Bill Text: CA AB473 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and dealers.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-3)
Status: (Passed) 2023-10-07 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 332, Statutes of 2023. [AB473 Detail]
Download: California-2023-AB473-Amended.html
incentive program, or program for measuring a dealer’s sales, service, or customer service performance that is inconsistent with the standards set forth in subdivision (g) of Section 11713.13.
Bill Title: Motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and dealers.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-3)
Status: (Passed) 2023-10-07 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 332, Statutes of 2023. [AB473 Detail]
Download: California-2023-AB473-Amended.html
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July 03, 2023 |
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June 29, 2023 |
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June 15, 2023 |
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Assembly
April 12, 2023 |
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March 15, 2023 |
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March 06, 2023 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 473
| Introduced by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry (Coauthors: Assembly Members Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Connolly, Gabriel, Gipson, Jackson, McKinnor, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Sanchez, Ta, Lowenthal, Jim Patterson, and Reyes) (Coauthors: Senators Archuleta and Dodd) |
February 06, 2023 |
An act to amend Sections 3065.3, 11713, 11713.3, and 11713.13 of the Vehicle Code, relating to motor vehicles.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 473, as amended, Aguiar-Curry.
Motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and dealers.
Existing law establishes the New Motor Vehicle Board in the Department of Motor Vehicles, and requires the board to hear and decide certain protests presented by a motor vehicle franchisee in regard to a dispute with the vehicle manufacturer.
Existing law prohibits a franchisor from engaging in specified proscribed business practices. A violation of the Vehicle Code is punishable as an infraction.
This bill would prohibit additional acts, including allocating vehicles and parts inconsistent with specified standards.
Existing law prohibits a licensed manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate from engaging in specified proscribed business practices, including establishing or maintaining a performance standard, sales
objective, or program for measuring a dealer’s sales, service, or customer service performance, unless specified requirements are satisfied. A violation of the Vehicle Code is punishable as an infraction.
This bill would prohibit additional acts, including exercising a right of first refusal in bad faith, faith and implementing or modifying a vehicle reservation system for the sale or lease of motor vehicles that does not comply with specified requirements, and establishing or maintaining an incentive program. In order to establish or maintain a performance standard, sales objective, or program for measuring dealer’s sales, service, or customer service performance, the bill would require an
additional requirement, that the standard, objective, or program not be designed to influence how the franchisee determines the price of the vehicle, be satisfied. requirements.
This bill would additionally provide that a licensed manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate is not unlawfully competing with a franchise by providing an update or repair of motor vehicle software over-the-air at no cost or by creating a new line of motor vehicles and using new or existing franchisees to sell and service those vehicles. The bill would also declare the severability of its provisions.
Because a violation of these new provisions would be punishable as a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The bill includes
legislative findings and declarations and would make other conforming changes.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YESBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) The distribution, sale, and service of new motor vehicles in California vitally affects the general economy of this state and the public welfare.
(b) The new motor vehicle franchise system, which operates within a strictly defined and highly regulated statutory scheme, ensures the consuming public of a well-organized distribution system for the availability and sale of new motor vehicles throughout the state, provides a network of quality warranty, recall, and repair facilities to maintain those vehicles, and creates a cost-effective
method for the state to police those systems through the licensing and regulation of private sector franchisors and franchisees.
(c) The New Motor Vehicle Board provides an effective means to resolve disputes between manufacturers and dealers because it provides staff and judges with subject matter expertise and a successful alternative dispute resolution program, which reduces a significant burden on the superior courts. Additional authority is needed at the New Motor Vehicle Board to enforce violations of certain sections of the Vehicle Code related to franchise relations.
(d) It is the intent of this act to ensure that new motor vehicle dealers are treated fairly by their franchisors, that dealers are reasonably compensated for performing warranty repairs on behalf of
their franchisors, that manufacturers are discouraged from adopting and enforcing policies contrary to California law and regulation, that dealers are adequately protected from excessive facility and equipment upgrade requirements, and that dealers can seek to address illegal manufacturer acts by filing protests at the New Motor Vehicle Board.
SEC. 2.
Section 3065.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:3065.3.
(a) No franchisor shall establish or maintain a performance standard, sales objective,(b) No franchisor shall allocate vehicles or parts in a manner inconsistent with the standards set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 11713.3.
(c) No franchisor shall impose a facility or equipment policy inconsistent with the standards set forth in subdivision (a), (b),
(c), or (k) of Section 11713.13.
(d) No franchisor shall compete with a dealer in violation of subdivision (o) of Section 11713.3.
(e) A franchisee may file a protest with the board for determination of whether a franchisor has complied with this section and in that proceeding the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
SEC. 3.
Section 11713 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.
A holder of a license issued under this article shall not do any of the following:(a) Make or disseminate, or cause to be made or disseminated, before the public in this state, in a newspaper or other publication, or an advertising device, or by public outcry or proclamation, or in any other manner or means whatever, a statement that is untrue or misleading and that is known, or that by the exercise of reasonable care should be known, to be untrue or misleading; or to so make or disseminate, or cause to be so disseminated, a statement as part of a plan or scheme with the intent not to sell a vehicle or service so advertised at the price stated therein, or as so advertised.
(b) (1) (A) Advertise or offer for sale or exchange in any manner, a vehicle not actually for sale at the premises of the dealer or available to the dealer directly from the manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle at the time of the advertisement or offer. However, a dealer who has been issued an autobroker’s endorsement to the dealer’s license may advertise the dealer’s service of arranging or negotiating the purchase of a new motor vehicle from a franchised new motor vehicle dealer and may specify the line-makes and models of those new vehicles. Autobrokering service advertisements may not advertise the price or payment terms of a vehicle and shall disclose that the advertiser is an autobroker or auto buying service, and shall clearly and conspicuously state the following: “All new cars arranged
for sale are subject to price and availability from the selling franchised new car dealer.”
