The Garber Automotive Group announced today the acquisition of Hagen Ford in Bay City, Michigan. Effective Monday, July 29th, Hagen Ford will be Garber Ford Bay City. This will be the 25th franchised new car dealership to join the Garber family and the eighth Garber dealership in the Great Lakes Bay Region. This marks the very first time that Garber will own a Ford dealership in Michigan.

“We are honored that the Hagen family has chosen us to carry on their outstanding family legacy,” said Richard J. Garber Jr., President of Garber Management Group. “Our values of bringing exceptional service to the communities we serve are perfectly aligned. We could not be more excited to represent Ford and serve the Bay City community.”

“When our father, Arthur Hagen, founded this dealership in 1961, he wanted to provide the Bay City community with not only premier Ford vehicles but unbeatable customer service as well,” said Thomas and Robert Hagen, second-generation owners of Hagen Ford. “We feel that Dick Garber and Garber Automotive Group, with their commitment to both their customers and community, are the perfect choice to carry on his work. As we prepare for retirement, we can rest easy knowing our family’s dealership is in the best of hands.”

Parys Liddell will serve as Garber Ford Bay City’s new General Manager. He has been with Garber Automotive since 2023 as the Garber Nissan-Hyundai General Manager and spent over a decade before that working management positions at Ford dealerships. Parys is an Automotive News 40 Under 40 honoree and a Northwood University alumnus, where he earned a Masters of Business Administration.

“I am so excited to begin working with the great people here in Bay City,” said Parys Liddell. “Bay City is a great community. I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with them and to bring my expertise with Ford products to this dealership. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone.”

Hagen Ford is a family-owned business that has served Bay City with premier Ford vehicles since 1961. Brothers Thomas and Robert Hagen are lifelong residents of the region who chose Garber to pass the reins to as they prepare to enjoy retirement. Throughout the years, they have supported and sponsored community events and activities throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region, a tradition that will continue under Garber’s management.

Garber Automotive Group has been family owned and operated since 1907 and is based out of Saginaw, Michigan. Garber Management Group is the umbrella organization for 25 new-car dealerships representing 17 franchises across six states.

The Garber organization also includes Gateway Financial Solutions, one of the nation’s largest used-car lenders, and Rightway Automotive, a used-vehicle retailer with over 50 locations across the country. They are also owners of the Saginaw Spirit, an OHL hockey team and 2024 Memorial Cup Champions.

Garber Ford Bay City will continue to serve the Mid-Michigan community at 3980 North Euclid Ave, Bay City, MI 48706.