{ "id": 8522541, "name": "GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, PONTIAC MOTOR DIVISION AND OLDSMOBILE DIVISION v. SAMUEL LEE KINLAW d/b/a KNOX OLDS-PONTIAC: R. W. WILKINS, JR., In his official capacity as Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles; and ROBERT A. PRUETT, In his official capacity as Hearing Officer for the Division of Motor Vehicles", "name_abbreviation": "General Motors Corp. v. Kinlaw", "decision_date": "1985-12-31", "docket_number": "No. 8510SC217", "first_page": "521", "last_page": "531", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "78 N.C. App. 521" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "250 S.E. 2d 250", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "296 N.C. 357", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8566069 ], "year": 1979, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/296/0357-01" ] }, { "cite": "243 S.E. 2d 793", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "803" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "36 N.C. App. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8550833 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "15" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/36/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "30 Clev. St. L. Rev. 523", "category": "journals:journal", "reporter": "Clev. St. L. Rev.", "year": 1981, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "547" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "266 S.E. 2d 645", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "654-55" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "300 N.C. 267", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8561043 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "280" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/300/0267-01" ] }, { "cite": "192 S.E. 2d 57", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "58-59" }, { "page": "58" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "16 N.C. App. 381", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8551061 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1972, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "384" }, { "page": "384" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/16/0381-01" ] }, { "cite": "118 S.E. 2d 792", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1961, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "796" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "254 N.C. 168", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8624863 ], "year": 1961, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "173" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/254/0168-01" ] }, { "cite": "270 S.E. 2d 492", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "495" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "49 N.C. App. 46", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8519324 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "51-52" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/49/0046-01" ] }, { "cite": "239 S.E. 2d 566", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "570", "parenthetical": "\"In interpreting statutes, the primary duty of this Court is to ascertain and effectuate the intent of the Legislature. [LJight may be shed upon [that] intent ... by reference to subsequent amendments which . . . may be interpreted as clarifying it.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "293 N.C. 688", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8566967 ], "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "695", "parenthetical": "\"In interpreting statutes, the primary duty of this Court is to ascertain and effectuate the intent of the Legislature. [LJight may be shed upon [that] intent ... by reference to subsequent amendments which . . . may be interpreted as clarifying it.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/293/0688-01" ] }, { "cite": "162 S.E. 2d 481", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1968, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "483", "parenthetical": "\"In construing a statute with reference to an amendment it is presumed that the legislature intended either (a) to change the substance of the original act, or (b) to clarify the meaning of it.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "274 N.C. 256", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8559737 ], "year": 1968, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "260", "parenthetical": "\"In construing a statute with reference to an amendment it is presumed that the legislature intended either (a) to change the substance of the original act, or (b) to clarify the meaning of it.