“The automotive industry is going through some major readjustments,” said Joe Prebul, president of the Prebul Automotive Group.

As a part of restructuring in its dealer network, Ford has decided that the Chattanooga and North Georgia markets are better served by having only two Chattanooga area dealers, Marshal Mize Ford and Mountain View Ford, and one Dalton dealer, Brooker Ford, he said.

“Ford requested that Prebul Auto Group’s Ringgold Ford franchise be sold back to Ford so they can close the Ringgold dealership,” he said. “Because the terms Ford offered were advantageous, Prebul has accepted Ford’s offer.

“We applaud Ford for their foresight and their positive approach in supporting their dealers, and we encourage our Chattanooga and Ringgold area Ford customers to continue doing business with Mountain View Ford, Marshal Mize Ford and Brooker Ford,” he said.

With this change, Prebul’s Chattanooga dealerships selling Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, Kia, Volvo, and Infiniti vehicles are in a much stronger and more competitive position in the Chattanooga market, he said.

“We believe this move allows Prebul to better serve its customers with the attention and quality that Chattanooga has come to expect from the Prebul Auto Group,” Prebul said.

Prebul said that all employees of the company will be extended opportunities to apply at other Prebul Auto Group stores.

“We have not decided what we are going to do with that site,” he said. “It’s such a good location it has lots of exposure.”

-Walker County Messenger