§ 10 §1174-A — Limitations on establishing or relocating dealerships

No new motor vehicle dealership may be established and no existing motor vehicle dealership may be relocated, except as follows.
1.
Notification.
In the event that a manufacturer seeks to enter into a franchise establishing an additional new motor vehicle dealership or relocating an existing new motor vehicle dealership, within or into a relevant market area where the same line make is then represented, the manufacturer shall, in writing, first notify each new motor vehicle dealer in the line make in the relevant market area of the intention to establish an additional dealership or to relocate an existing dealership within or into that market area. The relevant market area shall be a radius of 5 miles around an existing dealership in the following cities: Augusta; Auburn; Bangor; Biddeford; Brewer; Falmouth; Lewiston; Portland; Saco; South Portland; Waterville; and Westbrook. The relevant market area shall be a radius of 10 miles around all other existing dealerships.
2.
Good cause.
In determining whether good cause has been established for not entering into or relocating an additional franchise for the same line make, the court shall take into consideration the existing circumstances, including, but not limited to:

Legislative History

PL 1981, c. 331, §7 (NEW).