Opinion ID: 2053909
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Factors indicating Legislative Intent.

Text: Even if the words of the statute were not explicit, an examination of the factors listed in 1 Pa.C.S.A. § 1921(c) would still reveal the General Assembly intended a three prong test. Prior to 1984, when the present statute took effect, new vehicles were defined as: [m]otor vehicles which have never been registered or titled in Pennsylvania or any other state and on which a tax for education . . . has not been paid prior to such sale. 63 Pa.S.A. § 805(2)(xvi) (repealed January 1, 1984), quoted in D & B Auto Sales v. Commonwealth, Dept. of State, 29 Pa.Commw. 113, 116, 370 A.2d 428, 430 (1977). This statute established a two prong test defining a new vehicle as one: 1) that has never been registered or titled in Pennsylvania or any other state which imposes a sales tax; and 2) on which the sales tax has not been paid prior to sale to a consumer. Id. 29 Pa.Commw. at 118-9, 370 A.2d at 431. Effective January 1, 1984, the definition of a new vehicle was amended to its present form. The only difference is that a new vehicle must now be a new vehicle and not just a motor vehicle. A change in the language of a statute ordinarily indicates a change in legislative intent. Masland v. Bachman, 473 Pa. 280, 289, 374 A.2d 517, 521-2 (1977). See also 1 Pa.C.S.A. § 1921(c)(5) (intention of the General Assembly may be ascertained by considering . . . the former law). If the General Assembly did not wish to require a new vehicle to be new, it would not have added new to the definition. The additional requirement that a new vehicle be in fact a new vehicle and not just a vehicle or any vehicle exhibits a legislative intent to narrow the previous two prong definition. The majority's two prong test ignores this clear manifestation of legislative intent. Prior to the statute's amendment, courts applied the two prong test. D & B, 29 Pa. Commw. at 118-9, 370 A.2d at 430. Now, after the General Assembly specifically amended the statute to require that a new vehicle must also be new, the Majority applies the very same two prong test, oblivious to the addition of the newness requirement. Rather than confront the statute's clear and unambiguous language or the obvious implications of the 1984 definitional change, the Majority resorts to tenuous policy considerations of potential consequences. Before addressing the policy considerations on which the Majority relies, I would point out that these policy arguments focus on the implications of the Commonwealth Court's decision itself, rather than on the legal analysis employed to reach that decision. In this dissent, I agree with the Commonwealth Court's conclusion that the Board committed an error of law by applying a two prong test. I believe the General Assembly intended a three prong test. However, I do not necessarily agree with the Commonwealth Court's application of the three prong test and its conclusion that these are not new vehicles. [3] The Commonwealth Court applied Webster's definition of new and concluded that the vehicles were in fact not new vehicles. The vehicles at issue are 1988 Yugos. Alpha Auto Sales acquired these vehicles in November and December of 1988. While under Webster's definition, one might argue these vehicles had existed or had been made but a short time and therefore were new, I reiterate that I dissent from the Majority's complete disregard of the newness requirement itself, and not necessarily from the Majority's reversal of the Commonwealth Court decision and reinstatement of the Board's order. Although the Majority focuses on the consequences of the Commonwealth Court's decision and fails to reach the central issue of the proper legal analysis, I shall still address their policy arguments. The Majority adopts the Board's contentions that the Commonwealth Court decision would open the door for a new `grey market.' Majority Op. at 358. The grey market, which the Majority argues might lead to the potential importation of vehicles that do not meet U.S. environmental and safety requirements, does not pose any problem. There is nothing illegal about the grey market. Grey market automobiles are already legally imported into this country. Procedures exist by which the importer of a noncomplying vehicle must post a bond with the Customs Service in an amount at least equal to the value of the vehicle to secure the completion of the required modifications. 19 C.F.R. §§ 12.73 and 12.80. When the importer has successfully modified the vehicle and demonstrated compliance with applicable safety and auto emission standards, the bonds are released. Direct Automobile Imports Ass'n, Inc. v. Townsley, 804 F.2d 1408, 1409 (5th Cir.1986). Because the bond amount must at least equal the value of the imported vehicle, therefore tying up significant capital, it effectively acts as a barrier to the number of imported grey market vehicles. Affirming the Commonwealth Court decision would not increase grey market imports. The Majority claims a vehicle would be classified as used because it passed from one dealer's inventory to another. Majority Op. at 155. This is simply untrue. The vehicles here passed from the inventory of a new car dealer to that of a used car dealer. They were sold and the warranties began to run. More occurred than just a mere shifting of inventory. The Majority also contends that the Commonwealth Court's decision would create uncertainty as to the quality of trademarked goods, eliminate warranty protection to the consumer, and cause purchasers of this type of vehicle to lose the protection of Pennsylvania's Automobile Lemon Law. Majority Op. 155. However, the Commonwealth Court concluded that these are used vehicles. The warranties began to run. The Automobile Lemon Law does not apply to used vehicles and used car dealers. Furthermore, lack of warranty protection and uncertainty as to quality always exist when purchasing a used car.