1928 - 2020
- 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, partspersons, 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.
- Prevented Credit Unions form Selling Cars & Trucks (Upholding Existing Law)
- 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.
MORE BIG ACHIEVEMENTS
- REMOVED the 12% usury cap law on financing.
- 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)
WHAT ELSE, WATDA?
- We build good PR.
- We provide value through representation to the legislature.
- We work through the courts to help dealers.
- We educate your employees.
- We monitor endorsed vendors.
- We are an answer place for the hard questions you have.
- We coordinate with NADA on national issues.
- We are a great investment!