The 2013 Phantom: Rolls Royce is Still The Car of Kings

Phantom Evolution

Phantom has always been aptly named. Like a spooky apparition it has disappeared and re-appeared numerous times over the last century. Through it all, the executive flagship has proudly displayed the signature Spirit of Ecstasy hood icon—a reassuring detail for every Rolls-Royce diehard.

As the first Rolls produced by German engineers after a century of British ownership, the Phantom defines the upper-crust marque as influenced by the house of BMW. How have they done?

In short, they’ve done a great job. 2013 marks a decade of extraordinary work on an old-world legend that was designed from the ground up to silence any who would threaten its throne. So far it’s worked.

With rear-wheel drive, a nearly 7-liter V12 engine, and upwards of 450 horsepower, you’d think the deluxe sedan was a sports car, but it’s not. The Phantom is more likely to be found dropping off movie stars on the red carpet. At least that’s what comes to mind when you first open her rear carriage doors. You’ll see the elegant 5-passenger cabin, masterfully lined with hand-sewn leathers and an optional overhead fiber optic “universe” of twinkling stars to complement the experience.

2013: Adjustments to a “Timeless Interpretation”

This year’s car of kings comes with some alterations in style for its Series II incarnation, including lighting changes to the preferred rectangular LED clusters. Adjustments were also made to Phantom’s bumpers and wheels, with expanded paint and polish options for the latter.

There’s no denying it: the Phantom is huge. In light of this fact, Rolls-Royce has made standard the comprehensive camera network that covers the vehicle from five different angles as a navigation aid.

In the interests of improved fuel efficiency, a worthy goal for a V12-powered beast like the Phantom, an eight-speed transmission plus rear differential were incorporated into the car’s drivetrain. The company also dutifully obliged special requests for larger computer screens inside the cabin and an accompanying remote control, which was delivered in chrome.

Phantom, either as sedan, coupe or convertible, already comes with a large number of options, including advanced sound, navigation, and climate systems optimized with the latest technological innovations. The popular Extended Wheelbase (EW) version of the car adds to an already spacious interior and an imposing car length. Customers can order a partition window for passenger privacy as well.

Have an idea for your car that’s not already offered? No problem. Phantom owners can customize their car down to the finest grain under the Bespoke program, which allows requests for custom extras that reflect a driver’s personal automotive style. It’s up to the customer’s imagination.

For many, the prestige of the Phantom will remain a Hollywood dream, but if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a Phantom, you’ll own one of the most respected and customizable automobiles in the world.

Tags: 2013 Phantom, 2013 Rolls-Royce Phantom

Park Place Dealerships Named a 2013 National Top Workplace

Luxury automobile dealership group ranked #4 in the U.S. in the largest survey of American workers of its kind

DALLAS (January 31, 2013) — Dallas-based Park Place Dealerships has been named one of America’s Top Workplaces by WorkplaceDynamics. Park Place was ranked #4 nationwide among 872 organizations with more than 1,000 employees that participated in regional top workplaces programs.

“It is an honor to be recognized as one of America’s top workplaces,” said Ken Schnitzer, Chairman of Park Place Dealerships. “We have invested in hiring the best team to take great care of our clients and they do an incredible job. We value our team and we do everything we can to create an exceptional work environment.”

The National Top Workplaces list was determined solely by feedback gathered through an objective employee survey. The survey was conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, the leading on-demand employee survey provider, in conjunction with 30 leading regional newspapers. Park Place Dealerships participated in The Dallas Morning News’ Top Workplaces 2012 program.

The survey uses a proprietary set of 22 questions to rank companies. The survey data showed that employees most want to work at companies with high levels of organizational health. Companies that set a clear direction for their future; execute well; and bring real meaning to work are the healthiest.

“We have the support of the leadership team at all levels of our organization,” said Sherry Miller, vice president of human resources at Park Place Dealerships. “This enables us to implement workplace initiatives that create an environment where our employees are recognized and rewarded for their knowledge and skills, where their opinions are heard and valued, and where they can learn and further develop in their careers at Park Place.”

The Top Workplaces program accurately reflects the opinions of employees through measurement of engagement, organizational health and employee satisfaction. The survey is utilized year after year by human resource professionals and C-suite executives nationwide as the gold standard in internal measurement of organizational health and employee satisfaction.

