Committee approves limit on how many new‑model vehicles a single dealer can receive

Summary

PCS for HB 989 would prevent manufacturers from allocating more than one‑third of a new model line's Florida sales to any single dealer or commonly‑controlled dealer group after Jan. 1, 2026; sponsor said the change protects dealer networks and competition and the subcommittee reported it favorably.

Representative Yeager introduced PCS for HB 989, which would require that when an automobile manufacturer introduces a new model or make after Jan. 1, 2026, and sells more than 1,000 of those vehicles in Florida, it may not allocate more than one‑third of that in‑state inventory to any single dealer or commonly controlled dealer group.

The sponsor said the intent is to prevent manufacturers from concentrating distribution in a way that undermines competition, harms the dealer network and limits consumer choice. Members asked whether manufacturers are already creating dealer entities to skirt rules, whether the language would appear in contracts, and what fiscal impacts the measure might have; the sponsor said the practice is not widespread today but the law is designed to create guardrails.

Proponents from the Florida Automotive Dealers Association waived in support. After discussion the subcommittee reported the bill favorably.