Star Dealer – Mercedes-Benz of Plano
Article Troy R. Thomas
Images Mercedes-Benz of Plano
Mercedes-Benz of Plano, Texas, an AMG Performance Center and the oldest Mercedes-Benz dealership in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, has an all-new home on the North Dallas Tollway at Spring Creek Parkway. The Ewing Automotive Group-owned dealership recently moved into a new 155,000-square-foot facility on 17 acres with 1,200 parking spaces, a beautiful showroom and a high-capacity service area with 100 bays.
Beautiful Mercedes-Benz of Plano dealership by night
“We feel confident this move, into what will soon be known as the ‘automotive corridor’ with nearby dealerships, will only enhance what has been the number-one priority in our company’s 70-year history – customer service,” said Fin Ewing III, president of Ewing Automotive Group.
The Ewing family’s passion for customer care began when Fin Ewing’s grandfather, Bruton Orand, took over management of Morris Buick in Dallas in 1940. That same year, he built Orand Buick near downtown Dallas. Following Orand’s death in 1961, his son-in-law, Finley Ewing Jr., took over the legacy. In 1972, the Ewing family was awarded the Mercedes-Benz franchise. In 1997, the Ewings moved their dealerships to Plano to better serve their customer base in Plano, Frisco, Addison, Richardson, Allen and McKinney, and have since been a symbol in the community.
At the dealership’s beautiful new location, it’s apparent that the customer is No. 1. Customer-centered amenities include an inviting lounge with generous work areas, a café with comfortable seating, a children’s play area and a full service coffee bar, all making every customer experience at Mercedes-Benz of Plano pleasant from start to finish. “No matter how much we expand,” Ewing said, “we adhere to my grandfather’s conviction that you can do well if you take care of your customer.”
Panoramic view of the airy, contemporary showroom.
Members of the North Texas Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America are among the most pampered customers at Mercedes-Benz of Plano. Section President Brett Jurick reports that Mercedes-Benz of Plano has a long history of supporting the MBCA through an exceptionally close relationship with the North Texas Section, now the second largest in North America with nearly 1,000 members. Jurick noted that, “We’ve held do-it-yourself tech sessions with the dealership for 20 years and our next one will be in September. We’ve also done many cooperative car shows and other technical events and participated in their model launches, parties and grand openings.”
Jurick explained that the relationship works so well because cooperation with the MBCA and the Section starts at the top and extends throughout the Mercedes-Benz of Plano organization. “Fin Ewing III has been a great supporter of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America,” Jurick said. “He’s always there when we need him and we’re always happy to help him with anything he has planned.
Kim Patterson is the general manager and he participates in everything we do with Mercedes-Benz of Plano. Everyone in the club knows Kim and understands he’s very supportive of our club. The general sales manager, Jeff Gaden, is a phenomenal guy who goes out of his way to take great care of all of our members, whether they’ve bought cars from Mercedes-Benz of Plano or not. And then of course, Ashley Simpson, the marketing manager, has made sure that Mercedes-Benz of Plano is a supporting advertiser in the North Texas Section newsletter and that our members are invited to parties and receptions.”
Jurick identified two other staff members from the dealership who work closely with section members: Larry Reeg is a Master Certified sales consultant who acts as liaison between the club and dealership; and Lee Ewing, a service adviser, is vice-president of the North Texas Section. Lee held this position before beginning work at the dealership, reflecting his own confidence, and the trust that other members place in the integrity and capabilities of the Mercedes-Benz of Plano Service Department.
Club perks at the dealership include wholesale pricing on self-installed parts, or a 10 percent discount on parts and labor when work is performed there. On vehicle purchases, MBCA members receive a $500 discount – on top of their best-negotiated deal – that can be combined with other discounts. “It’s not surprising that our members buy lots of cars and parts at Mercedes-Benz of Plano, and have so much of their maintenance and service performed there,” Jurick said. “They take very good care of us.”
The light-filled and hospitable waiting area has views into the service bays.
Mercedes-Benz of Plano
6455 Dallas Parkway
Plano, Texas 75024
972.599.0909