Volvo – Page 7 – Park Place Dealerships

May 25, 2016May 25, 2016

Volvo XC90’s Infotainment System Wins ‘Best Auto Tech’ Award

The Volvo XC90 has been named the 2016 Best Auto Tech Award Winner by Kelley Blue Book for its Sensus infotainment system.
The heart of the Sensus system featured in the 2016 Volvo XC90 is a tablet-style, vertically oriented, nine-inch infrared display powered by Nokia’s HERE Auto Services architecture.

The advanced voice recognition engine allows you to verbally input a navigation address while on the go, as well as adjust the climate, make calls and order up specific media channels.

“The XC90’s Sensus infotainment system simplifies vehicle controls and its many features – and presents them through a uniquely simple and elegant interface, instantly familiar to anyone with a smartphone,” said Anders Tylman-Mikiewicz, General Manager, Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center. “We are honored to have KBB recognize all the benefits of Volvo’s technology in that regard.”

“…we tested six touchscreen infotainment platforms deemed worthy of consideration for the first Kelley Blue Book Best Auto Tech Award,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “One console in particular, the 2016 Volvo XC90 and its Sensus technology, was especially notable for its ability to enhance driving pleasure while also fostering safety, and it stood above the rest when it came to feature content, response times, ease-of-use and value.”

“This technology was deemed to be a cut above the rest in our testing, earning it the first-ever Kelley Blue Book Best Auto Tech Award,” said Micah Muzio, managing editor of video for Kelley Blue Book.

For more information about the Volvo XC90 or to schedule a test drive, please contact:

Donny Lambrecht, New Car Director at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33

May 5, 2016May 5, 2016

The Volvo XC60 and V60 Are Fan Favorites

The 2016 Volvo XC60 T6 All-Wheel-Drive compact utility vehicle was voted best Premium Utility Vehicle, and the 2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country wagon voted best Premium Compact Utility Vehicle, at the NWAPA’s Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year Competition in Shelton, Washington. Representing global, national and regional outlets such as MSNAutos.com, The New York Times, The Portland Tribune and others, NWAPA journalists evaluated 28 vehicles from 20 brands in six categories across ten criteria including: on- and off-road ride, handling and capability, design, technology, comfort, efficiency and value.

Nik Miles, president of the NWAPA, said, “After considerable evaluation, the automotive journalists of the Northwest clearly felt that both Volvo cars stood out as the best in their class. This is not the first win for Volvo at Mudfest and we expect them to return to defend their titles next year.”
2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country

“When evaluating the vehicles, our members really put them through the ringer,” said Ryan Douthit, event chair and producer of Driving Sports TV. “The fact that Volvo won not one but two classes is really quite impressive.”

Volvo XC60 T6 AWD

“That the XC60 and V60 beat such tough competition is a testament to the incredible engineering that went into them,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO, Volvo Car USA. “Volvo has always been and always will be about people. Building strong, capable, safe cars is something Volvo never intends to stop doing.”
The XC60 T6 AWD is equipped with Volvo’s powerful and efficient Drive-E engine. The 2.0-liter turbo- and supercharged power plant provides a very healthy 305 horsepower and an EPA-rated 27 MPG highway. The XC60 comes standard with Volvo’s legendary safety technology, which includes City Safety low speed collision avoidance system, high strength steel safety cage, Whiplash Protection System (WIPS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Luxury is also standard, in the form of a panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, leather upholstery, heated power outside mirrors, and more.

Volvo V60 Cross Country

The V60 Cross Country offers drivers a unique combination of size and functionality. With more than 2-inches additional ground clearance over the standard V60 and a unique appearance package, the all-wheel-drive wagon is available with Hill Decent Control, which automatically controls vehicle speed on slippery hills.

