It’s the holiday season and we all have a lot to be thankful for. As the December to Remember comes to a close, current and prospective Lexus owners can be thankful for the 2020 Lexus RX and its front-end re-design and it’s continued dominance in the luxury SUV segment.
Thankful for a New Smile
Back and better than ever, the Lexus RX SUV returns with a fresh new grille. A signature symbol of any Lexus vehicle is the front grille. Each model has a unique front face, but the RX has seen a dramatic change as the original luxury crossover. Lexus designers continued to build on the grille by adding elaborate angles beginning at the grille corners and meeting at the L-motif. The hand-drawn angles create a smooth, visual flow for owners and vehicle on-lookers.
Thankful for Staying Connected
Good news for Android users. The 2020 RX is the first Lexus vehicle to feature the Android Auto integration. The vehicle currently offers connected technology apps Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay via the standard 8-inch touchscreen. Drivers will also enjoy the ability to start their car remotely from the new Lexus app. With the cooler days approaching in North Texas, getting a head start for your RX350 is a win.
Thankful for Convenience
The Lexus Multimedia System touchscreen has moved forward nearly 5.5 inches closer to the driver side. This improves the experience for drivers who need to enter adjust the audio or change the climate controls. All vehicle occupants will appreciate the two additional USB ports.
Thankful for a Smooth Ride
If you like talking to your in-vehicle apps, you’ll love how your Lexus talks back to you. The 2020 RX is designed to reduce the noise and vibration from the road refining the vehicle’s responsiveness. 2020 RX owners should be prepared for added active corner braking providing more stability when handling your SUV.
Thankful for the Park Place experience
If you are in the market to upgrade your vehicle or join the Lexus brand, Park Place Dealerships can assist you with your experience. For more details, visit our Park Place Lexus Grapevine or Park Place Lexus Plano locations and be sure to visit our website to learn about any current offers on the new Lexus RX.
On Nov. 12 the holidays came early for more than 110 Plano ISD teachers, counselors and librarians as together they received a total of $125,000 in educational grants.
Grants to Educators, a program of the Plano ISD Education Foundation, graciously provides funds to Plano ISD educators each year ranging in value from $250 to $1,500. Teachers, grades or entire schools had the ability to apply for these grants which will financially support projects that demonstrate instructional excellence.
Grant recipient Mary James, Armstrong Middle School // photos Jennifer Shertzer
The Plano ISD Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support Plano schools and educators. Since 2000, almost $17 million has been gifted to Plano ISD by the Foundation to enhance scholastic learning and recognize deserving educators.
“Programs like Grants to Educators is what the PISD Education Foundation is all about. As we surprised each teacher on their campus today, you could see the excitement and passion these educators have for their students. We are Plano ISD Proud,” said Jamee Jolly, Plano ISD Education Foundation Sr. Executive Director.
For more than seven years, it has been a Park Place tradition to spread holiday cheer by gifting these grants to deserving educators. PISD is just one of four amazing districts that we partner with. The others including Coppell ISD, Southlake ISD and Rockwall ISD. But one thing that always stays the same is everyone piling into Park Place vehicles and heading out to different locations to find the lucky recipients.
“The Grant Patrol truly is a highlight for our team members. Not only do we get to support the teachers, but we also are able to give back our time and see our dollars in action. It’s such a moving day and we are thrilled to be a part of it,” said Anam Ali-Hashambhai, Park Place Dealerships Experiential Marketing Manager.
As a company, we strive to support and empower our team members to improve the quality of life in the communities where we do business. Grant Patrol is just one of the many ways that #ParkPlaceCares.
IRVING, Texas (December 12, 2019) – Ken Schnitzer, founder and chairman of Park Place Dealerships, has announced his intention to sell 14 dealerships to Asbury Automotive Group, one of the nation’s largest automotive retail and service companies with 88 dealerships and revenues of $6.9 billion. The sale is expected be finalized by March 2020.
