Park Place Lexus Plano Unveils New LC500

Park Place Lexus Plano unveils new LC500 — supports TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation.

With hundreds of people gathered at Park Place Lexus Plano recently for the reveal of the 2018 Lexus LC500, the air was buzzing with excitement as guests eagerly awaited the reveal of Lexus’ latest engineering marvel.

*Park Place Lexus president Jordan Case, TeamConnor founder Joy Cruse, TeamConnor executive director Kathryn Copple, and Park Place Lexus Plano GM Chris Brunner*

*Park Place Lexus president Jordan Case, III Forks Golf Classic co-chair Mark Morrison, TeamConnor executive director Kathryn Copple, and Park Place Lexus Plano GM Chris Brunner*

Guests dined on cuisine from the Clutch Bar and Restaurant and sipped on cocktails from Monkey Shoulder Whisky and Reyka Vodka as well as crafted sips from Concrete Cowboy, opening soon in Frisco at The Star. There was a special tasting of The Balvenie, the only single malt that is still handcrafted in the traditional manner. While listening to DJ Andre’, guests enjoyed House of Cigars hand-rolled cigars while The Gents Place offered shoe shines. For racing aficionados, taking the controls of the newest racing simulator was a fun opportunity to rev their engines.

Park Place Lexus Plano, a generous corporate partner, presented a check to TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation for nearly $10,000 in support of the organization’s effort to fund childhood cancer research.

As time approached to unveil the car, an urban street dancer gave a special performance before pulling back the cover to reveal the LC500’s craftsmanship.

While the new 2018 Lexus LC500 is a luxury coupe, the “LC” actually stands for “Lexus Challenge.” It’s important to note because Lexus Master Driver Akio Toyoda gave the design team the challenge that the word “boring” and “Lexus” should never again appear in the same sentence. After the introduction of the LC500, it’s a safe bet that will never again happen.

The LC500 has been engineered from the ground up to be an exciting, luxury grand-touring vehicle… quick and responsive with an angry, guttural sound that will turn heads as your blow past the competition. But refined with plush leather seats that envelop you in luxury. All packaged with the unparalleled reliability upon which Lexus has built its brand.

Lexus states this is the stiffest car they’ve ever made, including the LFA. Built with lightweight aluminum panels and carbon fiber, the LC500 is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0 Liter V8 with a new Aisin 10-speed automatic transmission to deftly move the low, aggressive sportster tight into curves and hug the hills with maximum response and superb comfort. The LC 500’s ample 467 horsepower/389 lb.-ft. of torque are civilized by six-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers. In layman’s terms: this beautiful beast leaps from 0-to-60 mph in under 4.5 seconds. And you look … and feel… marvelous while doing it.

The LC 500 starts at $92,995, and the LC 500h (hybrid model) $97,505. Standard equipment on both models include adaptive suspension, 20-inch forged alloy wheels, run-flat tires, a glass-panel roof, intelligent high-beam LED headlights, LED taillights, a 12-speaker Pioneer surround sound system, navigation, and the Lexus Safety System+ consisting of pre-collision warning/auto braking with pedestrian detection, all-speed cruise control, and lane-departure warning. An optional Mark Levinson Audio System is available, featuring 13 speakers and an 11-channel amplifier to drive 915 watts of silky smooth sound.

We invite you to visit our team at Park Place Lexus Plano, and experience the marvel of the 2018 Lexus LC 500.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships 30 years ago and today employs more than 2,100 people. The 18 full-service dealerships represent luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, smart, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. Park Place is currently building a new Land Rover/Jaguar dealership in Grapevine, scheduled to open July 2017, and a new Grapevine Porsche dealership opening in 2018. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

June 14, 2017June 23, 2017

Meet Your Park Place Sprinter Fort Worth Team

Park Place Sprinter Fort Worth has been your place for Sprinter sales and service since 2014. Our Sprinter team relies on the Park Place core convictions of Unwavering Integrity, Passionate Service, and Personal Commitment to Excellence to successfully set them apart from any other Sprinter Dealership. Whether it be a service, a new purchase, or a custom fit- our Sprinter team will provide you with an extraordinary automotive experience that’s truly unique.

The Park Place Fort Worth Sprinter Team Includes:

John Holman – Sprinter Sales Manager, jholman@10.2.54.33
Tyler Holloway – Sprinter Service Manager, tholloway@10.2.54.33
Jimmy Morales – Service Director, jmorales@10.2.54.33

Our Sprinter team members are experts in Sprinter experiences. Due to their passion in recognizing the superiority of the Sprinter in the commercial van market, acquiring extensive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter product training and certifications, and a team commitment to excellence, they can provide all clients with the most up to date Sprinter information and services.

