(a) It is a violation of sections 325E.068 to 325E.0684 for an equipment manufacturer to coerce an equipment dealer to accept delivery of heavy and utility equipment that the equipment dealer has not voluntarily ordered.

(b) It is a violation of sections 325E.068 to 325E.0684 for an equipment manufacturer to:

(1) condition or attempt to condition the sale of equipment on a requirement that the equipment dealer also purchase other goods or services; except that an equipment manufacturer may require the dealer to purchase all parts reasonably necessary to maintain the quality of operation in the field of any equipment used in the trade area and telecommunications necessary to communicate with the equipment manufacturer;

(2) coerce an equipment dealer into a refusal to purchase the equipment manufactured by another equipment manufacturer;

(3) discriminate in the prices charged for equipment of like grade and quality sold by the equipment manufacturer to similarly situated equipment dealers. This clause does not prevent the use of differentials that make only due allowance for difference in the cost of manufacture, sale, or delivery or for the differing methods or quantities in which the equipment is sold or delivered, by the equipment manufacturer; or

(4) attempt or threaten to terminate, cancel, fail to renew, or substantially change the competitive circumstances of the dealership agreement if the attempt or threat is based on the results of a natural disaster, a labor dispute, or other circumstance beyond the dealer's control.

History: 1989 c 267 s 3; 1991 c 70 s 9