218.01(3r)(a)2.
2. "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.
218.01(3r)(b)1.1. Except as provided in
par. (e) and subject to
par. (c), 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
subds. 2. to
5.
218.01(3r)(b)2.
2. A grantor shall repurchase from the motor vehicle dealer unsold new motor vehicles that have not been structurally modified by a motor vehicle dealer, that have 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 and that the motor vehicle dealer acquired as part of the motor vehicle dealer's original inventory or acquired from the grantor or from another motor vehicle dealer of the same line make and who acquired the motor vehicle from the grantor. In addition, a grantor may not be required to repurchase a motor vehicle under this subdivision 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. 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.
218.01(3r)(b)3.
3. A grantor shall repurchase from the motor vehicle dealer unused, undamaged and unsold parts and accessories and unopened appearance and maintenance materials and paints that 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, that are in original packaging, or, if sheet metal or body panels, that are in a comparable substitute for original packaging, and that the motor vehicle dealer acquired from the grantor or from its predecessor motor vehicle dealer if the parts, accessories and materials and paints are listed for sale in the grantor's price schedules in effect on the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal or are part of the motor vehicle dealer's original inventory acquired from the grantor or are acquired by the motor vehicle dealer from the grantor within 4 years before the effective date of the termination, cancellation or nonrenewal. However, 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. The repurchase price for parts, accessories and materials and paints 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 subdivision.
218.01(3r)(b)4.
4. 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.
218.01(3r)(b)5.
5. 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.
218.01(3r)(c)1.1. 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
par. (b) 2. to
5., except that the grantor may apply the reimbursement amount first to pay any amount owed by the motor vehicle dealer to the grantor.
218.01(3r)(c)2.
2. If a repurchase price under
par. (b) 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.
218.01(3r)(d)1.1. Except as provided in
par. (e) and subject to
subd. 4., 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
subd. 2. or
3. If a motor vehicle dealer receives benefits under
subd. 2. or
3., the grantor shall be entitled to the possession and use of the dealership facilities for the period that the termination benefits payment covers.
218.01(3r)(d)2.
2. 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.
218.01(3r)(d)3.
3. 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.
218.01(3r)(d)4.
4. Subdivisions 2. and
3. 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.
218.01(3r)(e)1.a.
a. 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.
218.01(3r)(e)1.b.
b. 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.
218.01(3r)(e)1.c.
c. 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.
218.01(3r)(e)1.d.
d. 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.
218.01(3r)(e)1.e.
e. 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 this section and determines that the motor vehicle dealer has not acted in bad faith or has not violated the agreement or a provision of this section.
218.01(3r)(e)1.f.
f. 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.
218.01(3r)(e)2.
2. Paragraph (b) does not apply to a motor vehicle dealer who is unable to convey clear title to property under
par. (b) 2. to
5. on the date on which the grantor takes delivery of the property.
218.01(3r)(e)3.
3. Paragraph (b) does not apply to property under
par. (b) 2. to
5. 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.
218.01(3r)(e)4.
4. Paragraph (d) does not apply if a grantor terminates, cancels or fails to renew an agreement in compliance with
sub. (3) (a) 17., unless the primary ground for termination, cancellation or nonrenewal is inadequate sales performance by the motor vehicle dealer.
218.01(3r)(f)1.1. This subsection 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.
218.01(3r)(f)2.
2. A grantor may not make the termination benefits payments under
par. (b) or
(d) contingent on the motor vehicle dealer releasing or waiving any rights, claims or remedies.
218.01(3x)(a)(a) In this subsection, "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 subsection.
218.01(3x)(b)1.1. 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 subsection, 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.
218.01(3x)(b)2.
2. 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
subd. 1., whichever is later, file with the department of transportation and serve upon the dealer a written statement of the reasons for its disapproval. 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
par. (c) 2.
218.01(3x)(b)3.
3. A dealer who is served with a written statement by an affected grantor under
subd. 2. 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 permitting the proposed action to be undertaken. 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.
