IMPLEMENTED FIRST FRANCHISE LAW IN THE NATION to protect dealers from unfair termination and coercion by manufacturers.
GAINED REMOVAL OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX on cars and trucks. Includes dealer inventory.
OBTAINED PRICE PROTECTION on inventory and sold orders. FirstStateLaw.
Preserved use of FLAT RATE pricing/system. Attorney General tried to ban use, assert antitrust claim.
GAINED EQUALITY BY MAKING ALL REPAIR SHOPS, not just dealers, subject to regulation. Circuit Court blocked attempt to discriminate against dealers.
Secured changes in state’s VENTILATION CODE to save heat.
Saved OVERTIME EXEMPTIONS for salespersons, parts-persons, and technicians…three times. Federal and State.
GAINED SUNDAY CLOSING LAW.
Preserved credit life COMMISSIONS…twice.
Initiated improvements in FEDERAL ODOMETER LAW, through NADA.
ENSURED SURVIVOR RIGHTS franchise law passed. First in Nation. Manufacturers started to change successor language in franchises.
PASSED RELEVANT MARKET AREA law to protect rights of existing dealers from unfair and harmful appointments of additional dealerships for the same-make vehicle.
STRENGTHENED STATUTORY PENALTIES by providing treble damages in franchise cases.
Exposed manufacturer abuses of TRANSPORTATION CHARGES DURING wage-price freeze in the ‘70’s.
Gained right for dealers to have a SERVICES FEE.
Protected dealer RIGHT TO CHOOSE voluntary arbitration.
Got TRADE-IN CREDIT for sales tax computation.
Stopped attempt by DOT to permit VAN CONVERTERS to franchise and directly sell new vans.
CONVINCED WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT TO ADOPT RULE ALLOWING ASSOCIATIONS TO SUBMIT AMICUS BRIEFS on why court should accept jurisdiction of a case.
2011 Passed warranty reimbursement law that allows dealers to receive full retail compensation for warranty repairs.
2015 Passed a bill that eliminated the inclusion of Federal Excise Tax in the Wisconsin sales tax calculation on heavy duty Trucks.
2016 Outstanding Achievement Award for NADA Membership Promotion
2019 Passed law prohibiting manufacturers from assessing surcharges and taking other adverse actions against dealers who exercise right afforded them under the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Franchise Law.
Bigger Achievements
REMOVED $25 cap for finance reserve payable to dealers.
Gained right of dealers to SELL THEIR DEALERSHIP to qualified buyers of their choosing. First in Nation.
Gained the right for dealers to CHANGE THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT of their dealership. First in Nation.
Gained LEMON LAW that protects dealers
Assured in law that MANUFACTURERS MAY NOT OWN, OPERATE, OR CONTROL A DEALERSHIP in Wisconsin, to assure fair competition.
Assured in law that manufacturers will not compete with their dealers in WARRANTY REPAIR.
Service "Firsts"
First Dealer Reference Manual, first on CD, first on Internet
First state dealer association with Education Department
First dealer association to develop formal policy and procedures for endorsements
First dealer association to have full time professional executive for its Foundation
First dealer association to grant 100 scholarships per year for technician development
First Big Events
Created Insurance Trust for group health insurance for dealers and employees.(1947)
Created partnership with “fledgling” WISCO (1973)
Created CARPAC for state elections support (1976)
Created a council for heavy truck dealers. (1978)
Created a legal department (1979)
Created a council for used vehicle dealers (1980)
Joined with Bart Starr and the Gillespie’s to give Rawhide a chance to expand with vehicle donation program. (1983)
First Dealer Point quarterly newspaper for “soft news.” (1985)
Made commitment to RAWHIDE new children’s home (1989)
Created the Foundation of WATDA for philanthropy “good works” (1992)
Created Health Insurance Corporation (2001)
Created a Bankruptcy Manual for Dealer Members (2006)
Created a Dealer Viability Manual for Dealer Members (2007)
Began offering a free online course to assist in preparation for the Motor Vehicle Salesperson License Exam (2008)