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/274/0256-01" ] }, { "cite": "253 S.E. 2d 912", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "922" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "297 N.C. 48", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8566826 ], "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "65" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/297/0048-01" ] }, { "cite": "233 S.E. 2d 538", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "541" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "292 N.C. 406", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8569880 ], "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "410" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/292/0406-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 958, "char_count": 23905, "ocr_confidence": 0.818, "pagerank": { "raw": 3.3528982050939626e-07, "percentile": 0.8748334362350855 }, "sha256": "71c6877df38fbb0ae073efa0d338cf125caefa80a8fba354145f5d110c755b59", "simhash": "1:948a3c32937b663f", "word_count": 3630 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:39:04.225821+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges EAGLES and COZORT concur." ], "parties": [ "GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, PONTIAC MOTOR DIVISION AND OLDSMOBILE DIVISION v. SAMUEL LEE KINLAW d/b/a KNOX OLDS-PONTIAC: R. W. WILKINS, JR., In his official capacity as Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles; and ROBERT A. PRUETT, In his official capacity as Hearing Officer for the Division of Motor Vehicles" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "WHICHARD, Judge.\nPetitioner contends the evidence is not sufficient to support the Commissioner\u2019s finding that the failure to renew the franchise agreements was without \u201cgood cause.\u201d Review of a decision by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles is governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. 150A-51. See N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-300. An agency decision may be reversed or modified if it is \u201c[unsupported by substantial evidence ... in view of the entire record as submitted.\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. 150A-5K5). This standard of review is known as the \u201cwhole record\u201d test. Thompson v. Board of Education, 292 N.C. 406, 410, 233 S.E. 2d 538, 541 (1977). When, in applying this test, reasonable but conflicting views emerge from the evidence, this Court cannot replace the agency\u2019s judgment with its own. It must, however, \u201ctake into account whatever in the record fairly detracts from the weight\u201d of the evidence which supports the decision. Id. Ultimately it must determine whether the decision has a rational basis in the evidence. In re Rogers, 297 N.C. 48, 65, 253 S.E. 2d 912, 922 (1979).\nRespondent instituted this proceeding 14 April 1983 by filing a petition pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305 (1978), which provides:\nIt shall be unlawful for any manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, or distributor branch, or any field representative, officer, agent, or any representative whatsoever of any of them:\n(6) Notwithstanding the terms of any franchise agreement to terminate, cancel, or refuse to renew the franchise of any dealer, without good cause, and unless (i) the dealer and the Commissioner have received written notice of the franchisor\u2019s intentions at least 60 days prior to the effective date of such termination, cancellation, or the expiration date of the franchise, setting forth the specific grounds for such action, and (ii) the Commissioner has determined, if requested in writing by the dealer within such 60-day period, and after a hearing on the matter, that there is good cause for the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of the franchise . . . provided that in any case where a petition is made to the Commissioner for a determination as to good cause for the termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of a franchise, the franchise in question shall continue in effect pending the Commissioner\u2019s decision ....\nEffective 6 August 1983, N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) was amended. 1983 Sess. Laws ch. 704, sec. 25. Rather than substantively changing the statute, many portions of the amendments merely clarified the original intent. See N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) (1978); N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) (1983). See also Childers v. Parker\u2019s Inc., 274 N.C. 256, 260, 162 S.E. 2d 481, 483 (1968) (\u201cIn construing a statute with reference to an amendment it is presumed that the legislature intended either (a) to change the substance of the original act, or (b) to clarify the meaning of it.\u201d). Much of N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) (1978) has not been judicially interpreted and, although the statute as amended does not affect litigation pending at the time of its enactment, 1983 Sess. Laws ch. 704, sec. 25, portions of the amendments are helpful in ascertaining the intent of the legislature in enacting the original version. See Investors, Inc. v. Berry, 293 N.C. 688, 695, 239 S.E. 2d 566, 570 (1977) (\u201cIn interpreting statutes, the primary duty of this Court is to ascertain and effectuate the intent of the Legislature. [LJight may be shed upon [that] intent ... by reference to subsequent amendments which . . . may be interpreted as clarifying it.\u201d).\nN.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) (1983) reads, in pertinent part,\na. Notwithstanding the terms, provisions or conditions of any franchise or the terms or provisions of any waiver, good cause shall exist for the purposes of a termination, cancellation or nonrenewal when:\n1. There is a failure by the new motor vehicle dealer to comply with a provision of the franchise which provision is both reasonable and of material significance to the franchise relationship ....