Joe Prebul timeline:

1985 — Joe Prebul takes over car business at age 25 after father Abe dies, inheriting dealerships on Ringgold Road and Highway 153.

1990 —Merges the stores and moves the resulting single dealership to Chapman Road.

1997 — Buys the Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge store in Dayton, Tenn.

1999 — Buys Chevrolet dealership from Herb Adcox in Dayton.

2001 — Buys Chattanooga Dodge.

2005 — Acquires three of David Sale’s North Georgia stores.

2008 — Buys Pye Buick franchise in Dalton, Ga., with the aim of combining it with existing GMC/Pontiac/Cadillac dealership there. The acquisition brings the number of Prebul franchises to 12 in Chattanooga, Dayton and Dalton. Closes Prebul Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge in Dayton and consolidates the inventory with his Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealership in Chattanooga.

Jan. 2009 — Ford Motor Co. buys Prebul Ford in Ringgold as part of the automaker’s dealership restructuring plan. The used car business remains open.