(B) As to printed advertisements, the disclosure statement required by subparagraph (A) shall be printed in not less than 10-point bold type size and shall be textually segregated from the other portions of the printed advertisement.
(2) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), classified advertisements for autobrokering services that measure two column inches or less are exempt from the disclosure statement in subparagraph (A) pertaining to price and availability.
(3) Radio advertisements of a duration of less than 11 seconds that do not reference specific line-makes or models of motor vehicles are exempt from the disclosure
statement required in subparagraph (A).
(c) Fail, within 48 hours, to withdraw in writing an advertisement of a vehicle that has been sold or withdrawn from sale.
(d) Advertise or represent a vehicle as a new vehicle if the vehicle is a used vehicle.
(e) Engage in the business for which the licensee is licensed without having in force and effect a bond as required by this article.
(f) Engage in the business for which the dealer is licensed without at all times maintaining an established place of business as required by this code.
(g) Include, as an added cost to the selling price of a vehicle,
an amount for licensing or transfer of title of the vehicle, which is not due to the state unless, prior to the sale, that amount has been paid by a dealer to the state in order to avoid penalties that would have accrued because of late payment of the fees. However, a dealer may collect from the second purchaser of a vehicle a prorated fee based upon the number of months remaining in the registration year for that vehicle, if the vehicle had been previously sold by the dealer and the sale was subsequently rescinded and all the fees that were paid, as required by this code and Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10751) of Part 5 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, were returned to the first purchaser of the vehicle.
(h) Employ a person as a salesperson who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 2 (commencing
with Section 11800), and whose license is not displayed on the premises of the dealer as required by Section 11812, or willfully fail to notify the department by mail within 10 days of the employment or termination of employment of a salesperson.
(i) Deliver, following the sale, a vehicle for operation on California highways, if the vehicle does not meet all of the equipment requirements of Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000). This subdivision does not apply to the sale of a leased vehicle to the lessee if the lessee is in possession of the vehicle immediately prior to the time of the sale and the vehicle is registered in this state.
(j) Use, or permit the use of, the special plates assigned to them for any purpose other than as permitted by Section 11715.
(k) Advertise or otherwise represent, or knowingly allow to be advertised or represented on behalf of, or at the place of business of, the licenseholder that no downpayment is required in connection with the sale of a vehicle when a downpayment is in fact required and the buyer is advised or induced to finance the downpayment by a loan in addition to any other loan financing the remainder of the purchase price of the vehicle. The terms “no downpayment,” “zero down delivers,” or similar terms shall not be advertised unless the vehicle will be sold to a qualified purchaser without a prior payment of any kind or trade-in.
(l) (1) Participate in the sale of a vehicle required to be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles under Section 5900 or 5901 without
making the return and payment of the full tax due and required by Section 6451 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(2) Participate in the sale of a used vehicle required to be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles under Section 5900 or 5901 without making the payment of the full tax due as required by Section 6295 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(3) The amendments to this subdivision made by the act adding this paragraph do not constitute a change in, but are declaratory of, existing law.
(m) Permit the use of the dealer’s license, supplies, or books by any other person for the purpose of permitting that person to engage in the purchase or sale of vehicles required to be registered under this code, or permit the use
of the dealer’s license, supplies, or books to operate a branch location to be used by any other person, whether or not the licensee has any financial or equitable interest or investment in the vehicles purchased or sold by, or the business of, or branch location used by, the other person.
(n) Violate any provision of Article 10 (commencing with Section 28050) of Chapter 5 of Division 12.
(o) Sell a previously unregistered vehicle without disclosing in writing to the purchaser the date on which a manufacturer’s or distributor’s warranty commenced.
(p) Accept a purchase deposit relative to the sale of a vehicle, unless the vehicle is present at the premises of the dealer or available to the dealer directly from the
manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle at the time the dealer accepts the deposit. Purchase deposits accepted by an autobroker when brokering a retail sale shall be governed by Sections 11736 and 11737.
(q) Consign for sale to another dealer a new vehicle.
(r) Display a vehicle for sale at a location other than an established place of business authorized by the department for that dealer or display a new motor vehicle at the business premises of another dealer registered as an autobroker. This subdivision does not apply to the display of a vehicle pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11709 or the demonstration of the qualities of a motor vehicle by way of a test drive.
(s) Use a picture in connection with an
advertisement of the
price of a specific vehicle or class of vehicles, unless the picture is of the year, make, and model being offered for sale. The picture shall not depict a vehicle with optional equipment or a design not actually offered at the advertised price.
(t) Advertise for sale a vehicle that was used by the selling licensee in its business as a demonstrator, executive vehicle, service vehicle, rental, loaner, or lease vehicle, unless the advertisement clearly and conspicuously discloses the previous use made by that licensee of the vehicle. An advertisement shall not describe any of those vehicles as “new.”
(u) Advertise the prior use or ownership history of a vehicle in an inaccurate manner.
(v) (1) Offer to a consumer a subscription service for any motor vehicle feature that utilizes components and hardware already installed on the motor vehicle at the time of purchase or lease and would function after activation without ongoing cost to or support by the dealer, manufacturer, distributor, or a third-party service provider.
(2) This subdivision does not apply to navigation system updates, satellite radio, roadside assistance, software-dependent driver assistance or driver automation features, and vehicle-connected services that rely on cellular or other data networks for continued operation.
(3) As used in this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
(A) “Motor vehicle
feature” means any convenience or safety function included on the motor vehicle, such as heated seats or driver assistance, that typically is offered to a consumer as an upgrade at the time of purchase or lease of the motor vehicle.
(B) “Subscription service” means a service provided in exchange for a recurring payment, including, but not limited to, a weekly, monthly, or annual payment charged to and made by a consumer, but does not include a consumer’s reoccurring payment made pursuant to a conditional sales contract or lease contract, as defined in Chapters 2b (commencing with Section 2981) and 2d (commencing with Section 2985.7) of Title 14 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code.
