Conclusions This matter came before the Department for entry of a Final Order upon submission of an Order Closing File by Errol H. Powell, Administrative Law Judge of the Division of Administrative Hearings, a copy of which is attached and incorporated by reference in this order. The Department finds that the proposed establishment of Spitzer Autoworld Homestead, Inc. was duly noticed in accordance with section 320.642, Florida Statutes, a single protest was filed to that establishment and the matter referred to the Division of Administrative Hearings, and the protest has been withdrawn with prejudice by the protestant. The Department, therefore, hereby adopts the Order Closing File as its Final Order in this matter. Accordingly, it is ORDERED and ADJUDGED that the establishment of Spitzer Autoworld Homestead, Inc. as a new motor vehicle dealer for the sale and service of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge cars and trucks at 30101 South Dixie Highway, Homestead (Miami Dade County), Florida 33030, be and Filed September 21, 2011 8:24 AM Division of Administrative Hearings is hereby approved. Having been issued license number VF-1030719, Spitzer Autoworld Homestead, Inc. is authorized to operate as a new motor vehicle dealer at 30101 South Dixie Highway, Homestead (Miami Dade County), Florida 33030. DONE AND ORDERED this ac’ day of September, 2011, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. /, Sandra C. Lambert, Director “Division of Motorist Services Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building, Room A435, MS 80 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Motorist Services this S20"? day of September, 2011. Nalini Vinayak, Dealer a Administrator NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS Judicial review of this order may be had pursuant to section 120.68, Florida Statutes, in the District Court of Appeal for the First District, State of Florida, or in any other district court of appeal of this state in an appellate district where a party resides. In order to initiate such review, one copy of the notice of appeal must be filed with the Department and the other copy of the notice of appeal, together with the filing fee, must be filed with the court within 30 days of the filing date of this order as set out above, pursuant to Rules of Appellate Procedure. SCL:vlg Copies furnished: Kenneth L. Paretti, Esquire Adams, Quinton and Paretti, P. A. 80 Southwest 8" Street, Suite 2150 Miami, Florida 33130 Jerald Freshman, Esquire Freshman & Freshman LLC 9155 South Dadeland Boulevard, Suite 1014 Miami, Florida 33156 Dean Bunch, Esquire C. Everett Boyd, Jr., Esquire Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP 3600 Maclay Boulevard South, Suite 202 Tallahassee, Florida 32312 Errol H. Powell Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Nalini Vinayak Dealer License Section
The Issue The issue is whether Petitioners are entitled to a motor vehicle dealership that is proposed to be located in Winter Park, Florida.
Findings Of Fact Respondent is an existing franchised dealer of motorcycles manufactured by Zongshen Industrial Group (ZONG). Petitioners have proposed the establishment of a new dealership to sell the same line and make of motorcycles as those sold by Respondent. Respondent's dealership is located at 306 West Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32712. Petitioners' proposed dealership would be located at 2650 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32789. The proposed dealership is within a 12.5-mile radius of Respondent's dealership. Respondent has standing to protest the establishment of the proposed dealership.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: That the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles enter a final order denying the establishment of Petitioners' proposed franchise. DONE AND ENTERED this 29th day of May, 2009, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S LAWRENCE P. STEVENSON Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings 29th day of May, 2009. COPIES FURNISHED: Carl A. Ford, Director Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkland Building, Room B-439 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500 Robin Lotane, General Counsel Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500 Michael James Alderman, Esquire Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building, Room A-432 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32344 James Sursely Action Orlando Motorsports 306 West Main Street Apopka, Florida 32712 Patricia Fornes Zongshen, Inc. 3511 Northwest 113th Court Miami, Florida 33178 Randy Lozanas Scooter City USA, LLC 2650 West Fairbanks Avenue Winter Park, Florida 32789
The Issue The issue in the case is whether an application for a new point franchise motor vehicle dealership filed by El Sol Trading, Inc., and Eco-Green Machine, LLC (Petitioners), should be approved.