For more information about the Volvo XC60, V60, or other Volvo models, please contact:

Donny Lambrecht, at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33

April 27, 2016May 5, 2016

Award-Winning Beauty Inside and Out

The all-new Volvo XC90 has earned a spot among the 2016 Wards 10 Best Interiors awards, which recognizes new or significantly improved passenger vehicle interiors. The Volvo XC90’s interior is designed to make occupants feel better when they arrive at their destination than they did when they set out. Natural materials such as Nappa leather and open pore wood skillfully highlighted by faceted rotary controls and polished trim provide a clean, crisp, calming environment worthy of any modern Scandinavian home.

“The XC90 interior arguably makes the most dramatic styling statement in this year’s competition, leveraging a uniquely Scandinavian sensibility,” said Senior Editor Tom Murphy. “From the diagonal grain of the Linear Walnut wood inlays and Oreffors crystal gear shifter to the user-friendly tablet-shaped display screen and gleaming brightwork, the XC90’s cabin is a credit to all things Swedish.”

“The interior of the all-new XC90 sets new standards for the segment, if not the industry,” said Robin Page, Head of Interior Design at Volvo Car Group. “I am proud of the many talented Volvo designers and engineers who executed flawlessly to create something XC90 drivers can be deeply proud of.” WardsAuto, a leading trade publication for the global automotive industry, selected the XC90’s interior after evaluating 47 vehicles — including 18 utility vehicles — for interior materials, ergonomics, driver information, safety, comfort, fit-and-finish and aesthetics.

For more information about the Volvo XC90 or other models, please contact:
Donny Lambrecht, at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33

April 13, 2016April 18, 2016

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

April 7, 2016April 7, 2016

Autotrader’s 2016 Must Test Drive Award Goes To…

…the all new 2016 Volvo XC90.
The XC90 sets the standard in virtually every category: style, technology, safety, comfort and equipment. It’s also surprisingly well-priced for a luxury SUV.
Autotrader highlights new vehicles that car shoppers should pay attention to – and experience from the driver’s seat. Experience the award-winning Volvo XC90 at Park Place Volvo.

For more information about the Volvo XC90 or other models, please contact:

Donny Lambrecht, at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33

April 7, 2016April 18, 2016

Volvo XC90: All the Attention, All the Awards

Volvo’s relentless quest to make the safest, most luxurious car in its class has been recognized. And we’re honored. The all-new Volvo XC90 has been named a 2016 AUTOMOBILE All-Star by the experts at AUTOMOBILE magazine, and collected more awards from three other publications. This brings the global number of awards the XC90 has received to more than 110, including being named Motor Trend’s 2016 SUV of the Year and North American Truck of the Year.

“We are extremely proud to call the all-new XC90 an AUTOMOBILE All-Star, and to be recognized by so many other independent experts,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO, Volvo Car USA. “Accolades from such prominent publications give owners the confidence they are driving something truly great. They also mean a lot to everyone at Volvo.”

The XC90 was also named Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for Families by U.S. News and World Report; Best Luxury SUV by the Daily News; and the Autobytel Luxury SUV/Crossover of the Year. “The XC90 is unquestionably one of the best SUVs to come along in years, a true All-Star if there ever was one,” said Mike Floyd, editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE. “It’s easy to see why it’s won so many awards – it’s that good.”

Redesigned from the ground up, the 2016 Volvo XC90 carries forward the full-size SUV torch for Volvo, the 89-year-old Swedish automaker known for building some of the safest passenger vehicles available. The elegantly styled XC90 is available with several powerful and efficient powertrains – from a 250- horsepower turbocharged engine to a 400-horsepower, plug-in hybrid that can propel seven-passengers to 60 MPH in about five seconds.

Inside, the XC90 features Volvo’s Sensus control system, which is centered around a lag-free, 9.3-inch tablet-like touchscreen that incorporates most vehicle controls, including Apple CarPlay, and eliminates nearly all buttons and switches.

