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Located in Unadilla, GA, two hours south of Atlanta, the BranNen Motor Company (BMC) was awarded the Ford dealership franchise on December 6, 1943, to Clint B. and W. B. Brannen. Since then, it has been recognized by Ford Motor Company as the oldest, continully operating, single-family franchise east of the Mississippi River.
In 1945, Clint took over as the single franchise holder, and for 59 years, he built the business one customer at a time by offering quality service -- before and after the sale. Clint instilled his old-fashioned values in his family, knowing that the name Brannen carries with it a reputation that is above reproach. He taught his family members and employees to value each person they meet as a new friend, and that's why BMC prides itself on its tremendous repeat-customer base. The Brannen family has had dealerships in Cordele, Byron, Vienna, Dublin, Waynesboro, and Perry, GA, and has become known as Middle Georgia's Oldest Ford Family. Clint Brannen Jr., Phil Brannen, Bishop Brannen, and Jarrod Brannen are actively involved in daily business operations. Over the years, BMC has evolved its staff as well as inventory. The dealership obtained a Chevrolet franchise in 1987, and in 1999, the younger Clint became the franchisee for Ford and Chevrolet. BMC has 36 employees, who focus on the needs of its primarily agricultural-based and service-oriented clients. Up until 1995, BMC had been selling law enforcement vehicles to the local sheriff's department. BMC recognized an untapped market and decided to expand its fleet business, specializing in law enforcement vehicles, as well as commercial trucks and cars for non-law enforcement agencies, such as fire departments, city, and county agencies. BMC sells vehicles in the southeastern United States, Oklahoma, and as far away as Oregon! Retired Chief Bobby Reed came on board, and with his 20 years of experience as a police chief and past-President of the Georgia Police Chiefs' Association, BMC started marketing itself as the law enforcement vehicle dealership that allowed a municipality to one-stop shop. BMC can install as much or as little equipment as desired, including lightbars, sirens, cages, push bars, radio equipment, and even decals customized to the municipality's specifications. Many BMC vehicles leave the dealership 100 percent ready for street duty! The main reasons that the sheriff, police, and city/county departments do business with BMC are:
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