Findings Of Fact There was no evidence presented at the hearing to establish that the Respondent has a franchise agreement to sell or service ZLMI motor vehicles, the line-make to be sold by Eco-Green Machine, LLC. There was no evidence presented at the hearing that the Respondent's dealership is physically located so as to meet the statutory requirements for standing to protest the establishment of the new point franchise motor vehicle dealership.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department enter a final order dismissing the protest filed in this case by Finish Line Scooters, LLC, and granting the Petitioners' request to establish a new point franchise motor vehicle dealership for the sale of ZLMI motorcycles. DONE AND ENTERED this 9th day of March, 2010, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S WILLIAM F. QUATTLEBAUM Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 9th day of March, 2010. COPIES FURNISHED: Patcharee Clark ECO Green Machine, LLC, d/b/a ECO Green Machine 7000 Park Boulevard, Suite A Pinellas Park, Florida 33781 John V. Leonard Finish Line Scooters, LLC 6600 Gulf Boulevard St. Pete Beach, Florida 33706 Jennifer Clark Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building, Room A-308 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0635 Gloria Ma El Sol Trading, Inc., d/b/a Motobravo, Inc. 19877 Quiroz Court City of Industry, California 91789 Carl A. Ford, Director Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building, Room B-439 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500 Robin Lotane, General Counsel Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500
Conclusions This matter came before the Department for entry of a Final Order upon submission of an Order Closing File by Elizabeth W. McArthur, an Administrative Law Judge of the Division of Administrative Hearings, a copy of which is attached and incorporated by reference in this order. The Department hereby adopts the Order Closing File as its Final Order in this matter. Said Order Closing File was predicated upon Respondent’s Notice of Dismissal of Protest with Prejudice, filed January 28, 2011. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED and ADJUDGED that Petitioner, Semoran Auto Acquisitions, Inc. d/b/a Orlando Kia East, be permitted to relocate its dealership for the sale of automobiles manufactured by Kia Motors America, Inc. (KIA) at 8623 and 8701 East Colonial Drive, Orlando (Orange County), Florida 32817, upon compliance with all applicable requirements of Section 320.27, Florida Statutes, and all applicable Department rules. Filed February 8, 2011 2:17 PM Division of Administrative Hearings DONE AND ORDERED this Z day of February, 2011, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. Sandra C. Lambert, Interim Director Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Motor Vehicles this 7 day of February, 2011. wh Vinayak, Dealer a Administrator " NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS Judicial review of this order may be had pursuant to section 120.68, Florida Statutes, in the District Court of Appeal for the First District, State of Florida, or in any other district court of appeal of this state in an appellate district where a party resides. In order to initiate such review, one copy of the notice of appeal must be filed with the Department and the other copy of the notice of appeal, together with the filing fee, must be filed with the court within thirty days of the filing date of this order as set out above, pursuant to Rules of Appellate Procedure. SCL:vlg Copies furnished: J. Andrew Bertron, Esquire Nelson Muilins Riley & Scarborough, LLP 3600 Maclay Boulevard South, Suite 202 Tallahassee, Florida 32312 Mark L. Ornstein, Esquire Killgore, Pearlman, Stamp, Omstein & Squires, P.A. Post Office Box 1913 Orlando, Florida 32801 Joseph Rossi Semoran Auto Acquisitions, Inc. 12343 Preserve 3 Pt Drive Winter Park, Florida 32789 Elizabeth W. McArthur Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 Nalini Vinayak Dealer License Section
The Issue The issue in the case is whether an application for a new point franchise motor vehicle dealership filed by El Sol Trading, Inc., and Finish Line Scooters, LLC (Petitioners), should be approved.
