Rivertown Ford, a Chattahoochee Valley fixture for more than a decade, now operates as Group 1 Ford of Rivertown
COLUMBUS, Ga., July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A Ford dealership that has served the Chattahoochee Valley for more than a decade has operated as Group 1 Ford of Rivertown since September 15, 2025. The former Rivertown Ford is among a growing number of stores that Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Houston-based retailer with dealerships across the U.S. and U.K., has aligned under a single brand.
The Columbus store keeps its local Ford team and customer relationships while gaining a clearer connection to Group 1's scale and operating standards.
Backed by the scale, resources, and expertise of an international automotive retailer, Group 1 Automotive remains focused on delivering the personalized service and community connections that define the local dealership experience. Learn more at Group1Auto.com.
Better Customer Experience
The rebrand did not change ownership, staffing, product offerings, or daily operations. The professionals who served customers as Rivertown Ford continue to do so under the new name.
Group 1 Automotive has owned and operated the Columbus dealership for more than a decade, and the Group 1 name now ties that local store to the company's national network.
"Our customers in the Chattahoochee Valley are working with the same Ford team they always have — the sign out front is really the only thing that's different," said LT Gulley, General Manager of Group 1 Ford of Rivertown. "The Group 1 name ties our Columbus store to a national network while keeping everything local that made people choose us."
Continuity of Service and Local Commitment
Group 1 Ford of Rivertown serves customers from 1680 Whittlesey Road in Columbus, supporting drivers in Columbus, Phenix City, Opelika, and the surrounding Georgia and Alabama communities with new Ford vehicles, pre-owned inventory, and Ford service, parts, and maintenance.
The dealership's local relationships are unchanged, and the unified Group 1 name makes the store easier to recognize alongside the group's other Columbus locations.
Additional Customer Questions
Why did Rivertown Ford change its name to Group 1 Ford of Rivertown?
Rivertown Ford became Group 1 Ford of Rivertown on September 15, 2025, part of Group 1 Automotive's move to a clearer, more consistent naming structure across its U.S. dealerships. The store continues to serve Columbus and the surrounding Chattahoochee Valley. Group 1 operates 251 dealerships across 37 vehicle brands, offering new and pre-owned sales, financing, service, parts, and collision support.