SB0140 Summary

• Amends the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act (815 ILCS 710/4) to regulate unfair competition and deceptive practices by manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers toward motor vehicle dealers.

• Prohibits manufacturers from coercing dealers to accept unwanted vehicles, equipment, or services; establishing arbitrary allocation systems; or requiring participation in advertising campaigns at dealer expense.

• Requires manufacturers to provide 60 days' notice (or 10 days in cases of abandoned operations or criminal conviction) before canceling or terminating franchises, with dealers having 30 days to file protests with the Motor Vehicle Review Board.

• Prevents manufacturers from preventing dealers from selling additional vehicle makes, changing management/ownership, or establishing capital structures, except where manufacturers prove good cause based on moral character or reasonable business standards.

• Adds exception allowing diesel engine manufacturers (producing only engines for trucks over 16,000 pounds) to own and operate facilities if they comply with dealer support obligations and do not restrict warranty repairs to manufacturer-owned facilities.