SEC. 4.
Section 11713.3 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.3.
It is unlawful and a violation of this code for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed pursuant to this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:(a) (1) To refuse or fail to deliver in reasonable quantities and within a reasonable time after receipt of an order from a dealer having a franchise for the retail sale of a new vehicle sold or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor, a new vehicle or parts or accessories to new vehicles that are of a model offered by the manufacturer or distributor to other franchisees in this state of the same line-make, if the vehicle, parts, or accessories are publicly advertised
as being available for delivery or actually being delivered in this state. This subdivision is not violated, however, if the failure is caused by acts or causes beyond the control of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(2) To fail to disclose to any franchisee, upon written request, the basis upon which new motor vehicles of the same line-make are allocated or distributed to franchisees in the state and the basis upon which the current allocation or distribution is being made or will be made to the franchisee.
(b) To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or otherwise, a change in the capital structure of a dealership or the means by or through which the dealer finances
the operation of the dealership, if the dealer at all times meets reasonable capital standards agreed to by the dealer and the manufacturer or distributor, and if a change in capital structure does not cause a change in the principal management or have the effect of a sale of the franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor.
(c) To prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, a dealer to change the executive management of a dealership, other than the principal dealership operator or operators, if the franchise was granted to the dealer in reliance upon the personal qualifications of that person.
(d) (1) Except as provided in subdivision (t), to prevent or require, or attempt to prevent or require, by contract or
otherwise, a dealer, or an officer, partner, or stockholder of a dealership, the sale or transfer of a part of the interest of any of them to another person. A dealer, officer, partner, or stockholder shall not, however, have the right to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise, or a right thereunder, without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor except that the consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(2) (A) For the transferring franchisee to fail, prior to the sale, transfer, or assignment of a franchisee or the sale, assignment, or transfer of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the franchised business or a controlling interest in the franchised business to another person, to notify the manufacturer or distributor of the franchisee’s decision to sell, transfer, or assign the franchise. The notice
shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:
(i) The proposed transferee’s name and address.
(ii) A copy of all of the agreements relating to the sale, assignment, or transfer of the franchised business or its assets.
(iii) The proposed transferee’s application for approval to become the successor franchisee. The application shall include forms and related information generally utilized by the manufacturer or distributor in reviewing prospective franchisees, if those forms are readily made available to existing franchisees. As soon as practicable after receipt of the proposed transferee’s application, the manufacturer or distributor shall notify the franchisee and the proposed transferee of information needed to make
the application complete.
(B) For the manufacturer or distributor, to fail, on or before 60 days after the receipt of all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A), or as extended by a written agreement between the manufacturer or distributor and the franchisee, to notify the franchisee of the approval or the disapproval of the sale, transfer, or assignment of the franchise. The notice shall be in writing and shall be personally served or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by guaranteed overnight delivery service that provides verification of delivery and shall be directed to the franchisee. A proposed sale, assignment, or transfer shall be deemed approved, unless disapproved by the franchisor in the manner provided by this subdivision. If the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer is disapproved, the
franchisor shall include in the notice of disapproval a statement setting forth the reasons for the disapproval.
(3) In an action in which the manufacturer’s or distributor’s withholding of consent under this subdivision or subdivision (e) is an issue, whether the withholding of consent was unreasonable is a question of fact requiring consideration of all the existing circumstances.
(e) To prevent, or attempt to prevent, a dealer from receiving fair and reasonable compensation for the value of the franchised business. There shall not be a transfer or assignment of the dealer’s franchise without the consent of the manufacturer or distributor. The manufacturer or distributor shall not unreasonably withhold consent or condition consent upon the release, assignment, novation,
waiver, estoppel, or modification of a claim or defense by the dealer.
(f) To obtain money, goods, services, or another benefit from a person with whom the dealer does business, on account of, or in relation to, the transaction between the dealer and that other person, other than for compensation for services rendered, unless the benefit is promptly accounted for, and transmitted to, the dealer.
(g) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), to obtain from a dealer or enforce against a dealer an agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel that does any of the following:
(A) Modifies or disclaims a duty or obligation of a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor,
distributor branch, or representative, or a right or privilege of a dealer, pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 11700) of Division 5 or Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 3000) of Division 2.
(B) Limits or constrains the right of a dealer to file, pursue, or submit evidence in connection with a protest before the board.
(C) Requires a dealer to terminate a franchise.
(D) Requires a controversy between a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or representative and a dealer to be referred to a person for a binding determination. However, this subparagraph does not prohibit arbitration before an independent arbitrator, provided that whenever a motor vehicle franchise contract
provides for the use of arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of, or relating to, that contract, arbitration may be used to settle the controversy only if, after the controversy arises, all parties to the controversy consent in writing to use arbitration to settle the controversy. For the purpose of this subparagraph, the terms “motor vehicle” and “motor vehicle franchise contract” shall have the same meanings as defined in Section 1226 of Title 15 of the United States Code. If arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under a motor vehicle franchise contract, the arbitrator shall provide the parties to the arbitration with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.
(2) An agreement, provision, release, assignment, novation, waiver, or estoppel prohibited by this subdivision shall be unenforceable and
void.
(3) This subdivision does not do any of the following:
(A) Limit or restrict the terms upon which parties to a protest before the board, civil action, or other proceeding can settle or resolve, or stipulate to evidentiary or procedural matters during the course of, a protest, civil action, or other proceeding.
(B) Affect the enforceability of any stipulated order or other order entered by the board.
(C) Affect the enforceability of any provision in a contract if the provision is not prohibited under this subdivision or any other law.
(D) Affect the enforceability of a provision in any contract entered
into on or before December 31, 2011.
