News

WisDOT announces a new voluntary, no-cost, 4-hour program dealer training program, designed for dealer owners and representatives interested in expanding their knowledge of dealer business practices.

WATDA has issued an important bulletin to its members regarding WisDOT DMV Warning Letters being issued to over 200 Wisconsin motor vehicle dealers.

Wisconsin motor vehicle dealers should be sure to review the most recent issue of the Wisconsin DOT Plain Dealing bulletin for important policy and administrative information published by the Division of Motor Vehicles Dealer, Dealer & Agent Section, including such topics as changes to service fee calculations, advertising compliance, and Canadian import vehicle disclosures.

Attorney Eric Baker recently published an article in the National Association of Dealer Counsel, Defender: Importing U.S. Domestic Autos Sold in Canada into the U.S.: Yes, that’s a thing! The article explains federal regulation of importing and reselling used import vehicles in the U.S., which has dramatically increased in recent years.

In the wake of the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision striking down Wisconsin’s Safer at Home Emergency Order, numerous counties and municipalities in Wisconsin have issued orders maintaining all or portions of the public health restrictions that were in place in Wisconsin.

This afternoon, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided 4-3 that Wisconsin’s extended Safer at Home Order issued by Governor Tony Evers’ Department of Human Services is “unlawful, invalid, and unenforceable.” State and local authorities and businesses will be sorting through next steps in reopening local economies and communities at-large.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”), has issued a Special Release of its Plain Dealing e-bulletin focused on “E-signature requirements for vehicle sales transactions.” The e-bulletin is a good refresher on existing law and policy during a time when electronic transaction activity has increased, dramatically.

Wisconsin’s latest Interim Order permits nonessential retail stores to offer in-person shopping for up to five customers at a time, as long as such businesses have an entrance from the outside.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has ordered suspension of vehicle repossession activities for the duration of the Governor’s Disaster Proclamation.

Minnesota Stay at Home Order permits auto sales that are necessary to allow for essential travel, when conducted by appointment.” Auto parts supply and repair services are permitted, as are ag and construction dealer operations. The Order goes into effect Friday night, March 27, and remains in effect until Friday, April 10, at 5 p.m.

The Wisconsin Safer at Home Order issued this morning expressly exempts auto service, repairs, and sales, as “Essential Businesses” that are “encouraged” to remain open during the ongoing public health emergency. All non-essential business and operations in Wisconsin must cease, and except as exempted by the Emergency Order, all individuals in Wisconsin are ordered to stay at home or their place of residence. The Order takes effect on March 25 and continues until April 24 unless a superseding order is issued.

Illinois stay at home order exempts dealership repair services, and appointment-only car sales. Showrooms are to remain closed.

Both federal and Wisconsin income tax payment and return dates are extended to July 15, 2020.

Wisconsin Governor Evers issues Updated Emergency Order Prohibiting Mass Gatherings of 10 People or More, expressly exempting “[a]utomobile service, repairs, and sale facilities.” The Order also continues to exempt other retail establishments where people “are not generally within arm’s length of one another for more than 10 minutes.

BREAKING NEWS! NADA announced today that the U.S. Department of Defense is withdrawing the portion of its December 2017 Interpretive Rule that effectively prevented dealers from providing GAP Waivers available to service members.

VIDEO: Check out my video on five steps you should consider taking if your business is threatened with a Lawsuit or you receive a summons and complaint that has been filed against your business.

VIDEO: Check out my new launch video for Wisconsin Dealer Law: a law practice focused on the unique legal needs of dealerships and other local independent businesses.

Always seek competent licensed legal counsel in addressing a lawsuit that has been filed against an entity. The attempt to save a few dollars by not consulting legal counsel can lead to bigger headaches down the road.