(A) Notwithstanding another provision of law, off-site displays of automobiles or trucks are prohibited except as provided in this section. A licensed South Carolina automobile dealer or dealer of trucks may display not more than ten automobiles or trucks per licensed dealership off-site only at nonselling temporary events lasting no more than ten days hosted by a South Carolina based: charitable organization as defined in the South Carolina Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act for fundraising purposes; school fundraising event; church fundraising event; town fair, town festival; or any other similar festival or event.
(B) Used automobile or truck dealers may display used automobiles or trucks off-site as provided in this section in the county in which their dealership is located.
(C) Displays may be conducted only by South Carolina licensed dealers. Any automobile or truck displayed must be owned by the dealer. Any person or automobile or truck dealer who violates these provisions is subject to a five hundred dollar fine.
(D) Off-site displays are for display purposes only. Sales or attempts to sell as defined in Section 56-15-10(L), or both, are not permitted off-site. An automobile or truck dealer who sells or attempts to affect the off-site sale of any automobile or truck is in violation of this section and is subject to a two thousand dollar fine. An agent of an automobile or truck dealer who sells or attempts to affect the off-site sale of an automobile or truck is subject to a five hundred dollar fine.
(E) A motor vehicle manufacturer cannot require a franchised automobile or truck dealer to display automobiles or trucks off-site.
(F) Nothing in this section shall prohibit an automobile or truck dealer from participating in one nonselling statewide motor vehicle show in South Carolina per year, or a manufacturer, individual automobile owner or truck owner from displaying their vehicles.
(G) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a licensed dealer from providing vehicles for demonstration or test driving purposes specified in Section 56-3-2320.
(H) The department of Motor Vehicles shall enforce the provisions contained in this section.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 181, Section 1, eff May 25, 2012.