For the purposes of this chapter only, the following apply to leases of new motor vehicles. [PL 1987, c. 359, §8 (NEW).]
1. Warranties. If express warranties are regularly furnished to purchasers of substantially the same kind of motor vehicles:
A. Those warranties are deemed to apply to the leased motor vehicles; and [PL 2003, c. 337, §6 (AMD).]
B. The consumer lessee is deemed to be the first purchaser of the motor vehicle for the purpose of any warranty provisions limiting warranty benefits to the original purchaser. [PL 2003, c. 337, §6 (AMD).]

[PL 2003, c. 337, §6 (AMD).]

Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1168

  • Consumer: means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, or the lessee, of a motor vehicle, any person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of an express warranty applicable to the motor vehicle and any other person entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty, except that the term "consumer" shall not include any governmental entity, or any business or commercial enterprise which registers 3 or more motor vehicles. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1161
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Manufacturer: means manufacturer, importer, distributor or anyone who is named as the warrantor on an express written warranty on a motor vehicle. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1161
  • Motor vehicle: means any motor driven vehicle, designed for the conveyance of passengers or property on the public highways that is sold or leased in this State, except that the term "motor vehicle" does not include any vehicle used primarily for commercial purposes with a gross vehicle weight of 8,500 pounds or more. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 10 Sec. 1161
2. Lessee’s rights. The lessee of a motor vehicle has the same rights under this chapter against the manufacturer and any person making express warranties that the lessee would have under this chapter if the vehicle had been purchased by the lessee. The manufacturer and any person making express warranties have the same duties and obligations under this chapter with respect to the vehicle that the manufacturer and other person would have under this chapter if the goods had been sold to the lessee.

[PL 1987, c. 359, §8 (NEW).]

3. Termination of lease and obligations. The lessee’s lease agreement with the motor vehicle lessor and all contractual obligations terminate upon a decision that the vehicle does not conform to the vehicle’s express warranty and the return of the vehicle to the lessor. The lessee may not be liable to the manufacturer or motor vehicle lessor for any further costs or charges under the lease agreement. The motor vehicle lessor shall release the motor vehicle title to the manufacturer upon payment by the manufacturer under this chapter.

[PL 1999, c. 212, §3 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1987, c. 359, §8 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 212, §3 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 337, §6 (AMD).