(a) A manufacturer or distributor may not prevent or refuse to honor the succession to a new motor vehicle franchise of an heir or devisee under a will of a franchisee, under a written instrument filed with the manufacturer or distributor designating any person as the successor franchisee, or under AS 13.06 - AS 13.36 (Uniform Probate Code), except that

(1) a designated successor must, within 60 days after the owner's death or incapacity, give the manufacturer or distributor written notice of the intent to succeed, and the designee must agree to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the current franchise agreement;

(2) the manufacturer or distributor may request from the designated successor personal and financial data that are reasonably necessary to determine the qualifications of the designated successor; the designated successor shall provide the information within 60 days after receiving the request;

(3) the manufacturer or distributor may not unreasonably withhold approval of the succession; if the manufacturer or distributor refuses to honor the succession, the manufacturer or distributor shall send written notice to the proposed successor within 60 days after receiving the information requested in (2) of this subsection or within 60 days after receiving the notice of the proposed successor's intent to succeed, whichever is later.

(b) The notice required by (a)(3) of this section must state the specific grounds for not approving the proposed successor. Within 30 days after the proposed successor's receipt of the notice, the proposed successor may file a protest with the superior court to determine whether the manufacturer or distributor has unreasonably withheld approval.

(c) This section does not preclude the owner of a new motor vehicle dealership from filing with the manufacturer or distributor a written instrument designating any person as a successor. If there are competing successors, the written instrument governs who may submit a proposal as a successor.