Ford Motor Co. v. Courtesy Motors, Inc.

In this appeal, we decide whether the disqualification of one member of a six-member advisory board to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles nullifies the statutorily required recommendations of the remaining individual board members.

In February 1984, Ford Motor Company (Ford), a motor vehicle manufacturer subject to the provisions of the Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Licensing Act, Code §§ 46.1-515 to -550.5, 1 decided to grant a franchise for a Ford dealership in Lexington, Virginia. Because Lexington is about six miles from Buena Vista and is in the same market area, Ford gave Courtesy…