Like all new Volvos the XC90 also features Intellisafe, a full suite of active and passive safety technologies designed to protectwhat’s important to owners. And with semi-autonomous driving features like Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control the XC90 is ready for life in the twenty-first century. Together these features and functions are helping Volvo realize Vision 2020, which states that by 2020 no one should be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car.

For more information about the Volvo XC90 or other models, please contact:

Donny Lambrecht, at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33

April 4, 2016

Volvo XC90 Excellence Makes Its US Debut

The Volvo XC90 Excellence, a four-seat ultra-luxurious variant of the award-winning XC90 SUV, made its American Debut. The XC90 Excellence breaks new ground for Volvo, delivering a level of luxury, craftsmanship and comfort not previously seen in the company’s offerings. The driver and front passenger seats are duplicated to form the vehicle’s second row, fundamentally changing the car’s configuration.

With just four seats instead of seven the additional space is utilized to offer a First Class automotive experience that begins with broad, spacious individual reclining rear seats complete with massage, ventilation and increased leg room,

as well as a retractable control touchscreen

folding tables,

a refrigerator with bottle and glass holders, a heating/cooling cup holder .

and handmade crystal glasses from leading Swedish glass design company, Orrefors.

The presence of Nappa leather and open-pore wood, a signature of the XC90 Inscription, is expanded throughout the interior while a partition isolates the passenger space from the cargo area. This ensures an ultra-quiet environment to enjoy the 20-speaker, 1400-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

The Volvo XC90 Excellence is uncompromising in luxury, safety and its environmental footprint. The vehicle is offered exclusively with Volvo’s 400 horsepower, T8 Twin-Engine Plug-in Hybrid Electric powertrain with an Orrefors crystal gear shifter. The XC90 Excellence meets the same stringent safety standards as the XC90 T8 Inscription, Momentum and R-Design. “The Volvo XC90 Excellence is a fantastic expanded version of Volvo’s idea of luxury. It brings together fantastic materials, uncompromising safety and performance into an amazing package,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Car USA, “This car exposes Volvo to a new type of buyer.”

Limited numbers of the XC90 Excellence will be available in the United States this summer, with an MSRP of $104,900.

For more information about the Volvo XC90 Excellence or other Volov models, please contact:

Donny Lambrecht, at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33

March 24, 2016March 25, 2016

Exclusive Volvo S90 Concierge at Your Service

Volvo is entering a new era of personalized car-buying experience with the introduction of its Volvo Concierge- a personal assistant exclusively for buyers of the all-new Volvo S90. The all-new Swedish sedan is now available to order at Park Place Volvo and online, with the help of the Volvo Concierge who will provide an unprecedented level of online service and comfort throughout the purchase process. A designated Volvo representative ensures customers know about all of the S90’s available options and and will keep you updated until the keys are in your hand.

“We wanted to make the online experience more personalized. Cars are not your average online purchase. We believe luxury consumers of today will appreciate having a personal contact that helps you understand your options and the process,” says Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO of Volvo Car USA, “The Volvo Concierge concept is developed based on Volvo customer feedback from previous e-commerce solutions, so truly designed around their needs and a good complement to our retail experience”.

The Volvo Concierge will stay in constant contact with the future S90 owner, notifying them of when the car has been shipped from Sweden and when it is expected to arrive. Upon delivery, all of the car’s settings, such as radio stations and software apps, can be configured based on the owner’s personal preferences. All Concierge processed cars will be delivered through a Volvo retailer of choice.

Available via online chat, email and phone calls, customers can contact the Volvo Concierge to address almost any need or desire with regard to an S90 purchase.

Volvo Concierge is a complimentary service, available exclusively for online purchasers of the Volvo S90. Centered around you, it’s the convenient, personal way to order your new Volvo. Talk to a concierge today and discover more about the all-new Volvo S90. Volvo Online Concierge.