\n2. If the failure by the new motor vehicle dealer, defined in 1 above, relates to the performance of the new motor vehicle dealer in sales or service, then good cause shall be defined as the failure of the new motor vehicle dealer to comply with reasonable performance criteria established by the manufacturer if the new motor vehicle dealer was apprised by the manufacturer in writing of such failure; and . . . the new motor vehicle dealer\u2019s failure was not primarily due to economic or market factors within the dealer\u2019s relevant market area which were beyond the dealer\u2019s control.\nb. The manufacturer shall have the burden of proof under this section.\nWe find the above provisions indicative of legislative intent in the original enactment of N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) (1978), and we therefore consider them in analyzing the Commissioner\u2019s decision. Thus, to prove that poor sales performance constitutes good cause for its failure to renew respondent\u2019s franchise agreements, petitioner must demonstrate that:\n1. Respondent failed to comply with a provision of the franchise agreements which required satisfactory sales performance;\n2. Petitioner\u2019s performance standards are reasonable; and\n3. Respondent\u2019s failure was not due primarily to economic or market factors beyond his control.\nThe \u201cDealer Sales and Service Agreement,\u201d which outlines the rights and obligations of petitioner and respondent, provides that respondent \u201cis responsible for: (a) actively and effectively selling . . . new Motor Vehicles to customers of Dealer; and (b) actively and effectively promoting, through Dealer\u2019s own advertising and sales promotion activities, the purchase and use of new Motor Vehicles . . . .\u201d Thus, nothing else appearing, respondent\u2019s poor sales performance could constitute good cause for petitioner\u2019s nonrenewal.\nHaving reviewed the record as a whole, however, we find substantial evidence to support the Commissioner\u2019s determination that petitioner\u2019s failure to renew the agreements was without cause. The Commissioner found that during the period in question respondent\u2019s sales performance was affected by high interest rates, rising unemployment, and a general economic recession. Respondent testified that as a result of rising interest rates the cost of maintaining a large inventory rose dramatically. The manager of the sales finance department for Wachovia Bank testified that his department\u2019s financing of automobiles, automobile dealers, and automobile agencies dropped off by as much as forty percent during 1980, 1981 and 1982. A salesman for Knox Olds-Pontiac testified that during the same period other dealerships in the area significantly reduced their inventories. The director of Industrial and Agricultural Development for Robeson County testified regarding the county\u2019s generally high unemployment rate and various industrial layoffs and shut-downs, all of which could have affected the demand for new automobiles. According to respondent, to remain in business under these economic conditions he had to reduce inventory, cut back on sales staff, and in general \u201cpull back and hold in . . . .\u201d\nIn addition, the Commissioner determined that petitioner\u2019s distribution system was partially responsible for respondent\u2019s poor sales performance. Respondent testified that Robeson County is generally an agricultural community; as a result, consumers tend to purchase cars in the fall after having received money for their crops. During the months of August, September and October petitioner distributes its new model cars according to a \u201ccontrolled distribution\u201d system. The number of cars a dealer receives is based on the number sold by that dealer from January through July. Thus, respondent was unable to stock cars in periods of high demand.\nPetitioner maintains that its evidence refutes the proposition that respondent\u2019s sales performance was the result of poor economic conditions. Petitioner\u2019s evidence establishes that from 1979-82 respondent\u2019s sales were below national, regional, and local sales figures, while the sales of two nearby Oldsmobile/Pontiac dealerships, affected by economic conditions similar to those affecting respondent\u2019s dealership, were above the same sales standards. In addition petitioner\u2019s evidence established that during all relevant periods more Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs were purchased in respondent\u2019s area of primary responsibility than were sold by respondents. Thus, according to petitioner, respondent was not fully servicing the demand for Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs within his area of primary responsibility.\nPetitioner assesses the performance of its dealerships by comparing an individual dealer\u2019s market penetration with national, regional and local levels of market penetration. A dealership\u2019s market penetration is determined by dividing the number of cars it sold by the total number of cars sold in its area of primary responsibility. Petitioner\u2019s national, regional, and local market penetrations are comparisons between the number of all cars sold in a given market and the number of Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs sold in the same market.