Founded in 2006, WorkplaceDynamics is the fastest-growing employee survey provider in the United States. Based on their “on-demand” employee survey, last year they surveyed more than 5,000 organizations, polled 1.7 million people and handled over a million employee responses.

Details about the National Top Workplaces, a full list of the Top 150 companies, the survey methodology, and factors that drive organizational health are available at www.topworkplaces.com.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 by Ken Schnitzer with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Park Place currently operates 15 full-service dealerships representing Bentley, Jaguar, Lexus, Lotus, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, smart, Volvo and Rolls-Royce. In addition, the dealership group includes two Park Place Bodywerks locations. For more information about Park Place Dealerships, visit parkplace.com.

Tags: Park Place Awards, Top Workplaces

Park Place Dealerships Named In Dallas Morning News’ Top 100 Places To Work 2012

For the third consecutive year, Park Place Dealerships is honored to be named in the Dallas Morning News’ Top 100 Places To Work. With more than 1400 members, Park Place took the number 4 spot in the large company category for the second year in a row, up from the number 5 spot in 2010.

This year’s field included 276 companies who agreed to participate, with surveys being sent to more than 120,000 employees. The results of those surveys make up the scoring system for the Top 100 list, and give great insight as to what it is like to work for each company on the list.

Park Place Dealerships is built upon a foundation of dedicated and talented members, who strive every day to work as a team, serving our clients and helping the organization grow as a whole.

If you are looking for an exciting career with a great team of devoted individuals in one of the top companies to work for in the DFW area, browse our current job listings on our careers site at Jobs.ParkPlaceTexas.com!

See the rest of the Top 100 list at DallasNews.com

Tags: Best Places To Work Dallas, Top Companies Dallas, Top Employers Dallas

Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II: Updates to an Icon

As a vision of luxury, beauty, success, and achievement, Rolls-Royce became an icon around the world through their brilliant automotive masterpieces. As one would expect, the latest Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II is no exception. Exhaustive efforts have been made to listen to the desires of their discerning clientele, and bring what dreams are made of into reality. All of the elements that made the world fall in love with this vehicle are still present in the Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II, with their focus on raising the monumental bar already set, rather than re-inventing what many would argue was already perfect.

Production began on the Phantom Series II in June; however, you can see that the updates in store have been long in planning. As you approach, you notice visual updates to the grille and newly designed bumpers, polished steel and chrome finishers, new options in wheels and finishes, and as a hint of the technological advances to be seen on the interior, a cutting-edge adaptive LED headlamp system which changes automatically in response to cornering and driving conditions.

Continuing the technological upgrades, inside the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II, you will find further proof that this isn’t just a car, but an extension of its owner. A new, larger, 8.8 inch control centre display and updated audio control panel, smart phone interface capability through standard USB and Aux-in connections, and a 6 disk multimedia changer along with USB connectivity for direct media storage on the system’s hard disk further improve the connectivity between driver and car. Navigating these new systems will feel like second nature with a new rotary controller allowing the driver to easily utilize these functions with one hand and minimal effort. Also standard on all new models in the Phantom family; two front-side cameras, a rear view camera, and 2 top view cameras provide an all-encompassing vantage point with reverse path prediction and obstacle detection through the new control centre display.

Powertrain improvements in the new Rolls-Royce are just as impressive, once again melding luxury and performance seamlessly. A new eight speed gearbox mated to a new rear differential provides improvements in fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions while providing enhanced drive dynamics and maintaining the serene driving experience that is a Rolls-Royce signature. As a welcome addition to those seeking even more performance in ride and handling, a dynamic package is now available in the Phantom to provide sport suspension and transmission tuning, further enhancing the capabilities of this brilliant machine.

This artistic expression of engineering mastery will surely be the epitome of automotive aspiration, and as an added treat, you won’t have to wait long to see it with your own eyes. Launch events are being scheduled for later this year, and we encourage you to check back often as we announce the coming events to experience this masterpiece first hand with Park Place in Dallas.

Tags: Rolls Royce Phantom Series 2, Rolls Royce Phantom Series II

Martin Scorsese to Produce Film On Story Of Rolls-Royce

Award-winning director Martin Scorsese is known for blockbuster films; and especially those with historical flair and a strong biographical story such as Gangs of New York, and Goodfellas. Variety magazine is now reporting that Scorsese is on board to produce Silver Ghost, the story of the two founders behind luxury automotive brand Rolls-Royce, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. The report identified Lord Richard Attenborough (best known as the creator of the dino-doomed Juarassic Park theme park in the movie of the same name) and Anthony Haas as part of the project as well.

