Meet Flora: Porsche Palm Spring's First Woman in Sales

May 17, 2021 · 8 min read

Meet Flora Porsche Palm Springs First Saleswoman

Flora Lopez is a rarity in the already rarefied world of luxury automobile sales in the Coachella Valley. Not only was she born and raised in Palm Springs but she is the first woman to join the elite sales force at Porsche Palm Springs.

Being a Sales Representative/Brand Ambassador for Porsche is not something Lopez ever imagined while growing up in Palm Springs, but as a veteran of just about every other aspect of the high-end auto retail business, she seems right at home in the male-dominated world of luxury sportscars.

“I did not ever see myself joining a sales department long-term. I started as a receptionist at another luxury car dealership and tried sales for a month or so and did not like the pressure of selling, meeting quotas and so on and so forth. So I dove into the service department, which I enjoyed. I learned all of the ins and outs of cars and engaged with clients on a different level due to the fact that they already owned their car.”

Lopez joined indiGO Auto Group, the Houston-based company that owns Porsche Palm Springs, in 2017 as a Customer Service/Reception Director. A year later she joined the marketing team as the Marketing & Events Coordinator. As the pandemic unfolded the marketing team was reduced and an outside marketing firm took over much of the workload. “That helped pave the way for me to join the sales force at Porsche Palm Springs. And though it’s an unexpected twist in my rise up the ladder I’m delighted. Porsche has always been a different caliber within all of the brands.”

As a native of the Coachella Valley, she’s able to offer a different perspective on the local experience when it comes to Porsche and all things Palm Springs.

What’s it like to be the first woman salesperson/brand ambassador at Porsche Palm Springs?

Flora - Porsche Palm Springs First Saleswoman

I’ve never put much thought into it to be honest. I am honored, however, thanks to my team. They believed in me and were encouraging of me getting into sales, especially in light of me being very new to the brand. Porsche certainly puts you through extensive training. It’s important to understand the heritage and culture of the brand. Due to my history of already working with other car brands/dealerships, things happened quite quickly when I started officially and solely at Porsche in recent years. I was hired first as the Customer Service Director/Supervisor and oversaw all receptionists and service receptionist. I also built a training manual and trained them for all of our brands that fall under the indiGO auto group umbrella. A little after a year, I transitioned into marketing as the Marketing & Events Coordinator before COVID took place and caused a lot of change within our company/auto group. By the end of 2020, I returned to work and joined the Porsche team.

The luxury car industry has traditionally been very male dominated. Has it been challenging to break through that boundary?

It is very male dominated. Coming up on 10 years in the automotive business I’ve worked with very few women. But the ones I have worked with are amazing, powerful and intelligent women. It’s a rush to keep up with these men and the cars: Whether it’s the knowledge of specific car brands – specs, power, features - or how to create interest when it comes to sales and/or benefit our car brand.

Are there any particular Porsche models you love to sell or are particularly excited about for the coming year?

My favorite models to sell are the gems: the 911 Turbo/S, GT3 RS and I would love to sell a 918 Spyder or a classic 964 series 911 Turbo. The Taycan, our first all-electric sedan, has been the newest and most fun Porsche model to experience and sell. It has been a learning curve for many of us to adjust from a gasoline engine to an all-electric 800-volt battery car that you charge like you charge an iPhone. The next and second Porsche model that will be released as all electric is the crossover between the Panamera and the Taycan. I’m definitely excited for that upcoming model later in the year. I can confidently say that sales will do well. I’m currently in the midst of learning all about financing.

What’s special about working at Porsche Palm Springs?

Porsche Palm Springs first Saleswoman - Flora Lopez

Porsche is a different caliber of car brand and customers. Porsche owners are passionate about their automobiles in a way no other automotive marque can match. It is amazing the knowledge most Porsche owners have about a specific car, especially if they really are a Porsche enthusiast. Porsche has a very long history, so it is fascinating to hear stories of customers and the classics they have owned, say, perhaps, a 1972 911 Targa. Every day I learn something new about Porsche, whether it be something about a specific car model or the history of the Porsche family and the brand itself. There’s a lot of pride in representing the Porsche brand. However, at this particular dealership the team is what makes it great. From my General Manager, Bram, all the way to the carwash/detail men, Anthony and Sergio. Both sales manager, Justin and Hanns, are exceptional leaders. They are all motivators and team players. I have about 10 years in the car business and I have never worked with managers that were so hands on and encouraging - and overall helpful when it comes to executing a one-of-a-kind Porsche buying experience. If I need to schedule service on behalf of my clients, Bryce, the Service Advisor, or Jennifer, the Service Receptionist, are always accommodating. I know that when my clients are in the waiting lounge they are attended to and in great hands with Lesley, the Customer Experience Coordinator. Brenda, the sweetest, most attentive and best front desk receptionist greets all of my clients. All of our Brand Ambassadors - Adam, Chad, Nate, Polo, and myself, are a dynamic team if I may say so. We handle a lot within our store and I am proud to say every single person owns and works their title to their best abilities. At Porsche Palm Springs, our customers come by just to say hi, drop off a thoughtful gift, or bring laptop and work in our office area. Sometimes they just have morning coffee and enjoy the environment. We want customers and prospective customers to feel welcome and comfortable even if they are just bringing their car in for service and wanting to catch up on life.