“The decision to sell the company that I have spent the past three decades building has not been an easy one,” said Schnitzer. “But now is the time to enjoy my family and friends, as well as explore new opportunities.”
The transaction includes the Park Place brand and the following dealerships: Mercedes-Benz stores in Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, Lexus Plano and Lexus Grapevine, Jaguar/Land Rover DFW and an Austin location currently under construction, Porsche Dallas, Volvo, Bentley Dallas, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas, McLaren Dallas, and Maserati Dallas. Park Place BodyWerks in Dallas and Fort Worth are also included in the sale.
“I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished and the culture we have built at Park Place,” Schnitzer remarked. “I will keep my hand in the automotive industry by retaining two dealerships and a body shop in Grapevine. DFW is one of the strongest markets in the country, and Texas is a great place to do business. The future is very bright for Park Place Dealerships and the industry.”
Schnitzer will maintain ownership of the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche dealerships in Grapevine, as well as the body shop in Grapevine. He started Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn Avenue. He proceeded to create one of the largest luxury dealership groups in the country by hiring and training confident, passionate people to provide an exceptional ownership experience for clients.
“In the last 32 years, there have been many challenges, opportunities, decisions, and risks,” said Schnitzer. “But when you have a great team by your side, you can accomplish anything. The members of Park Place who’ve contributed their ideas and talents to the growth of the company are the best in the industry.”
In 2005, Park Place Lexus Plano and Park Place Lexus Grapevine were awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award by the President of the United States in the small business category. Park Place was the first auto dealer to ever win the award.
For the past 10 years, the company has been named to The Dallas Morning News’ Top 100 Places to Work. Each of the individual dealerships are ranked among the best in the country with respect to sales and service.
Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,100 members and operates 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Karma, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.
Self-described “misfit” marks nearly 20 years of a perfect fit with Park Place Lexus Plano
Unlike most of her generation, you won’t catch Finance Director Shiva Olumi endlessly twiddling her smartphone to update her social media status.
“I just think that if you’re on your phone all the time, you’re never really present in reality,” she says. “You run the risk of missing out on real connections. Then again, I’m a bit unorthodox anyway,” she admits with a laugh.
A first-generation Iranian-American, Olumi says that curiosity led her to accept a part-time job at the dealership while she studied for a pharmacology degree. But she credits her innate ability to look at life through a different lens that led her to consider an automotive career.
“My parents were a bit concerned because this industry didn’t fit into the career boxes of medicine or law,” she states. “But the work spoke to me and I was able to rise up the ranks. Plus, I really enjoy the industry.”
From receptionist, she moved through a variety of roles at the store, including loan car admin, ARAP, inventory specialist, new car biller, preowned biller, staff accountant, accounting manager, assistant finance manager and new car sales manager to her current role.
“Guess I just can’t stay in one place,” she smiles.
She credits mentoring by both Jordan Case (Park Place President) and Chris Brunner (her hiring manager, now Lexus Plano GM) as critical to her exploration of challenging new roles. “They helped me develop and provided me with growth opportunities. Park Place is incredibly committed to inclusion and opportunity for all,” she adds.
She sees her role as a founding member of the Women in Automotive group as a way to pay back their confidence in her. The group’s goal, she says, is to afford opportunities and exposure to others who might not have automotive industry careers on their radar.
“It’s not just a women-only thing,” she says. “It’s an open forum to support those who might not have a mentor at their store or may just need guidance or a conversation to create hope. I’d like to see it become more inclusive but we have to start somewhere.”
She’s a travel fan, as much for the nature she enjoys getting back to, as well as the differing perspectives she encounters. Favorite destinations include New Mexico, Spain, Germany and the Middle East. Even then, she often “takes the path less traveled.”
Her motto? “Write your own manifesto about what you find as your normal.”
[picture caption — (l to r) Shiva Olumi, Finance Director, and Selena Villalobos, Business Coordinator, both with Park Place Lexus Plano.
