Park Place Salutes Community Partners – Grapevine/Colleyville Education Foundation

The Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation was founded in 1998 to provide funds for programs and opportunities that benefit GCISD students and staff. While core educational needs are met through the allocation of tax dollars, the margin of excellence is possible only by contributions and efforts that go above and beyond the minimum. Foundation funds are used to facilitate student achievement and skill development, recognize and encourage staff excellence and expand community involvement from individuals, businesses and civic organizations. Since its inception, the foundation has funded 875 projects, distributing more than $1.4 million to GCISD, affecting more than half the teachers and all the students.

janice_kane_05“Like most Texas schools, our school district is facing unprecedented budget challenges under the current school finance laws. Park Place Motorcars has generously donated resources for the past few years to the Education Foundation whose sole purpose is to provide resources needed to our school district and where 100% of all donations stay within our school district to assist our students and teachers. Not only has Park Place been the featured sponsor for our Celebrating Our Stars Academic Recognition Banquet for several years, but also for the second year donates scholarships to graduates for continuing education. Park Place understands the importance of successful schools in communities and how communities must work together to ensure the success of our schools. Park Place’s support is a shining example of the need for and importance of collaborative efforts between our schools, community, and corporations. Our heartfelt thanks to Park Place!”  says Janice Kane, Executive Director.

With the unprecedented budget challenges facing Texas schools, the Foundation’s efforts are more critical than ever as educators are being forced to seek funding avenues outside the regular budget in order to continue vital educational programs. 100% of all donations to the Education Foundation stay within GCISD to assist GCISD students and teachers.

Park Place Volvo is only Texas Dealership to Win President’s Club Award

Park Place Volvo has been named a 2011 recipient of the Volvo President’s Club Award.  The Volvo President’s Club, in its eighth year, acknowledges outstanding performances of the top 10 percent of U.S. Volvo retailers. Park Place is one of only 35 Volvo dealerships nationwide, and the only dealership in Texas, to receive the prestigious award.

“We are truly honored to earn this distinction,” said Rob Schweizer, Park Place Volvo General Manager. “Park Place prides itself on being ‘Experts in Excellence’ and that means incorporating strict standards in every area of our business. But, more importantly, it means that every member of our team is committed to performing at their very best day in and day out.”

In addition to the Volvo President’s Club Award trophy, Park Place Volvo members were treated to a Volvo-sponsored celebration party at House of Blues in Dallas.

“Volvo finished 2011 as the fastest growing luxury brand, with U.S. sales up 25 percent,” said John Maloney, president & CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. “Park Place Volvo truly helped us achieve this with their continued customer focus. We will accomplish great things in 2012 with the dedication and leadership of dealerships like Park Place.”

Volvo Cars of North America provides marketing, sales, service, technology and training to Volvo automobile retailers in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on the entire Volvo product lineup please refer to the Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, media website at: http://www.volvocars-pr.com/.

Left-to-right: Park Place Volvo General Manager Rob Schweizer; Tom Radgoski, Regional Sales & Marketing Manager, Volvo USA; John Kendig, Volvo USA Regional Vice President; Neil Grossman, President, Park Place Volvo; and John Niesman, Market Manager, Texas/Delta, Volvo USA

Park Place Dealership Group Seeks Summer Interns

Park Place Dealerships is seeking interns for the summer following a successful inaugural year with its internship program.  As part of the company’s effort to recruit students, Park Place headed to area college campuses such as Baylor, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Dallas, and University of North Texas to find interns.

Currently, Park Place is looking for candidates who would be interested in sales, service, finance, IT, training, accounting, and marketing.  The program is designed to provide students with meaningful work experiences, on the job training and ongoing personal development.

“Our primary objective at Park Place is to ensure an extraordinary experience for our clients,” said Kurt Vanous, human resource brand manager at Park Place. “Through our internship program, we can teach students the importance of building relationships and the fundamentals of working on a team for the sole benefit of making the client purchase or sales experience the best it can be.”

The ideal candidates are confident, passionate people looking to grow and succeed with one of the most successful organizations in Dallas/Fort Worth. All candidates must currently be enrolled in college and working towards a degree program.

Farah Ellenbogen, marketing intern from UTD began her internship with Park Place Motorcars Dallas last summer and has continued working with the company. “I was looking for a well-rounded internship experience that allowed me to work on a variety of projects and have some autonomy,” said Ellenbogen. “Park Place offered just that. I was given the chance to take ownership of projects and really get some great hands-on experience. My internship at Park Place has given me the opportunity to hone the skills that I needed to begin my professional career.

To apply for an internship, please contact Kurt Vanous at kvanous@10.2.54.33.

One Of The Last New 2011 Lotus Elise SC In The United States – At Lotus of Plano

Lotus of Plano has one of the last, new 2011 Lotus Elise SC in the U.S. This fiery red rocket has a 218 hp, 1.8 liter supercharged 4-cylinder engine. On a car that weights less then 2,000 pounds, that translates into 0-60 mph in about 4.6 seconds.  We could go on an on about leather bucket seats and removable hard/soft tops, but you really only need to get behind the wheel to fall in love with this graceful head-turner.

Contact Brad Pyatt: bpyatt@10.2.54.33. Quickly.

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept Hybrid Super Car Hits Track

Porsche has really hit the mark with it’s 918 Spyder Hybrid Super Car – with a monster that surpasses all standards for efficiency, performance and design – all at the same time. In the beginning, the 918 Spyder was only a concept, but Porsche has confirmed recently, that it will go to production.

With an expected price tag just under $900,000, the Porsche 918 Spyder will be able to go from 0-60 in less than a whopping THREE seconds – while hitting 124MPH in less than 9 seconds. To make it even more amazing, Porsche projects that the fuel efficiency will be no-less spectacular – averaging over 70 miles per gallon.

For design, it looks a bit like a mix between the iconic Porsche 911 and the prior super car, the Porsche Carerra GT.

Porsche recently invited members of the press to the test track, in Nardo, Italy.

Lexus Unveils Crossover RX New Look For 2013

Lexus has released the first pics of it’s updated look for the best-selling crossover SUV, the RX (RX 350 and RX 450h). It’s new aggressive look is in part due to the ‘spindle grille’ – or ‘new face’ of the RX that mimics the super-sporty 2013 Lexus GS which hit the showroom last month. It’s also sporting new headlights, as well as LED daytime running lights. Among other changes are new features, such as standard power liftgate, and new interior trim. The engines and powertrains remain the same, and will still deliver an impressive 32MPG in the city, and 28oMPG on the highway.

Park Place Motorcars Named Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best

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

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

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