Authorizing certain manufacturers of battery electric motor vehicles to be licensed as motor vehicle dealers

Under current law, a person is prohibited from engaging in the business of selling at retail motor vehicles unless the person is licensed by the department of transportation (DOT) as a motor vehicle dealer. For new vehicles, a licensed dealer must also be contractually authorized by a motor vehicle manufacturer or distributor to sell the specific make of vehicle. A motor vehicle manufacturer or importer is prohibited from directly or indirectly being licensed as, owning an interest in, operating, or controlling a motor vehicle dealer. There are limited exceptions provided, including temporarily to facilitate transfer of the motor vehicle dealership to a new owner; for the purpose of enhancing opportunities for persons who lack the financial resources to purchase the dealership without such assistance; where the dealer’s primary business is renting motor vehicles; for dealers of motor homes manufactured by that manufacturer; for dealers of the line-make manufactured by that manufacturer under certain circumstances; and for final-stage manufacturers of multi-stage manufactured vehicles under certain circumstances. This bill provides an additional exception that authorizes a manufacturer of battery electric motor vehicles (manufacturer) to be licensed as a motor vehicle dealer of only battery electric motor vehicles manufactured by that manufacturer. A manufacturer licensed as a motor vehicle dealer in accordance with the bill is authorized to own, operate, or control not more than five motor vehicle dealerships; own, operate, control, or contract with an entity that provides financing, leasing, service, or maintenance for vehicles manufactured by the manufacturer; and provide service or maintenance for vehicles manufactured by the manufacturer. _____ components and not equipped with an internal combustion engine, that is propelled exclusively by one or more electrical motors using electrical energy stored in a battery or other energy storage device that can be recharged by plugging into an electrical outlet or electric vehicle charging station. The exception under the bill does not apply if the manufacturer or a common entity of the manufacturer, as defined by the bill, previously entered into or offered a franchise agreement with a licensed motor vehicle dealer in this state for the sale of new motor vehicles. A person who engages in the business of selling motor vehicles and who was not issued a dealer license by the DOT commits a simple misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,500 or by imprisonment not to exceed days. A person who sells at retail more than six motor vehicles during a 12-month period is presumed to be engaged in the business of selling motor vehicles.