RI S2778

Prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers, common entities, affiliates, or joint ventures licensed after January 1, 2020 from selling directly to retail consumers, requiring sales to go through franchised dealers

Adds new definition of "common entity" as any person or entity with more than 30% equity interest controlled by or shared with a manufacturer, distributor, or factory branch

Expands definition of "sell" to include accepting deposits/payments, setting retail prices, negotiating terms with consumers, accepting trade-ins, arranging pickup/delivery, and displaying vehicles for test drives

Extends existing regulatory requirements and prohibited practices currently applicable to manufacturers to also cover distributors and factory branches throughout the chapter

Requires performance criteria used to evaluate dealers to account for actual vehicle allocation offered, be fair and reasonable, and consider local and regional economic conditions