218.01(2)(k)3.
3. Has had experience or training in, or is otherwise qualified for, selling or leasing motor vehicles.
218.01(2)(k)4.
4. Is a resident of this state, unless application is for a nonresident motor vehicle salesperson's license.
218.01(2)(k)5.
5. Is reasonably familiar with the motor vehicle sales or consumer lease laws or contracts that the applicant is proposing to solicit, negotiate or effect.
218.01(2a)
(2a) Changes in places of business to be reported. 218.01(2a)(a)(a) Before changing the location of a place of business or opening a new place of business in a municipality in which authorized to do business, a licensed dealer, distributor, or manufacturer shall apply to the department of transportation for an amended license. The department of transportation shall issue such license without charge.
218.01(2a)(b)
(b) Whenever a licensed dealer, distributor, manufacturer or transporter opens a new place of business, the licensee shall promptly report such fact, including the address thereof, to the department of transportation.
218.01(2a)(c)
(c) Whenever a licensed dealer, distributor or manufacturer discontinues or disposes of his or her business, such person shall promptly report such fact to the department of transportation and return the license and registration plates issued. Whenever a licensed dealer, distributor or manufacturer discontinues business due to license suspension or revocation, such person shall surrender the licenses and registration plates to the department of transportation for such suspension or revocation period.
218.01(2a)(d)
(d) Any dealer, distributor, manufacturer or transporter who fails to comply with the requirements of this subsection may be fined not more than $200 or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both.
218.01(2c)
(2c) Factory stores. A manufacturer, importer or distributor, or a subsidiary thereof, shall not own, operate or control a motor vehicle dealership in this state. This subsection does not prohibit any of the following:
218.01(2c)(a)
(a) The ownership and operation by a manufacturer, importer or distributor, or a subsidiary thereof, of a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year, during the transition from one owner or operator to another.
218.01(2c)(b)
(b) The ownership or control of a dealership by a manufacturer, importer or distributor, or a subsidiary thereof, if the dealership is being sold under a bona fide contract or purchase option to the operator of the dealership, or a contract exists under which the operator of the dealership can expect to acquire full ownership of or a controlling interest in the dealership, and after the transfer of ownership is completed the dealership will no longer be owned, operated or controlled by the manufacturer, importer or distributor, or a subsidiary thereof.
218.01(2c)(c)
(c) The ownership, operation or control of a dealership by a manufacturer, importer or distributor, or subsidiary thereof, which does not meet the conditions under
par. (a) or
(b), if the division of hearings and appeals determines, after a hearing on the matter at the request of any party, that there is no prospective independent dealer available to own and operate the dealership in a manner consistent with the public interest and that meets the reasonable standard and uniformly applied qualifications of the manufacturer, importer or distributor.
218.01(2d)(a)(a) A manufacturer, importer or distributor shall disclose in writing to a motor vehicle dealer, at or before delivery to the dealer, any damage and repair to a new motor vehicle occurring after the manufacturing process is complete but before delivery to the dealer, if the cost of the repair exceeds 6% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price, as measured by retail repair costs. Replacement of glass, tires, bumpers, fenders, moldings, audio equipment, instrument panels, hoods and deck lids with identical manufacturer's original equipment is not considered damage and repair under this paragraph. If a manufacturer, importer or distributor fails to make a disclosure of damage and repair under this paragraph, it shall be liable to the dealer for any liability imposed on the dealer for a failure on the part of the dealer to disclose that damage and repair.
218.01(2d)(b)
(b) If the cost of repairing damage to a new motor vehicle that occurs before delivery to the dealer's location exceeds 6% of the manufacturer's suggested retail price, as measured by retail repair costs, the dealer may reject or, if title has passed to the dealer, require the manufacturer, importer or distributor who delivered the vehicle to repurchase the vehicle within 10 business days after delivery, unless the damage occurred during shipment and the method of transportation, carrier or transporter of the motor vehicle was designated by the motor vehicle dealer. Upon repurchase, the manufacturer, importer or distributor shall be subrogated to all of the dealer's rights against the carrier or transporter of the motor vehicle regarding damage. The cost of repairing glass, tires, bumpers, moldings and audio equipment with identical manufacturer's original equipment shall not be included in determining the cost of repairing damage under this paragraph.