For Every Act of Kindness Shared with Hashtag #giveamazing Lexus will donate $10 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America
The holiday season is a time of increased giving across North Texas and Park Place Dealerships is leading the way for members, clients and the community to give back to help those who may need it. Organizations Park Place will be supporting during this season include Salvation Army, Boys & Girls Club of America, Community Partners of Dallas, Arlington ISD, and Toys for Tots.
“We care about our community and are glad to provide support to those in need,” said Dave Evans, chief marketing officer for Park Place Dealerships. “There are many families who struggle throughout the year and our members continually look for opportunities to help others. During this holiday season, we are partnering with various charities and we have made it easy for the community to join these efforts.”
Give Back with Park Place
Park Place Lexus stores in Grapevine and Plano are participating in the Lexus Give Amazing program, which kicks off November 22. Lexus is simply asking people to share acts of kindness on social media with the hashtag #giveamazing. For each submission using the hashtag, Lexus will donate $10 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America up to a total donation of $100,000.
Park Place Motorcars Dallas and Park Place Porsche Dallas are participating in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Clients and members can pick an angel off the tree at the Lemmon Avenue dealerships. The angel tags are printed with a child’s name, age and gift ideas from their wish list. Participants purchase gifts and return them to the dealerships by the deadline on the tag. Park Place members will deliver the gifts to one of the 11 Salvation Army Distribution centers for delivery to a family.
Park Place Motorcars Arlington is collecting new and gently used coats, jackets and shoes for students in Arlington ISD, where approximately 64,000 students (70% of students) are identified as “low socio-economic.”
Park Place Dealerships’ corporate office, located in Las Colinas, also will be collecting toys for distribution for the Community Partners of Dallas. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the front desk at 350 Phelps Drive in Irving.
Porsche Grapevine is collecting non-perishable food throughout November to donate to a local food bank and will be collecting Toys for Tots thru December 9th. Park Place Motorcars Grapevine is donating food for GRACE for Thanksgiving dinner and participating in Toys for Tots thru Dec. 13.
All of these efforts are part of the Park Place Cares program, which encourages Park Place’s 2,100 members to volunteer their time and resources to serve the community in which they live and work. The community can support any of these initiatives by donating toys, food, or sharing their act of kindness on social media with the hashtag#giveamazing.
Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships operates 17 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.
Jaguar has announced the addition of a new XJ Collection Special Edition model to the 2019 XJ model line-up. The limited-edition model celebrates the last of the current generation XJ design and offers a unique and bold blend of performance, technology and luxury. It represents the ultimate expression of the sedan’s legendary elegance and striking design.
Based on the long-wheelbase, rear-wheel-drive Jaguar XJL Supercharged model, and powered by a 470 hp 5.0-liter Supercharged V8, the XJ Collection features a range of elegant visual enhancements to the sedan’s exterior and unique details to its luxurious cabin. Just 300 examples will be produced and sold only to U.S. customers, making it one of the most exclusive versions of the XJ since the ground-breaking original was revealed in 1968. Jaguar XJ Collection vehicles are the final 300 units produced of the current generation XJ.
Exclusive interior features deliver enhanced levels of craftsmanship, elevating the iconic luxury the XJ is known for. Features include door panels with a gloss rich oak veneer with linear laser inlay, not found in any other XJ model, a wood and leather steering wheel and unique metal treadplates with ‘XJ Collection’ branding. Each will also receive an ‘XJ Collection One of 300’ intaglio on its premium leather-wrapped dashboard.
Exterior highlights include an intricately designed set of 20-inch 5 split-spoke style wheels with Satin Grey finish from the standard wheelbase XJ Supercharged model, as well as an understated ‘Collection’ badge fixed to the decklid. The XJ Collection will be available in a select choice of exterior and interior color combinations, limited to Yulong White or Santorini Black exterior paired with Ebony/Ebony or Mineral/Ivory interiors, as well as British Racing Green exterior paired with an Ebony/London Tan interior.
