Park Place and Area Partners Donate Over 60,000 Meals to North Texas Food Bank

NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK RECEIVES $21,000 DONATION TO SUPPORT FAMILY MEALS


IRVING, Texas (April 10, 2020) – The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) has seen a tremendous demand for nutritious food as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Park Place Dealerships mobilized its clients, partners and members and together raised more than $21,000 to help feed families in the community.

The Food Bank’s mobile pantry generally serves an average of 300 households. Distributions recently have surged from 1,000 to almost 2,000 households in the last few weeks because of COVID-19.

“In these challenging times we are glad to support the community and are humbled by the generosity of our clients and members,” said Dave Evans, Chief Marketing Officer of Park Place Dealerships. “Now, more than ever, we must find ways to help each other get through this unprecedented period.”

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a top-ranked nonprofit hunger-relief organization operating a state-of-the-art volunteer and distribution center in Plano. Last year, the Food Bank provided almost 77 million nutritious meals across a diverse 13-county service area serving more than 200,000 meals per day for hungry children, seniors, and families.

The need for hunger relief in North Texas is complex and in order to meet the need, the NTFB is working to increase food distribution efforts with a goal to provide access to 92 million nutritious meals annually by 2025.

Over the past 30 years, Park Place has helped more than 300 community organizations across North Texas. The company supports philanthropic efforts in the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. 

Founded in 1987, Park Place operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Koenigsegg, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

Member Spotlight Featuring Diki Terry: A Rare Bird Takes Flight

Diki Terry spreads cheer, optimism and professionalism at Park Place Motorcars Arlington


She’s that rarest of North Texas birds – an actual Arlington native!

“Born and raised right here,” says Diki Terry with an easy laugh. “I graduated James Martin High School, which is only 15 minutes west. Go Warriors!”

And while she’s still a proud supporter of the school’s black, red, and silver, she’s unabashed about her dedication to Park Place Motorcars Arlington, where she’s served as Parts Director since October 2015.

“The pace can be quite hectic at times,” she freely admits. “The key is focus. Our clients need us at the top of our game every day.”

She’s a firm believer in the power of teamwork and doesn’t miss a chance to praise the six members of her busy team. “Our team works extremely well together and we get along really well together, too,” she says. “When you’re responsible for selling, tracking and replenishing inventory, for a huge variety of vehicle models and years, things can get pretty complicated fairly quickly. But our team gets it done!”

Diki holds brief (15-minute) “tune-up” meetings every morning with her staff so they can identify challenges and solutions. “I believe in the power of team communications and being open and up-front,” she says. “You can only control what you can control, so we take it one day at a time and focus on what needs to get done.”

She came to the world of automotive parts service after stints at another local dealership where, after serving as a receptionist, her office manager approached her with an opportunity – parts administrative assistant.

She accepted and thrived in the fast-paced environment. “I was like a sponge, absorbing all the action,” she says with typical enthusiasm. “I especially liked being a backup service dispatcher, it was a blast!”

She’s also typically frank about her experience as a woman in a traditionally male role.

“This was back in the late 1990s when it was sort of weird to see a girl at the parts counter,” she says. “But once clients have confidence you know what you’re doing, it’s all systems go and really not a big deal at all.”

Her Park Place Journey

She joined Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth in 2005 as a Parts Advisor and moved up to Assistant Parts Manager in 2007. Her sunny outlook and positive attitude garnered management attention and ultimately led to her current role. She keeps her team enthused with shared book studies about practical tools to enhance culture, communication, and performance.

“We’ve studied Jon Gordon’s ‘Power of a Positive Team’ and ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ by Spencer Johnson,” she says. “Right now, we’re on ‘The Mamba Mentality’ by Kobe Bryant and it’s great,” she adds.

In Her Spare Time

In her spare time, she gathers strength from her faith and her family: her husband of 23 years, their 19-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son. From their home base in Aledo, they jump into their Sprinter RV and head for the hills as often as they can. “We all love camping,” she chuckles.