Findings Of Fact There was no evidence presented at the hearing to establish that the Respondent has a franchise agreement to sell or service CHUA motor vehicles, the line-make to be sold by Finish Line Scooters, LLC. There was no evidence presented at the hearing that the Respondent's dealership is physically located so as to meet the statutory requirements for standing to protest the establishment of the new point franchise motor vehicle dealership.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department enter a final order dismissing the protest filed in this case by Scooter Elite, LLC, and granting the Petitioners' request to establish a new point franchise motor vehicle dealership for the sale of CHUA motorcycles. DONE AND ENTERED this 9th day of March, 2010, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S WILLIAM F. QUATTLEBAUM Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 9th day of March, 2010. COPIES FURNISHED: Jennifer Clark Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building, Room A-308 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0635 Gloria Ma El Sol Trading, Inc., d/b/a Motobravo, Inc. 19877 Quiroz Court City of Industry, California 91789 Kirit Kana Scooter Elite, LLC 7204 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, Florida 33707 John V. Leonard Finish Line Scooters, LLC 6600 Gulf Boulevard St. Pete Beach, Florida 33706 Carl A. Ford, Director Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building, Room B-439 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500 Robin Lotane, General Counsel Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500
The Issue The issue in the case is whether an application for a new point franchise motor vehicle dealership filed by El Sol Trading, Inc., and Fishers Auction Services, Inc., d/b/a Fisher Auto Equipment Sales (Petitioners), should be approved.
Findings Of Fact There was no evidence presented at the hearing to establish that Respondent has a franchise agreement to sell or service SHEN motor vehicles, the line-make to be sold by Cycles and More, Inc. There was no evidence presented at the hearing that Respondent's dealership is physically located so as to meet the statutory requirements for standing to protest the establishment of the new point franchise motor vehicle dealership.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Department enter a final order dismissing the protest filed in this case by Cycles and More, Inc., and granting Petitioners' request to establish a new point franchise motor vehicle dealership for the sale of SHEN motorcycles. DONE AND ENTERED this 7th day of July, 2010, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S JAMES H. PETERSON, III Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 7th day of July, 2010. COPIES FURNISHED: Gloria Ma El Sol Trading, Inc., d/b/a Motobravo, Inc. 19877 Quiroz Court City of Industry, California 91789 Raymond L. Fisher Fishers Auction Services, Inc., d/b/a Fisher Auto Equipment Sales 119 Dixwood Avenue Edgewood, Florida 32132 Jeanne Ciriello Cycles & More, Inc. 5797 South Ridgewood Avenue Port Orange, Florida 32127 Carl A. Ford, Director Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building, Room B-439 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500 Robin Lotane, General Counsel Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500
Findings Of Fact The Petitioner, Tony Meehan's Auto Repair, Inc., is a Florida corporation doing business as Burnie's Auto Service. Essentially, it is the family business of a man and woman who are husband and wife, Anthony and Cheryl Meehan. Before moving to Florida to begin doing business as Burnie's Auto Service, the Meehans lived in New Jersey. In New Jersey, Anthony Meehan worked as an auto mechanic for approximately 15 years. He is an ASE-certified master mechanic and also holds several other auto mechanic and repair competency certifications. Prior to leaving New Jersey, he was half owner of a small auto repair business. He and his partner did all of the work in the two-bay shop. Over the years, he built up a $15,000 equity in the business. In addition, he had an auto repair manual worth about $30, which he planned to contribute to the new business, and he had his own personal tool box worth about $10,000 to $15,000, which he planned to use in connection with the operation of the business. Cheryl Meehan was not in the auto repair business in New Jersey. She worked for several different employers in an office administrator capacity. In her most responsible position, she essentially reported to a business executive daily and received daily assignments. During her employment, the company grew. Cheryl was exposed to, and gained valuable experience, in several areas of bookkeeping, accounting, banking, finance and personnel matters. Burnie's Auto Service was a relatively large ongoing auto repair business in