Contact John, Tyler, or Jimmy at Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth today with any Sprinter inquiries- they are more than happy to help you find, fix, or tune up the commercial van that fits your lifestyle.

June 14, 2017June 14, 2017

Log-in to Preferred Rewards Now Available on ParkPlace.com

Park Place Dealerships is excited to announce the addition of a new Desktop login feature to the Preferred Benefits Program on ParkPlace.com. As of June 2017, all clients will have access their “Preferred Benefits” which includes offers, incentives, status updates, scheduling appointments, and Park Place updates, right on the Park Place website. With this new added feature, access to your Preferred Rewards will be as easy as 1-2-3.

To access the Preferred Benefits login, simply make your way to ParkPlace.com and click on “Preferred Benefits” in the top right corner of the screen. To login, use the same account credentials as you do for the app.

For those that prefer to use mobile, we have also upgraded our mobile app device compatibility to now include iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. With our newly integrated functionality in accessing the Preferred App on mobile and desktop, we hope to make the Park Place experience that much more unique and personalized for you.

June 13, 2017

The 718 Boxster: For the Sport of It

The new Boxster is the sequel that continues the 718 era. At their heart, a four cylinder turbocharged boxer engine beats the same fighting spirit that delivered countless podium finishes. In them lives the will to break away from standards. And to inspire conviction. So it is entirely appropriate that they too should bear these three digits in their name and carry the 718 legend forward.

The new 718 models were made for the sport of it. They are mid-engined roadsters that unite the sporting spirit of the legendary Porsche 718 with the sports car of tomorrow- and transfer it to the road’s of today’s world. With one goal: to take the everyday out of every day.

Compared with the previous models, the result is a new, decidedly more striking design, an even sportier chassis setup and a host of new performance, comfort, and assistance systems. And, of course, up to 350 units of turbocharged horsepower. Only one question remains unanswered: what are you still waiting for?

June 12, 2017October 24, 2018

It’s Electric (Literally) the Jaguar I-Pace Concept

Come late 2018, Jaguar is gearing up to release to their dealer network a revolutionary new concept to the world of electric vehicles (EVs), providing 516lb-ft of instant torque, 400 HP and 0‑60 mph in around 4 seconds. The Jaguar I-PACE is the ultimate electric performance SUV, designed to expertly combine the thrilling and distinctive Jaguar performance with electric vehicles. The I-PACE is a battery powered electric vehicle with two electric motors supplied by on-board rechargeable batteries- that means zero carbon emissions without sacrificing the unmistakable Jaguar driving experience. In early fall, Park Place Jaguar Land Rover DFW had an exclusive test drive opportunity, but come the next couple of months, more clients will have the ability to test drive the first all-electric Jaguar.

The I-PACE’s aerodynamic hood scoop, flush door handles, and bold air ducts help the car ride efficiently through the air, maximizing the EV’s range so you can ride in class the duration of your journey. Electric vehicles provide a more refined driving experience and eliminate the need to ever visit a fuel station again. The concept of electric vehicles is not new to the automotive industry, but there are various engine/motor combos that make up the EV market today. So- what are the differences? Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) traditionally have a small battery charged by the engine and regenerative braking resulting in a small electric range. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) can be charged from an external source of electricity and typically have a larger battery with a longer range than an HEV. Both offer smaller electric-only ranges and are heavier than conventional cars, but can continue running without access to electricity because of their dual power sources. Most of all, these hybrids reduce a driver’s “range anxiety.” The I-PACE Concept is a 100% battery electric vehicle, which means it does not have a secondary power source like the Hybrid, making it lighter, faster, and more efficient- making one’s journey that much more thrilling.

Sleek, spacious, and eco-friendly to boot, this legendary evolution of performance cars can fit up to five adults comfortably in the main cabin. With no need for a traditional combustion engine or transmission, there is not just enough, but ample space to provide a practical, yet luxurious riding experience for every passenger. Looks like 2018 is going to be electric.

Stay tuned for more information from Park Place Jaguar Land Rover DFW on upcoming Test Drive and Order opportunities.

May 23, 2017June 14, 2017

Enchanted Evening Raises more than $700,000 for Texas Rangers Foundation

15^th Annual Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular benefits area youth with scholarships, playing fields and equipment

Sporting an enchanted garden theme, the real treasure in the 15^th Annual Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular for fans was the intimate interaction with the fun-loving Rangers players. Though, clearly, the winners were the boys and girls across North Texas who are served by the Texas Rangers Foundation. With 700 fans at the sold-out event, the evening raised more than $700,000 for the non-profit organization.