(E) Prohibit a dealer from waiving its right to file a protest pursuant to Section 3065.1 if the waiver agreement is entered into after a franchisor incentive program claim has been disapproved by the franchisor and the waiver is voluntarily given as part of an agreement to settle that claim.
(F) Prohibit a voluntary agreement supported by valuable consideration, other than granting or renewing a franchise, that does both of the following:
(i) Provides that a dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space or provides that a dealer make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to a dealership facility.
(ii) Contains no waiver or other provision prohibited by subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1).
(G) Prohibit an agreement separate from the franchise agreement that implements a dealer’s election to terminate the franchise if the agreement is conditioned only on a specified time for termination or payment of consideration to the dealer.
(H) (i) Prohibit a voluntary waiver agreement, supported by valuable consideration, other than the consideration of renewing a franchise, to waive the right of a dealer to file a protest under Section 3062 for the proposed establishment or relocation of a specific proposed dealership, if the waiver agreement provides all of the following:
(I) The
approximate address at which the proposed dealership will be located.
(II) The planned planning potential used to establish the proposed dealership’s facility, personnel, and capital requirements.
(III) An approximation of projected vehicle and parts sales, and number of vehicles to be serviced at the proposed dealership.
(IV) Whether the franchisor or affiliate will hold an ownership interest in the proposed dealership or real property of the proposed dealership, and the approximate percentage of any franchisor or affiliate ownership interest in the
proposed dealership.
(V) The line-makes to be operated at the proposed dealership.
(VI) If known at the time the waiver agreement is executed, the identity of the dealer who will operate the proposed dealership.
(VII) The date the waiver agreement is to expire, which may not be more than 30 months after the date of execution of the waiver agreement.
(ii) Notwithstanding the provisions of a waiver agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subparagraph, a dealer may file a protest under Section 3062 if any of the information provided pursuant to clause (i) has become materially inaccurate since the waiver agreement was executed. Any determination
of the enforceability of a waiver agreement shall be determined by the board and the franchisor shall have the burden of proof.
(h) To increase prices of motor vehicles that the dealer had ordered for private retail consumers prior to the dealer’s receipt of the written official price increase notification. A sales contract signed by a private retail consumer is evidence of the order. In the event of manufacturer price reductions, the amount of the reduction received by a dealer shall be passed on to the private retail consumer by the dealer if the retail price was negotiated on the basis of the previous higher price to the dealer. Price reductions apply to all vehicles in the dealer’s inventory that were subject to the price reduction. Price differences applicable to new model or series motor vehicles at the time of the introduction of new
models or series shall not be considered a price increase or price decrease. This subdivision does not apply to price changes caused by either of the following:
(1) The addition to a motor vehicle of required or optional equipment pursuant to state or federal law.
(2) Revaluation of the United States dollar in the case of a foreign-make vehicle.
(i) To fail to pay to a dealer, within a reasonable time following receipt of a valid claim by a dealer thereof, a payment agreed to be made by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer by reason of the fact that a new vehicle of a prior year model is in the dealer’s inventory at the time of introduction of new model vehicles.
(j) To deny the widow, widower, or heirs designated by a deceased owner of a dealership the opportunity to participate in the ownership of the dealership or successor dealership under a valid franchise for a reasonable time after the death of the owner.
(k) To offer refunds or other types of inducements to a person for the purchase of new motor vehicles of a certain line-make to be sold to the state or a political subdivision of the state without making the same offer to all other dealers in the same line-make within the relevant market area.
(l) To modify, replace, enter into, relocate, terminate, or refuse to renew a franchise in violation of Article 4 (commencing with Section 3060) or Article 5 (commencing with Section 3070) of Chapter 6 of Division 2.
(m) To employ a person as a representative who has not been licensed pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 11900) of Chapter 4 of Division 5.
(n) To deny a dealer the right of free association with another dealer for a lawful purpose.
(o) (1) To compete with their franchisees in the sale, lease, or service of motor vehicles.
(2) A manufacturer, branch, or distributor, or an entity that controls or is controlled by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor, shall not, however, be deemed to be competing in the following limited circumstances:
(A) Owning or operating a
dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year at the location of a former dealership of the same line-make that has been out of operation for less than six months. However, after a showing of good cause by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor that it needs additional time to operate a dealership in preparation for sale to a successor independent franchisee, the board may extend the time period.
(B) Owning an interest in a dealer as part of a bona fide dealer development program that satisfies all of the following requirements:
(i) The sole purpose of the program is to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualities ordinarily required of prospective franchisees and the dealer development candidate is an individual
who is unable to acquire the franchise without assistance of the program.
(ii) The dealer development candidate has made a significant investment subject to loss in the franchised business of the dealer.
(iii) The program requires the dealer development candidate to manage the day-to-day operations and business affairs of the dealer and to acquire, within a reasonable time and on reasonable terms and conditions, beneficial ownership and control of a majority interest in the dealer and disassociation of any direct or indirect ownership or control by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor.
(C) Owning a wholly owned subsidiary corporation of a distributor that sells motor vehicles at retail, if, for at least three years
prior to January 1, 1973, the subsidiary corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of the distributor and engaged in the sale of vehicles at retail.
(D) Owning or operating a dealership that maintains a fleet of autonomous vehicles, so long as the dealership does not sell or service such vehicles to or for any third party.
(3) (A) A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns or operates a dealership in the manner described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, within 10 days, each time it commences or terminates operation of a dealership and each time it acquires, changes, or divests itself of an ownership interest.
(B) A manufacturer, branch, and distributor that owns an interest in a dealer in the manner described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall give written notice to the board, annually, of the name and location of each dealer in which it has an ownership interest, the name of the bona fide dealer development owner or owners, and the ownership interests of each owner expressed as a percentage.