Tampa, Florida. It had five employees and 14 work bays. In approximately September, 1989, the Meehans negotiated to buy the business for $275,000, $50,000 down and the balance amortized over a period of years at ten percent interest. The seller took back a purchase money mortgage on the business property to secure payment of the balance. Both of the Meehans are liable, jointly and severally, on the note and mortgage to the seller. The Meehans used the $15,000 Tony got for the sale of his interest in his New Jersey auto repair business as part of the down payment. In addition, they used a certificate of deposit in the amount of approximately $30,000. The CD had been obtained by use of funds that had been paid to Cheryl before their marriage as a result of a personal injury lawsuit. It is not clear whether the CD was held solely in Cheryl's name or in the names of both of the Meehans. In addition, $10,000 from the sale of Cheryl's automobile also went towards the purchase of the business. It was not clear from the evidence whether the automobile was titled in the name of Cheryl only, or in the name of both of the Meehans. Nor is it clear whether the automobile was purchased by Cheryl before the marriage. The purchase of the business was to close in November, 1989, but the closing was postponed to January, 1990. The Meehans incorporated Tony Meehan's Auto Repair, Inc., as a Florida corporation on or about December 20, 1989. The Meehans were named as the sole members of the initial board of directors of the corporation. The Meehans moved to Tampa on Christmas day, 1989. The initial meeting of the board of directors of Tony Meehan's Auto Repair, Inc., was held on December 28, 1989. At the meeting, the Meehans were confirmed as the sole members of the board of directors. Tony was named chairman of the board, and Cheryl was named secretary. 500 shares of stock were issued, all to "Anthony R. Meehan and Cheryl A. Meehan, husband and wife." In addition, Tony was made president of the corporation, and Cheryl was made secretary/treasurer. When the Meehans took over the business, they decided to keep the shop foreman, master mechanic and two auto mechanics already employed there. They decided to use suppliers Tony had used when he was in business in New Jersey. They decided to contract out towing and transmission service to companies in Land O' Lakes, Florida. These were joint decisions based in large part on Tony's expertise. Cheryl has practically no training or experience in auto mechanics or auto repairs. She has no auto mechanic certifications. She has only recently begun to learn something about auto mechanics and about how to do certain auto repairs. Hiring and firing continued to be joint decisions made by the two of them. To the extent that they were made based on an evaluation of the employee's skills in auto mechanics, they were based in large part on Tony's expertise. Since the beginning of the business, they have had to fire one employee, and they have hired two. Tony's primary role in the daily operations of the business is to generally supervise the quality and efficiency of the auto repair work. He also sometimes diagnoses (or helps diagnose) mechanical problems, directs (or helps direct) the performance of repairs, and test drives vehicles after repairs are done. In connection with these functions, he sometimes orders (or directs the ordering of) parts. Sometimes, he will estimate repair costs. Cheryl is the office administrator for the business. In this role, she handles all bookkeeping, accounting, banking, payroll and personnel matter details. She often bills jobs and operates the business cash register. She physically places orders for parts, at the direction of Tony or the employees, and pays for them. She generally will not countermand a parts order but may ask her husband or, if he is not there, the master mechanic to verify an order if she questions it. She makes sure parts get billed. As she became more familiar with the auto repair business, she began to estimate some jobs by reference to standard estimates manuals and was able to say which parts would have to be ordered for some jobs. The corporation opened a business bank account with a local bank. Both Cheryl and Tony have signature authority on the account. Cheryl writes virtually all checks on the account and does all the banking. Tony only writes a check on the account on the rare occasions when Cheryl is not available when one has to be written. Initially, the Meehans decided that Tony would be paid approximately $700 a week and that Cheryl would be paid approximately $300 to $350 a week. Tony did not have as much Social Security credit as Cheryl from their work in New Jersey, and they wanted to try to equalize their credits. Otherwise, as a practical matter, the relative size of their salaries did not matter to the Meehans. Cheryl deposited both checks into their joint