For more information about the Volvo S90 or other models, please contact:

Donny Lambrecht, at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33

March 14, 2016March 22, 2016

Scenic Stroll Through Dallas Blooms

It’s our favorite time of the year! Dallas Blooms is in full swing once again at the Dallas Arboretum. From great scenery and statues of great contributors to great luxury SUVs, there’s plenty to see and do. Park Place Dealerships is the exclusive automotive sponsor of the annual event and we added some of our favorite models from Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volvo to the Dallas Blooms mix.

Warm welcome! Visitors are greeted by this gorgeous grey Mercedes-Benz GLC300, which also provides for a fun photo-op.

Perched among the fragrant flowers, not far from the entrance, is a picture-perfect white Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid.

A Swedish model is making Cool Thursday Concerts a lot cooler. Be sure to check out the 2016 Volvo XC60 greeting visitors on the lawn.

This year’s theme, “The Artistry in Nature” includes life-size sculptures of great contributors such as Benjamin Franklin, and William Shakespeare relaxing on benches or in garden-setting throughout the Dallas Arboretum. Whether to take a selfie, or take in the views, guests are invited to have a seat on the bench along with the great contributors. The bronze sculptures are works of renowned sculptor Gary Lee Price.

Dallas Blooms runs through Sunday, April 10th.

February 29, 2016March 15, 2016

Volvo S90 Sedan Is a Real Game Changer

The Volvo S90 has been widely praised for its stunning exterior and sumptuous interior. Its proud yet non-aggressive face, characterized by a concave grille, itself a homage to the Volvo P1800, is home to Volvo’s new Iron Mark. The T-shaped Thor’s Hammer lights deliver a powerful sense of direction that makes the S90 unmistakable on the road.

Inside this low, four-door coupé, Volvo has taken cues from the success of its XC90 model and raised the bar with some stunning details on the new dashboard and instrument panel, including new air blades that stand vertically on each side of the Sensus user interface.

“We created our new flagship sedan, the Volvo S90, as a real game changer. It is classy and cool. The exterior is exceptionally well surfaced with a fantastic stance and the sort of clean lines that are singularly appropriate of a Scandinavian design. The interior masters the art of blending innovative technology and natural materials into an elegant, welcoming and tasteful ambience, Swedishness at its best,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design at Volvo Car Group.

The launch of the S90 highlights the ambition of the Swedish car maker, following an $11bn investment and the recent breaking of ground in Charleston, South Carolina, where Volvo Cars will build its first North American production facility, employing around 2,000 workers. “There are strong indications that Volvo is back on track in the US,” said Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President of the Americas at Volvo Car Group. “We expect this strong sales momentum to continue in 2016, helped by the new S90.” The S90 launches with IntelliSafe Assist as standard. This includes Adaptive Cruise Control and Distance Alert and the advanced semi-autonomous drive feature, Pilot Assist.

The Pilot Assist functionality gives gentle steering input to keep the car properly aligned within lane markings up to motorway speeds of around 80 mph (130 km/h) and no longer needs to follow another car. Pilot Assist is another step towards full autonomous drive – a key innovation area for Volvo, and one which is highlighted at the show with the Concept 26 display, which envisions how a car interior could look and feel in a fully autonomous Volvo.

The Volvo S90 also introduces a world first function to City Safety – large animal detection – a feature capable of detecting large animals such as large deer, horses or moose/elk, night or day. The technology offers an intuitive warning and brake support to help avoid or mitigate collisions with large animals.

The S90 has also benefitted from Volvo Cars’ recent investment in a highly advanced chassis simulator. “The S90 has taken a big stride forwards in terms of driving dynamics, performance and ride. We have completely redesigned the Volvo driving experience from the ground up to deliver a sense of precision, engaging control and comfort,” said Dr Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President, Research & Development at Volvo Car Group.

CLICK HERE to pre-order the Volvo S90

For more information please contact:

Donny Lambrecht, New Car Director at Park Place Volvo, (214) 956-5516, DLambrecht@10.2.54.33

Explore the Volvo S90 here.