Ford Motor Company has shut down Chatom Ford’s Independence Day deal, although the dealership has already instituted a replacement.
After news went viral that the Washington County car dealership was including a Bible, 12-gauge shotgun and an American flag for every new, certified pre-owned or pre-owned vehicle purchased through July 31, Ford reportedly stepped in, seemingly not wanting its brand associated with support of the Second Amendment.
The Facebook video originally promoting the deal has been taken offline. A Facebook post from the dealership on Wednesday afternoon explained their predicament and thanked supporters.
“We were running a promotion celebrating this country’s independence,” the post read. “[Ford Motor Company] manufacture(s) the products we are franchised to sell, so we are complying with their request. We appreciate everyone’s support. All the phone calls and messages were so greatly appreciated. We will fulfill all commitments we made to our customers.”
“Ford Motor Company wasn’t aware or involved in this promotion,” Ford spokesman Mark Truby told The Washington Post. He added that the dealership had promised to “stop talking about it as God, guns and glory.”
Now, a similar deal is being promoted on the dealership’s Facebook page. The offering of a shotgun has been replaced with a $200 gift certificate, while the Bible and flag remain included.
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To be clear, the dealership was not just handing out shotguns. A legal, responsible process using authorized firearms dealers and proper background checks was being utilized.
“Obviously, we’re not just running around willy-nilly and giving everybody a shotgun,” Koby Palmer, the dealership’s sales manager, said.
Palmer advised that besides Ford’s reaction to the deal, the dealership had received an overwhelmingly positive response and vehicle sales had increased, too.
He emphasized that the deal reflected the values of the rural south Alabama community which Chatom Ford proudly calls home.
“They love their faith, they love their country, and they love to hunt,” Palmer explained.
The sales manager also noted that they were not trying to alienate anyone.
“This is something just to promote our little community and things they hold dear to their heart,” Palmer added. “We love everybody regardless of race, creed and religion, and we want everybody to come in and let us love on them a little bit.”
On Thursday, Chatom Ford made the first sale based on the new deal.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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