218.01(2d)(c)
(c) This subsection does not apply to motorcycles that are delivered in a crated, disassembled condition to the dealer or the dealer's agent.
218.01(2f)
(2f) Vehicle allocations. No manufacturer, importer or distributor shall adopt, change, establish or implement a plan or system for the allocation, scheduling or delivery of new motor vehicles, parts or accessories to its motor vehicle dealers that is not fair, reasonable and equitable or modify an existing plan or system so as to cause the plan or system to be unreasonable, unfair or inequitable. Upon the request of any dealer franchised by it, a manufacturer, importer or distributor shall disclose in writing to the dealer the basis upon which new motor vehicles, parts and accessories are allocated, scheduled and delivered among the manufacturer's, importer's or distributor's dealers of the same line make.
218.01(2g)
(2g) Performance standards. Any performance standard or program for measuring dealership performance that may have a material effect on a dealer, and the application of any such standard or program by a manufacturer, importer or distributor, shall be fair, reasonable and equitable. Upon the request of any dealer, a manufacturer, importer or distributor shall disclose in writing to the dealer a description of how a performance standard or program is designed and all relevant information used in the application of the performance standard or program to that dealer.
218.01(2w)(a)(a) In this subsection, "dealer cost" means the wholesale cost for a part as listed in the manufacturer's, importer's or distributor's current price schedules or, if the part is not so listed, the dealer's original invoice cost for the part.
218.01(2w)(b)
(b) A manufacturer, importer or distributor shall, for the protection of the buying public, specify the delivery and preparation obligations of its dealers before delivery of new motor vehicles to retail buyers. A copy of the delivery and preparation obligations of its dealers shall be filed with the department of transportation by every licensed motor vehicle manufacturer, importer or distributor and shall constitute the dealer's only responsibility for product liability as between the dealer and the manufacturer, importer or distributor. Any mechanical, body or parts defects arising from any express or implied warranties of the manufacturer, importer or distributor shall constitute the manufacturer's, importer's or distributor's product or warranty liability. The manufacturer, importer or distributor shall reasonably compensate any authorized dealer who performs work to rectify the manufacturer's, importer's or distributor's product or warranty defects or delivery and preparation obligations or who performs any other work required, requested or approved by the manufacturer, importer or distributor or for which the manufacturer, importer or distributor has agreed to pay, including compensation for labor at a labor rate equal to the effective labor rate charged all customers and for parts at an amount not less than the amount the dealer charges its other retail service customers for parts used in performing similar work by the dealer.
218.01(2w)(c)
(c) To be eligible for compensation for parts under
par. (b), a dealer shall notify the manufacturer, importer or distributor in writing of the amounts that the dealer charges its other retail service customers for parts and request that it be paid for parts in accordance with this subsection. The notice may be limited to the dealer's average markup over dealer cost that the dealer charges its other retail service customers for parts used to perform similar work. The notice shall be served upon the manufacturer, importer or distributor not less than 30 days before the date on which the dealer requests that the manufacturer, importer or distributor begin paying the dealer for parts at the stated amounts. The manufacturer, importer or distributor shall pay the dealer, as provided in this subsection, at the amounts stated in the dealer notice for parts used in work performed on and after the beginning date stated in the notice.
218.01(2w)(d)
(d) The manufacturer, importer or distributor may require the dealer, at reasonable intervals, to provide the manufacturer, importer or distributor with documents or information regarding a reasonable number of sales to other retail service customers of parts used by the dealer to perform similar work in order to substantiate that the amounts requested in the dealer's notice are consistent with the amounts that the dealer charges its other retail service customers for parts used by the dealer to perform similar work.
218.01(2w)(e)
(e) A manufacturer, importer or distributor who fails to compensate a dealer for parts at an amount not less than the amount the dealer charges its other retail service customers for parts used to perform similar work shall not be found to have violated this subsection if the manufacturer, importer or distributor shows that the amount is not reasonably competitive to the amounts charged to retail service customers by other similarly situated franchised motor vehicle dealers in this state for the same parts when used by those dealers to perform similar work.