Each year the Foundation’s executive director, Karin Morris, and her team strive to out-do previous years’ experiences. And they did not disappoint.

“The engagement that the fans have with our players has been so incredible,” said Morris. “And the excitement the players have for the games and the Rookie Songs are always very special. We’ve been so lucky to have such great attendance. Each year, the challenge is topping the previous year’s donations while keeping the event at about 700 so that fans have the ability to see their favorite player and engage with them. Getting any bigger would make it more challenging.”

Entering the Trinity Ballroom at the Hilton Anatole Dallas, guests were offered a chance to bid on a wide range of unique memorabilia from the entertainment and sports worlds. But the real joy for Texas Rangers fans was being able to get up close for personal conversations and autographs with their favorite players, past and present, as well as coaches and front office personnel. In addition to the Rangers full roster, former players such as Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, Pete O’ Brien, Jose Guzman and others were in attendance.

“It’s been 15 years since Park Place Dealerships and the Texas Rangers developed this fun event to connect fans with players and coaches while raising money to share the love of baseball with area kids, ” said Dave Evans, director of marketing for Park Place Dealerships. “Watching the players relax, laugh and enjoy the evening is always entertaining. While the guys are all fierce competitors on and off the field, they play the game shows all in good fun.”

Immediately after dinner, the Game Show Spectacular began. And, as always, it lived up to the hype. Fox Sports Southwest anchor John Rhadigan and sideline reporter Emily Jones acted as emcees and they engaged fans and players alike in a game of “Heads or Tails.” The auctioneer would flip a coin and participants would signal which side they thought the coin would land on by placing their hands on either their head or posterior. After narrowing the field with multiple rounds, Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre won the game. He generously donated the prize back to the auction. The coveted prize included a Big Green Egg and an all-expenses paid trip to Cooperstown to attend former Texas Rangers catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which raised $16,000 for the charity.

Other exclusive auction items such as a trip on the team plane to Chicago, a trip to the Texas Rangers Spring Training and a trip to Napa Valley were so popular they each sold twice, doubling the amount raised for the Foundation.

Continuing the Game Show Spectacular, players once again demonstrated they are just as competitive (and twice as funny) off the field as they are when playing Major League baseball. Jonathan Lucroy faced off against A.J. Griffin in the “Match Game,” with panelists Matt Bush, Andrew Cashner, and Sam Dyson going head-to-head with Tony Barnette, Robinson Chirinos and Nick Martinez. Lucroy won 1-0 after several rounds of hilarious answers.

Next, fans were treated to the annual Rookie Song, which featured Chi Chi Gonzalez, Jose Leclerc, Austin Bibens-Dirkx and Dario Alvarez acting out a skit to the song “Despacito.” The rookies pranced around and posed like rappers to the delight of fans and veteran players alike, finally dropping their microphones at the end. I’m sure the rookies will be reliving this experience throughout the year as Beltre and Odor were seen filming the spectacle while Andrus looked on with an impish smile.

Finally, the evening’s main attraction was the fan favorite “Fielder’s Feud,” pitting outfielders Delino DeShields, Ryan Rua, Nomar Mazara and Pete Kozma against infielders Elvis Andrus, Adrian Beltre, Mike Napoli and Rougned Odor. The players had fun with good-natured ribbing throughout the game. The infielders won and each player received a silver whistle on a lanyard, plus bragging rights for the year. I’d bet it’s not the last tweet we’ll hear from these practical jokers this season.

Match Game — *Rougned Odor, Eric Nadel and Nomar Mazara during the Texas Rangers Triple Play fundraising event at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, on May 13, 2016. (Michael Ainsworth)*

“Our primary focus this year is on completing the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy in West Dallas,” explained Morris. “The facility will provide a safe place for area children to play baseball and softball. In addition to year-round baseball and softball instruction, the Academy will host tournaments, coaching clinics, and skills camps. It will also give young people access to academic tutoring, college prep classes, college and career fairs, financial literacy and internship programs, and MLB industry alternative career workshops.”

The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children in need within our community, and provides funding for youth in crisis, youth health initiatives, youth baseball programs, and youth education. Celebrating its 26^th year, the Foundation has given back more than $15 million to help children in need.

While the Texas Rangers Foundation can’t set the date for next year’s Triple Play event until after the MLB releases the 2018 baseball schedule, fans might want to reserve the first couple of Sundays in May 2018 for the ultimate Texas Rangers Fan party. Then, watch the Rangers website for the announcement as the event sells out quickly.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships 30 years ago with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, INFINITI, Volvo, smart, Jaguar, Lotus, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. Park Place is currently building a new Land Rover Jaguar dealership in Grapevine, scheduled to open July 2017, and a new Grapevine Porsche dealership opening in 2018. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

May 17, 2017May 23, 2017

Meet the High Performance People of Park Place Dealerships- May 2017

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.

