218.0131
218.0131
Family member's right to succeed deceased or incapacitated dealer under existing franchise agreement. 218.0131(1)(1) Any designated family member of a deceased or incapacitated dealer shall have the right to succeed the deceased or incapacitated dealer in the ownership or operation of the dealership under the existing franchise agreement if the designated family member gives the manufacturer, factory branch or distributor written notice of his or her intention to do so within 120 days of the dealer's death or incapacity, unless there exists good cause for refusal to honor the succession on the part of the manufacturer, factory branch or distributor. The manufacturer, factory branch or distributor may request, and the designated family member shall provide, personal and financial data that are reasonably necessary to determine whether the succession should be honored.
218.0131(2)
(2) If a manufacturer, factory branch or distributor believes it has good cause for refusing to honor the succession to the ownership and operation of a dealership by a family member of a deceased or incapacitated dealer under the existing franchise agreement, the manufacturer, factory branch or distributor may, within 30 days of receipt of notice of the designated family member's intent to succeed the dealer in the ownership and operation of the dealership, serve upon the designated family member and the department of transportation notice of its refusal to honor the succession and of its intent to discontinue the existing franchise agreement with the dealership no sooner than 60 days from the date the notice is served. The notice shall state the specific grounds for the refusal to honor the succession and the discontinuance of the franchise agreement. If no notice of refusal and discontinuance is timely served upon the family member and department of transportation, or if the division of hearings and appeals rules in favor of the complainant in a hearing held under
sub. (3), the franchise agreement shall continue in effect subject to termination only in the manner prescribed in this subchapter.
218.0131(3)(a)(a) Any designated family member who receives a notice of the manufacturer's, factory branch's or distributor's refusal to honor his or her succession to the ownership and operation of the dealership may, within the 60-day notice period, serve on the respondent and file in triplicate with the division of hearings and appeals a verified complaint for a hearing and determination by the division of hearings and appeals on whether good cause exists for the manufacturer's, factory branch's or distributor's refusal and discontinuance. The division of hearings and appeals shall forward a copy of the complaint to the department of transportation.
218.0131(3)(b)
(b) The manufacturer, factory branch or distributor shall, at the hearing held under
par. (a), have the burden of establishing good cause for its refusal by showing that the succession would be detrimental to the public interest or to the representation of the manufacturer, factory branch or distributor. The franchise agreement shall continue in effect until the final determination of the issues raised in the complaint.
218.0131(3)(c)
(c) If the complainant prevails at the hearing held under
par. (a), he or she shall have a cause of action against the defendant manufacturer, factory branch or distributor for reasonable expenses and attorney fees incurred in the matter. If the manufacturer, factory branch or distributor prevails, the division of hearings and appeals shall include in its order approving the termination of the franchise agreement such conditions as are reasonable and adequate to afford the complainant an opportunity to receive fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the dealership.
218.0131(4)
(4) Nothing in this section shall prevent a dealer, during the dealer's lifetime, from designating any person as his or her successor dealer by written instrument filed with the manufacturer, factory branch or distributor.
218.0131 History
History: 1999 a. 31 ss.
193 to
197.
218.0132
218.0132
Termination provisions. 218.0132(1)(a)(a) For purposes of
s. 218.0116 (1) (i), the termination, cancellation or discontinuation of a motor vehicle line make will be considered to be the cancellation or failure to renew the franchise of a motor vehicle dealer or distributor of that line make even if that line make is part of an agreement that includes other line makes.
218.0132(1)(b)
(b) Notwithstanding
par. (a), a manufacturer, importer or distributor may change, add or delete models, specifications, model names, numbers or identifying marks or similar characteristics of motor vehicles that it markets without effecting a cancellation or failure to renew a franchise.
218.0132(2)
(2) The cancellation or nonrenewal of a franchise shall not be a violation of
s. 218.0116 (1) (i) if all of the following requirements are met:
218.0132(2)(a)
(a) The motor vehicle dealer or distributor is given notice at least 6 months before the effective date of the cancellation or nonrenewal.
218.0132(2)(b)
(b) The manufacturer, importer or distributor contemporaneously cancels or fails to renew every franchise for the same line make granted to any dealer or distributor in the United States or, in the case of a franchise relating to a line make that is sold or distributed in less than 13 states of the United States, the manufacturer, importer or distributor contemporaneously cancels or fails to renew every franchise for the same line make granted to any dealer or distributor in this state.