218.01(2w)(f)
(f) If a manufacturer, importer or distributor furnishes a part to a dealer at no cost for use by the dealer in performing work for which the manufacturer, importer or distributor is required to compensate the dealer under this subsection, the manufacturer, importer or distributor shall compensate the dealer for the part at an amount not less than the amount the dealer charges its other retail customers for parts when used to perform similar work less the wholesale cost for such part as listed in the manufacturer's current price schedules. A manufacturer, importer or distributor may pay the dealer a reasonable handling fee instead of the compensation otherwise required by this subsection for special high-performance complete engine assemblies furnished to the dealer at no cost, provided that the manufacturer, importer or distributor excludes special high-performance complete engine assemblies in determining whether the amounts requested in the dealer's notice are consistent with the amounts that the dealer charges its other retail service customers for parts used by the dealer to perform similar work.
218.01(2w)(g)
(g) A claim made by a franchised motor vehicle dealer for compensation under this subsection shall be either approved or disapproved within 30 days after the claim is submitted to the manufacturer, importer or distributor in the manner and on the forms the manufacturer, importer or distributor reasonably prescribes. An approved claim shall be paid within 30 days after its approval; and, if a claim is not specifically disapproved in writing or by electronic transmission within 30 days after the date on which the manufacturer, importer or distributor receives it, the claim shall be considered to be approved and payment shall follow within 30 days. A manufacturer, importer or distributor retains the right to audit claims for a period of one year after the date on which the claim is paid and to charge back any amounts paid on claims that are false or unsubstantiated. If there is evidence of fraud, this paragraph does not limit the right of the manufacturer to audit for longer periods and charge back for any fraudulent claim, subject to the limitations period under
s. 893.93 (1) (b).
218.01(2x)
(2x) Promotional allowances. A claim made by a franchised motor vehicle dealer for promotional allowances or other incentive payments shall be either approved or disapproved within 30 days after the claim is submitted to the manufacturer, importer or distributor in the manner and on the forms the manufacturer, importer or distributor reasonably prescribes. An approved claim shall be paid within 30 days after its approval; and, if a claim is not specifically disapproved in writing or by electronic transmission within 30 days after the date on which the manufacturer, importer or distributor receives it, the claim shall be considered to be approved and payment shall follow within 30 days after approval. A manufacturer, importer or distributor retains the right to audit a claim for a period of 2 years after the date on which the claim is paid and to charge back any amounts paid on claims that are false or unsubstantiated. If there is evidence of fraud, this subsection does not limit the right of the manufacturer to audit for longer periods and charge back for any fraudulent claim, subject to the limitations period under
s. 893.93 (1) (b).
218.01(3)
(3) Licenses, how denied, suspended or revoked. 218.01(3)(a)(a) A license may be denied, suspended or revoked on the following grounds:
218.01(3)(a)3.
3. Filing a materially false or fraudulent income or franchise tax return as certified by the department of revenue.
218.01(3)(a)4.
4. Wilful failure to comply with any provision of this section or any rule or regulation promulgated by the licensor under this section.
218.01(3)(a)5.
5. Wilfully defrauding any retail buyer, lessee or prospective lessee to the buyer's, lessee's or prospective lessee's damage.
218.01(3)(a)6.
6. Wilful failure to perform any written agreement with any retail buyer, lessee or prospective lessee.
218.01(3)(a)7.
7. Failure or refusal to furnish and keep in force any bond required.
218.01(3)(a)8.
8. Having made a fraudulent sale, consumer lease, prelease agreement, transaction or repossession.
218.01(3)(a)9.
9. Fraudulent misrepresentation, circumvention or concealment through whatsoever subterfuge or device of any of the material particulars or the nature thereof required hereunder to be stated or furnished to the retail buyer, lessee or prospective lessee.
218.01(3)(a)10.
10. Employment of fraudulent devices, methods or practices in connection with compliance with the statutes with respect to the retaking of goods under retail instalment contracts or consumer leases and the redemption and resale or subsequent lease of such goods.
218.01(3)(a)11.
11. Having indulged in any unconscionable practice relating to said business.
218.01(3)(a)13.
13. Having sold a retail instalment contract or consumer lease to a sales finance company not licensed hereunder.
218.01(3)(a)14.
14. Having violated any law relating to the sale, lease, distribution or financing of motor vehicles.
218.01(3)(a)15.