She also acknowledges being a fan of Def Leppard. “’Hysteria’ is a great album,” she says with a smile. Seemingly on the opposite side of the cultural fence, she admits that her favorite movie is the classic weeper “Sixteen Candles.”

Some Real Advice

What advice does she have for women who’d like to explore careers in the automotive industry but feel uncertain?

“Just be yourself, go out there and be willing to learn and ask questions,” she states. “Nobody’s standing in your way. Immerse yourself in what you’re learning, figure out your niche and just keep going.”

 

 

 

 

Start Your Auto Purchase Online with Path to Purchase

Use our “Path to Purchase” tool and start your purchase online in the comfort of your own home. 

We want to assure you that we are still committed to providing exceptional client experiences, even if the experience looks a bit different. If you are in the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle, you can actually start your purchase online with Park Place’s Path to Purchase.

Park Place’s ‘Path to Purchase’ option allows you to browse and shop for your new vehicle from the comfort of your own home. It’s as easy as – select your vehicle, personalize your payment, value your trade, apply for credit and then choose your delivery option!

We are determined to provide you with an exceptional car-buying experience that is also personalized based on what works best for you and your family. To start your Path to Purchase, you can view our inventory here. 

Check out this video to see how to use our online retailing tool

Park Place Extends Pick-Up and Delivery Services to all Locations

‘Pick-up and Delivery’ will temporarily be offered at all Park Place Dealership locations for clients who continue to have service and detail needs. 

Park Place Dealerships recognizes that COVID-19 is affecting our clients’ day-to-day lives and we are here to continue to assist by offering pick-up and delivery for all your service needs. We want to make this difficult time as seamless as possible for you and your vehicle, while also ensuring you and our members assisting feel safe.

Click Here to Schedule Service

Park Place is taking extreme safety measures when it comes to sanitation for the health of our clients and members. You can expect the following precautions to be taken with every pick-up and delivery appointment for your vehicle and your loaner vehicle:

    • Member must wear latex gloves
    • Member will spray a liberal amount of dis-infecting cleaner into a micro-fiber rag
    • They will wipe the driver’s door handle thoroughly and then open driver’s door and wipe down interior door handle, switches, and armrest
    • Additional disinfecting cleaner will be sprayed into a micro-fiber rag and wipe down the steering wheel, center console climate control, console screens, switches, center console lid, and gear-shift selector
    • Our member will exit the vehicle and spray additional disinfecting cleaner into a micro-fiber rag and wipe down the driver’s side rear door exterior handle, interior handle, switches, and armrest.
    • FOR SUVS: Members will also wipe down the rear tailgate exterior release handle
    • They will wipe down passenger’s side rear door exterior handle, interior handle, switches, and armrest
    • and finally, they will wipe down the passenger’s side front door exterior handle, interior handle, switches, and armrest.

Once the sanitization process is complete, the member will mark the driver’s front window with a checkmark, and keys will be sanitized prior to handing them over to our clients.

Check out this service delivery from our team at Motorcars Dallas to see what these new pre-cautions look like:

Disclaimer for clients scheduling an appointment:  

Prior to a service appointment being scheduled, our service coordinators will ask the client the following questions to ensure the safety and health of everyone involved:

  1. Have you recently traveled outside of the United States or to a hot-zone state?
  2. Have you recently been around anyone with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms?
  3.  Are you currently experiencing any flu-like symptoms?

Park Place’s top priority is to take care of our clients during this difficult time with top-notch service and increased health precautions. Contact us today to reserve your pick-up and delivery appointment:

  • Book Online: https://www.parkplace.com/schedule-service.htm
  • Call: 855-361-6745

Pick-up and delivery is by appointment only. Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license, insurance and credit card. Geographic restrictions may apply. See your dealer for full details. 

Member Spotlight: Lorien Lippen on Guiding Members and Clients to Extraordinary Experiences

The first thing you notice about Lorien Lippen is her extraordinary energy in her 10-million-megawatt smile, her lively banter, and the intensity of her gaze – when she focuses on you, she’s focused on YOU.