personal bank account for the use of both of them, as needed. The business pays for a $200,000 whole life insurance policy on the life of Cheryl, and one on the life of Tony. It is not clear from the evidence who are the beneficiaries under those policies. The business also pays for a $2 million major medical insurance policy for Cheryl, and one for Tony. As the business continued, Cheryl assumed increasing duties and responsibilities, and Tony assumed fewer. Cheryl worked harder, and Tony worked less. Also, Cheryl's mother persuaded Cheryl that she should have a greater share of the equity in the business to reflect her greater initial financial contribution. Tony agreed. In January, 1991, additional stock in the company was issued. 135 shares went to Cheryl and 65 went to Tony. No changes were made in the constitution of the board of directors or in the officers of the corporation at that time. Tony Meehan's Auto Repair, Inc., d/b/a Burnie's Auto Service, applied to the Department 3/ for certification as a minority business enterprise on or about May 13, 1992. By letter dated September 16, 1992, the Department denied the application. The denial was based, in part, on the Department's determinations (1) that Cheryl's compensation was not commensurate with her ownership interest in the business and (2) that minorities (i.e., Cheryl) did not make up more than 50 percent of the board of directors. In reaction to the denial letter, and to improve their company's chances of being certified as a minority business enterprise, the Meehans decided to alter their respective salaries. Starting no earlier than December, 1992, Cheryl has been paid $725 a week, and Tony has been paid $450 a week. As before, as a practical matter, except for the Social Security credit, the relative size of their salaries does not matter to the Meehans. Cheryl deposits both checks into their joint personal bank account for the use of both of them, as needed. Also in reaction to the denial letter, and to improve their company's chances of being certified as a minority business enterprise, the Meehans met as the board of directors on or about March 18, 1993, to change the constitution of the board of directors and to change the officers of the corporation. They made Cheryl the chairman and sole member of the board of directors, and the president of the corporation. They made Tony the vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is recommended that the Department of Management Services enter a final order denying the application of Tony Meehan's Auto Repair, Inc., d/b/a Burnie's Auto Service, for certification as a minority business enterprise. RECOMMENDED this 13th day of May, 1993, in Tallahassee, Florida. J. LAWRENCE JOHNSTON Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 13th day of May, 1993.
The Issue The issue is whether Petitioners are entitled to a motor vehicle dealership that is proposed to be located in Apopka, Florida.
Findings Of Fact Respondent is an existing franchised dealer of motorcycles manufactured by Chuanl Motorcycle Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (CHUA). Petitioners have proposed the establishment of a new dealership to sell the same line and make of motorcycles as those sold by Respondent. Respondent's dealership is located at 306 West Main Street, Apopka, Florida 32712. Petitioners' proposed dealership would be located at 1918 South Orange Blossom Trail, Apopka, Florida 32703. The proposed dealership is within a 12.5-mile radius of Respondent's dealership. Respondent has standing to protest the establishment of the proposed dealership.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: That the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles enter a final order denying the establishment of Petitioners' proposed franchise. DONE AND ENTERED this 29th day of May, 2009, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S LAWRENCE P. STEVENSON Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 29th day of May, 2009. COPIES FURNISHED: Carl A. Ford, Director Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkland Building, Room B-439 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500 Robin Lotane, General Counsel Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0500 Jennifer Clark Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Neil Kirkman Building, Room A-432 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32344 James Sursely Action Orlando Motorsports 306 West Main Street Apopka, Florida 32712 Gloria Ma El Sol Trading, Inc., d/b/a Motobravo, Inc. 19877 Quiroz Court City of Industry, California 91789 Tina Wilson TGT Companies, Inc., d/b/a Extreme Motor Sales 1918 South Orange Blossom Trail Apopka, Florida 32703
The Issue Whether Florida Administrative Code Rule 15C-7.005 is a invalid exercise of legislatively delegated authority in violation of Section 120.52(8), Florida Statutes.
