1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

2. (b)

   1. (1) “Distributor” means a distributor who is authorized by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's authorized importer to enter into franchise agreements with dealers of:

      1. (i) New motor vehicles constructed or assembled outside of the United States; or
      2. (ii) New two-stage vehicles completed outside of the United States by a second-stage manufacturer.
   2. (2) “Distributor” does not include an autonomous vehicle converter as defined in § 15-901 of this title.

3. (c)

   1. (1) “Factory branch” means a branch office of a manufacturer from which the manufacturer:

      1. (i) Sells or promotes the sale to dealers in this State of a particular brand or make of new motor vehicles, or new completed two-stage vehicles;
      2. (ii) Directs and supervises its representatives in this State; or
      3. (iii) Supervises or contacts its dealers or prospective dealers in this State.
   2. (2) “Factory branch” does not include an autonomous vehicle converter as defined in § 15-901 of this title.
4. (d) “License” means a manufacturer's, distributor's, or factory branch's license issued by the Administration under this subtitle.

5. (e)

   1. (1) “Manufacturer” means:

      1. (i) A manufacturer of new motor vehicles constructed or assembled in the United States;
      2. (ii) A second-stage manufacturer of new two-stage vehicles completed in the United States; and
      3. (iii) In the case of trucks, a person engaged in the business of manufacturing truck component parts.
   2. (2) “Manufacturer” does not include an autonomous vehicle converter as defined in § 15-901 of this title.
6. (f) “Second-stage manufacturer” has the meaning stated in § 13-113.2 of this article.

Added by Acts 1977, c. 14, § 2, eff. July 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1979, c. 299; Acts 1986, c. 448; Acts 1993, c. 310; Acts 1995, c. 629, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1995; Acts 1996, c. 583, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; Acts 2023, c. 500, § 1. eff. July 1, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 501, § 1, eff. July 1, 2023.

Formerly Art. 66 ½, §§ 1-125.1, 3-113.1A, 3-113.3, 5-702.