All About Foundations

She brings this engaging magic to all Park Place University programs, like “Foundations,” the weekly onboarding experience that welcomes brand-new Park Place team members. In a room full of new members, she quickly, and genuinely, puts everyone at ease. Within minutes, the once-perfect strangers are interacting cheerfully as she guides the group through the program’s various modules and activities.

All programs are created by the Organization Development team, the six-person department she leads, and align with Park Place’s culture, values, and business goals.

“Our team’s core focus is to deliver extraordinary learning experiences that make Park Place, My Place, for all members,” she explains. “We provide a deep, welcoming experience to all new members through “Foundations,” and reinforce the importance of our client experience through more specific training such as the ‘One Touch’ sales program for Sales Experience Managers, the ‘Service Experience’ for Assistant Service Managers and the ‘Valet Experience’ for Service Valets. It’s about providing the best programs to meet the members’ needs and lead to extraordinary client experiences.”

A Force of Good for Park Place

Simply put, Lorien Lippen is a force of nature. And fortunately for Park Place, she’s been our force for good since joining in July 2018. Why did she venture into this field of learning, development and coaching?

“I was often the student helping the others in my classes. Working with someone on a challenge, and then watching them find their way through it is truly rewarding,” she says.

Knowing her passion before leaving high school, she went on to receive her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Cincinnati, and went on to help others pursue their own excellence and passion with such notable companies as NBCUniversal, Creative Artists Agency, DIRECTV, American Honda Motor Company and The Walt Disney Company.

All that magic might explain her multiplicity of certifications in skill-based development programs that encompass leadership development, executive coaching, change management, performance management, succession planning, talent review, and competency modeling, just to name a few.

A Little Personal

On the personal side, she admits to being somewhat of a bookworm and devours novels like “Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt, “All the Light You Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr and “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.

She and her husband Ryan also get a huge kick out of the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” “Endlessly funny,” she says. They pair it with her favorite comfort food – “Homemade pizza with pepperoni, black olives and mushrooms! Absolute heaven, I could eat it every day.”

A trained classical pianist, she relaxes by playing favorites – favorite composers include Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin – and credits her high school music theory instructor, Mr. Lassaine, with teaching her an important life lesson she still lives by.

“I was being overly disruptive in class, and he pulled me aside to ask what was going on,” she confesses. “I began complaining about how early I had to wake up and the long commute. And he looked me in the eye and said, ‘Hey, you earned your spot, but if you don’t want it, somebody else will gladly take your place. So you need to choose if you want to be here, otherwise you’re wasting my time and yours.’”

“I was a little shocked but he was right,” she admits. “The lesson was that life is about choice, and whatever you commit to, commit fully. It was good advice then, it’s still good advice now, and I try to follow it every day.”

 

Continued Park Place Dealerships Business Updates

03.30.2020 Premier Collection (Bentley, McLaren, Maserati, Rolls-Royce) Service Center Hours Updated

Per the local county guidelines, our dealership has been deemed an essential business and will remain open with adjusted hours. The current hours of operation are as follows:

SALES

Mon-Sat: 9:00am-6:00pm

SERVICE & PARTS

Mon-Fri: 8:00am – 5:00pm

Sat-Sun: CLOSED

03.24.2020 Updated Business Hours Effective March 24th

Service Hours – 8:00am-5:00pm

As an essential business, our service department is available to assist with same-day appointments, pick-up and delivery options and provide a complimentary vehicle sanitation service. We look forward to assisting with your automotive service needs.

Sales Hours – 9:00am-6:00pm*

Our Sales Members will be available through email and phone. Our Members are able to help you shop online, appraise a vehicle at your home, bring a vehicle to you for a product demonstration, and deliver final paperwork to you for lease or purchase. Please contact our store to make a sales appointment

03.19.2020 Park Place Adds “Pick-Up and Delivery” Service to all Park Place locations. Read here for details. 

03.19.2020: Use our “Path to Purchase” tool and start your purchase online.

