218.0132 Termination provisions.

(1)

(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.

(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.

(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:

(a) The motor vehicle dealer or distributor is given notice at least 6 months before the effective date of the cancellation or nonrenewal.

(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.

(c) If the franchisee is a motor vehicle dealer, the dealer receives the termination benefits under s. 218.0133.

(d) The manufacturer, importer or distributor does any of the following:

1. Offers or causes to be offered to the motor vehicle dealer or distributor a replacement franchise with reasonable terms and conditions.

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.

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.

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:

a. That the continued distribution of the line make in this state would cause it economic loss.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

History: 1999 a. 31 ss. 198 to 209.