Findings Of Fact The Department is an agency of the State of Florida. The Department adopted Florida Administrative Code Rule 15C- 17.005, which became effective March 3, 1996. The Rule has not been amended since its initial adoption. JM Lexus and Lexus of Orlando are both licensed franchised motor vehicle dealers in the State of Florida. Lexus of Orlando has filed a complaint in the Ninth Circuit Court, Orange County, Florida, alleging, that JM Lexus violated Rule 15C-7.005 in connection with the alleged sale for resale of new Lexus vehicles to non-Lexus dealerships. FADA and SFADA are trade associations whose members are licensed motor vehicle dealers in the State of Florida and are substantially affected by the rule. Florida Administrative Code Rule 15C-7.005 provides the following: 15C-7.005 Unauthorized Additional Motor Vehicle Dealerships - Unauthorized Supplemental Dealership Locations. An additional motor vehicle dealership, as contemplated by Sections 320.27(5) and 320.642, Florida Statutes, shall be deemed to be established when motor vehicles are regularly and repeatedly sold at a specific location in the State of Florida for retail purposes if the motor vehicle dealer transacting such sales: Is not located in this state, or Is not a licensed motor vehicle franchised for the specific line-make, or Is a licensed motor vehicle dealer franchised for such line-make, but such sales are transacted at a location other than that permitted by the license issued to the dealer by the Department. Such sales are not subject to this rule, however, when a motor vehicle dealer occasionally and temporarily (not to exceed seven days) sells motor vehicles from a location other than the motor vehicle dealer's licensed location provided such sales occur within the motor vehicle dealer's area of sales responsibility (except a motor vehicle dealer who may be deemed a licensee under this rule). For the purpose of this rule, a sale for retail purposes is the first sale of the motor vehicle to a retail customer for private use, or the first sale of the motor vehicle for commercial use, such as leasing, if such commercial motor vehicle is not resold for a period of at least ninety days. Furthermore, this rule shall apply regardless of whether the titles issued, either in this or another state, pursuant to such sales are designated as "new" or "used." An additional motor vehicle dealership established in this fashion is unlawful and in violation of Section 230.642, Florida Statutes. A licensed motor vehicle dealer of the same line-make, as the vehicle being sold in violation of this rule, may notify the Department of such violation. The notice shall include motor vehicle identification numbers or other data sufficient to identify the identity of the selling dealer and initial retail purchaser of the motor vehicles involved. Within 30 days from receipt of a request from the Department containing motor vehicle identification numbers or other data sufficient to identify the motor vehicles involved, the licensee shall provide to the Department, to the extent such information is maintained by the licensee, copies of documents showing the dealer to whom each vehicle was originally delivered, any inter- dealer transfer and the initial retail purchaser as reported to the licensee. Upon a showing of good cause, the Department may grant the licensee additional time to provide the information requested under this paragraph. Examples of good cause include, but are not limited to, request for information on more than 100 vehicles, information on vehicle sales which accrued more than 2 years prior to the date of the request, and information which is no longer maintained in the licensee's current electronic data base. Within forty days of receipt of notice from the motor vehicle dealer, the Department shall make a determination of probable cause and if it determines that there is probable cause that a violation of this rule has occurred, the Department shall mail, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the line-maker motor vehicle dealership or dealerships involved a letter containing substantially the following statement: Pursuant to Rule 15C-7.005, F.A.C., the undersigned has received a notice that you have allegedly supplied a substantial number of vehicles on a regular and repeated basis, which were sold at a location in the State of Florida, at which you are not franchised or licensed to sell motor vehicles. If these allegations are true, your conduct may violate Florida law including, but not limited to, the above-mentioned rule, Sections 320.61 and 320.642, Florida Statutes. It may also cause you to be deemed a licensee, importer and/or distributor pursuant to Florida law and subject you to disciplinary action by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, including fines and/or suspension of your Florida Dealer license, if applicable. The Division of Motor Vehicles is putting you on notice, if you are conducting such activity, that you cease and desist such activity immediately. If you fail to do so, this agency will take appropriate action. If the dealer supplying vehicles in violation of subsections (1) and (4) is not located in the State of Florida, the Department shall notify such dealer in writing that they may be operating as a distributor of motor vehicles without proper authorization in violation of Section 320.61, Florida Statutes, and may be violating Section 