Payment of fair market value of dealer goodwill upon request and termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of franchise.
RCW 46.96.035
in effect(1) In the event of a termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal under this chapter, except for a termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal under RCW 46.96.070 (2), or a voluntary termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal initiated by the dealer, the manufacturer shall, at the request and option of the new motor vehicle dealer, also pay to the new motor vehicle dealer the fair market value of the motor vehicle dealer's goodwill for the make or line as of the date immediately preceding any communication to the public or dealer regarding termination. To the extent the franchise agreement provides for the payment or reimbursement to the new motor vehicle dealer in excess of the value specified in this section, the provisions of the franchise agreement control. (2) The manufacturer shall pay the new motor vehicle dealer the value specified in subsection (1) of this section within ninety days after the date of termination.
(1) In the event of a termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal under this chapter, except for a termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal under RCW 46.96.070 (2), or a voluntary termination, cancellation, or nonrenewal initiated by the dealer, the manufacturer shall, at the request and option of the new motor vehicle dealer, also pay to the new motor vehicle dealer the fair market value of the motor vehicle dealer's goodwill for the make or line as of the date immediately preceding any communication to the public or dealer regarding termination. To the extent the franchise agreement provides for the payment or reimbursement to the new motor vehicle dealer in excess of the value specified in this section, the provisions of the franchise agreement control.
(2) The manufacturer shall pay the new motor vehicle dealer the value specified in subsection (1) of this section within ninety days after the date of termination.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.96&full=trueFetched: 6/29/2026