Featured Park Place High Performance People- May 2017:

Mariette Picca. Sales Experience Manager at Park Place Volvo
Ken Erwin, Sales Experience Manager at Park Place Motorcars Arlington
Christopher Fine, Sales Experience Manager at the Park Place Premier Collection

May 15, 2017May 15, 2017

13th Annual III Forks Golf Classic Funds Critical Research for Childhood Cancer

The 13^th Annual III Forks Golf Classic presented by Northwestern Mutual – Dallas was recently held at III Forks Steakhouse and the Gleneagles Country Club.

The two-day event is ranked as one of the top grossing golf tournaments in Dallas-Fort Worth by the Dallas Business Journal.

Fox 4 evening news anchor Steve Eagar, served as Honorary Chair for the event which was supported by Park Place Lexus Plano. Park Place provided a Prime Entertainment Premier Driving Experience that included the weekend use of four luxury vehicles coupled with entertainment outings at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, Stephan Pyles’ Flora Street Café, a game with six seats in the Lexus Club, and dinner for two at III Forks Steakhouse.

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is committed to funding critical research for many types of childhood cancer and has donated more than $2 million to some of the top research hospitals in the country. Throughout the year, TeamConnor hosts events to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including Splash Out Childhood Cancer on July 10; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert September 16; Color Me Green 5K/10K and Caterpillar Dash October 7; and the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot November 2. In addition, TeamConnor’s Coins for Kids with Cancer program raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country. For more information about TeamConnor, visit teamconnor.org.

May 15, 2017May 15, 2017

The 2017 BeatLeukemia Ball- A Rockin’ Success

The BEATLEukemia Ball was a huge success at the Omni Hotel Fort Worth earlier this month. Dan Lowrance and Michelle Hancock were recognized as Honorary Chairs at the black-tie event.

More than 600 guests enjoyed dancing and a musical show starring The Fab Four – The Ultimate Tribute to The Beatles!

Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth was proud to support the event with a special “Baby You Can Drive My Car” package. The winner of the package will drive new Mercedes Benz every quarter for a year.

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Leukemia Texas is a top-rated independent, nonprofit corporation dedicated to improving the lives of those with leukemia through the funding of research and patient aid exclusively in Texas.

Through its Research Grant program, Leukemia Texas awards grants for translational research to improve the safety and effectiveness of patient care and which may ultimately lead to a cure for this life-threatening blood cancer. This research has been conducted at Cook Children’s Medical Center, Baylor University Medical Center, UT Southwestern, MD Anderson, UT San Antonio Health Science Center and others. Its results have been recognized with publication in such leading journals as the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and the Journal of the American Medical Association.

May 8, 2017May 15, 2017

Hunger Busters Golf Classic Helps Families Battling Hunger in Community

The 15th Annual Hunger Busters Golf Classic teed off on Friday, April 21 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas to fight hunger among local children.

Golfers gathered for a round of golf, lunch and to hear keynote speaker, Colin Allred, a former linebacker for the Tennessee Titans. A tough and intelligent presence on special teams and as a reserve linebacker, Colin Allred spent two full seasons on the 53-man roster (2008-09) after battling his way on to the field in 2007. Upon entering the NFL as a rookie free agent with the Titans in 2006, the former Baylor Bear spent most of the 2007 season on the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster for the final three regular season games and postseason.

Allred was raised by a single mom and has a passion to help others in his hometown of Dallas.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas, the automotive partner for the event, has been a partner with Hunger Busters for several years.

“Kids should never be hungry or worry about where their next meal will come from in our community,” said Heath Strayhan, general manager of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Dallas. “This is such an important issue and Rolls-Royce is proud to support this cause. We can change the future of a child by simply making sure they are well nourished.”

Hunger Busters’ “Feed the Need” after school program delivers thousands of evening meals each week to children attending 11 Dallas ISD schools and six after school programs. More than 137,000 children (87%) of children attending Dallas public schools rely on school-subsidized meals as their only source for food. More than 1.5 million meals have been delivered to date.

Hunger Busters has been selected as a Crystal Charity Ball beneficiary for 2017. The grant will allow the organization to expand feeding children in the community by 150 percent. Phil and Lillie Romano founded Hunger Busters in 2000. More information about the organization can be found at www.hungerbusters.com.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,100 people at 17 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Infiniti, Volvo, smart, Jaguar, Lotus, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more information about Park Place Dealerships, visit www.parkplace.com.