(4) In addition to the exceptions identified in paragraphs (2) and (3), a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, or an affiliate thereof, shall not be deemed to be competing with their franchisees in either any
of the following limited circumstances:
(A) When directly providing an update to or repair of motor vehicle software, if the update or repair is provided over-the-air at no cost.
(B) When creating a new line of motor vehicles and using new or existing franchisees to sell and service those vehicles.
(C) When authorizing a third party, such as a government entity or a commercial or rental fleet operator, to perform service work on vehicles owned and operated by the same third party.
(p) (1) To unfairly discriminate among its franchisees with respect
to warranty reimbursement or authority granted to its franchisees to make warranty adjustments with retail customers.
(2) (A) To require a franchisee to perform service repair or warranty work on any vehicle model that is not currently available to the franchisee for sale or lease as a new vehicle.
(B) This subdivision shall not apply to any vehicle model that is not currently commercially available as a new vehicle. Nothing in this subdivision prohibits a franchisee and a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate from entering into a voluntary written agreement, signed by both parties, to perform service repair or warranty work on any vehicle model provided that the warranty work is reimbursed at the retail labor rate and
retail parts rate as established pursuant to Section 3065.2.
(3) As used in this subdivision, “warranty” shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 3065.25.
(q) To sell vehicles to a person not licensed pursuant to this chapter for resale.
(r) To fail to affix an identification number to a park trailer, as described in Section 18009.3 of the Health and Safety Code, that is manufactured on or after January 1, 1987, and that does not clearly identify the unit as a park trailer to the department. The configuration of the identification number shall be approved by the department.
(s) To dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to
the public or a dealer in connection with the retail sale of a new motor vehicle, based solely upon the fact that an autobroker arranged or negotiated the sale. This subdivision shall not prohibit the disallowance of that rebate or incentive if the purchaser or dealer is ineligible to receive the rebate or incentive pursuant to any other term or condition of a rebate or incentive program.
(t) To exercise a right of first refusal or other right requiring a
franchisee or an owner of the franchise to sell, transfer, or assign to the franchisor, or to a nominee of the franchisor, all or a material part of the franchised business or of the assets of the franchised business unless all of the following requirements are met:
(1) The franchise authorizes the franchisor to exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the franchised business or assets of the franchised business in the event of a proposed sale, transfer, or assignment.
(2) The franchisor gives written notice of its exercise of the right of first refusal no later than 45 days after the franchisor receives all of the information required pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3) The sale, transfer, or assignment being proposed relates to not less than all or substantially all of the assets of the franchised business or to a controlling interest in the franchised business.
(4) The proposed transferee is neither a family member of an owner of the franchised business, nor a managerial employee of the franchisee owning 15 percent or more of the franchised business, nor a corporation, partnership, or other legal entity owned by the existing owners of the franchised business. For purposes of this paragraph, a “family member” means the spouse of an owner of the franchised business, the child, grandchild, brother, sister, or parent of an owner, or a spouse of one of those family members. This paragraph
does not limit the rights of the franchisor to disapprove a proposed transferee as provided in subdivision (d).
(5) Upon the franchisor’s exercise of the right of first refusal, the consideration paid by the franchisor to the franchisee and owners of the franchised business shall equal or exceed all consideration that each of them were to have received under the terms of, or in connection with, the proposed sale, assignment, or transfer, and the franchisor shall comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement or agreements to sell, transfer, or assign the franchised business.
(6) The franchisor shall reimburse the proposed transferee for expenses
paid or incurred by the proposed transferee in evaluating, investigating, and negotiating the proposed transfer to the extent those expenses do not exceed the usual, customary, and reasonable fees charged for similar work done in the area in which the franchised business is located. These expenses include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting expenses, and expenses incurred for title reports and environmental or other investigations of real property on which the franchisee’s operations are conducted. The proposed transferee shall provide the franchisor a written itemization of those expenses, and a copy of all nonprivileged reports and studies for which expenses were incurred, if any, within 30 days after the proposed transferee’s receipt of a written request from the franchisor for that accounting. The franchisor shall make payment within 30 days after exercising the right of first refusal.
(7) The franchisor does not use, or threaten to use, the exercise of the right of first refusal in bad faith.
(u) (1) To unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer or distributor or an entity that controls or is controlled by the manufacturer or distributor. Unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(A) The furnishing to a franchisee or dealer that is owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a manufacturer, branch, or distributor of any of the following:
(i) A vehicle that is not made available to each franchisee pursuant to a reasonable
allocation formula that is applied uniformly, and a part or accessory that is not made available to all franchisees on an equal basis when there is no reasonable allocation formula that is applied uniformly.
(ii) A vehicle, part, or accessory that is not made available to each franchisee on comparable delivery terms, including the time of delivery after the placement of an order. Differences in delivery terms due to geographic distances or other factors beyond the control of the manufacturer, branch, or distributor shall not constitute unfair competition.
(iii) Information obtained from a franchisee by the manufacturer, branch, or distributor concerning the business affairs or operations of a franchisee in which the manufacturer, branch, or distributor does not have an
ownership interest. The information includes, but is not limited to, information contained in financial statements and operating reports, the name, address, or other personal information or buying, leasing, or service behavior of a dealer, customer, and other information that, if provided to a franchisee or dealer owned or controlled by a manufacturer or distributor, would give that franchisee or dealer a competitive advantage. This clause does not apply if the information is provided pursuant to a subpoena or court order, or to aggregated information made available to all franchisees.
(iv) Sales or service incentives, discounts, or promotional programs that are not made available to all California franchises of the same line-make on an equal basis.
(B) Referring a prospective
purchaser or lessee to a dealer in which a manufacturer, branch, or distributor has an ownership interest, unless the prospective purchaser or lessee resides in the area of responsibility assigned to that dealer or the prospective purchaser or lessee requests to be referred to that dealer.
