Wisconsin Supreme Court sides with Wausau dealership in dispute with Volvo Trucks

Wis. high court sides with dealer in Volvo dispute

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court has sided with a truck dealership in a dispute with a major manufacturer of semitrailers.

The court on Thursday upheld an administrative law judge’s decision that Volvo Trucks unfairly canceled a franchise agreement with the Wausau Truck Center in central Wisconsin.

The dealership had sold Volvo trucks since 1988, but moved to sell the franchise, stop marketing the vehicles, and promote a rival’s trucks in 2001. The following year, the dealership changed its mind and began marketing Volvo again.

Volvo moved to terminate their relationship in 2004, saying the dealer violated their contract by failing to promote its products. An administrative law judge ruled the termination was unjustified because the dealership had fixed the breach, a decision all seven justices backed.