We want to assure you that we are still committed to providing exceptional client experiences, even if the experience looks a bit different. If you are in the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle, you can actually start your purchase online with Park Place’s Path to Purchase.

Park Place’s ‘Path to Purchase’ option allows you to browse and shop for your new vehicle from the comfort of your own home. It’s as easy as – select your vehicle, personalize your payment, value your trade, apply for credit and then choose your delivery option!

We are determined to provide you with an exceptional car-buying experience that is also personalized based on what works best for you and your family. To start your Path to Purchase, you can view our inventory here. 

Check out this video to see how to use our online retailing tool

03.18.2020 – Complimentary Car Wash is Temporarily Closed

The safety and well-being of our clients and members is our top priority.

In response to the growing concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), complimentary car washes are temporarily unavailable at all participating Park Place Dealerships, effective immediately.

Our Park Place Dealerships are open and will continue supporting your service needs. Car washes will be provided to clients with a scheduled service appointment during this time.

03.17.2020: Official Statement on COVID-19

Includes preliminary precautions around client and loaner vehicles, beverage and food in-dealership, greetings, sanitation, and member health.


While there is a lot of uncertainty because of COVID-19, we are grateful you have entrusted us to help you purchase, service, and repair your vehicle. We are closely monitoring this evolving situation, and we will continue to update you with any changes to our complimentary car wash policy.

Thank you for your continued support of Park Place Dealerships.

Park Place Dealerships Response to COVID-19

Thank you for making Park Place, Your Place to purchase and service your vehicle. Your safety and well-being is our top priority.

In response to the growing concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to provide an update on the services Park Place currently offers and extra steps we’ve put in place to help protect our clients.

Park Place Dealerships currently has many services clients can take advantage of during this situation including: online service appointments, express pay for vehicle pick up, virtual test drives, test drives in your driveway, and online purchasing.

Going forward, we have implemented the following measures to protect clients and employees:

 GREETINGS. We have advised all dealership employees to suspend handshakes and physical contact with our guests. Smiles and great client service will continue!

  SANITATION. Our teams are actively wiping down high traffic areas throughout the day, and nightly custodial activities are hyper-focused on cleaning and sanitizing those same high traffic areas. We encourage you to utilize the hand sanitizers that are conveniently located throughout the dealership.

 CLIENT and LOANER VEHICLES. We take great pride in caring for each and every client and loaner vehicle. Vehicles are diligently inspected and meticulously cleaned and cared for upon their every return. Our team of professional detailers, car-washers, valets and service managers are diligently providing extra care for each vehicle for your safety.

 FOOD AND BEVERAGE. We are temporarily discontinuing our complimentary refreshments including snacks and coffee as an added safety measure. Small water bottles will be available.

 EMPLOYEES’ HEALTH. We are following all CDC guidelines for businesses and employers. We are asking employees to stay home if they feel ill and we ask clients to exercise good judgment if they have traveled to high-impact areas, been exposed to a COVID-19 patient or feel ill. We are currently requiring all team members and clients to wear a mask at any of our establishments until further notice. 

While there is a lot of uncertainty because of COVID-19, we are grateful you have entrusted us to help you purchase, service, and repair your vehicle. We are closely monitoring this evolving situation, and we will continue to update you with any changes to our company policies.

Thank you for your continued support of Park Place Dealerships.

Park Place Porsche Unveils New Electric Taycan

Park Place Porsche recently unveiled the new electric Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S in Dallas and Grapevine.

In Dallas, guests enjoyed charged-up cuisine from The French Room and City Hall Bistro; craft cocktails like the Maker’s Mark Electric Current and Old Soul; powerful pop-up experiences from the Spa Adolphus and Commerce Goods & Supply; supercharged photos courtesy of Celebrity Cruises; and off-the-chart performances by the Southpaw Preachers.

