Data Protection

• Prevents unauthorized access, sharing or selling of dealership data from a dealer’s DMS.
• Prohibits third parties from limiting a dealership’s ability to protect, store or use its data.
• Allows data integrators to access data on a dealership’s DMS for specific services with the dealer’s consent, provided they comply with industry standards for secure data integration.
• Allows dealers to back up data and implement redundant systems for business continuity in case of security breaches.

Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates

• Requires manufacturers to compensate franchise dealers when dealers assist customers with OTA updates covered under factory warranty.
• Requires manufacturers to disclose to dealers each accessory or function of a new vehicle that may be initiated, updated, changed or maintained through OTA updates, along with the associated costs to the consumer. This information can be provided digitally or on the manufacturer’s website.

Allocation

• Requires a manufacturer’s allocation process to be “fair, equitable and non-discriminatory” to its line-make dealers in Georgia.
• Requires manufacturers to disclose how allocation decisions were made when requested by dealers.

Showrooms/Galleries

• Clarifies that a dealer license is required to conduct the following activities: selling, leasing, offering to sell or lease, negotiating terms, accepting deposits, processing reservations, or accepting or negotiating trade-ins — displaying a vehicle only, or disclosing the MSRP, would not.

Legislative Findings

• Updates the Legislative Findings portion of the franchise law to highlight additional benefits of the franchise dealer system to consumers, such as: inter-brand and intra-brand competition, recall repairs, support and maintenance after the sale, protecting against monopolies and providing stable employment for Georgia citizens.