STORY UPDATE:
Last week, Chatom Ford in Chatom, AL made headlines with its "God, Guns, and Freedom" July 4th promotion, offering a free shotgun, Bible, and American flag with each vehicle purchase. Now, they're abruptly ending the deal, reportedly at the request of Ford Motor Co., who deemed it 'inappropriate' after an incident last week where a disgruntled ex-employee shot fatally shot two supervisors at a Ford dealership in Morgan Hill, CA.
Chatom Ford GM Colin Ward said he was "disappointed" that Ford asked them to end the promotion, and promised to honor all previous commitments.
Our original report is below:
In the market for a new car, well an Alabama dealership has a current special running right now that will make you stop in your tracks. During the run of their special, any person looking to purchase a new or used car from Chatom Ford will receive a shotgun, bible, and American flag as a celebration for Independence Day.
The dealerships sales manager, Colby Palmer, says the lot is selling at least one vehicle a day now, thanks to the attention their ad has received off of Facebook.
"We wanted to celebrate July fourth and Independence day a little bit different. It's tough to sell here, obviously, in Chatom, Alabama. We're not in a big market and this has given us a platform to reach a lot more people and sell a lot more cars."
Once a customer purchases a car from the lot, they will receive the flag and bible right away, then a gift certificate to a gun dealer to pick up their shotgun. Chatom Ford believes this is a creative way to rope in new customers.
One customer traveled across state lines to take advantage of the deal. As a hunter looking for a new truck, the deal he came across online was just what he needed.
The Chatom Ford Facebook ad reads:
"GOD, GUNS, AND FREEDOM🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
CELEBRATING JULY 4th FROM NOW UNTIL JULY 31 HERE AT CHATOM FORD!!! EVERY VEHICLE PURCHASED NEW OR PREOWNED WILL COME WITH A BIBLE, 12 GAUGE SHOT GUN, AND AMERICAN FLAG!! THIS IS A SMALL GIFT TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS AND A OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE ..... DONT MISS OUT ON THE GREAT DEALS AND GIFTS WAITING ON YOU HERE!!!! CALL, CLICK, OR TEXT FOR MORE DETAILS!!!#chatomford
must be 18 or older, have valid id, can legally purchase a vehicle, and pass all checks associated with owning a fire arm in state of residency"