218.0132(2)(c)
(c) If the franchisee is a motor vehicle dealer, the dealer receives the termination benefits under
s. 218.0133.
218.0132(2)(d)
(d) The manufacturer, importer or distributor does any of the following:
218.0132(2)(d)1.
1. Offers or causes to be offered to the motor vehicle dealer or distributor a replacement franchise with reasonable terms and conditions.
218.0132(2)(d)2.
2. Compensates the dealer or distributor for the actual pecuniary loss caused by the franchise cancellation or nonrenewal. In determining the actual pecuniary loss, the value of any continued service or parts business available to the dealer or distributor for the line make covered by the franchise shall be considered. If the dealer or distributor and the manufacturer, importer or distributor cannot agree on the amount of compensation to be paid under this subdivision, either may file a declaratory judgment action in a court of competent jurisdiction.
218.0132(2)(d)3.
3. Establishes, in a proceeding brought by the dealer or distributor alleging that the cancellation or nonrenewal violates
s. 218.0116 (1) (i), that the continued distribution of the line make in the United States would cause it economic loss and that, after the effective date of the franchise cancellation or nonrenewal, neither the manufacturer, importer or distributor nor any owner, assignee or licensee of the trademarks or service marks used for the purpose of designating, making known or distinguishing the line make covered by the franchise will use the trademarks or service marks, either alone or in conjunction with other marks, in designating, making known or distinguishing any line make of motor vehicle sold or distributed in the United States.
218.0132(2)(d)4.
4. If the franchise relates to a line make that is sold or distributed in less than 13 states of the United States, establishes, in a proceeding brought by the dealer or distributor alleging that the cancellation or nonrenewal violates
s. 218.0116 (1) (i) all of the following:
218.0132(2)(d)4.a.
a. That the continued distribution of the line make in this state would cause it economic loss.
218.0132(2)(d)4.b.
b. That after the effective date of the franchise cancellation or nonrenewal, neither the manufacturer, importer or distributor nor any owner, assignee or licensee of the trademarks or service marks used for the purpose of designating, making known or distinguishing the line make covered by the franchise will use those trademarks or service marks, either alone or in conjunction with other marks, in designating, making known or distinguishing any line make of motor vehicle sold or distributed in this state, except that, if the line make covered by the franchise has been first distributed in this state less than 2 years before the effective date of the cancellation or nonrenewal, those trademarks and service marks may be used in this state after 6 years from the effective date of the cancellation or nonrenewal.
218.0132(2)(d)5.
5. Establishes in a proceeding brought by the dealer or distributor alleging that the cancellation or nonrenewal violates
s. 218.0116 (1) (i) all of the following:
218.0132(2)(d)5.a.
a. That the continued distribution of the line make in this state is prohibited by law or by an order of a court or agency with jurisdiction to issue the order.
218.0132(2)(d)5.b.
b. That the continued distribution of the line make in this state cannot be made to comply with the law or order through the reasonable efforts of the manufacturer, importer or distributor.
218.0132(2)(d)5.c.
c. That after the effective date of the franchise cancellation or nonrenewal, neither the manufacturer, importer or distributor nor any owner, assignee or licensee of the trademarks or service marks used for the purpose of designating, making known or distinguishing the line make covered by the franchise will use those trademarks or service marks, either alone or in conjunction with other marks, in designating, making known or distinguishing any comparable line make of motor vehicle sold or distributed in this state.
218.0132 History
History: 1999 a. 31 ss.
198 to
209.
218.0133
218.0133
Agreement termination benefits. 218.0133(1)(a)
(a) "Dealership facilities" means that part of a motor vehicle dealer's place of business that is used to conduct business under an agreement between a grantor and the motor vehicle dealer.
218.0133(1)(b)
(b) "Grantor" means a manufacturer on direct dealership, a distributor on indirect dealership or an importer on direct dealership that has entered into an agreement with a motor vehicle dealer.
218.0133(2)(a)(a) Except as provided in
sub. (5) and subject to
sub. (3), when a grantor or motor vehicle dealer terminates, cancels or does not renew an agreement a grantor shall pay a motor vehicle dealer all of the termination benefits under
pars. (b) to
(e).
218.0133(2)(b)1.1. A grantor shall repurchase from the motor vehicle dealer any unsold new motor vehicle that meets all of the following criteria:
218.0133(2)(b)1.a.
a. The motor vehicle has not been structurally modified by a motor vehicle dealer.
