Automotive

Our Group

The automotive industry has been going through rapid changes, with continuous new challenges and opportunities. Miller Thomson’s Automotive Group consists of lawyers who have the in-depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to serve our clients in a range of business areas, and to help them prevail over the industry’s diverse challenges.

Our Clients

We represent Canadian and foreign lenders, dealers, vehicle and original equipment manufacturers, including auto acceptance companies, vehicle leasing companies and receivers and lenders involved in enforcing the financing and leasing of vehicles.

Our Expertise

We have extensive experience servicing the automotive industry, including:

• Services for lenders: Representing banks, auto acceptance companies and other lenders in every aspect of wholesale and retail financing, providing counsel on Personal Property Security Act issues, collection work, trailer and vehicle seizure, repair and lien matters, acting for leasing companies, enforcing securities on vehicle collateral and defending lessors and lenders in motor vehicle accident claims and instances of fraud.
• Services for dealers: Advising domestic, European and Japanese car dealerships, dealer associations and other vendors on all aspects of motor vehicle dealer regulation and day-to-day operations; assisting automobile dealerships with negotiating dealer agreements, advising on financing, floor planning, real estate construction and financing; representing dealerships in acquisitions, sales, financings and registrations under the Motor Vehicle Dealers statutes and with other provincial regulations and registrations; providing dealership insurers with coverage advice and registering trade-marks; and preparing franchise disclosure documents and advising automotive rental franchisors on franchise matters.
• Services for Manufacturers: Assisting in the equipping of factories, importing, exporting and in all aspects of day-to-day operations; advising on environmental compliance in the manufacturing process; drafting contracts for daily rental and fleet customers, and assisting with recoveries; assisting with auction house arrangements; training and supervising management in employee relations in both union and union-free environments; counseling automotive industry management on the negotiation, interpretation and administration of collective agreements; appearing before arbitration and labour relations boards, as well as other administrative tribunals resolving employer-employee disputes; settling unfair labour practice disputes and supporting employers during union organizing campaigns and strikes.