In Grapevine, guests enjoyed options from Truluck’s, Copelands and Brio; craft cocktails like the Maker’s Mark Electric Current and Old Soul; fast-paced fashions from Malouf’s, Johnny Was, Scout & Molly’s and 7 for All Mankind; an Eco Lounge featuring delightful drinks by Pressed Juicery and treats from Trader Joe’s; supercharged photos courtesy of Celebrity Cruises; and electrifying performances by the Southpaw Preachers.

Patrick Huston, General Manager Porsche Dallas

“Obviously, an Electric Vehicle doesn’t need a turbocharger to reach supercar acceleration,” said Park Place Porsche Dallas General Manager Patrick Huston. “Since the first Porsche 911 Turbo was launched in 1974, “Turbo” has become a sub-brand, a nomenclature for the fastest models in each Porsche model. Make no mistake, the Taycan is 100-percent Porsche. It looks, drives, and responds unmistakably Porsche. It handles corners like a true sports car, but it’s very comfortable on long drives. And it’s one of the fastest recharging EVs on the market.”

Jordan Mizrach, General Manager Porsche Grapevine

“The evening was truly exhilarating. The Taycan is a transformational addition to the Porsche family. Most electric cars have a single-speed direct-drive gearbox, but the Taycan’s rear axle uses a two-speed setup for improved acceleration and range. But regardless of its power plant, the Taycan handles like you expect a Porsche to handle. While the acceleration might be a bit more stimulating initially, the ride and drive are exactly what you expect from Porsche. And it’s one of the fastest recharging EVs on the market today.”

Pronounced “Tie-KHAN

Pronounced “Tie-KHAN,” the four-door Turbo S sports sedan will go from 0-to-60 mph in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph and a driving range of 192 miles (201 miles for the Turbo) all with the incomparable handling, dependable quality and world-class styling of a Porsche.

While an Electric Vehicle doesn’t really need a turbocharger to reach supercar acceleration, Porsche chose to maintain the Turbo and Turbo S branding for the Taycan. Since the first Porsche 911 Turbo was launched in 1974, “Turbo” has become a sub-brand, a nomenclature for the fastest models in each Porsche line.

 


Founded in 1987, Park Place operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

New Luxury, Now Open: Jaguar Land Rover North Austin

On March 2nd, 2020, Park Place Dealerships officially opened their doors in Austin, TX, at Jaguar Land Rover North Austin. 


AUSTIN, Texas (March 2, 2020) – Park Place Dealerships opens Jaguar Land Rover North Austin today on State Highway 45 and Parmer Road. Located at 13910 FM 620 North, Jaguar Land Rover North Austin is the first dealership for Park Place Dealerships in the Austin Area.

The new dealership features a large, glass-enclosed showroom that accommodates up to 12 new Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. The 70,000-square-foot facility also includes a five-story garage, a shop with 42 service bays, a nine-car service drive, and a 2000-square-foot carwash.

Park Place builds each dealership with bright interiors and beautifully appointed furnishings to offer clients the most comfortable surroundings. Jaguar Land Rover North Austin is filled with luxury amenities that include spacious Wi-Fi-enabled work stations, a beverage and snack station, a children’s play area, as well as multiple client lounges arranged with contemporary furnishings and flat-screen televisions.

“Park Place creates facilities with the client in mind to round out the entire automotive experience,” says General Manager Matt Woolsey. “From the moment a client walks into our dealership, we want them to feel at home. We will serve each client with integrity and attention to detail as we have for the past 33 years across Texas. It’s wonderful to now have the opportunity to serve North Austin and the surrounding communities.”

Park Place also invests significantly in training and career development to ensure a team of bright, talented and passionate members are prepared to help clients with their automotive needs.

