Senate adopts bill to treat manufacturers' affiliates as manufacturers, limiting affiliate retail sales

The Colorado Senate on March 14 approved Senate Bill 160, which amends state motor vehicle franchise law to include manufacturersaffiliates in the statutory definition of "manufacturer" and to bar affiliates from operating dealerships in competition with their franchise dealers. Sponsors of the bill included Senator Sarah Snyder and Senator Sarah Judah.

Why it matters: supporters said the change preserves protections for local franchise dealers, who they said collectively employ roughly 44,000 Coloradans, while preserving a pathway for manufacturers that do not operate franchise networks to sell directly. Opponents warned the bill could have unintended consequences for future independent electric-vehicle entrants and for powersports lines and urged caution about restricting direct-to-consumer options.

Bill details and floor action: Senate Bill 160 (sponsor list: Sen. Sarah Snyder, Sen. Sarah Judah; House co-sponsors: Representatives Hammock and Morrow) makes three targeted changes to Colorados motor vehicle franchise framework reported on the floor: it (1) defines who counts as an…