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@parkplace.com.

Tags: Automotive Jobs, Careers, Internships, Summer Internships

Park Place Lexus Creates New Position – Vehicle Technology Specialist

Park Place Dealerships have now twice been named one of Dallas Top 100 places to work - and for good reason: we’ve got the most innovative jobs in the automotive industry.  The automotive industry is constantly buzzing with new developments and fantastical technology, and at the forefront of these advancements, is Lexus.  There’s no denying it – all one needs to do is take a look at the 2013 Lexus GS to see that our brands, and our vehicles are more advanced than ever.  To support the rapidly changing technical options available to our clients on the vehicles – and also to help educate and assist the client in maximizing these new features Park Place Lexus has developed a new position called the Vehicle Technology Specialist (VTS).

The VTS will provide front-line support to clients with complex technology questions or concerns with their Lexus. In addition, the VTS would also be responsible for ongoing training and support for dealership members regarding current, new, and future Lexus products and technologies. The VTS is truly a unique position – and one that only an Expert in Excellence could occupy considering the additional requirements of the position:

• Maintains a high degree of product and technical knowledge, including information about all Lexus products, resources, features, benefits, applications and competitive vehicle technology and reviews.
• Maintains a collection of technology information and resources to assist in explanations
• Creates and maintains FAQ guide for clients
• Follows up with clients to ensure understanding and anticipate additional technology needs
• Maintains all certification requirements
• Assists with car displays and marketing events by greeting clients and sharing product information

Of course, the main goal of any position at Park Place is to support the team, and ensure an enjoyable purchase and ownership experience for the client. This new position will achieve both of these goals. It will also allow for fast, efficient resolution of client inquiries regarding vehicle technology or concerns. It’ll also allow the member to spend enough time with the client to properly troubleshoot any vehicle technology and vehicle system features.

Most of the time, when a client schedules a service appointment because of a technology related issue, it’s because the client doesn’t have a clear understanding of all the functionality or the feature of product. When this happens, it not only becomes an inconvenience for the client (because they have to bring their vehicle in for service and even possibly leave it overnight, which can be a hassle).  Most of the technology issues so far have been Bluetooth phone or Navigation system related, and can often be fixed or set up within a few minutes.

With this new position, the client can schedule directly with the VTS, who will work directly with the client. If it’s not broken, and in most cases, the VTS can show the client what is causing the concern and how to prevent it from happening in the future. It is Park Place Lexus’ “personal concierge” service for each client.

Another nice perk, for our clients, is that if clients that are waiting in the client lounge would like a refresher course on how some of the features on their vehicle work, we have a technology center set up so we can provide tutorials via iPads and TV monitors. From the tech center we can also keep clients up to date on the status of their vehicle while it’s in service.

So far, only Park Place Lexus Grapevine has had the opportunity to find the perfect VTS, and that candidate was Greg Milner, who is a five-year sales veteran with Park Place Lexus. Greg has been married to his wife, Karin for 21 years and they have one son, Curtis.  Greg is retired from the U.S. Army, and resided in Germany for seven years, where he met his wife, and also where his son was born. Greg holds a Technology Degree from Pierce College in Washington.  Greg likes working on his 1960 Austin Healey 3000 (no Bluetooth or GPS there!) and helping his son fix the cars he wrecks.

Tags: Careers, Park Place Lexus, Sales, Vehicle Technology Specialist

Park Place Dealerships Honors Extraordinary Members With Annual Celebration

Park Place Motorcars in Dallas, Motorcars Grapevine and Motorcars Ft. Worth, as well as Park Place Porsche in Dallas recognized outstanding members including “Member of the Year” in several departments as well as “Coach of the Year”, “Dealership Support Member of the Year” and other awards and recognition a couple of weeks ago at a celebration at Medieval Times in Dallas. Members and Award recipients were treated to an exclusive dinner and night of jousting and chivalry as General Managers and President Neil Grossman honored attendees and spotlight members recognized for outstanding performance during 2011 at this annual celebration of ongoing excellence. Congratulations, winners!

Tags: Careers, Community, Events, Honor, Park Place Events, Park Place Members, Recognition

Park Place Motorcars Dallas Celebrates 30-Year Members

Park Place Motorcars Dallas is pleased to celebrate thirty years of service this month with seven of our members. Lengthy careers like these are few and far between in the automotive industry; and are becoming increasingly scarce in nearly every other business as work demographics have changed over the last three decades.

We like that at Park Place, we’re ‘old school’ and like that when a member does come on board – they’ve got a great chance of one day being a 30 year member like these guys. They were honored at a special luncheon and given special gifts to thank them for their many years of dedication to Park Place, Mercedes-Benz, and our clients.

Five of the group hail from fixed operations, another from sales, and one in a support position.

Pictured, Left to right – back row then front:

Tim Spencer – Jan. 17, 1980, 32 years
Garrick Bousquet – Jan. 4, 1982, 30 years
Stan McCuistion – June 1, 1981, 30 years
Gary Redding – July 17, 1979, 32 years
Cleon Jeffrey – Dec. 18, 1979, 32 years
Travis Upshaw – July 5, 1973, 38 years
Roby Terrill – July 7, 1980, 31 years

Tags: Careers, Community, Human Resources, Members, Park Place Motorcars Dallas

Congratulations Park Place Dealerships – Second Year Top 100 Places To Work DFW

Congratulations are in order – once again – to Park Place Dealerships for ranking #4 in the category of Large Company on the Dallas Morning News’ Top 100 Places To Work for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area! We’re thrilled to have achieved this recognition for the second year in a row! We take great pride in how we do business, and we are growing and shining more each year. Find your new career at Park Place Dealerships!

Tags: Automotive Careers, Careers, Dallas Jobs, Park Place Dealerships

Park Place Lexus Grapevine Technician Rescues Hawk From Grill Of Lexus SUV

Tags: Careers, Community, Lexus Grapevine, Service