(a) In the event a manufacturer licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-67a cancels, terminates or fails to renew any franchise, as defined in section 42-133r, with a new car dealer, as defined in section 14-51, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, upon receipt of written notice of such action by the manufacturer, shall, unless the dealer holds one or more additional franchises, demand that such new car dealer surrender such license to the commissioner. If such action is contested by such dealer in accordance with the provisions of sections 42-133r to 42-133ee, inclusive, the commissioner shall not demand surrender of such license, and no replacement motor vehicle dealer shall be named for the dealer's point or location, except in accordance with subdivision (10) of section 42-133cc, until the proceedings to contest such action by the manufacturer are finally determined after all means of administrative, judicial and appellate review have been exhausted and the decision is adverse to the dealer.

(b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, no person, firm or corporation licensed as a manufacturer in accordance with the provisions of section 14-67a may be the holder of a new or used car dealer's license issued in accordance with the provisions of section 14-52, except a manufacturer may operate as a dealer on a temporary basis in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (8) of section 42-133cc. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to any firm or corporation that is owned or controlled by a manufacturer, as determined by the commissioner. Any applicant for a new or used car dealer license that is denied a license under the provisions of this subsection shall be entitled to a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the commissioner may issue a used car dealer's license to a person, firm or corporation, owned or controlled by a manufacturer, engaged primarily in the business of rental of motor vehicles and industrial and construction equipment, provided: (1) Motor vehicles offered for sale by any such person, firm or corporation are limited to motor vehicles that have been previously used exclusively and regularly in the conduct of the business or motor vehicles traded in by purchasers of such previously used motor vehicles, (2) any warranty repairs performed by such person, firm or corporation are limited to motor vehicles that such person, firm or corporation owns, has previously owned, or has taken in trade, and (3) any retail financing provided or arranged by such person, firm or corporation is limited to vehicles sold by such person, firm or corporation.

(d) The commissioner may extend the period of a license issued to a manufacturer to operate a dealership on a temporary basis, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section and subdivision (8) of section 42-133cc, for not more than one additional year, up to a maximum period of two years, if the commissioner is satisfied that such manufacturer has made and is continuing to make bona fide efforts to sell and transfer the dealership to a person, firm or corporation that is qualified to hold a new or used dealer's license.

(P.A. 95-260, S. 13, 24; P.A. 02-70, S. 24.)

History: P.A. 95-260, S. 13 effective June 13, 1995; P.A. 02-70 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to make a technical change for the purposes of gender neutrality, inserted new Subsec. (b) to allow a licensed manufacturer to hold a dealer's license on a temporary basis in accordance with Sec. 42-133cc(8) and to be entitled to a hearing if denied a license, inserted new Subsec. (c) to allow the commissioner to issue a used car dealer's license to an entity engaged primarily in the business of renting vehicles and industrial and construction equipment, and inserted new Subsec. (d) to allow commissioner to extend the temporary license issued to a licensed manufacturer for not more than one additional year, up to a maximum period of two years, if commissioner is satisfied that the manufacturer has and is continuing to make bona fide efforts to sell and transfer the dealership to an entity qualified to hold a dealer's license.