15. Being a manufacturer, importer or distributor who has coerced or attempted to coerce any motor vehicle dealer to order any commodity or service or to accept delivery of or pay for any commodity or service that the motor vehicle dealer has not ordered. This subdivision does not modify or prohibit reasonable requirements in a franchise agreement that require a dealer to market and service a representative line of new motor vehicles that the manufacturer, importer or distributor is publicly advertising.
218.01(3)(a)16.
16. Being a manufacturer of motor vehicles, factory branch, distributor, field representative, officer, agent or any representative whatsoever of such motor vehicle manufacturer or factory branch, who has attempted to induce or coerce, or has induced or coerced, any motor vehicle dealer to enter into any agreement with such manufacturer, factory branch or representative thereof, or to do any other act unfair to said dealer, by threatening to cancel any franchise existing between such manufacturer, factory branch or representative thereof and said dealer.
218.01(3)(a)17.
17. Subject to
sub. (3n), being a manufacturer, importer or distributor who has unfairly, without due regard to the equities or without just provocation, directly or indirectly canceled or failed to renew the franchise of any motor vehicle dealer; or being a manufacturer or importer, who has unfairly, without due regard to the equities or without just provocation, directly or indirectly canceled or failed to renew the franchise of any distributor. If there is a change in a manufacturer, importer or distributor, a motor vehicle dealer's franchise granted by the former manufacturer, importer or distributor shall continue in full force and operation under the new manufacturer, importer or distributor unless a mutual agreement of cancellation is filed with the department of transportation between the new manufacturer, importer or distributor and the dealer. In this subdivision, "due regard to the equities" means treatment in enforcing an agreement that is fair and equitable to a motor vehicle dealer or distributor and that is not discriminatory compared to similarly situated dealers or distributors; and "just provocation" means a material breach by a motor vehicle dealer or distributor, due to matters within the dealer's or distributor's control, of a reasonable and necessary provision of an agreement and the breach is not cured within a reasonable time after written notice of the breach has been received from the manufacturer, importer or distributor.
218.01(3)(a)18.
18. Having accepted an order or contract of purchase from a buyer or a consumer lease or prelease agreement from a lessee or prospective lessee if such arrangement results in the practice of bushing. For the purpose of this section, "bushing" means, with respect to an order or contract of purchase, the practice of increasing the selling price of a motor vehicle above that originally quoted the purchaser as evidenced by a purchase order or contract which has been signed by both the purchaser and dealer licensee and, with respect to a consumer lease or prelease agreement, the practice of increasing the capitalized cost above that originally quoted the lessee or prospective lessee as evidenced by a consumer lease or prelease agreement which has been signed by both the lessee or prospective lessee and the dealer licensee.
218.01(3)(a)19.
19. Having advertised, printed, displayed, published, distributed, broadcast or televised or caused or permitted to be advertised, printed, displayed, published, distributed, broadcast or televised in any manner whatsoever, any statement or representation with regard to the sale, lease or financing of motor vehicles which is false, deceptive or misleading.
218.01(3)(a)20.
20. Having set up, promoted or aided in the promotion of a plan by which motor vehicles are sold or leased to a person for a consideration and upon the further consideration that the purchaser or lessee agrees to secure one or more persons to participate in the plan by respectively making a similar purchase or lease and in turn agreeing to secure one or more persons likewise to join in said plan, each purchaser or lessee being given the right to secure money, credits, goods or something of value, depending upon the number of persons joining in the plan.
218.01(3)(a)21.
21. Being a dealer who keeps open the dealer's place of business on Sunday for the purpose of buying, leasing or selling motor vehicles; but nothing in this subdivision shall apply to any person who conscientiously believes that the 7th day of the week, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, should be observed as the Sabbath and who actually refrains from conducting or engaging in the business of buying, leasing, selling or offering for lease or sale motor vehicles, or performing other secular business on that day.
218.01(3)(a)23.
23. Being a motor vehicle dealer who, in breach of an agreement, voluntarily changes its ownership or executive management, transfers its dealership assets to another person, adds another franchise at the same location as its existing franchise, or relocates a franchise without first complying with the procedures in
sub. (3x).
218.01(3)(a)24.