218.01(3x)(c)1.1. In determining if there is good cause for permitting a proposed action to be undertaken, the division of hearings and appeals may consider any relevant factor including:
218.01(3x)(c)1.b.
b. The affected grantor's reasons for not approving the proposed action.
218.01(3x)(c)1.c.
c. The degree to which the inability to undertake the proposed action will have a substantial and adverse effect upon the motor vehicle dealer's investment or return on investment.
218.01(3x)(c)1.e.
e. The degree to which the proposed action will interfere with the orderly and profitable distribution of products by the affected grantor.
218.01(3x)(c)1.f.
f. The impact of the proposed action on other motor vehicle dealers.
218.01(3x)(c)2.
2. 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 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.
218.01(3x)(d)1.
1. An action that has been agreed to in writing between a dealer and each affected grantor.
218.01(3x)(d)2.
2. A proposed action that would require an affected grantor to give notice under
sub. (3) (f) 1., except that the dealer must have the affected grantor's written approval before undertaking any such proposed action.
218.01(3x)(d)3.
3. 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:
218.01(3x)(d)3.a.
a. 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.
218.01(3x)(d)3.b.
b. 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 such persons. In this
subd. 3. b., "immediate family member" means the spouse, child, grandchild, spouse of a child or grandchild, brother, sister or parent of the dealer owner; and "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.
218.01(3x)(d)3.c.
c. The affected grantor agrees to pay the reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorney fees that do not exceed the usual, customary and reasonable fees charged for similar work done for other clients, incurred by the proposed new owner or transferee before the grantor's exercise of its right of first refusal in negotiating and implementing the contract for the proposed change of ownership or transfer of dealership assets. Notwithstanding this
subd. 3. c., no payment of expenses and attorney fees shall be required if the dealer has not submitted or caused to be submitted an accounting of those expenses within 7 days after the dealer's receipt of the affected grantor's written request for an accounting.
218.01(3x)(d)4.
4. An action, if a proposed new owner or transferee does not agree to comply with the agreement between the affected grantor and dealer or with a new agreement containing substantially the same terms.
218.01(4)
(4) Advisory committee. The licensor may appoint annually one or more local advisory committees and one general advisory committee, each consisting of not more than 9 members. The committees upon request of the licensor may advise and assist the licensor in the administration of this section. The members of said committees shall receive no compensation for their services or expenses.
218.01(5)(a)(a) The licensor shall promote the interests of retail buyers and lessees of motor vehicles relating to default, delinquency, repossession or collection charges and the refund of the finance charge and insurance premium on prepayment of the instalment contract or consumer lease. It may define unfair practices in the motor vehicle industry and trade between licensees or between any licensees and retail buyers, lessees or prospective lessees of motor vehicles, but may not limit the price at which licensees may sell, assign or transfer receivables, contracts or other evidence of any obligation arising out of an instalment sale or consumer lease made under this section.
218.01(5)(b)1.1. The division of banking, department of transportation and division of hearings and appeals shall have the power in hearings arising under this chapter to determine the place, in this state, where they shall be held; to subpoena witnesses and documents; to take and permit the taking of depositions of witnesses residing in or outside of this state and to otherwise permit the discovery and preservation of evidence before hearing, in the manner provided for in civil actions in courts of record; to pay such witnesses the fees and mileage for their attendance as is provided for witnesses in civil actions in courts of record; and to administer oaths.
218.01(5)(b)2.
2. If the licensor has reason to believe that a violation of this section has occurred, the licensor may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of persons to be examined or the production of materials regarding the violation. Subpoenas shall be issued and served in accordance with
ch. 885.
218.01(5)(b)3.
3. A person providing information under this paragraph may request that the information be designated as a trade secret, as defined in
s. 134.90 (1) (c), or as confidential business information. The division of hearings and appeals or licensor shall approve the designation if the person providing the information demonstrates that the release of the information would adversely affect the person's competitive position. At least 15 days before any information designated as a trade secret or as confidential business information is disclosed to any other person, the division of hearings and appeals or licensor shall notify the person providing the information. The person providing the information may seek a court order limiting or prohibiting the disclosure. In such cases, the court shall weigh the need for confidentiality of the information against the public interest in disclosure. Confidentiality is waived if the person providing the information consents in writing to disclosure.