(2) This subdivision does not prohibit a franchisor from granting a franchise to prospective franchisees or assisting those franchisees during the course of the franchise relationship as part of a program or programs to make franchises available to persons lacking capital, training, business experience, or other qualifications ordinarily required of prospective franchisees.
(v) (1) To access, modify, or extract information from a confidential dealer computer record, as defined in
Section 11713.25, without obtaining the prior written consent of the dealer and without maintaining administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the information.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(w) (1) To use electronic, contractual, or other means to prevent or interfere with any of the following:
(A) The lawful efforts of a dealer to comply with federal and state data security and privacy laws.
(B) The ability of a dealer to do either of the following:
(i) Ensure that specific data accessed from the dealer’s computer system is within the scope of consent specified in subdivision (v).
(ii) Monitor specific data accessed from or written to the dealer’s computer system.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not limit a duty that a dealer may have to safeguard the security and privacy of records maintained by the dealer.
(x) (1) To unfairly discriminate against a franchisee selling a service contract, debt cancellation agreement, maintenance agreement, or similar product not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
For purposes of this subdivision, unfair discrimination includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(A) Express or implied statements that the dealer is under an obligation to exclusively sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(B) Express or implied statements that selling or offering to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, or the failure to sell or offer to sell
service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate will have any negative consequences for the dealer.
(C) Measuring a dealer’s performance under a franchise agreement based upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(D) Requiring a dealer to actively promote the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the
manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(E) Conditioning access to vehicles, parts, or vehicle sales or service incentives upon the sale of service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, maintenance agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate.
(F) Requiring a dealer to provide a disclosure or notice different from the notice set forth in paragraph (4) of this subdivision for the sale of the service contracts.
(2) Unfair discrimination does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a manufacturer from, offering an incentive program to vehicle dealers who
voluntarily sell or offer to sell service contracts, debt cancellation agreements, or similar products approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch or affiliate, if the program does not provide vehicle sales or service incentives.
(3) This subdivision does not prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from requiring a franchisee that sells a used vehicle as “certified” under a certified used vehicle program established by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to provide a service contract approved, endorsed, sponsored, or offered by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(4) Unfair discrimination
does not include, and nothing shall prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee to provide, the following notice prior to the sale of the service contract if the service contract is not provided or backed by the franchisor and the vehicle is of the franchised line-make:
“Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser”
“Service Contract Disclosure
The service contract you are purchasing is not provided or backed by the manufacturer of the vehicle you are purchasing. The manufacturer of the vehicle is not responsible for claims or repairs under this service contract.
_____________________
Signature of Purchaser”
(y) (1) To take or threaten to take any adverse action against a dealer pursuant to an export or sale-for-resale prohibition because the dealer sold or leased a vehicle to a customer who either exported the vehicle to a foreign country or resold the vehicle in violation of the prohibition, unless the export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing at least 48 hours before the sale or lease of the vehicle, and the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customer’s intent to export or resell the vehicle in violation of the prohibition. If the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state, and collects or causes to
be collected any applicable sales or use tax due to this state, a rebuttable presumption is established that the dealer did not have reason to know of the customer’s intent to export or resell the vehicle. In a proceeding in which a challenge to an adverse action is at issue, the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch shall have the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to show that the vehicle was exported or resold in violation of an export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy, that the prohibition policy was provided to the dealer in writing at least 48 hours prior to the sale or lease, and that the dealer knew or reasonably should have known of the customer’s intent to export the vehicle to a foreign country at the time of the sale or lease.
(2) An export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy
shall not include a provision that expressly or implicitly requires a dealer to make further inquiries into a customer’s intent, identity, or financial ability to purchase or lease a vehicle based on any of the customer’s characteristics listed or defined in Section 51 of the Civil Code. A policy that is in violation of this paragraph is void and unenforceable.
(3) An export or sale-for-resale prohibition policy shall expressly include a provision stating the dealer’s rebuttable presumption if the dealer causes the vehicle to be registered in this or any other state and collects or causes to be collected any applicable sales or use tax. A policy that is in violation of this paragraph is void and unenforceable.
(4) For purposes of this subdivision, “adverse action” means any
activity that imposes, either expressly or implicitly, a burden, responsibility, or penalty on a dealer, including, but not limited to, nonroutine or nonrandom audits, withholding of incentives, or monetary chargebacks, imposed by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch, or through an affiliate.
(z) As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Affiliate” means a person who directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under the common direction and control with, another person. “Control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of any person.
(2) “Area of responsibility” means a geographic area specified in a franchise that is used by the franchisor for the purpose of evaluating the franchisee’s performance of its sales and service obligations.
SEC. 5.
Section 11713.13 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:11713.13.
It is unlawful and a violation of this code for any manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch licensed under this code to do, directly or indirectly through an affiliate, any of the following:(a) Prevent, or attempt to prevent, by contract or otherwise, a dealer from acquiring, adding, or maintaining a sales or service operation for another line-make of motor vehicles at the same or expanded facility at which the dealer currently operates a dealership if the dealer complies with any reasonable facilities and capital requirements of the manufacturer or distributor.
(b) Require a dealer to establish or maintain
exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space if the imposition of the requirement would be unreasonable in light of all existing circumstances, including economic conditions. In any proceeding in which the reasonableness of a facility or capital requirement is an issue, the manufacturer or distributor shall have the burden of proof.
(c) Require, by contract or otherwise, a dealer to make a material alteration, expansion, or addition to any dealership facility, unless the required alteration, expansion, or addition is reasonable in light of all existing circumstances, including economic conditions and advancements in vehicular technology. This subdivision does not limit the obligation of a dealer to comply with any applicable health or safety laws.