Jaguar Land Rover North Austin Management Team. (L-R) John Gasparaitis, Parts Director Justin Griggs, Shop Foreman Walter Rhodes, New Car Sales Director Jose Fernandez, Service Manager Matt Humphrey, Service Director Matt Woolsey, General Manager Chris Nations, Pre-Owned Sales Director Cade Mannetti, Sales Manager Erika Falk, GM Admin Vy Nguyen, Finance Director Jordan Case, President of Park Place

Park Place Dealerships has a long history of supporting the communities they are a part of and Jaguar Land Rover North Austin has jumped right in to build partnerships with several organizations. The new dealership is already supporting Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD along with the Center for Child Protection through its Park Place Cares program. Through this initiative, Park Place contributes to efforts in the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Over the past 30 years, Park Place has helped raise millions of dollars for more than 300 community organizations across Texas.


About Jaguar Land Rover

After Tata Motors, India’s largest automobile manufacturer, acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford in 2008, it merged the two marques into a single company.

Land Rover is the world’s leading manufacturer of premium all-wheel-drive vehicles and Jaguar is one of the world’s premier luxury sports saloon and sports car marques.  In 2019, Jaguar sales in the U.S. were up over 2018 with 31,0151 units sold. Land Rover had another record year of sales with 94,736 units which also saw an increase over 2018. With a combined total of 125,787 units, Jaguar Land Rover established a new all-time U.S. sales record in 2019.


About Park Place Dealerships

Founded in 1987, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

Volvo Cars Introduces an S90 and V90 Refresh

Volvo Cars reveals refreshed versions of the S90 sedan and the V90/V90 Cross Country estate models, including a refined exterior design and a brand new, state-of-the-art sound system by Bowers and Wilkins.


In a broader portfolio upgrade, the company’s 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain options are now available on every Volvo model, further boosting the company’s electrified offer.

Exterior Design 

The refreshed Volvo S90 Recharge T8 plug-in hybrid in Platinum Grey

In terms of exterior design, Volvo designers have introduced a number of refinements on both the front and rear of the S90 and V90, including new fog lights, a new spoiler design and a new lower front bumper.

On the V90 and V90 Cross Country, the most striking feature is a brand new rear light design, including full LED-powered signature lighting and a sequential turn indicator. A range of new exterior colors and wheel options further improve options for personalization.

The refreshed Volvo V90 B6 AWD Cross Country in Thunder Grey

Inside, a comprehensively upgraded Bowers & Wilkins audio system introduces an even better in-car sound experience, thanks to new features such as an upgraded amplifier, automatic vehicle noise compensation and a new setting that mimics the sound of your favorite jazz club.

Another new feature inside is an Advanced Air Cleaner with a PM 2.5 particle sensor. First developed for the Chinese market and now rolled out globally, it allows drivers to monitor interior air quality via the center screen. If desired, the Advanced Air Cleaner can clean the cabin air of almost all tiny particles within a few minutes.

Both the new Bowers & Wilkins audio system and the Advanced Air Cleaner technology are now available on all 90 and 60 Series models based on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA).

All models in the 90 and 60 Series now also come with double USB-C charging points in the rear, replacing the 12-volt outlets. The wireless charging functionality for smartphones, first introduced on the small XC40 SUV, is now also available on most variants in the 90 and 60 Series.

In terms of interior materials, the exclusive tailored wool-blend seats first introduced on the XC90 last year are now also available on all 90 and 60 models, while there is also a leather-free interior option for the top trim levels.

Hybrid Powertrains

Elsewhere in its model range, Volvo Cars is significantly expanding the number of its 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain options, making these engine options available on every single Volvo model.

First introduced on the XC90 and XC60 SUVs last year, the mild hybrids are now also available on all other 90 and 60 Series cars as well as on the XC40. The mild-hybrid powertrain options on the V90 Cross Country represent the first electrified variants in the history of the Cross Country range.

Volvo Cars’ mild hybrids offer drivers up to 15 percent fuel savings and emission reductions in real-world driving. The brake-by-wire system interacts with the energy recovery system and reduces fuel consumption and emissions by recovering kinetic energy under braking.

Together with the Recharge car line of plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars, this means there is now an electrified Volvo model for everyone.