Standard features include Adaptive Cruise Control, 360-Degree Parking Aid, 360-Degree Surround Camera, all-season tires and an 8-speed automatic transmission.4 The standard InControl Touch Pro™ infotainment system features Meridian™ audio, a suite of connected services and Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™5* to make it easier than ever to access tailored smartphone apps using the 10-inch touchscreen.5
The new XJ Collection starts at $85,000. Contact Park Place Jaguar DFW or the new North Austin Point opening in 2020.
As iconic as tea and crumpets, Land Rover’s revered Defender debuted in 1948 and instantly established itself as one of Britain’s MVEs (Most Valuable Exports). Indestructible and indefatigable, the boxy 4×4 was finally retired in 2016, much to the chagrin of SUV aficionados everywhere. (It’s been gone from American markets even longer – its lack of safety features prohibited its sale in the U.S. from 1997 on.)
But you can’t keep an icon down. The Defender is back for 2020, chock-full of sturdy protective passenger gear as well as all the rough-and-tumble goodness that made the original such a massive hit.
Before we look forward, however, let’s take a quick look back at how the legend became legendary.
The world-famous Defender wasn’t always called “Defender.”
In 1947, with the war over, Rover’s director of engineering Maurice Wilks desperately needed a new product. Inspiration struck while he worked on his farm near Red Wharf Bay in Wales. Grabbing a stick, he scratched a design in the sand for a simple, strong, go-anywhere four-wheel-drive vehicle. Spencer, his brother (and Rover’s managing director), looked at the sketch and nodded.
The Land Rover was born, christened “Series I,” followed by Series II and III and then badged as model numbers 90,110 and 127 to represent wheelbase inches. Interestingly, it took 42 years for it to finally be christened “Defender,” which was its moniker until retirement.
Reimagined for the 21st century
The new Defender’s exterior styling carries on the original’s tall, boxy look but in a much more subtle and refined manner. A nice traditional touch – the spare wheel carrier on the rear door.
Another traditional touch – the Defender comes in two wheelbases, branded as “90” and “110” designations, which actually makes no sense because they signify, respectively, a 101.9-inch wheelbase with two-doors and a 119.0-inch wheelbase with four doors. But heritage is cool, so why not?
“The new Defender is respectful of its past but not harnessed by it,” said Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover. “This is a new Defender for a new age. Its unique personality is accentuated by its distinctive silhouette and optimum proportions, which make it both highly desirable and seriously capable – a visually compelling 4×4 that wears its design and engineering integrity with uncompromised commitment.”
While the interior isn’t so spartan that you can hose it down like the old Defender, it’s surprisingly austere, more so than other Range Rover models. That’s not to say there aren’t luxury touches – carpet floor mats offer a premium look and feel but are easily removed to reveal durable flooring beneath. Hey, this is the Defender and it’s got tradition to, well, defend.
Toughness and durability
This new Defender is built for climbing mountain roads. Two engines are available (depending on the choice of trim level): a “mild-hybrid” six-cylinder with an electric supercharger cranking 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, or a 296-hp turbocharged four-cylinder. The eight-speed ZF automatic transmission is standard, as is permanent all-wheel drive with an electronically controlled front axle coupling to send torque forward. There’s also a two-speed transfer box for off-roading and towing (it’ll haul up to 8,200 pounds).
And this is so cool and brilliantly Land Rover – the Terrain Response system includes a Wade Sensing program that detects when you’re fording big water and automatically softens throttle response, sets the heating and ventilation to recirculate cabin air, locks the driveline and adjusts the ride height to its maximum off-road setting of 35.4-inches. For the mathematically challenged, that’s nearly three feet of clearance!
But wait, there’s more. The Wade Sensing screen on the infotainment system lets occupants observe the depth of water under the vehicle and say hi to their fishy friends. As if that’s not enough, when the Defender leaves the water, it automatically drags the brakes for a moment to clean and dry the discs.
Availability
Prices start at just over $50,000 to more than $80,000 for the 110 model, with spring deliveries. Six models are available: Defender, Defender S, Defender SE, Defender HSE, Defender X and Defender First Edition.
