Vehicles: manufacturers and distributors.

(1) Existing law generally requires a manufacturer branch, remanufacturer, remanufacturer branch, distributor, distributor branch, transporter, or dealer of vehicles to be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Under existing law, it is unlawful for a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch to, among other things, dishonor a warranty, rebate, or other incentive offered to the public or a dealer, as specified, or to unfairly discriminate in favor of a dealership owned or controlled, in whole or part, by a manufacturer or an entity that controls or is controlled by a manufacturer or distributor. This bill would additionally prohibit a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch from unfairly discriminating in favor of a motorsports dealer when acting as a manufacturer, manufacturer branch, distributor, or distributor branch of motorsports vehicles, and from requiring or attempting to require a motorsports dealer to maintain a motorsports inventory in a specified manner. The bill would also define a motorsports dealer for these purposes. (2) Under existing law, a violation of the above provisions relating to occupational licensing and business regulations in the Vehicle Code is a misdemeanor. Because this bill would create a new crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. (3) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.