\nThroughout its dealings with respondent, petitioner maintained that respondent had to achieve a market penetration in its area of primary responsibility equal to national and regional (North and South Carolina) levels. These levels do not necessarily reflect economic conditions affecting an individual dealership. Further, a dealership\u2019s performance relative to other dealerships cannot adequately be assessed based on national, regional, and local penetration levels alone. For example, in 1981 Oldsmobile\u2019s national market penetration was 9.9, i.e., approximately ten out of every one hundred cars sold nationwide in 1981 were Oldsmo-biles. While Oldsmobile\u2019s national penetration was 9.9, the market penetration achieved by individual dealerships varied. Petitioner did not present any evidence regarding the number of dealerships below national or regional penetration levels. Assuming an even distribution, in any given year one-half of all petitioner\u2019s dealers have market penetration below national and regional levels. Petitioner failed to identify any acceptable level below national and regional levels. The Commissioner thus could find petitioner\u2019s standards unreasonable. Petitioner\u2019s method of assessing sales performance could enable it to terminate half its franchise agreements. Accordingly, the success of two nearby dealerships in achieving national and regional levels of market penetration, while respondent did not, is not dispositive.\nPetitioner asserts that, rather than poor economic conditions, respondent\u2019s attitude toward not having received a standard five-year dealership agreement accounted for the dealership\u2019s poor sales performance. It points to respondent\u2019s testimony:\nWell, then I got a letter notifying me that they were going to extend it for another year, and I called Gary and I told him, I said, Gary, I said, this is not what we discussed. I said, you promised me that you were either going to terminate me on May 31st of \u201982 or you were going to give me my normal Five-Year Sales Agreement. I explained to Gary, I said, if you\u2019ll go ahead and do this we can get the show on the road, hut just another year\u2019s extension is going to he doing it the same way. In other words, we\u2019re going to pull hack and hold in ... .\nRespondent repeatedly insisted that he was entitled to a five-year franchise agreement and maintained that if given a five-year agreement he would implement petitioner\u2019s requests that he stock more cars, hire more salespersons, and launch a new advertising program. It is clear from respondent\u2019s testimony, however, that given the extant economic conditions he did not consider petitioner\u2019s requests prudent. He was thus willing to take the risks involved in financially extending himself in a recessionary period only if he had the protection from termination he believed a five-year contract would afford. While in view of N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) respondent was perhaps mistaken in believing a five-year contract would provide greater protection from termination than his two-year agreements, the Commissioner nonetheless could find that he was not required to implement measures he reasonably considered improvident under the circumstances.\nPetitioner contends the Commissioner was influenced by arbitrary and capricious factors. An agency decision infected by consideration of arbitrary and capricious matters which substantially affect a party\u2019s rights violates N.C. Gen. Stat. 150A-51(6) and cannot be affirmed. A&T University v. Kimber, 49 N.C. App. 46, 51-52, 270 S.E. 2d 492, 495 (1980).\nThe Commissioner made numerous findings of fact regarding the sales performance of Knox Olds-Pontiac during the period 1976-79. Petitioner maintains that these findings are not relevant to a determination of whether good cause for terminating respondent\u2019s franchise existed, since respondent did not enter into the franchise agreements until June and November of 1980. However, petitioner presented testimony which established that a dealer\u2019s supply of new cars is based on sales made by that dealership in the preceding year. Thus, the Commissioner could examine the number of cars ordered by, delivered to, and sold by Knox Olds-Pontiac prior to respondent\u2019s franchise agreement to determine the extent to which respondent\u2019s poor sales performance was a function of factors beyond respondent\u2019s control.\nIn addition petitioner maintains the Commissioner\u2019s determination is infected by his unsupported findings that petitioner \u201cinsisted\u201d and \u201cdemanded\u201d that respondent take certain steps to improve sales performance. Petitioner admits that its agents repeatedly \u201crecommended\u201d that respondent increase inventory, employ more salespersons, and launch a new advertising program. Petitioner\u2019s Charlotte zone manager testified that respondent\u2019s failure to implement the above recommendations was a primary factor in the decision to terminate respondent\u2019s franchise agreements. We find that the Commissioner\u2019s choice of words to state his findings is supported by substantial evidence in the record.