“When I read the story of Silver Ghost, I was mesmerized,” Scorsese says, “I immediately thought, ‘This is a picture that has to be made.’ And When I was asked to come aboard as a producer alongside Richard Attenborough and Anthony Haas, I didn’t hesitate a moment.”  Set in the early 1900′s, the story itself covers the men’s personal relationship (problems, growth and successes) throughout the development of the iconic brand.

Tags: Movie Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Film

2012 Texas Rangers – Park Place Dealerships – Triple Play Event

Park Place Dealerships is proud to once again be the title presenter of the Texas Rangers Triple Play event set for May 27th at the Hilton Anatole Dallas.  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.  This event serves as their largest fundraiser each year. The theme this year is “Escape to the Hamptons.”  The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner, the program, and then ‘game shows.’  The entire Texas Rangers team will be in attendance and there will be silent and live auctions. Ian and Tess Kinsler and Michael Young and Cristina-Barbosa Young are the hosts for the evening and Fox Sports Southwest’s Emily Jones will be the Mistress of Ceremonies.

To reserve tables or individual tickets, contact the Foundation at (817) 436-5933 or tripleplay@texasrangers.com. Click here fore the full press release on Texas Rangers.com.

Tags: Charity, Community, Events, Park Place Dealerships, Texas Rangers, Triple Play Event

Park Place Service Using RFID Tags and Technology to Enhance Client Experience

By Terry Box, Dallas News

Few cars go unnoticed on the busy service drive at Park Place Motorcars.

A couple of years ago, the Dallas Mercedes-Benz and Porsche dealership began attaching RFID tags, similar to TollTags, to new and used vehicles. Monitors on the service drive read the tags as customers pull in.

“When you arrive, it alerts your service adviser that you are here, tells the adviser what service you’re scheduled for and brings up your service history — all in a few seconds,” said Tony Carimi, director of operations at Park Place Dealerships.

The technology revolution that blew through showrooms more than a decade ago — ushering in Internet car sales — is now roaring through service department back shops.

Service advisors are trading pens and clipboards for iPads, while technicians tune cars with laptops. Devices embedded in service drives check tires on cars entering the dealership for wear and alignment.

Meanwhile, technicians use iPads to photograph worn parts on a vehicle, emailing the pictures to customers so they can decide whether to fix them.

Read the full article on DallasNews.com

Tags: Client Experience, Processes, Service, Technology

VIDEO: Rolls-Royce Design Chief Explains The Phantom Series II

It’s tough to improve on perfection – but Rolls-Royce has done just that.  Giles Taylor, Head of Exterior Design at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, takes us around the Phantom Series II. The car was launched at the Geneva Motor in March.

Tags: Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rare 1957 Silver Cloud Rolls-Royce “Honeymoon Express” Goes To Auction

The 1957 Silver Cloud I is considered one of the rarest postwar Rolls-Royce vehicles in existence, one of only two of its kind ever built, says RM Auctions, which puts it on the block Saturday in Monaco.

The finned classic was dubbed the “Honeymoon Express” because of its romantic touches. It’s a two-seater, its seats finished in red Connolly leather. There’s a pair of cabinets in the rear where a cocktail shaker and four whiskey tumblers are stashed. There are pull-out ashtrays in each door and another underneath the radio.

Read full article on USA TODAY.

Tags: Antique Cars, Auction, Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce Six Senses Concept Revealed At Beijing Auto Show

Rolls-Royce rolled out their super-luxurious ‘Six Senses’ concept – a vehicle designed to truly go beyond luxury and ‘ignite the senses’ – at the 2012 Beijing Aut Show.  Beyond sight, sound, smell, touch and taste – the designers at Rolls-Royce envision the ‘sixth sense’ to be something of an ‘aura’ or ‘glow’ that emanates from the exclusive pearl Carrara white coloration in a mystical and spiritual way. Everything in the Rolls-Royce Ghost “Six Senses” is the ultimate in hand-crafted luxury – from the glove-soft leather and exquisite materials in the cabin to the concept audio system.  Even the trunk is lined in lambswool to softly coddle your custom luggage. 

Tags: Beijing Auto Show, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Rolls-Royce Six Senses Concept