218.0133(2)(b)1.b.
b. The motor vehicle has not been operated more than 300 miles for manufacturer's tests, predelivery tests and motor vehicle dealer exchange in addition to operation required for motor vehicle delivery from the grantor.
218.0133(2)(b)1.c.
c. The motor vehicle was acquired as part of the motor vehicle dealer's original inventory or from the grantor or from another motor vehicle dealer of the same line make who acquired the motor vehicle from the grantor.
218.0133(2)(b)2.
2. A grantor may not be required to repurchase a motor vehicle under this paragraph unless the date on the original dealer invoice is within 12 months of the date on which the motor vehicle dealer terminates, cancels or does not renew an agreement or is within 18 months of the date on which the grantor terminates, cancels or does not renew an agreement.
218.0133(2)(b)3.
3. The repurchase price for a new motor vehicle shall be the motor vehicle invoice price from the grantor, plus destination, delivery or distribution charges and sales taxes incurred by the motor vehicle dealer, less allowances paid or credited to the motor vehicle dealer by the grantor. A grantor may subtract from a new motor vehicle repurchase price an amount equal to the diminution in wholesale value caused by damages to a new motor vehicle before the motor vehicle dealer delivers the new motor vehicle to the grantor.
218.0133(2)(c)1.1. A grantor shall repurchase from the motor vehicle dealer any unused, undamaged and unsold parts and accessories and unopened appearance and maintenance materials and paints if those items meet all of the following criteria:
218.0133(2)(c)1.a.
a. The items are in the motor vehicle dealer's inventory or subject to a noncancelable order to the grantor on the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal and are in original packaging, or, if sheet metal or body panels, are in a comparable substitute for original packaging.
218.0133(2)(c)1.b.
b. The items were acquired by the motor vehicle dealer from the grantor or from the motor vehicle dealer's predecessor motor vehicle dealer and the items are listed for sale in the grantor's price schedules in effect on the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal, the items are part of the motor vehicle dealer's original inventory acquired from the grantor or the items were acquired by the motor vehicle dealer from the grantor within 4 years before the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal.
218.0133(2)(c)2.
2. A grantor may not be required to repurchase items that are not listed for sale in the grantor's price schedules in effect on the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal if, within 2 years before the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal, the grantor permitted a motor vehicle dealer to return obsolete parts and accessories, or a reasonable percentage of parts and accessories, for an amount that is equal to or greater than the price at which those items were listed for sale, less any allowances, at the time the return was permitted.
218.0133(2)(c)3.
3. The repurchase price for parts, accessories, materials and paints repurchased under
subd. 1. shall be the price at which those items are listed for sale in the grantor's price schedules in effect on the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal, or, if an item is not listed, the motor vehicle dealer's original invoice cost, plus destination, delivery or distribution charges, and sales taxes incurred by the motor vehicle dealer, less allowances paid or credited to the motor vehicle dealer by the grantor. If a motor vehicle dealer inventories, handles and packages repurchased items for delivery to the grantor, the grantor shall reimburse the motor vehicle dealer an additional amount equal to 2% of the repurchase price under this paragraph.
218.0133(2)(d)
(d) A grantor shall purchase from the motor vehicle dealer undamaged signs at a fair market price, if a sign bears a common name, trade name or trademark of the grantor, the grantor required that the motor vehicle dealer acquire the sign and the sign was acquired by the motor vehicle dealer from the grantor or from a source approved by the grantor. In addition, a grantor shall purchase from the motor vehicle dealer at a fair market price poles or other hardware used to erect a sign if the grantor required that the sign be free standing and not include a trademark or trade name other than that of the grantor. Fair market price is presumed to be equal to the motor vehicle dealer's original cost, reduced by one-tenth of the original cost for each year of ownership. The grantor or motor vehicle dealer may rebut the presumption.
218.0133(2)(e)
(e) The grantor shall purchase from the motor vehicle dealer special tools, equipment and furnishings at a fair market price, if the motor vehicle dealer acquired the tool, equipment or furnishing from the grantor or from a source approved by the grantor and the grantor required that the motor vehicle dealer acquire the tool, equipment or furnishing. Fair market price is presumed to be equal to the motor vehicle dealer's original cost, reduced by one-seventh of the original cost for each year of ownership. The grantor or motor vehicle dealer may rebut the presumption.
