218.0119 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
Trans 138, Wis. adm. code.
218.0121(1m)(a)
(a) "Agent" means a person who is employed by or affiliated with a factory or who directly or through an intermediary is controlled by or under common control of a factory.
218.0121(1m)(b)
(b) "Control" means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. "Control" does not include the relationship between a factory and a dealership under a basic agreement filed under
s. 218.0114 (7) (a) 1.
218.0121(1m)(c)
(c) "Dealer operator" means an individual who is vested with the power and authority to operate a dealership.
218.0121(1m)(e)
(e) "Factory" means a manufacturer, distributor or importer, or an agent of a manufacturer, distributor or importer.
218.0121(1m)(f)
(f) "Operate" means to directly or indirectly manage a dealership.
218.0121(1m)(g)
(g) "Ownership interest" means the beneficial ownership of one percent or more of any class of equity interest in a dealership, whether the interest is that of a shareholder, partner, limited liability company member or otherwise. To "hold" an ownership interest means to have possession of, title to or control of the ownership interest, whether directly or indirectly through a fiduciary or an agent.
218.0121(2m)
(2m) A factory shall not, directly or indirectly, hold an ownership interest in or operate or control a motor vehicle dealership in this state.
218.0121(3m)
(3m) This section does not prohibit any of the following:
218.0121(3m)(a)
(a) A factory from holding an ownership interest in or operating a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year, during the transition from one owner or dealer operator to another.
218.0121(3m)(b)
(b) A factory from holding an ownership interest in a dealership, if all of the following apply:
218.0121(3m)(b)1.
1. The dealer operator of the dealership is an individual who is not an agent of the factory.
218.0121(3m)(b)2.
2. The dealer operator of the dealership is unable to acquire full ownership of the dealership with his or her own assets.
218.0121(3m)(b)3.
3. The dealer operator of the dealership holds not less than 15 percent of the total ownership interests in the dealership within one year from the date that the factory initially acquires any ownership interest in the dealership.
218.0121(3m)(b)4.
4. There is a bona fide written agreement in effect between the factory and the dealer operator of the dealership under which the dealer operator will acquire all of the ownership interest in the dealership held by the factory on reasonable terms specified in the agreement.
218.0121(3m)(b)5.
5. The written agreement described in
subd. 4. provides that the dealer operator will make reasonable progress toward acquiring all of the ownership interest in the dealership, and the dealer is making reasonable progress toward acquiring all of the ownership interest in the dealership.
218.0121(3m)(b)6.
6. Not more than eight years have elapsed since the factory initially acquired its ownership interest in the dealership, unless the department, upon petition by the dealer operator, determines that there is good cause to allow the dealer operator a longer period to complete his or her acquisition of all of the ownership interest in the dealership held by the factory and the longer period determined by the department has not yet elapsed.
218.0121(3m)(c)
(c) The ownership, operation or control of a dealership by a factory that 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 factory.
218.0121(3m)(d)
(d) The holding or acquisition, solely for investment purposes, of an ownership interest in a publicly traded corporation by an employee benefit plan that is sponsored by a factory.
218.0121 History
History: 1999 a. 31 s.
110,
186;
2003 a. 77.
218.0122
218.0122
Damages to delivered vehicles. 218.0122(1)
(1) 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 subsection. If a manufacturer, importer or distributor fails to make a disclosure of damage and repair under this subsection, 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.
218.0122(2)
(2) 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 subsection.
218.0122(3)
(3) This section does not apply to motorcycles that are delivered in a crated, disassembled condition to the dealer or the dealer's agent.
218.0122 History
History: 1999 a. 31 s.
111.
218.0123
218.0123
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.
218.0123 History
History: 1999 a. 31 s.
112.
218.0124
218.0124
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.
218.0124 History
History: 1999 a. 31 s.
113.
218.0125
218.0125
Warranty reimbursement. 218.0125(1)
(1) In this section, "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.
218.0125(2)
(2) 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.
218.0125(3)
(3) To be eligible for compensation for parts under
sub. (2), 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 section. 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 section, at the amounts stated in the dealer notice for parts used in work performed on and after the beginning date stated in the notice.
218.0125(4)
(4) 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.
218.0125(5)
(5) 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 section 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.
218.0125(6)
(6) 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 section, 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 the furnished 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 section 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.
218.0125(7)
(7) A claim made by a franchised motor vehicle dealer for compensation under this section 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. 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 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).
218.0125 History
History: 1999 a. 31 ss.
114 to
121.
218.0126
218.0126
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. 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 section 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).
218.0126 History
History: 1999 a. 31 s.
122.
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.
