Annabelle Neilson.

Danny Balis of Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket’s Hardline Show Poses with New 2013 Lexus GS 350

Danny Balis, of Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket’s Hardline show, poses with the 2013 Lexus GS 350.

Danny, who started endorsing Park Place last year, has driven a number of Park Place vehicles.  Danny recently visited Park Place Lexus to tour the dealership and test drive the new Lexus GS.

His quick take on the latest offering from Lexus – “This car is freakin’ awesome.”  Well said Danny.

Park Place Lexus Creates New Position – Vehicle Technology Specialist

Park Place Dealerships have now twice been named one of Dallas Top 100 places to work – and for good reason: we’ve got the most innovative jobs in the automotive industry.  The automotive industry is constantly buzzing with new developments and fantastical technology, and at the forefront of these advancements, is Lexus.  There’s no denying it – all one needs to do is take a look at the 2013 Lexus GS to see that our brands, and our vehicles are more advanced than ever.  To support the rapidly changing technical options available to our clients on the vehicles – and also to help educate and assist the client in maximizing these new features Park Place Lexus has developed a new position called the Vehicle Technology Specialist (VTS).

The VTS will provide front-line support to clients with complex technology questions or concerns with their Lexus. In addition, the VTS would also be responsible for ongoing training and support for dealership members regarding current, new, and future Lexus products and technologies. The VTS is truly a unique position – and one that only an Expert in Excellence could occupy considering the additional requirements of the position:

  • Maintains a high degree of product and technical knowledge, including information about all Lexus products, resources, features, benefits, applications and competitive vehicle technology and reviews.
  • Maintains a collection of technology information and resources to assist in explanations
  • Creates and maintains FAQ guide for clients
  • Follows up with clients to ensure understanding and anticipate additional technology needs
  • Maintains all certification requirements
  • Assists with car displays and marketing events by greeting clients and sharing product information

Of course, the main goal of any position at Park Place is to support the team, and ensure an enjoyable purchase and ownership experience for the client. This new position will achieve both of these goals. It will also allow for fast, efficient resolution of client inquiries regarding vehicle technology or concerns. It’ll also allow the member to spend enough time with the client to properly troubleshoot any vehicle technology and vehicle system features.

Most of the time, when a client schedules a service appointment because of a technology related issue, it’s because the client doesn’t have a clear understanding of all the functionality or the feature of product. When this happens, it not only becomes an inconvenience for the client (because they have to bring their vehicle in for service and even possibly leave it overnight, which can be a hassle).  Most of the technology issues so far have been Bluetooth phone or Navigation system related, and can often be fixed or set up within a few minutes.

With this new position, the client can schedule directly with the VTS, who will work directly with the client. If it’s not broken, and in most cases, the VTS can show the client what is causing the concern and how to prevent it from happening in the future. It is Park Place Lexus’ “personal concierge” service for each client.

Another nice perk, for our clients, is that if clients that are waiting in the client lounge would like a refresher course on how some of the features on their vehicle work, we have a technology center set up so we can provide tutorials via iPads and TV monitors. From the tech center we can also keep clients up to date on the status of their vehicle while it’s in service.

So far, only Park Place Lexus Grapevine has had the opportunity to find the perfect VTS, and that candidate was Greg Milner, who is a five-year sales veteran with Park Place Lexus. Greg has been married to his wife, Karin for 21 years and they have one son, Curtis.  Greg is retired from the U.S. Army, and resided in Germany for seven years, where he met his wife, and also where his son was born. Greg holds a Technology Degree from Pierce College in Washington.  Greg likes working on his 1960 Austin Healey 3000 (no Bluetooth or GPS there!) and helping his son fix the cars he wrecks.

 

 

 

 

Kidd Kraddick Visits Park Place Motorcars Ft. Worth And Checks Out 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe

Kidd KraddickKidd Kraddick, the frenetically energetic host of the Kidd Kraddick morning show on KISS FM, kicked off his third year as Park Place endorser with a visit to Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth.

Kidd met with General Manager George Johnson and Sales Manager Herb Lockhart and enjoyed a tour of the dealership and overview of the latest Mercedes-Benz models. Kidd, who was a Park Place client himself before taking on the endorsement, is a strong believer in the extraordinary level of service you find at all of the Park Place dealerships. “I get frequent calls and emails from my listeners thanking me for suggesting Park Place’ said Kidd. ‘They all report on what a great experience they had buying a car – how easy it was and how well they were treated.”

Kidd was particularly impressed with the laid-back atmosphere of the Fort Worth dealership. He noted that it had a “definite Fort Worth vibe.” While there, Kidd picked up a shiny new 2012 E350 Coupe which he will be driving for the next few months.

Volvo Continues Safety Innovations With Pedestrian Airbag System

Volvo has been known for safety for years. They have kept safety at the forefront of design and have done so in an innovative way – using ever-changing technology to keep drivers and their passengers safe. Now, Volvo has taken safety to the next level – offering protection to those outside of the vehicle via the “Pedestrian Detection System” – which is, in essence – a pedestrian detection system – and now, a pedestrian airbag of sorts.

The Volvo Pedestrian Detection system, which scans the road using sensors and a camera and automatically stops the vehicle when a person is in its path, debuted two years ago on the new S60. Now, Volvo is adding another layer of protection by introducing an airbag that inflates when sensors in the front bumper detect physical contact with a pedestrian. This causes a section of the hood to rise and a U-shaped airbag to inflate, covering about a third of the windshield and the bottom of the car’s A pillars and cushioning the blow for anyone unlucky enough to get hit and tossed onto the hood.

This week, at the Geneva Auto Show, the Swedish car maker is unveiling this new safety innovation, sported on a five-door hatchback – she Volvo S40.  It’s sporty, and safe – wielding this new technology as well as a hip panoramic glass roof and front grill to add to the aesthetics of it all.

Lexus Certified Pre-Owned Program Offers Exclusive Benefits and Incredible Value

The Lexus Certified Pre-Owned Program offers incredible benefits and value. Each vehicle undergoes a rigorous inspection process, and are hand-selected for our lots. It’s the next best thing to owning new, and you get all the perks of being a Lexus owner (And a Park Place Preferred Client!).

To learn more about the Lexus Certified Pre-Owned program contact one of our sales professionals at our Lexus stores today.