218.0133(3)(a)(a) The grantor shall provide a list of the motor vehicles, parts, accessories, materials and paints, signs, tools, equipment and furnishings that the motor vehicle dealer is authorized to return to the grantor within 30 days after the grantor receives a written inventory of the property that the motor vehicle dealer intends to return or within 30 days after the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal, whichever is later. Within 60 days after the property is actually returned by the motor vehicle dealer to the grantor, f.o.b. dealership facilities, the grantor shall pay the motor vehicle dealer the reimbursement amount under
sub. (2) (b) to
(e), except that the grantor may apply the reimbursement amount first to pay any amount owed by the motor vehicle dealer to the grantor.
218.0133(3)(b)
(b) If a repurchase price under
sub. (2) depends on a purchase date or original cost or includes an associated cost, the motor vehicle dealer shall have the burden of proving by documentary evidence the purchase date, original cost or associated cost.
218.0133(4)(a)(a) Except as provided in
sub. (5) and subject to
par. (d), when a grantor terminates, cancels or does not renew an agreement a grantor shall, upon request, pay a motor vehicle dealer the termination benefits under
par. (b) or
(c). If a motor vehicle dealer receives benefits under
par. (b) or
(c), the grantor shall be entitled to the possession and use of the dealership facilities for the period that the termination benefits payment covers.
218.0133(4)(b)
(b) If a motor vehicle dealer leases its dealership facilities, a grantor shall, upon request, pay the motor vehicle dealer an amount equal to the dealership facilities' rent for one year or for the unexpired term of the lease, whichever is less.
218.0133(4)(c)
(c) If a motor vehicle dealer owns its dealership facilities, a grantor shall, upon request, pay the motor vehicle dealer an amount equal to the reasonable rental value of the dealership facilities for one year or until the dealership facilities are sold or leased, whichever is less.
218.0133(4)(d)
(d) Paragraphs (b) and
(c) apply only to dealership facilities that are used in performing sales and service obligations under an agreement before the motor vehicle dealer receives notice of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal of the agreement.
218.0133(5)(a)1.
1. A motor vehicle dealer if a court, a licensor or the division of hearings and appeals determines that the motor vehicle dealer engaged in fraud or theft against the grantor in connection with the operation or management of its dealership under an agreement.
218.0133(5)(a)2.
2. A motor vehicle dealer who terminates or cancels an agreement without giving the grantor 60 days' notice or the notice required under the agreement, whichever is less.
218.0133(5)(a)3.
3. A motor vehicle dealer who does not give the grantor a written request for termination benefits that specifies the benefits sought within 60 days after the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal.
218.0133(5)(a)4.
4. A motor vehicle dealer who sells its dealership assets to a 3rd party who becomes a successor motor vehicle dealer under an agreement with the grantor.
218.0133(5)(a)5.
5. A motor vehicle dealer who terminates, cancels or fails to renew an agreement to sell motor homes, as defined in
s. 340.01 (33m), unless a court, a licensor or the division of hearings and appeals determines that the grantor has not acted in good faith or has materially violated the agreement or a provision of
ss. 218.0101 to
218.0163 and determines that the motor vehicle dealer has not acted in bad faith or has not violated the agreement or a provision of
ss. 218.0101 to
218.0163.
218.0133(5)(a)6.
6. An agreement under which a motor vehicle dealer sells a camping trailer, as defined in
s. 340.01 (6m), or a trailer, as defined in
s. 340.01 (71), but only to the extent that the agreement covers camping trailers or trailers.
218.0133(5)(b)
(b) Subsection (2) does not apply to a motor vehicle dealer who is unable to convey clear title to property under
sub. (2) (b) to
(e) on the date on which the grantor takes delivery of the property.
218.0133(5)(c)
(c) Subsection (2) does not apply to property under
sub. (2) (b) to
(e) that is acquired by a motor vehicle dealer from another motor vehicle dealer if the property is acquired after the motor vehicle dealer receives or gives notice of termination, cancellation or nonrenewal or if the property was acquired other than in the ordinary course of the motor vehicle dealer's business.
218.0133(5)(d)
(d) Subsection (4) does not apply if a grantor terminates, cancels or fails to renew an agreement in compliance with
s. 218.0116 (1) (i), unless the primary ground for termination, cancellation or nonrenewal is inadequate sales performance by the motor vehicle dealer.
218.0133(6)(a)(a) This section does not restrict the right of a motor vehicle dealer to pursue any other remedy available against a grantor who terminates, cancels or does not renew an agreement.
218.0133(6)(b)
(b) A grantor may not make the termination benefits payments under
sub. (2) or
(4) contingent on the motor vehicle dealer releasing or waiving any rights, claims or remedies.