24. Being a manufacturer, importer or distributor who fails to comply with the procedures in
sub. (3x) regarding a dealer's request for approval of a change of ownership or executive management, transfer of its dealership assets to another person, adding another franchise at the same location as its existing franchise, or relocation of a franchise or who fails to comply with an order of the division of hearings and appeals issued under
sub. (3x).
218.01(3)(a)26.
26. Being a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, field representative, officer, agent or any representative of such manufacturer, factory branch or distributor who, notwithstanding the terms of any agreement, refuses to honor the succession to the ownership or operation of a dealership under an existing franchise agreement by a designated family member of a deceased or incapacitated dealer, except in the manner prescribed by
sub. (3c), or who unreasonably withholds its approval of a change of ownership or executive management of the dealership after the dealer's death or incapacity.
218.01(3)(a)27.
27. The selling of new motor vehicles for which the dealer is not franchised.
218.01(3)(a)28.
28. Wilful failure to provide and maintain facilities and business records as required by this section or by any rule promulgated by the licensor pertaining to facility and business records.
218.01(3)(a)29.
29. Being an inactive business, as evidenced by 3 or less motor vehicle purchases and sales or consumer leases during the prior year licensing period.
218.01(3)(a)30.
30. Failure to obtain proper business zoning or failure to obtain and maintain any required additional state or local license or permit.
218.01(3)(a)32.
32. Being a manufacturer, factory branch or distributor who enters into a franchise agreement establishing or relocating a motor vehicle dealership, parts outlet or service outlet in a relevant market area without first complying with the procedure in
par. (f) 1.
218.01(3)(a)35.
35. Being a manufacturer, factory branch or distributor who engages in any action which transfers to a motor vehicle dealer any responsibility of the manufacturer, factory branch or distributor under
s. 218.015.
218.01(3)(a)36.
36. Being a manufacturer, distributor or importer who does any of the following:
218.01(3)(a)36.a.
a. Fails to notify the department of transportation of any revision or addition to an agreement as required under
sub. (2) (bd) 1.
218.01(3)(a)36.b.
b. Fails to revise or remove portions of an agreement that the department of transportation declares to contain provisions which are inconsistent with
sub. (2) (bm).
218.01(3)(a)36.c.
c. Requires or coerces a dealer or distributor to execute an agreement, as a condition of obtaining or continuing a franchise, that contains provisions that are void or prohibited under
sub. (2) (bm) or attempts to enforce an agreement with void or prohibited provisions.
218.01(3)(a)36.d.
d. Requires or coerces a dealer or distributor to execute an agreement that requires arbitration as a condition of obtaining or continuing a franchise, unless the dealer or distributor has the option of signing an otherwise identical agreement without the arbitration provision or unless the agreement provides for arbitration on a case-by-case basis and only when both parties elect to refer the matter to arbitration. This
subd. 36. d. does not apply to a manufacturer or distributor who enters into an agreement that creates a new franchise for a new line make of motor vehicle, if the arbitration provision was the subject of good faith negotiations with a representative group of dealers, and if each dealer voluntarily accepts the arbitration provision after receiving a franchise offering circular under
s. 553.27 (4) that discloses the existence and effect of the arbitration provision, and if the manufacturer or dealer files a copy of the franchise offering circular and proof of good faith negotiation and voluntary acceptance of the arbitration with any filing required under
sub. (2) (bd) 1.
218.01(3)(a)37.
37. Being a manufacturer, distributor or importer who fails to designate in writing the area of sales responsibility assigned to a motor vehicle dealer or who changes or attempts to change an area of sales responsibility to avoid the requirements of
par. (f).
218.01(3)(a)38.
38. Being a grantor, as defined in
sub. (3r) (a) 2., who fails to pay a motor vehicle dealer agreement termination benefits under
sub. (3r).
218.01(3)(a)39.
39. Being a manufacturer or distributor who modifies a motor vehicle dealer agreement during the term of the agreement or upon its renewal without complying with
par. (fm).
218.01(3)(a)41.
41. Being a manufacturer, importer or distributor who compels a dealer, through a financing subsidiary of the manufacturer, importer or distributor, to agree to unreasonable operating requirements or who directly or indirectly cancels or fails to renew a dealer's franchise, except as allowed under
subs. (3) (a) 17. and
(3n), through the actions of a financing subsidiary of the manufacturer, importer or distributor. This subdivision does not limit the right of a financing subsidiary to engage in business practices in accordance with the usages of the trade in which it is engaged.