\nPetitioner also objects to the Commissioner\u2019s finding that it \u201cbegan planning to terminate the Knox Olds-Pontiac dealership as early as February 1981.\u201d The finding, however, is supported by substantial evidence. By letter dated 12 February 1981 the following information was circulated among petitioner\u2019s management personnel:\nThe Interim Selling Agreement for the above dealer [respondent] expires on May 31, 1982. It is important that we maintain a record of routine contacts with Sam Kinlaw showing that we have covered the sales and registration requirements for Oldsmobile with him.\nWe should also recite any agreement or lack of agreement which he would or would not cooperate with. Of course, include in your report his agreement or refusal to order adequate cars for his market.\nIn addition, a salesman for respondent testified that early in 1981 petitioner\u2019s district manager told him petitioner was trying to find someone to take over the dealership.\nFor the foregoing reasons, we hold the superior court\u2019s af-firmance of the Commissioner\u2019s order proper insofar as that order found petitioner to have failed to renew respondent\u2019s franchise agreements without cause and directed that the agreements not be terminated.\nPetitioner next contends the Commissioner exceeded his authority in ordering it to enter \u201ca regular five (5) year motor vehicle dealer sales agreement\u201d with respondent. We agree. The Commissioner has \u201conly such authority as is properly conferred upon [him] by the Legislature.\u201d Insurance Co. v. Gold, Commissioner of Insurance, 254 N.C. 168, 173, 118 S.E. 2d 792, 796 (1961); Insurance Co. v. Lanier, Comr. of Insurance, 16 N.C. App. 381, 384, 192 S.E. 2d 57, 58-59 (1972). In addition to the powers expressly vested in an agency by statute, those powers reasonably necessary for the agency to function properly are implied from the legislature\u2019s general grant of authority. In re Community Association, 300 N.C. 267, 280, 266 S.E. 2d 645, 654-55 (1980); Insurance Co., 16 N.C. App. at 384, 192 S.E. 2d at 58.\nNeither N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-301 (1978), which delineates the powers of the Commissioner, nor N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) (1978), pursuant to which this proceeding was initiated, expressly vests the Commissioner with the power to order parties to enter into a contract. Further, the proper functioning of the Department of Motor Vehicles under Article 12 of the General Statutes, \u201cMotor Vehicle Dealers and Manufacturers Licensing Law,\u201d does not require that the Commissioner hold such power. N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) requires the Commissioner, upon a dealer\u2019s request, to determine whether there is \u201cgood cause\u201d for a franchisor\u2019s nonre-newal of a dealership agreement. Once the Commissioner determines that good cause does not exist, the franchisor\u2019s attempts to terminate relations with the dealership are in violation of Article 12 and the Commissioner may seek to enjoin the franchisor\u2019s actions by initiating a proceeding pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-301(d). Thus, the franchise continues in effect until termination for good cause is effected pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) (1983) or until both parties consent to cancellation. The statutory prohibition on franchise termination except for cause remains intact. See Note, Adjusting the Equities in Franchise Termination: A Sui Generis Approach, 30 Clev. St. L. Rev. 523, 547 (1981). It is not necessary that the Commissioner have the power to order parties to enter into contracts to enable the agency to function properly.\nA similar result was reached in Mazda Motors v. Southwestern Motors, 36 N.C. App. 1, 15, 243 S.E. 2d 793, 803 (1978), modified in part on other grounds, 296 N.C. 357, 250 S.E. 2d 250 (1979). There this Court found that the notice requirements for termination pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) had not been met. As a result the franchise agreement was held to remain in effect until notice was perfected.\nIn ordering the parties to enter a five-year contract the Commissioner exceeded the authority vested in him by the General Assembly. Accordingly, the superior court should have vacated that portion of the Commissioner\u2019s order. The franchise agreements continue in effect until petitioner makes a proper termination pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) (1983) or until the parties mutually agree to terminate. Petitioner may again seek to terminate the agreements by complying with the notice provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) (1983).\nThe order of the superior court, except for its affirmance of those portions of the Commissioner\u2019s order requiring petitioner to enter \u201ca regular five (5) year motor vehicle dealer sales agreement\u201d with respondent, is affirmed. Insofar as the order affirms the portions of the Commissioner\u2019s order requiring petitioner to enter \u201ca regular five (5) year motor vehicle dealer sales agreement\u201d with respondent, it is reversed, and the cause is remanded with instructions to modify the order by vacating those portions.\nAffirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded.\nJudges EAGLES and COZORT concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "WHICHARD, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Poyner, Geraghty, Hartsfield & Townsend, by Cecil W. Harrison, Jr., for petitioner appellant.", "Manning, Fulton & Skinner, by Howard E. Manning and Charles E. Nichols, Jr., for respondent appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, PONTIAC MOTOR DIVISION AND OLDSMOBILE DIVISION v. SAMUEL LEE KINLAW d/b/a KNOX OLDS-PONTIAC: R. W. WILKINS, JR., In his official capacity as Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles; and ROBERT A. PRUETT, In his official capacity as Hearing Officer for the Division of Motor Vehicles\nNo. 8510SC217\n(Filed 31 December 1985)\n1. Statutes \u00a7 5\u2014 later statute clarifying earlier statute \u2014earlier statute controlling\nProvisions of G.S. 20-305(6) (1983) did not substantively change G.S. 20-305(6) (1978), but merely clarified the original intent, and provisions of the later statute could therefore be considered in determining whether petitioner properly failed to renew its franchise agreement with respondent, though the earlier statute controlled.\n2. Automobiles 8 5\u2014 franchise agreement \u2014 poor sales due to uncontrollable factors\nEvidence was sufficient to support a determination by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles that respondent\u2019s poor sales performance was primarily due to economic or market factors beyond his control and petitioner\u2019s failure to renew its franchise agreements with respondent dealership was therefore without cause where the evidence tended to show that, as a result of rising interest rates, the cost of maintaining a large inventory rose dramatically; one local bank\u2019s financing of automobiles, automobile dealers, and automobile agencies dropped off by as much as 40% during the years in question; during the same period, other dealerships in the area significantly reduced their inventories; the county had a high unemployment rate and there were various layoffs and shut-downs; and petitioner\u2019s distribution system was partially responsible for respondent\u2019s poor sales performance because the system made it impossible for respondent to stock cars in periods of high demand.\n3. Automobiles \u00a7 5\u2014 franchise \u20145 year term \u2014 improper exercise of authority by Commissioner of Motor Vehicles\nThe Commissioner of Motor Vehicles exceeded his authority in ordering petitioner to enter into a five year motor vehicle dealer sales agreement with respondent. G.S. 20-305(6) (1978).\nAPPEAL by petitioner from Preston, Judge. Order entered 20 November 1984 in Superior Court, WAKE County. Heard in the Court of Appeals 25 September 1985.\nBy agreements dated 1 June 1980 and 1 November 1980 petitioner granted respondent Samuel Kinlaw (respondent) a two-year franchise for the sale and service of Oldsmobile and Pontiac vehi-c\u00edes. The agreements allowed respondent to operate Knox Olds-Pontiac, a dealership previously operated by his father.\nRespondent entered the two-year agreements reluctantly. Having managed the dealership for several years prior to his father\u2019s death, he believed he had proven himself capable of operating it successfully and that he thus should have been allowed to enter a standard five-year franchise agreement.\nIn March 1982 petitioner notified respondent that, due to his dealership\u2019s poor sales performance, it was not willing to enter a standard five-year agreement at the expiration of the two-year successor agreements, but instead would extend existing agreements for an additional year. Respondent\u2019s sales performance did not improve, however, and as a consequence petitioner notified respondent that existing agreements would not be renewed and by their terms would expire 31 May 1983.\nPursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-305(6) (1978), respondent requested that the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles conduct a hearing to determine whether good cause existed for petitioner\u2019s failure to renew the franchise agreements. Attributing respondent\u2019s poor sales performance to prevailing economic' conditions and other factors beyond respondent\u2019s control, the Commissioner found petitioner\u2019s failure to renew to be without cause. Accordingly he ordered, in pertinent part,\nthat the Oldsmobile Division and the Pontiac Division of The General Motors Corporation shall not terminate the present motor vehicle dealer sales agreement (franchise) with Samuel L. Kinlaw d/b/a Knox Olds-Pontiac [and]\nthat the Oldsmobile Division and the Pontiac Division of General Motors shall enter into a regular five (5) year motor vehicle dealer sales agreement with Samuel L. Kinlaw d/b/a Knox Olds-Pontiac.\nPursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. 150A-43 et seq., petitioner sought judicial review of the Commissioner\u2019s findings and order. From an order of the superior court affirming the Commissioner\u2019s order, petitioner appeals.\nPoyner, Geraghty, Hartsfield & Townsend, by Cecil W. Harrison, Jr., for petitioner appellant.\nManning, Fulton & Skinner, by Howard E. Manning and Charles E. Nichols, Jr., for respondent appellee." }, "file_name": "0521-01", "first_page_order": 553, "last_page_order": 563 }