§8-21C-3. Manufacturer and dealer agreement - Required for sales by manufacturer or distributor.

(a)(1) After September 30, 2011, a manufacturer or distributor may not sell a recreational vehicle in this state to or through a dealer without having first entered into a manufacturer and dealer agreement with the dealer which has been signed by both parties.

(2) A dealer may not sell a new recreational vehicle in this state without having first entered into a manufacturer and dealer agreement with a manufacturer or distributor which has been signed by both parties.

(b) The manufacturer or distributor shall designate the area of sales responsibility exclusively assigned to a dealer in the manufacturer and dealer agreement. Except as provided in subsection (c), the manufacturer or distributor may not review or change the area of sales responsibility without the consent of both parties or contract with another dealer for the sale of the same line-make in the designated area until at least one year after the execution of the manufacturer and dealer agreement.

(c) If, subsequent to entering into a manufacturer and dealer agreement, a dealer enters into an agreement to sell any competing recreational vehicle products, or enters into an agreement to increase its pre-existing commitment to sell any competing recreational vehicle products, a manufacturer or distributor may revise the area of sales responsibility designated in the manufacturer and dealer agreement if the market penetration of the manufacturer's or distributor's products is jeopardized by the dealer's subsequent agreements.

(d) When taking on an additional line-make of recreational vehicle, a dealer shall notify in writing any manufacturer or distributor of a competing similar product line with whom the dealer has a manufacturer and dealer agreement at least 30 days subsequent to entering into a manufacturer and dealer agreement with the manufacturer or distributor of the additional line-make.

(Act 2011-636, p. 1529, §3.)