How did the pandemic and quarantine impact your career?

I was placed on furlough once the pandemic took hold. To be honest, I enjoyed the time off. It was the uncertainty of what your next step should be career-wise that was unnerving. But personally, I was able to be with my little one. She was at the perfect age where her personality was really starting to unfold. I’m glad I was home for that the time and had a chance to spend quality time with my family while also reconnecting with myself. I began hiking our beautiful mountains again and now enjoy taking my daughter with me. It was a good ‘’pause’’ from the daily work routine most of us go through. For a moment, I was able to sleep in, not worry about getting ready other than taking showers and putting on comfy clothes. I got to follow my little one’s lead on whatever she wanted to do.

What’s a typical day off like for you and do you have any favorite local hot spots?

It’s unpredictable. Primarily, it is spent with my 4-year-daughter and my little family. We do family road trips out of the desert. That’s the beauty about living two hours from just about any kind of destination/attraction – from beaches to snow in Big Bear, to camping in Idyllwild and wineries in Temecula. Then there’s city life in Los Angeles or San Diego. Of course, prior to COVID it was easier to travel but I’m thankful things are starting to open up. I hike a lot for my own sanity. Living in Palm Springs, we’re surrounded by many mountains. We have hundreds of hiking trails, even ones with waterfalls. The season determines the best times to hike in different places. I enjoy hiking in every imaginable direction, from the Indian Canyons and up to the Palm Springs Arial Tramway. It’s also fun to ride bikes through downtown and check out many of the surrounding neighborhoods. The view of the mountains that surrounds us is breathtaking and beautiful. I also picked up golfing as a sport during Covid and I’m so proud of how far my game has come. I have such a love and respect for the sport. After eight years with my fiancé, I have finally given in to his favorite hobby and he has been wanting me to try the sport for quite some time. I’m happy to say we can golf together now, although he is a nine handicap and I am still trying to break 100 yards. Patience. I’m very athletic so I’m proud to have this under my belt along with many other sports I have played. I also love spending time with friends who keep me feeling young and alive. As for hot spots, I’m privileged to say that as a Palm Springs native I’ve enjoyed many of our unsung heroes of local cuisine and some of my favorite dishes are the Chile Verde at Marisol’s, the potato pancakes at Elmer’s, Chicken Giuliani at Sammy G’s Tuscan Grill and fresh fish tacos at Ruben & Ozzy’s.

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Jan 30, 2023 in Porsche News

Porsche Affirms its Commitment to a Sustainable Future by Joining the UN Global Compact.

It's official, Porsche joins UN Global Compact. The United Nations recently confirmed that Porsche joins UN Global Compact, the world’s biggest and most important initiative for sustainable and responsible corporate governance. UN Global Compact is a multi-stakeholder platform for the development, implementation, and disclosure of responsible business practices, according to Porsche. “We are implementing our sustainability strategy throughout our company and together with our partners. Porsche has the ambition to make its value chain net carbon-neutral in 2030 including a net carbon-neutral use phase for future BEV models,” said Barbara Frenkel, Member of the Executive Board for Procurement at Porsche AG. “The participation in UN Global Compact clearly underlines our aspiration to reconcile business activity with ecological considerations and fair working conditions.” Barbara Frenkel, Member of The Executive Board for Procurement at Porsche AG. Among other things, the UN Global Compact is a call to companies/industry as a whole to align operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. It also calls for companies to take action in support of United Nations goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As Porsche joins UN Global Compact, part of the initiative is that Porsche will regularly report to the UN Global Compact and the public regarding its activities in these fields. The UN Global Compact was launched in 2000 and is the largest corporate sustainability initiative in the world. It includes more than 15,000 companies and 3,000 non-business signatories spread over 160 countries. All 193 Member States of the United Nations in 2015 adopted a plan for “achieving a better future for all” while creating a path over the next 15 years to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet. Cool things happening in Porsche. Check out: Porsche Turbo Chargers Are Changing the World of EV Charging Learn More About The Porsche Corporate Sustainability Initiative and How It Wil Benefit Its Drivers. Its “Agenda 2030” includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that define the world “we want — applying to all nations and leaving no one behind.” The goals spring from a process that has been more inclusive than ever, with governments involving business, civil society, and citizens from the outset. “We are all in agreement on where the world needs to go. Fulfilling these ambitions will take an unprecedented effort by all sectors in society — and business has to play a very important role in the process,” according to the UN Compact. The group notes that the modern-day business landscape is characterized by an unprecedented, accelerating, and complex mix of risks and opportunities. That means a company’s entire market can be disrupted in a short time by innumerable factors, be it a new technology or a sudden lack of natural resources, according to the UN group. “New markets are emerging rapidly due to megatrends such as population growth, resource scarcity, or global health risks. Meanwhile, consumers and investors are better informed than ever before – and they want businesses to take responsibility for the pressure our planet and its population are under.” Porsche Is Trying To Stay Ahead of The Curve Due to Unprecedented Circumstances That Could Potentially Occur. Porsche and other companies are trying to stay ahead of the curve and concern themselves with more than short-term profits due to the increasing risk of natural disasters, social unrest, and economic disparity that can damage long-term prosperity. Businesses such as Porsche that understand this challenge can take action and stay a step ahead. Electric cars are a key part of Porsche’s plan to achieve carbon neutrality by the year 2030. Although it is not the first automaker to announce aggressive goals for electrification and reduced emissions, reaching zero carbon by 2030 will involve Porsche’s entire supply chain from start to finish. Porsche Aims To Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2030. “Sustainability is an important part of our Strategy 2030 – holistically: on economic, ecological, and social terms,” said Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Board of AG, in a news release. “We launched a comprehensive decarbonization program with a firm target in mind: Porsche wants to have a CO2-neutral balance sheet throughout the entire value chain in 2030.” As Porsche joins UN Global Compact, you can expect a lot more to come from the German luxury automotive brand. Get on in the exciting changes happening and stay tuned. Check out our latest inventory at Porsche Palm Springs today. NEW INVENTORY

