The provisions of this act shall apply to all persons, manufacturers, representatives, distributors and dealers and to all written or oral agreements between a manufacturer, distributor or representative with a motor vehicle dealer including, but not limited to, the franchise offering, the franchise agreement, sales of goods, services or advertising, leases or mortgages of real or personal property, promises to pay, security interest, pledges, insurance contracts, advertising contracts, construction or installation contracts, servicing contracts and all other such agreements in which the manufacturer, distributor or representative has any direct or indirect interest.
History: 1953 Comp., § 64-37-2, enacted by Laws 1973, ch. 6, § 2.
Compiler's notes. — The term "this act", referred to in the second sentence, means Laws 1973, Chapter 6, which appears as 57-16-1 to 57-16-6, 57-16-7 to 57-16-9, 57-16-10 to 57-16-16 NMSA 1978. The reference probably should be to all of Chapter 57, Article 16 NMSA 1978.
Inapplicable to prospective franchisees. — This article does not govern manufacturers' dealings with prospective franchisees, nor does it provide in explicit terms protection for that class. Key v. Chrysler Motors Corp., 1996-NMSC-038, 121 N.M. 764, 918 P.2d 350.
Taken as a whole, this article does not afford protection to every prospective purchaser of an automobile franchise; the Act provides for standing in broad terms, but it links standing to forbidden conduct in specific terms. Key v. Chrysler Motors Corp., 1996-NMSC-038, 121 N.M. 764, 918 P.2d 350.
Reducing award of costs based on financial disparity between parties. — The district court abused its discretion when, without evidence, it reduced a cost award to defendant because of the financial disparity between the parties, plaintiff's perceived inability to pay all of defendant's costs, and the chilling effect that a large cost award might have on future litigation under this article. Key v. Chrysler Motors Corp., 2000-NMSC-010, 128 N.M. 739, 998 P.2d 575.
This article (57-16-1 to 57-16-16 NMSA 1978) applies to manufacturers, representatives, distributors and dealers of self-propelled agricultural machines and equipment which may travel upon the public highways of New Mexico. 1974 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 74-25.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 57 - Trade Practices and Regulations
Article 16 - Motor Vehicle Dealers Franchising
Section 57-16-1 - Declaration of policy.
Section 57-16-2 - Application of act.
Section 57-16-3 - Definitions.
Section 57-16-4 - Unlawful acts; dealers.
Section 57-16-5 - Unlawful acts; manufacturers; distributors; representatives.
Section 57-16-5.1 - Prohibition on denial of claims based on technical errors.
Section 57-16-6 - Obligations; statement of compensation.
Section 57-16-6.1 - Motorcycle dealers; new product; franchise or sales agreement.
Section 57-16-6.2 - Recreational vehicles; franchise agreements.
Section 57-16-7 - Warranty and recall claims; payment.
Section 57-16-7.1 - Sales and service incentives; audit.
Section 57-16-8 - Unreasonable restrictions; site control agreements; exclusive use agreements.
Section 57-16-9 - Franchise renewal; termination; anticipatory termination.
Section 57-16-9.1 - Succession to motorcycle dealership.
Section 57-16-9.2 - Motor vehicle dealers; termination of franchise; return of inventory.
Section 57-16-10 - Refunds; discounts.
Section 57-16-11 - Injunction.
Section 57-16-12 - Venue of suits; relief.
Section 57-16-13 - Right of action; damages.
Section 57-16-14 - Limitations on suits.