Customers can also select from the widest range of accessories ever produced by the Land Rover brand, including a choice of four Accessory Packs: Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban.
Get yours at:
Park Place Jaguar Land Rover DFW
1300 E State Hwy 114, Grapevine, TX 75261
(972) 295-9783
Park Place Jaguar Land Rover North Austin (Opening 2020)
This particular award is presented annually to the vehicle anticipated to hold its value best over a three year period, and this is the second year that the V90 as come out as champion.
When deciding, vehicles are categorized into 27 different segments and evaluated on several different parameters including used vehicle performance, brand outlook, and product competitiveness. This the ALG only considered 2020 models, making it a great resource for anyone looking to make an investment in the coming year.
“We are incredibly proud that the V90 has received a Residual Value Award for the second year in a row,” said Anders Gustafsson, Senior Vice President Americas and President & CEO Volvo Car USA LLC. “A car purchase is one of the biggest investments a consumer makes, and this recognition gives our V90 customers confidence that they’ve made a smart decision that will retain its value for years to come.”
V90 Overview
Starting at $51,450, the 2020 V90 features a five-door, five-seat layout and features the iconic Scandinavian design that Volvo is so well known for. Key features include the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlight design, new grille, and the Volvo Ironmark, and the expressive use of the Volvo wordmark on the tail end. Contact Volvo Dallas to test drive yours!
A pleasant surprise for spacious sedan lovers and luxury SUV drivers, Mercedes-Benz has announced the addition of the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 4MATIC.
Imagine the body and technical savviness of the GLS with the exclusive ambiance and spacious interior of a Mercedes-Maybach.
Following a successful year in sales for the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, customers should expect nothing less with the SUV counterpart.
“Our customers normally own several different vehicles – and if they drive an SUV, we want them to drive a Mercedes-Maybach that offers them the luxury they expect from the brand,” said Martin Hülder, Head of Product Management Mercedes-Maybach. “In 2018 more Mercedes-Maybach S-Class cars were sold than ever before: one in seven S-Class models sold was a Maybach.”
Thanks to continued growth in SUVs, the Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 4MATIC welcomes drivers looking for an elevated experience.
“The SUV vehicle concept has a major advantage for the luxury segment: the high seating position,” Hülder said. “The raised position gives the occupants a different perspective of the surroundings, and many Mercedes-Maybach customers greatly appreciate this. Incidentally, a raised seating position is nothing new in the luxury segment: the grand luxury sedans of the 1930s, such as the Maybach Zeppelin, had a similar seating height for the driver and passengers, and very similar proportions.”
Clients can also expect Mercedes-Maybach subtleties designed specifically for the GLS600 SUV. If you see a Mercedes ornament on the hood of an SUV, it can only be a Mercedes-Maybach GLS600. If you need to take a nap following a long business meeting, the rear seats of the GLS600 will allow you to recline and relax.
From customizable Maybach fragrances to a dedicated Maybach drive program, drivers and passengers should all appreciate the bespoke like experience that comes with the GLS600 4MATIC. As the luxury SUV market continues to progress, the GLS600 4MATIC will definitely set itself apart from the competition.
“The brand experience goes well beyond the vehicle itself and the available services. The brand rounds off the lifestyle of its customers with various accessories,” Hülder said. “The licensing partner Maybach – Icons of Luxury produces exclusive collections accompanying the brand, and individual accessories that perfectly complement the individual models–for example travel bags, sunglasses, leatherwear and home accessories.”
For more information on how you can begin the Mercedes-Maybach SUV experience, please contact your local Park Place Motorcars dealerships today.
Mercedes-Benz SUVs are Ready for Primetime and Park Place is here to help explain what all your options may be- including a preview of the brand-new GLB hitting the showrooms later this season.
As families continue to grow and experiences continue to evolve, SUV popularity continues to rise. There may be many questions you have about SUVs that other shoppers have as well.
What SUV provides ample legroom for my children? Which SUV can I pack as much traveling equipment for my next family adventure? What dream SUV can I afford for myself? Well, Park Place can help simplify your purchasing decision by sharing everything you need to know about the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup.
