28-4458

28-4458. Coercion prohibited

A. A manufacturer of new motor vehicles, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, field representative, officer or agent or any representative of a manufacturer of new motor vehicles, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, field representative, officer or agent shall not coerce or attempt to coerce a new motor vehicle dealer to either:

1. Accept delivery of a new motor vehicle or vehicles, parts or accessories for the vehicle or vehicles or any other commodities that the dealer has not ordered.

2. Enter into an agreement with the manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch or representative of the manufacturer, factory branch, distributor or distributor branch.

3. Do any other act unfair to the dealer by threatening to cancel or not renew a franchise existing between the manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch or representative of the manufacturer, factory branch, distributor or distributor branch and the dealer.

B. A manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch or field representative or an officer, agent or representative of a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch or field representative shall not require, coerce or attempt to coerce any new motor vehicle dealer in this state to refrain from participation in the management of, investment in or acquisition of any other line-make of new motor vehicle or related products unless justified by reasonable business considerations.

C. A manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, field representative or officer shall not coerce or attempt to coerce a motor vehicle dealer and a manufacturer shall not do either of the following:

1. Release to any outside party any confidential financial information of the dealer that may be provided from time to time by the dealer.

2. Release to the general public average or composite prices, identified as such, based in whole or in part on such financial information.

D. Information described in subsection C, paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not be released without the express written consent of the dealer, except that it may be released:

1. Pursuant to subpoena or as otherwise required by law in any administrative, judicial or arbitration proceeding or in any law enforcement investigation.

2. To a law enforcement agency, provided, however, that this exception does not apply to personal financial information.

E. A manufacturer, importer or distributor shall not 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 for the allocation, scheduling or delivery of new motor vehicles, parts or accessories in a manner that causes the plan or system to be unreasonable, unfair or inequitable. On the request of a franchisee, a manufacturer, importer or distributor shall disclose in writing to the franchisee the basis on 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.