A “converter” is a person, other than a vehicle manufacturer, who, prior to the retail sale of a new vehicle, does any of the following to the vehicle:
(a) Assembles, installs, or affixes a body, cab, or special equipment to the vehicle chassis.
(b) Substantially adds to, subtracts from, or modifies the vehicle, if it is a previously assembled or manufactured new vehicle.
(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 211, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1996.)