It is unlawful for any manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, distributor branch, factory representative, or distributor representative to require, coerce, or attempt to coerce any motor vehicle dealer to refrain from participation in the management of, investment in, or acquisition of any other make or line of new motor vehicles or related products if:

(1) the requirements are unreasonable considering current economic conditions and are not otherwise justified by reasonable business considerations;

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 56-15-75

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Motor vehicle: means any motor driven vehicle required to be registered pursuant to § 56-3-110. See South Carolina Code 56-15-10

(2) the motor vehicle dealer has maintained a reasonable line of credit for each make or line of a new motor vehicle; and

(3) the motor vehicle dealer remains in compliance with reasonable capital standards and reasonable facilities requirements specified by the manufacturer.

Reasonable facilities requirements shall not include any requirement that a motor vehicle dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space, unless the manufacturer or distributor establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that such requirements are justified by current economic conditions or reasonable business considerations.

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