Jan 16, 2023 in Porsche News

Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche Collection is Beyond World-Class

Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche collection is beyond world-class. He isn’t just a comic legend and co-creator of the most popular sitcom of all time - Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche Collection also makes him legendary in the world of Porsche collecting. In fact, some say he’s the most prolific Porsche collector in the world. And he owns so many Porsches that the total number is a bit of a mystery. He's even prone to holding auctions and relieving himself a large number of Porsches in one fell swoop – to the tune of millions of dollars in earnings. Over time he’s auctioned off at least 12 Porsche cars. Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche Collection Is Beyond World-Class. Check Out His Legendary Collection Here. Although he still has plenty of Porsche automobiles in his garage, he’s so far auctioned off a slew of cars that include the following: • A 1955 550 Spyder • A 1974 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR • A 1994 964 Turbo 3.6 S Flachbau • A 1998 Porsche 993 3.8 Cup RSR • A 2000 Porsche Carrera GT Prototype • A 2011 Porsche 997 Speedster An article in British GQ magazine detailed the models in Seinfeld’s Porsche collection housed at what the magazine described as a former plumbing business in New York City that occupies three levels. Over time, the article noted, Seinfeld has owned close to 50 Porsches. Love all things classic? Check out: Porsche Palm Springs Restored 911 is Up for Top Honors at the Porsche Classic Restoration So, without further ado let’s take a look at a few of the highlights in Jerry Seinfeld’s Porsche collection through the ages. 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder. This Porsche, of course, has a rather negative claim to fame due to the fact that it is the same model James Dean was driving when he died. But the Porsche 550 Spyder is one amazing sports car. Jerry’s is one of a mere 75 that were ever made. The 550 Spyder has a 1.5-liter engine and is capable of 140mph. It was Porsche’s first purpose-built race car, and it carried the nickname the “giant killer” for its on-track adventures. Jerry sold his at auction for $5.3 million in 2016. It is considered one of the finest examples still in existence because it was only raced a handful of times and survived in good condition. “ 1964 Porsche 911 More Legends To Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche Collection. The 1964 Porsche 911. This is the very first production 911, and Jerry possesses the model that was built for Ferry Porsche (the son of Porsche’s founder) himself. Ferry specified a sunroof, leather seats, and among other things metallic exterior paint. It was the first 911 ever imported to the US. Jerry purchased the car in 1996 for $400,000. And he also sent it to the Porsche factory in Zuffenhausen for a full painstaking restoration using original parts and finishes. To the tune of $250,000. It’s something to behold. 1970 Targa Florio-winning Porsche 908/03 (chassis number 008) 1970 Targa Florio-winning Porsche 908/03. Need another reason to believe why Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche collection is so iconic? This model was designed by Porsche to specifically compete in two World Sportscar Championship endurance races on two tracks: The Targa Florio and the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It was lightweight and featured perfect weight distribution (45-55) and a radical 30cm overhand on the front. As a prototype, it was dubbed the “VW bus” because of the driver’s upright sitting position and the pedals being so close to the front of the car. In other words, not super comfy. However, once the racing drivers said their lap times they stopped complaining. 1986 Porsche 959 1986 Porsche 959. After years of development and technological boundary-pushing, this much-hyped supercar was finally released in 1986 with a powerful flat-six turbocharged engine and a not-quite-street-legal top speed of 197 mph. In fact, the car was forbidden to be driven on public roads. Just 337 were ever made. Jerry $700,000 for this car, which is, of course, quite lovely to look at. 2000 Porsche Carrera GT Prototype 2000 Porsche Carrera GT Prototype. Porsche produced just 1,270 of these mid-engined hypercars between 2004 and 2007. Jerry’s is just two of the fully functioning prototypes built in 2000. He had a 2004 GT but sold it in 2011. 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder. In true Porsche-loving fashion, when Porsche magazine asked Jerry what three things he would take with him to a desert island, he answered: A 356 Speedster, a 964 Carrera RS, and a 918 Spyder. The 918 Spyder is a mid-engined hybrid hypercar. It has a 4.6-liter V8 engine, paired with two electric motors and it can get you from zero to 62 in just 2.6 seconds while reaching a top speed of 214 mph. Want to start something as legendary as Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche collection? Why not start at Porsche Palm Springs? Check out the latest in Porsche below. NEW INVENTORY

