61-4-141. Manufacturer's right of first refusal. - Montana Statutes

     61-4-141. Manufacturer's right of first refusal. (1) Regardless of the terms of any franchise agreement, in the event of a proposed sale or transfer of a dealership, the manufacturer or distributor may exercise a right of first refusal to acquire the new motor vehicle dealer's assets or ownership. This may occur if the sale or transfer is conditioned upon either the manufacturer or dealer entering into a dealer agreement with the proposed new owner or transferee if all the following requirements are met:
     (a) the manufacturer or distributor notifies the dealer in writing of the manufacturer's or dealer's intent to exercise the right of first refusal within 60 days of receipt of the dealer's written proposal for sale or transfer;
     (b) the dealer and the dealer's owner receive the same or greater consideration as they have contracted to receive in connection with the proposed change of ownership or transfer;
     (c) the proposed sale or transfer of the dealership's assets does not involve the transfer or sale to a member or members of the family of one or more dealer owners or to a qualified manager, partnership, or corporation controlled by a member of the family of a dealer owner; and
     (d) the manufacturer or distributor agrees to pay reasonable costs and attorney fees relative to the proposed changes in ownership or transfer of dealership assets. In order for costs and fees to be payable, the dealer shall submit an accounting of the expenses within 20 days of the dealer's receipt of the manufacturer's or distributor's written request for the accounting. The manufacturer or distributor may request the accounting before exercising the manufacturer's or distributor's right of first refusal.
     (2) This section does not affect any contractual right of a manufacturer or distributor to charge back to the dealer's account any amount previously credited or paid as a discount incident to the dealer's purchase of the motor vehicles.

     History: En. Sec. 13, Ch. 221, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 169, Ch. 542, L. 2005.