Does your child need a car to return back to school after the holiday break? Are you a recent college graduate who is ready for an upgrade? Well, the Mercedes-Benz GLA250 is a perfect gift. Have you ever bought a car and realized, “Wow, I really didn’t need all that space after all.” You won’t get that feeling when buying the GLA. In a great way, the GLA is the studio apartment of SUVs. The GLA has enough space for one with room for visitors and offers minimal costs of ownership with proper maintenance. The GLA’s compact simplicity sets this vehicle apart from many entry-level vehicles.
And don’t worry about your college kid driving their sorority sisters to campus. Front-seat occupants will sit fairly comfortable with a maximum of two additional spots for rear-seat passengers. If GLA drivers travel without passengers, one can fold down the rear seats and appreciate about 43 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s enough space for two weeks of groceries! Any driver of this model will appreciate the fuel efficiency, with an estimated 24 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city and up to 34 MPG on the highway.
You’ve been at your job for a few years and are starting to get recognized for your success. For anyone looking for a vehicle to match their career climb, the GLC should strongly be considered. The back-to-back #1 ranked Luxury Compact SUV by U.S. News, the GLC has a sleek interior cabin including a variety of modern tech features. Drivers will enjoy a four-cylinder engine with a 9-speed transmission that offers a smooth, fuel-efficient ride during your work commute. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will also allow you to text friends using handsfree Smartphone Integration your way to happy hour.
Now you are managing professionals at work and your kids at home. You need an SUV that exudes your inner style. The SUV you can take co-workers to lunch during the day and the family to dinner during the evening is the GLE350.
A full redesign of the luxury midsize SUV formerly known as the ML, has already drawn rave reviews from U.S. News (#1 in Luxury Midsize SUVs). We even previewed back in April that the GLE was going to be a game-changer. Consumers have loved the exquisite exterior design adding swagger to their driveways. The MBUX infotainment has made engaging with your car a fun experience that introduces touchscreen and voice interaction. The GLE interior comfort will have you wishing you had a driver to chauffeur you and your passengers (there’s even an option for a third row!).
For the first time in seven years, the 2020 GLS (formerly known as the GL) saw a full makeover. The last time the full-size SUV had a full makeover, MotorTrend named the vehicle the SUV of the Year. Good things tend to repeat themselves and the GLS does that with various exterior and interior upgrades. A huge and anticipated enhancement to the GLS are the second-row captain’s chairs. The standard three-row Mercedes-Benz SUV adds additional legroom for rear-seat passengers to relax and enjoy the ride. The ride itself features a powerful drive with a calm persona that adjusts to various road conditions. An exterior makeover provides a beautiful touch for an SUV that’s rugged enough to have a towing capacity up to 7,700 pounds.
Even the timeless G-Wagon revealed all-new vibes with the 2019 model release. New enhancements are found with the cool cockpit displays to the elaborate exterior finishes. Every G-Wagon retains its iconic shape with chiseled strength protecting all occupants. Whether you are roaming the wild or cruising in the city, the G-Wagon is still an attention grabber and will be for decades to come.
Models available: G550
SUV Variants Explained:
Also, keep in mind these variances as your shopping for your Mercedes SUV:
4MATIC: any model with the 4MATIC designation is an all-wheel-drive vehicle. When you consider a 4MATIC vehicle, think of all 4 wheels working together to make you go.
Coupe: If four doors are too many, will two doors work? The GLC and GLE models offer coupe versions if there’s enhanced interest in a sportier version.
Mercedes-AMG: any model with AMG in its name boasts higher performance and extra packages, leading to a higher value. The AMG designation is not to be confused with AMG design packages. (no Mercedes-AMG GLA available for 2020 at time of article)
Stay tuned as we continue to reveal all new upgrades and additions to the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup, including the GLB series. If you have interest in a new Mercedes-Benz SUV, view one the new models available at one of our four Park Place Motorcars locations in Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth and Grapevine.