Dec 30, 2022 in Porsche News

Porsche Car Seats Are the Perfect Solution for Your Smallest Race Car Passengers

Driving in a Porsche is one of the biggest thrills of a lifetime. So why not bring along your smallest passengers in one of our Porsche child seats? Porsche child seats are extremely safe and secure, perfect for your Cayenne or Taycan. These child seats meet strict safety standards and have been specially tested and approved for Porsche cars. Porsche Designs Child Seats That Will Keep Your Smallest Race Car Passengers Safe At All Times. Running to the bank in your 911 or Cayenne? No reason to leave the little one behind. Porsche child car seats offer passengers up to 12 years of age protection and comfort. The unique and sporty design of Porsche car seats – in iconic motorsport colors - makes these child seats an eye-catching choice to color-coordinate with your Porsche or your Porsche clothing for children and adults. In other words, these seats fit perfectly into the dynamic image of your Porsche and allow your precious cargo to travel in style. Discover the selection of exclusive Porsche car seats for different age groups in our Porsche Shop at Porsche Palm Springs. Even a newborn can go for a ride in your Porsche. It’s no problem with the Porsche child car seats. Ensure Your Newborn Is Safe Every Car Ride by Securing Them With A Porsche Car Seat. Porsche child seats are, in fact, available for different age groups. Not only do they meet the highest safety standards. But they have special features such as side impact protection to absorb forces and control movement in the event of an impact. There are also adjustable headrests for age-appropriate seat positioning and the five-point belt system with safety lock ensures that your children sit in our world-class child seats in an age-appropriate manner and are protected. Check out: The Porsche Taycan is Better Than Ever in 2023 – With Greater Range and Faster Charging The Porsche car seat for kids is fastened with the vehicle seat belt or with the separately available ISOFIX base. That means your kids can always sit in an ergonomically friendly position while you concentrate on worry-free driving. The moral of the story: When looking for the best child car seat for your Porsche, safety comes first -but there’s no reason to sacrifice the stylish Porsche aesthetic. Porsche Designs Its Luxury Machines With The Safety of Their Drivers In Mind. Let’s take a look at a few of the available models of the Porsche child seats. Porsche Baby Seat. This infant seat is uber-safe but also super stylish. As in Porsche racing stylish. It was designed to mesh seamlessly with the design of your Porsche and its shape was designed specifically for Porsche cars. It includes a five-point belt system and integrated seat adjustments. And you can even use it as a carrier. The Porsche Infant Seat. Porsche Junior Plus Seat. Similarly, the Junior Plus Seat is designed for use in a Porsche sports car. It’s compatible with all Porsche vehicles and even comes with a height-adjustable headrest, a width-adjustable seat surface, and extra-high side bolsters to offer the best side impact protection. This car seat is perfect for kids ages three to 12 - or 33-79 pounds. Porsche Junior Plus Seat. Porsches are, in fact, the perfect family car. With their excellent brakes, handling, and acceleration, Porsche is an ideal luxury car for your family. Porsche has built family and utility vehicles that are among the highest rated cars in the world in terms of drivability, safety, and fun. Among the most popular family Porsches: The Cayenne, the Panamera, and the Taycan. Not only do these vehicles have high performance and safety ratings they can accommodate up to five passengers. So don’t delay, give us a call or come in and visit with us today to see what Porsche Palm Springs can offer you in terms of a family vehicle that will give you - and the entire family - a reason to be excited about that next big adventure. Drive the Porsche Way: Luxury. Performance. Safety. Want a vehicle where one of our Porsche child seats will fit perfectly? Check out our latest inventory below. NEW INVENTORY