218.01(5)(c)
(c) The licensor may make such rules and regulations as it shall deem necessary or proper for the effective administration and enforcement of this section, but no licensee shall be subject to examination or audit by the licensor except as provided in
sub. (3) (d).
218.01(5m)(a)(a) No contract for the sale of a motor vehicle shall contain a clause which, upon nonacceptance of the vehicle by the buyer, would subject the buyer to a penalty greater than 5 per cent of the cash price of the vehicle.
218.01(6)(a)(a) Every retail instalment sale shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing, which shall contain all the agreements of the parties and shall be signed by the buyer.
218.01(6)(b)
(b) Prior to or concurrent with any instalment sale, the seller shall deliver to the buyer a written statement describing clearly the motor vehicle sold to the buyer, the cash sale price, the cash paid down by the buyer, the amount credited the buyer for any trade-in and a description of the trade-in, the cost to the retail buyer of any insurance, the amount financed which may include the cost of insurance, sales and use taxes, the amount of the finance charge, the amount of any other charge specifying its purpose, the total of payments due from the buyer, the terms of the payment of such total, the amount and date of each payment necessary finally to pay the total and a summary of any insurance coverage to be effected. The division of banking may determine the form of the statement. If a written order is taken from a prospective purchaser in connection with any instalment sale, the written statement shall be given to the purchaser prior to or concurrent with the signing of the order by the purchaser.
218.01(6)(bp)
(bp) A retail instalment sale made after October 31, 1984, is not subject to any maximum finance charge limit.
218.01(6)(c)
(c) An exact copy of the instalment sale contract and any note or notes given in connection therewith shall be furnished by the seller to the buyer at the time the buyer signs such contract. The buyer's copy of the contract shall contain the signature of the seller identical with the signature on the original contract. No contract shall be signed in blank except that a detailed description of the motor vehicle including the serial number or other identifying marks of the vehicle sold which are not available at the time of execution of such contract may be filled in before final delivery of the motor vehicle.
218.01(6)(d)
(d) A violation of
par. (a),
(b) or
(bp) bars recovery of any finance charge by the seller, or an assignee of the seller who, at the time of the assignment, had knowledge of the violation, in any suit upon a sales contract arising from the sale where the violation occurred.
218.01(6)(e)
(e) Prior to 30 days after acquisition of any retail instalment contract from a retail seller, every finance company shall mail or deliver to the retail buyer a written notice that it has acquired the retail instalment contract from the retail seller, and shall also mail or cause to be mailed with the notice a statement of the particulars of the retail instalment contract price required under
par. (b) to be stated by the retail seller, in accordance with the finance company's records respecting such particulars, including the amount of the finance charge. Every finance company, if insurance is provided by it, shall also within the 30 days send or cause to be sent to the retail buyer a policy of insurance clearly setting forth the exact nature of the insurance coverage and the amount of the premiums, each stated separately, which shall be filed with the commissioner of insurance in accordance with
ch. 625. The cancellation and rewriting of any such policy shall comply with the requirements of
s. 631.69.
218.01(6)(em)
(em) In the event that the dealer shall finance the instalment sale contract, the division of banking may permit the dealer to combine the information required by
pars. (b) and
(e) last above in one statement under such rules and regulations as the division of banking may from time to time prescribe.
218.01(6)(f)
(f) Any retail buyer of a motor vehicle, resident in the state of Wisconsin, at the time of purchase, under a retail instalment contract, shall have a valid defense in any action or proceeding at law to enforce said contract by any finance company not licensed hereunder which has purchased or otherwise acquired such contract, if such finance company has wilfully failed or refused to comply with
par. (e).
218.01(6)(g)
(g) Any retail buyer of a motor vehicle, resident of the state of Wisconsin at the time of purchase, under a retail instalment contract made in this state, shall have a valid defense against the recovery of the principal, finance charge and other fees included in the contract, in any action or proceeding at law to enforce the contract by any person who has purchased or otherwise acquired the contract, if the person has failed or refused prior to the purchase or acquisition to be licensed as a sales finance company under this section, and the person is actually engaged in business, in whole or in part as a sales finance company.