320.642, Florida Statutes. A motor vehicle dealer, whether located in Florida or not, which supplies a substantial number of vehicles on a regular and repeated basis which are sold in the manner set forth in subsection (1), shall be deemed to have established a supplemental location in violation of Section 320.27(5), Florida Statutes, and Rule 15C-7.005, F.A.C. Furthermore, a motor vehicle dealer which supplies vehicles in this manner shall be deemed to have conducted business within the State of Florida and acted as a "licensee," "importer" and "distributor" as contemplated by Section 320.60, Florida Statutes, and thus such activity shall constitute a violation of Sections 320.61 and 320.642, Florida Statutes. Furthermore, this paragraph neither imposes any liability on a licensee nor creates a cause of action by any person against the licensee, except a motor vehicle dealer who may be deemed to have acted as a licensee under this paragraph. Furthermore, no provision of this entire rule creates a private cause of action by any person against a licensee, other than a dealer who is deemed a licensee pursuant to the provisions of subsection (4) of this rule, for civil damages; provided, however, if a licensee fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (3)(a) of this rule, the Department may bring an action for injunctive relief to require a licensee to provide the information required. No other action can be brought against the licensee pursuant to this entire rule other than a dealer who is deemed to be a licensee pursuant to the provisions of subsection (4) of this rule. Any franchised motor vehicle dealer who can demonstrate that a violation of, or failure to comply with, the provisions of subsection (4) of this rule by a motor vehicle dealer, or a motor vehicle dealer which pursuant to subsection (4) shall be deemed to have conducted business and acted as a licensee, importer, and distributor, has adversely affected or caused pecuniary loss to that franchised motor vehicle dealer, shall be entitled to pursue all remedies against such dealers, including, but not limited to the remedies, procedures, and rights of recovery available under Sections 320.695 and 320.697, Florida Statutes. Rule 15C-7.005 identifies as specific authority Section 320.011, Florida Statutes. Section 320.011 states: The department shall administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter and has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement them. The Rule lists as "Law Implemented" Sections 320.27 and Sections 320.60-.70, Florida Statutes. Sections 320.60 through 320.70, Florida Statutes, are commonly referred to as the Motor Dealers Act. Section 320.27(1)(c), Florida Statutes, provides the following definitions for a motor vehicle dealer and a franchised motor vehicle dealer: (c) "Motor vehicle dealer" means any person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or dealing in motor vehicles or offering or displaying motor vehicles for sale at wholesale or retail, or who may service and repair motor vehicles pursuant to an agreement as defined in s. 320.60(1). Any person who buys, sells, or deals in three or more motor vehicles in any 12-month period or who offers or displays for sale three or more motor vehicles in any 12-month period shall be prima facie presumed to be engaged in such business. The terms "selling" and "sale" include lease-purchase transactions. . . The transfer of a motor vehicle by a dealer not meeting these qualifications shall be titled as a used vehicle. The classifications of motor vehicle dealers are defined as follows: 1. "Franchised motor vehicle dealer" means any person who engages in the business of repairing, servicing, buying, selling, or dealing in motor vehicles pursuant to an agreement as defined in s. 320.60(1). Subsection 320.27(2), Florida Statutes, requires motor vehicle dealers to be licensed. Subsection (5) of this same provision requires that "any person licensed hereunder shall obtain a supplemental license for each permanent additional place or places of business not contiguous to the premises for which the original license is issued." Section 320.27(9) authorizes the Department to discipline motor vehicle dealers for a variety of enumerated offenses. Among those enumerated offenses is the willful failure to comply with any administrative rule adopted by the department or the provisions of Section 320.131(8), Florida Statutes. § 320.27(9)(a)16., Fla. Stat. Section 320.60, Florida Statutes, provides definitions for terms used in Sections 320.61 through 320.70, Florida Statutes. Pertinent to this case are the following: "Agreement" or "franchise agreement" means a contract, franchise, new motor vehicle franchise, sales and service agreement, or dealer agreement or any other terminology used to describe the contractual relationship between a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, or importer, and a motor vehicle dealer, pursuant to which the motor vehicle dealer is authorized to transact business pertaining to motor vehicles of a particular line-make. * * * (5) "Distributor" means a person, resident or nonresident, who, in whole or in part, sells or distributes motor vehicles to motor vehicle dealers or who maintains distributor representatives. * * * "Importer" means any person who imports vehicles from a foreign country into the United States or into this state for the purpose of sale or lease. "Licensee" means