(1) A required
facility alteration, expansion, or addition shall not be deemed reasonable if it requires that the dealer purchase goods or services from a specific vendor when goods or services of substantially similar kind, quality, and general design concept are available from another vendor. Notwithstanding the prohibitions in this paragraph, a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate may require the dealer to request approval for the use of alternative goods or services in writing. Approval for these requests shall not be unreasonably withheld, and the request shall be deemed approved if not specifically denied in writing within 20 business days of receipt of the dealer’s written request. This paragraph does not authorize a dealer to impair or eliminate the intellectual property or trademark rights of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or
affiliate, or to permit a dealer to erect or maintain signs that do not conform to the intellectual property usage guidelines of the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate. This paragraph shall not apply to a specific good or service if the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate provides the dealer with a lump-sum payment or series of payments toward a substantial portion of the cost of that good or service, if the payment is intended solely to reimburse the dealer for the purchase of the specified good or service.
(2) In any proceeding in which a required facility alteration, expansion, or addition is an issue, the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate shall have the burden of proof.
(3) (A) A required facility alteration, expansion, or addition shall not be deemed reasonable if the facility has been modified within the last 10 years at a cost of more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000), and the modification was required, or was made for the purposes of complying with a franchisor’s brand image program, and was approved by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate.
(B) This paragraph does not apply to a specific facility alteration, expansion, or addition that is necessary to enable the sale or service of zero-emission or near-zero-emission vehicles, as defined in Section 44258 of the Health and Safety Code.
(C) This
paragraph does not apply to a specific facility alteration, expansion, or addition involving the exercise of the franchisor’s trademark rights that is necessary to erect or maintain signs or to the use of any trademark.
(D) This paragraph does not apply to a specific facility alteration, expansion, or addition that is necessary to comply with any applicable health or safety laws.
(E) This paragraph does not apply to the installation of specialized equipment that is necessary to service a vehicle offered by a franchisor and available for sale by the franchisee.
(F) This paragraph does not apply to voluntary written agreements signed by both parties between a franchisee and a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor,
distributor branch, or affiliate.
(d) (1) Fail to pay to a dealer, within 90 days of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise, all of the following:
(A) The dealer cost, plus any charges made by the manufacturer or distributor for vehicle distribution or delivery and the cost of any dealer-installed original equipment accessories, less any amount invoiced to the vehicle and paid by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer, for all new and undamaged vehicles with less than 500 miles in the dealer’s inventory that were acquired by the dealer from the manufacturer, distributor, or another new motor vehicle dealer franchised to sell vehicles of the same line-make, in the ordinary course of business, within 18 months of termination,
cancellation, or nonrenewal of the franchise.
(B) The dealer cost for all unused and undamaged supplies, parts, and accessories listed in the manufacturer’s current parts catalog and in their original packaging, except that sheet metal may be packaged in a comparable substitute for the original package.
(C) The fair market value of each undamaged sign owned by the motor vehicle dealer and bearing a common name, trade name, or trademark of the manufacturer or distributor if acquisition of the sign was required or made a condition of participation in an incentive program by the manufacturer or distributor.
(D) The fair market value of all special tools, computer systems, and equipment that were required or made a condition
of participation in an incentive program by the manufacturer or distributor that are in usable condition, excluding normal wear and tear.
(E) The dealer costs of handling, packing, loading, and transporting any items or inventory for repurchase by the manufacturer or distributor.
(2) This subdivision does not apply to a franchisor of a dealer of new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3) This subdivision does not apply to a termination that is implemented as a result of the sale of substantially all of the inventory and fixed assets or stock of a franchised dealership if the dealership continues to operate as a franchisee of the same line-make.
(e) (1) (A) Fail to pay to a dealer of new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, within 90 days of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise for a recreational vehicle line-make, as defined in Section 3072.5, the dealer cost, plus any charges made by the manufacturer or distributor for vehicle distribution or delivery and the cost of any dealer-installed original equipment accessories, less any amount invoiced to the vehicle and paid by the manufacturer or distributor to the dealer, for a new recreational vehicle when the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal is initiated by a recreational vehicle manufacturer. This paragraph only applies to new and unused recreational vehicles that do not currently have or have had in the
past, material damage, as defined in Section 9990, and that the dealer acquired from the manufacturer, distributor, or another new motor vehicle dealer franchised to sell recreational vehicles of the same line-make in the ordinary course of business within 12 months of the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of the franchise.
(B) For those recreational vehicles with odometers, paragraph (1) shall apply to only those vehicles that have no more than 1,500 miles on the odometer, in addition to the number of miles incurred while delivering the vehicle from the manufacturer’s facility that produced the vehicle for delivery to the dealer’s retail location.
(C) Damaged recreational vehicles shall be repurchased by the manufacturer provided there is an offset in value for damages, except
recreational vehicles that have or had material damage, as defined in Section 9990, may be repurchased at the manufacturer’s option provided there is an offset in value for damages.
(2) Fail to pay to a dealer of new recreational vehicles, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 18010 of the Health and Safety Code, within 90 days of termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise, all of the following:
(A) The dealer cost for all unused and undamaged supplies, parts, and accessories listed in the manufacturer’s current parts catalog and in their original packaging, except that sheet metal may be packaged in a comparable substitute for the original package.
(B) The fair market value of each undamaged sign owned by the
motor vehicle dealer and bearing a common name, trade name, or trademark of the manufacturer or distributor if acquisition of the sign was required or made a condition of participation in an
incentive program by the manufacturer or distributor.
(C) The fair market value of all special tools, computer systems, and equipment that were required or made a condition of participation in an incentive program by the manufacturer or distributor that are in usable condition, excluding normal wear and tear.
(D) The dealer costs of handling, packing, loading, and transporting any items or inventory for repurchase by the manufacturer or distributor.