218.01(3)(a)42.
42. Being a licensee who wilfully refuses or fails to participate in mediation pursuant to a demand for mediation served under
sub. (7m) (a).
218.01(3)(a)43.
43. Being a manufacturer, importer or distributor who uses a right of first refusal, granted to it under an agreement, to influence the consideration or other terms offered by a potential buyer for a dealership's assets or stock or to influence a potential buyer to refrain from entering into, or to withdraw from, negotiations for the purchase of a dealership's assets or stock.
218.01(3)(b)
(b) The licensor may without notice deny the application for a license within 60 days after receipt thereof by written notice to the applicant, stating the grounds for such denial. Within 30 days after such notice, the applicant may petition the division of hearings and appeals to conduct a hearing to review the denial, and a hearing shall be scheduled with reasonable promptness.
218.01(3)(bf)1.a.a. Except as provided in
subd. 1. b., the department of transportation shall not license as a dealer an applicant for the sale or lease of motor vehicles at retail unless such applicant owns or leases a vehicle display lot and a permanent building wherein there are facilities to display motor vehicles and facilities to repair functional and nonfunctional parts of motor vehicles and where replacement parts, repair tools and equipment to service motor vehicles are kept, and at which place of business shall be kept and maintained the books, records and files necessary to conduct the business. A residence, tent or temporary stand is not a sufficiently permanent place of business within the meaning of this paragraph.
218.01(3)(bf)1.b.
b. The requirements in
subd. 1. a. that an applicant own or lease a vehicle display lot and that the permanent building owned or leased by the applicant contain facilities to display motor vehicles do not apply to persons who are engaged only in the leasing of motor vehicles and who do not maintain an inventory of motor vehicles offered for lease.
218.01(3)(bf)2.
2. An approved service contract with an established repair shop having the repair parts and repair facilities specified in
subd. 1. shall serve in lieu of the applicant's owning or leasing the applicant's own repair facilities if such service connection is within a reasonable distance from the applicant's place of business and if such service connection guarantees in writing the making of the repairs or replacements ordered by the dealer.
218.01(3)(bf)3.
3. This paragraph does not apply to persons who deal only in mopeds or motor bicycles.
218.01(3)(c)1.1. No license may be suspended or revoked except after a hearing thereon. Except as provided in
subd. 2., the licensor shall give the licensee at least 5 days' notice of the time and place of such hearing, and the order suspending or revoking such license shall not be effective until after 10 days' written notice thereof to the licensee, after such hearing has been had.
218.01(3)(c)2.
2. When in the licensor's opinion the best interest of the public or the trade demands it, for conduct or under circumstances specified in this section or in rules promulgated by the licensor, the licensor may suspend a license upon not less than 24 hours' notice of hearing and with not less than 24 hours' notice of the suspension of the license.
218.01(3)(c)3.
3. Matters involving suspensions or revocations brought before the department of transportation shall be heard and decided upon by the division of hearings and appeals. If the department of transportation requests the division of hearings and appeals to hear a matter brought before the department of transportation under
subd. 2., the division of hearings and appeals shall hear and decide the matter within 30 days after the date of the department of transportation's request.
218.01(3)(d)
(d) The licensor may inspect the pertinent books, records, letters and contracts of a licensee and shall determine the cost of an examination. The cost of an examination shall be paid by such licensee so examined within 30 days after demand therefor by the licensor, and the licensor may maintain an action for the recovery of such costs in any court of competent jurisdiction.
218.01(3)(e)
(e) If a licensee is a firm, corporation or limited liability company, it shall be sufficient cause for the denial, suspension or revocation of a license that any officer, director, trustee or manager of the firm, corporation or limited liability company, or any member in case of a partnership, has been guilty of any act or omission which would be cause for refusing, suspending or revoking a license to such party as an individual. Each licensee shall be responsible for the acts of any or all of his or her salespersons while acting as his or her agent, if the licensee approved of or had knowledge of the acts or other similar acts and after such approval or knowledge retained the benefit, proceeds, profits or advantages accruing from the acts or otherwise ratified the acts.