any person licensed or required to be licensed under s. 320.61. * * * (10) "Motor vehicle" means any new automobile, motorcycle, or truck, including all trucks, regardless of weight . . . the equitable or legal title to which has never been transferred by a manufacturer, distributor, importer, or dealer to an ultimate purchaser; (11)(a) "Motor vehicle dealer" means any person, firm, company, corporation, or other entity, who, Is licensed pursuant to s. 320.27 as a "franchised motor vehicle dealer" and, for commission, money, or other things of value, repairs or services motor vehicles or used motor vehicles pursuant to an agreement as defined in subsection (1), or Who sells, exchanges, buys, leases or rents, or offers, or attempts to negotiate a sale or exchange of any interest in, motor vehicles, or Who is engaged wholly or in part in the business of selling motor vehicles, whether or not such motor vehicles are owned by such person, firm, company, or corporation. * * * (14) "Line-make vehicles" are those motor vehicles which are offered for sale, lease, or distribution under a common name, trademark, service mark, or brand name of the manufacturer of same. Section 320.61, Florida Statutes, requires all manufacturers, factory branches, distributors or importers to be licensed. Section 320.63, Florida Statutes, describes the application process for obtaining licensure for manufacturers, factory branches, distributors or importers. The section authorizes the Department to require certain enumerated information as well as "any other pertinent matter commensurate with the safeguarding of the public interest which the department, by rule, prescribes." § 320.63(7), Fla. Stat. Section 320.64, Florida Statutes, provides in pertinent part: 320.64 Denial, suspension, or revocation of license; grounds.--A license of a licensee under s. 320.61 may be denied, suspended, or revoked within the entire state or at any specific location or locations within the state at which the applicant or licensee engages or proposes to engage in business, upon proof that the section was violated with sufficient frequency to establish a pattern of wrongdoing, and a licensee or applicant shall be liable for claims and remedies provided in ss. 320.695 and 320.697 for any violation of any of the following provisions. A licensee is prohibited from committing the following acts: * * * (3) The applicant or licensee willfully has failed to comply with significant provisions of ss. 320.60-320.70 or with any lawful rule or regulation adopted or promulgated by the department. * * * A motor vehicle dealer who can demonstrate that a violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the preceding provisions by an applicant or licensee will or can adversely and pecuniarily affect the complaining dealer, shall be entitled to pursue all of the remedies, procedures, and rights of recovery available under ss. 320.695 and 320.697. Section 320.642, Florida Statutes, provides the process for a licensee to establish additional motor vehicle dealerships or to relocate existing dealerships to a location where the same line-make vehicle is presently represented by a franchised motor vehicle dealer or dealers. Section 320.642, does not, by its terms, authorize rulemaking. Section 320.69, Florida Statutes, states in its entirety that "the department has the authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this law." Section 320.695, Florida Statutes, which contains no additional grant of rulemaking authority, provides: In addition to the remedies provided in this chapter, and notwithstanding the existence of any adequate remedy at law, the department, or any motor vehicle dealer in the name of the department and state and for the use and benefit of the motor vehicle dealer, is authorized to make application to any circuit court of the state for the grant, upon a hearing and for cause shown, of a temporary or permanent injunction, or both, restraining any person from acting as a licensee under the terms of ss. 320.60-320.70 without being properly licensed hereunder, or from violating or continuing to violate any of the provisions of ss. 320.60-320.70, or from failing or refusing to comply with the requirements of this law or any rule or regulation adopted hereunder. Such injunction shall be issued without bond. A single act in violation of the provisions of ss. 320.60-320.70 shall be sufficient to authorize the issuance of an injunction. However, this statutory remedy shall not be applicable to any motor vehicle dealer after final determination by the department under s. 320.641(3). Section 320.697, Florida Statutes, which also contains no additional grant of rulemaking authority, provides: Civil damages.--Any person who has suffered pecuniary loss or who has been otherwise adversely affected because of a violation by a licensee of ss. 320.60-320.70, notwithstanding the existence of any other remedies under ss. 320.60-320.70, has a cause of action against the licensee for damages and may recover damages therefor in any court of competent jurisdiction in an amount equal to 3 times the pecuniary loss, together with costs and a reasonable attorney's fee to be assessed by the court. Upon a prima facie showing by the person bringing the action that such a violation by the licensee has occurred, the burden of proof shall then be upon the licensee to prove that such violation or unfair practice did not occur.