(f) (1) Fail, upon demand, to indemnify any existing or former franchisee and the franchisee’s successors and assigns from any and all damages sustained and attorney’s fees and other expenses reasonably incurred by the franchisee that
result from or relate to any claim made or asserted by a third party against the franchisee to the extent the claim results from any of the following:
(A) The condition, characteristics, manufacture, assembly, or design of any vehicle, parts, accessories, tools, or equipment, or the selection or combination of parts or components manufactured or distributed by the manufacturer or distributor.
(B) Service systems, procedures, or methods the franchisor required or recommended the franchisee to use if the franchisee properly uses the system, procedure, or method.
(C) Improper use or disclosure by a manufacturer or distributor of nonpublic personal information obtained from a franchisee concerning any consumer, customer, or
employee of the franchisee.
(D) Any act or omission of the manufacturer or distributor for which the franchisee would have a claim for contribution or indemnity under applicable law or under the franchise, irrespective of and without regard to any prior termination or expiration of the franchise.
(E) Any act or omission of the franchisee that is the result of the franchisee’s use of a service provided by a digital vendor preselected by a franchisor and the use of that service violates California law. For purposes of this subdivision, a “service provided by a digital vendor” includes any electronic system that manages consumer data or generates consumer notices or documentation.
(2) Require a franchisee to indemnify
its franchisor, or any third party, for the actions of the franchisee that were properly made in compliance with a franchisor’s policy, program, or requirement.
(3) This subdivision does not limit, in any way, the existing rights, remedies, or recourses available to any person who purchases or leases vehicles at retail.
(g) (1) Establish or maintain a performance standard, sales objective, incentive program, or program for measuring a dealer’s sales, service, or customer service performance that may materially affect the dealer, including, but not limited to, the dealer’s right to payment under any incentive or reimbursement program or establishment of working capital requirements, unless all
both of the following requirements are satisfied:
(A) The performance standard, sales objective, incentive program, or program for measuring dealership sales, service, or customer service performance is reasonable in light of all existing circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Demographics in the dealer’s area of responsibility.
(ii) Geographical and market characteristics in the dealer’s area of responsibility.
(iii) The availability and allocation of vehicles and parts inventory.
(iv) Local and statewide economic circumstances.
(v) Historical sales, service, and customer service performance of the line-make within the dealer’s area of responsibility, including vehicle brand preferences of consumers in the dealer’s area of responsibility.
(B) Within 30 days after a request by the dealer, the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate provides a written summary of the methodology and data used in establishing the performance standard, sales objective, incentive program, or program for measuring dealership sales or service performance. The summary shall be in detail sufficient to permit
the dealer to determine how the standard was established and applied to the dealer.
(C)The performance standard, sales objective, incentive program, or program for measuring dealership sales, service, or customer service performance is not designed to influence how the franchisee determines the price of a vehicle.
(2) In any proceeding in which the reasonableness of a performance standard, sales objective, incentive program, or program for measuring dealership sales, service, or customer service performance is an issue, the manufacturer, manufacturer branch,
distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate shall have the burden of proof.
(3)As used in this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
(A)“Area
(3) As used in this subdivision, “area of responsibility” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (z) of Section 11713.3.
(B)“Incentive program” means any program that encourages or discourages franchisee behavior through monetary or nonmonetary means.
(h) Restrict the ability of a dealer to select a digital service of a dealer’s choice that is offered by a vendor of the dealer’s choice, provided that the service offered by the vendor is approved by the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, or affiliate. Approval for services selected by dealers shall not be unreasonably withheld. For purposes of this subdivision, digital service includes, but is not limited to, internet website and data management services, but does not include warranty repair processes for a vehicle.
(i) Restrict, limit, or discourage a franchisee from checking or verifying the applicability of a technical service bulletin or customer service campaign to any vehicle.
(j) Implement or modify a vehicle reservation system for the sale or lease of motor vehicles that does not comply with either of the following requirements:
(1) Any vehicle reservation system designed, implemented, or
controlled by a franchisor that allocates vehicles to franchisees shall use customer dealer selection or other objective criteria to allocate the vehicles.
(2) At least 30 days prior to implementing a vehicle reservation system, a franchisor shall make available to its franchisees a description of the reservation program rules and requirements to franchisees through the system, as applicable. Notice of any change to such criteria shall be provided at least 30 days prior to it becoming effective.
(k) Implement a program or policy that encourages or requires the franchisee to install direct current fast charging stations, unless all of the following are satisfied:
(1) If the program or policy requires public
access to the direct current fast charging stations, the franchisor shall reimburse the dealer for one-half of all costs to install and maintain the stations, if the dealer agrees to pay the franchisor one-half of the net income generated from the ongoing use of the stations.
(2)The program or policy may not encourage or require the franchisee to install direct current fast charging stations at its dealership location if the franchisee can obtain access to direct current fast charging stations within a reasonable distance from the franchisee’s dealership location by participating in a bank of shared charging stations with other dealerships or by constructing new charging stations with other organizations.
(2) The program or policy does not limit the ability of a franchisee to use all available incentives or utility rate plans to minimize total installation cost.
(3) The program or policy does not require installation of more than the number and type of electric vehicle charging stations reasonably necessary to conduct service and sales operations.
(4) The program or policy must be reasonable in light of all existing circumstances, including, but not limited to, local conditions,
supply constraints, time constraints, advancements in vehicular technology, and electric grid integration.
(l) File or request relocation of any lawsuit involving a franchisee located in California to a jurisdiction outside of California without the consent of the franchisee.
(m) Fail to reimburse a franchisee for all its reasonable fees and costs following a protest at the board, if the board issues a determination on the merits in the franchisee’s favor and the protest was filed against the manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch.
(n) As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Affiliate” means a person who directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under the common direction and control with, another person. “Control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of any person.
(2) “Facility” or “facilities” includes, but is not limited to, premises, places, buildings, or structures.
(3) “Vehicle reservation system” means a process that is used
to hold open the opportunity for a specified consumer to place an order for the purchase or lease of a new motor vehicle.