218.0133 History
History: 1999 a. 31 ss.
210 to
234.
218.0134(1)(1) In this section, "affected grantor" means a manufacturer on direct dealerships, a distributor on indirect dealerships or an importer on direct dealerships that has entered into an agreement with a motor vehicle dealer and that is directly affected by an action proposed to be undertaken by the dealer under this section.
218.0134(2)(a)(a) If a motor vehicle dealer's agreement with an affected grantor requires the grantor's prior approval of an action proposed to be undertaken by the dealer under this section, a dealer may not voluntarily change its ownership or executive management, transfer its dealership assets to another person, add another franchise at the same location as its existing franchise or relocate a franchise without giving prior written notice of the proposed action to the affected grantor and to the department of transportation. Within 20 days after receiving the notice, the affected grantor may serve the dealer with a written list of the information not already known or in the possession of the grantor that is reasonably necessary in order for the grantor to determine whether the proposed action should be approved. The grantor shall, in good faith, confirm in writing to the dealer the date on which it has received from the dealer or from other sources all the information specified on the list.
218.0134(2)(b)
(b) An affected grantor who does not approve of the proposed action shall, within 30 days after receiving the dealer's written notice of the proposed action or within 30 days after receiving all the information specified in a written list served on the dealer under
par. (a), whichever is later, file with the department of transportation and serve upon the dealer a written statement of the reasons for its disapproval. The publication of the reasons given for the disapproval or any explanation of those reasons by the manufacturer, distributor or importer shall not subject the manufacturer, distributor or importer to any civil liability unless the reasons given or explanations made are malicious and published with the sole intent to cause harm to the dealer or a transferee of the dealer. Failure to file and serve a statement within the applicable period shall, notwithstanding the terms of any agreement, constitute approval of the proposed action by the grantor. If an affected grantor files a written statement within the applicable period, the dealer may not voluntarily undertake the proposed action unless it receives an order permitting it to do so from the division of hearings and appeals under
sub. (3) (b).
218.0134(2)(c)
(c) A dealer who is served with a written statement by an affected grantor under
par. (b) may file with the department of transportation and the division of hearings and appeals and serve upon the affected grantor a complaint for the determination of whether there is good cause for not permitting the proposed action to be undertaken. The burden of proof for showing there is good cause for not permitting the proposed action shall be on the affected grantor. The division of hearings and appeals shall promptly schedule a hearing and decide the matter. The proposed action may not be undertaken pending the determination of the matter.
218.0134(3)(am)(am) The division of hearings and appeals may determine there is good cause for not permitting a proposed action to be undertaken only if the prospective benefits to the affected grantor, the dealer, the public, and other dealers if the proposed action is not undertaken outweigh the prospective harms to the dealer, the affected grantor, the public, and other dealers if the proposed action is not undertaken.
218.0134(3)(b)
(b) The decision of the division of hearings and appeals shall be in writing and shall contain findings of fact and a determination of whether there is good cause for not permitting the proposed action to be undertaken. The decision shall include an order that the dealer be allowed or is not allowed to undertake the proposed action, as the case may be. The order may require fulfillment of appropriate conditions before and after the proposed action is undertaken.
218.0134(4)(b)
(b) A proposed action that would require an affected grantor to give notice under
s. 218.0116 (7) (a), except that the dealer must have the affected grantor's written approval before undertaking any such proposed action.
218.0134(4)(c)
(c) The exercise by an affected grantor under an agreement of the right of first refusal to acquire the dealer's assets in the event of a proposed change of ownership or transfer of dealership assets, if all of the following requirements are met:
218.0134(4)(c)1.
1. The exercise of the right of first refusal will result in the dealer and the dealer's owners receiving the same or greater consideration as they have contracted to receive in connection with the proposed change of ownership or transfer of dealership assets.
218.0134(4)(c)2.
2. The proposed change of ownership or transfer of dealership assets does not involve the transfer of assets or the transfer or issuance of stock by the dealer or one or more dealer owners to one or more immediate family members of one or more dealer owners or to a qualifying member of the dealer's management or to a partnership, limited liability company or corporation controlled by those persons. In this subdivision:
218.0134(4)(c)2.a.
a. "Immediate family member" means the spouse, child, grandchild, spouse of a child or grandchild, brother, sister or parent of the dealer owner.
218.0134(4)(c)2.b.
b. "Qualifying member of the dealer's management" means an individual who has been employed by the dealer for at least 2 years and who otherwise qualifies as a dealer operator.