218.01(6)(h)
(h) All transactions which constitute consumer transactions (
s. 421.301 (13)) are subject to
chs. 421 to
427, in addition to this section.
218.01(6)(k)
(k) This subsection does not apply to a retail instalment sale of a motor vehicle made on or after November 1, 1981, if the motor vehicle is to be used primarily for business or commercial purposes and not for the buyer's personal, family or household use.
218.01(6m)
(6m) Notice of insurance to buyer under instalment sales contract. Whenever a person sells or agrees to sell any motor vehicle at retail under a retail instalment contract wherein provision is made for insurance coverage, or a charge is made therefor, such policy so issued or provided for, shall include public liability coverage protecting the driver of such motor vehicle against damages resulting from the negligent use thereof, or the seller shall, in writing, notify the buyer at the time of making such contract that the motor vehicle is not covered by public liability insurance protecting the driver against damages resulting from the negligent use thereof. The seller shall obtain, on a form separate from the retail instalment contract, the signed acknowledgment of the buyer that he or she has been notified that the contract does or does not include such insurance.
218.01(6x)(a)(a) Every prelease agreement shall be in writing, which shall contain all of the agreements of the parties with respect to entering into a consumer lease and shall be signed by both parties.
218.01(6x)(b)
(b) No prelease agreement shall be binding on a prospective lessee unless all of the following apply:
218.01(6x)(b)1.
1. All of the information required to be disclosed in a consumer lease under
s. 429.203 (3) and
(4) is disclosed in writing to the prospective lessee before the execution of the prelease agreement by the prospective lessee.
218.01(6x)(b)2.
2. The prelease agreement contains, directly above the place for the prospective lessee's signature, a notice in substantially the following language in bold-faced capital letters of not less than 10-point type:
NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE LESSEE
a. THIS IS A BINDING PRELEASE AGREEMENT. BY SIGNING THIS PRELEASE AGREEMENT, YOU WILL BECOME OBLIGATED TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE PROSPECTIVE LESSOR TO LEASE THE MOTOR VEHICLE DESCRIBED IN THIS PRELEASE AGREEMENT WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE AND READY TO BE DELIVERED TO YOU, UPON LEASE TERMS DISCLOSED IN THIS PRELEASE AGREEMENT OR IN THE ATTACHED DISCLOSURE STATEMENT, IF ANY.
b. DO NOT SIGN THIS PRELEASE AGREEMENT BEFORE YOU READ IT, INCLUDING THE WRITING ON THE REVERSE SIDE.
c. DO NOT SIGN THIS IF IT CONTAINS ANY BLANK SPACES.
d. YOU ARE ENTITLED TO AN EXACT COPY OF ANY AGREEMENT YOU SIGN.
218.01(6x)(c)
(c) An exact copy of the prelease agreement shall be furnished by the prospective lessor to the prospective lessee at the time that the prospective lessee signs the prelease agreement. The prospective lessee's copy of the prelease agreement shall contain the signature of the prospective lessor identical with the signature on the original prelease agreement. No prelease agreement shall be signed in blank except that a detailed description of the motor vehicle, including the serial or identification number, that is not available at the time of execution of the prelease agreement may be omitted.
218.01(6x)(d)
(d) A prospective lessor may cancel a prelease agreement that, with regard to the lease terms disclosed in the prelease agreement, is contingent upon approval of the prospective lessee's credit by a sales finance company to whom the prospective lessor intends to assign the consumer lease, if the prelease agreement contains a provision requiring the prospective lessor to give the prospective lessee written notice of such cancellation within 10 business days of execution of the prelease agreement and the notice is given to the prospective lessee.
218.01(6x)(e)
(e) No prelease agreement may contain a clause which, upon nonacceptance of the motor vehicle by the prospective lessee, would subject the prospective lessee to a penalty greater than 5% of the capitalized cost of the vehicle.
