Long-Lewis acquires Cullman’s Eckenrod Ford Lincoln

CULLMAN, Ala. – The Long-Lewis Automotive Group, effective Aug. 12, 2024, acquired Eckenrod Ford Lincoln in Cullman. The official name of the dealership is Long-Lewis Ford Lincoln of Cullman.

Long-Lewis purchased all assets, including the real estate, and will also retain all Eckenrod employees. This adds about 50 additional employees to the Long- Lewis Automotive Group, bringing the total employee count to approximately 900. Long-Lewis now has 11 dealerships in eight cities across the state – four Fords, three Lincolns, Chevrolet, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi and a Pre-Owned Vehicle and Ford Parts & Service Center.

“We are very excited about this opportunity,” said Wade Bentley, dealer principal, Long-Lewis Ford Lincoln of Cullman. “Rest assured that it will be anything but business as usual. Long-Lewis is by far the largest automotive retailer in the state, and has a deep history of customer and employee satisfaction. I am most impressed with our exceptionally strong dedication to the community.”

This is evidenced by its strong legacy of giving back through the Long-Lewis Foundation, a private foundation setup to support local evangelical causes and to help people in the community with medical and emotional needs.

“We fully expect this location to immediately double its current volume by employing the Long-Lewis way of doing business,” Bentley continued. “Long-Lewis’ approach to automotive sales is absolutely mind blowing, but it is obviously what today’s customers demand.”

Long-Lewis recently celebrated its 137th anniversary and announced additional plans to strategically expand throughout the state of Alabama.

The Cullman dealership is located along Alabama Highway 157, near the U.S. Highway 31 intersection.