PELL CITY – Town & Country Ford has acquired Pell City Ford Lincoln-Mercury.

“It is a great pleasure for me to welcome to Pell City one of the south’s premier automotive companies, Town & Country Ford,” Mayor Bill Hereford said at a welcome ceremony Monday. “We are delighted and excited that they have chosen Pell City for their new location.”

The Pell City dealership will adopt the name Town & Country Ford Lincoln Mercury, LLC.

Hereford said the name Town & Country is synonymous with quality, outstanding service, and high ethical standards.

“Town & Country is also known for its commitment to the communities it serves,” he said.

Hereford said the Town & Country officials bring a wealth of experience and business ability to the table, and set the standard for fair dealing.

“The company’s associates are not only carefully selected, they are also well trained to serve the needs of the automotive buying public and they are dedicated to providing outstanding service,” he said.

Hereford thanked former Pell City Ford Lincoln-Mercury owner Oscar Hyde for his many years of service to the community, and for choosing Town & Country as the “right folks for Ford in Pell City.”

“This acquisition provides several important strategic benefits to the ‘Town & Country’ brand,” said William E. “Bill” Sain, Sr. “It provides a presence for Town & Country east of Birmingham and it gives us a Lincoln Mercury dealership for the first time. Pell City Ford Lincoln-Mercury has an excellent track record and strong customer base, and we are looking forward to expanding it.”

Town & Country Board of Directors member Hank Tyler said the dealership in Bessemer and the one in Pell City will have the same philosophy toward value, selection, and service that has always guided Town & Country Ford.

“And customers will be able to have their Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury vehicles serviced at either location,” he said.

Eli Gold, spokesman for Town & Country Ford, said credibility is something you can’t ever lose.

“There is nothing any of us have other than credibility,” he said. “I have been with Town & Country for close to 11 years, and not one day since have I doubted my association with them. They are a classy group. These guys are honest and upfront, and I am honored to have my name associated with them.”

Stan White, spokesman for Town & Country Ford, said it takes team leadership at the top for a successful business.

“It also takes good people in the dealerships who work together for good results,” he said. “I am proud to be a part of that relationship.”

Town & Country Ford dealer Steve Watts said he is excited about the strength of Ford Motor Company.

“We consider the east half of Alabama very highly,” he said. “We hope to more than double the payrolls of this area in the first part of 2010.”

“We are fortunate to be able to expand in a very positive way during a period when there is so much negative news about the overall American automobile industry and we look forward to more than doubling the number of jobs offered in Pell City and St. Clair County with this announcement,” said Kyle Sain, a member of the Town & Country Ford Board of Directors.

Bill Sain said he feels the Pell City dealership can be as strong as the Bessemer dealership in 4-5 years.

“We have a good start here in Pell City, and are excited about it,” he said. “We think the tough times will get better.”

Town & Country Ford sales manager Doug Bailey said he is extremely excited to be a part of what is going on in Pell City.

“We are going to put the same effort into the Pell City dealership as our Bessemer location and make it a success.”