Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc., a Michigan Corp., & Donald E. Fray v. Gen. Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683 (6th Cir. 1976). · Go Syfert
Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc., a Michigan Corp., & Donald E. Fray v. Gen. Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683 (6th Cir. 1976). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“in the absence of coercion, intimidation, or threats thereof, there can be no recovery through the day-in-court statute, even if the manufacturer otherwise acted in 'bad faith' as that term is normally used.”
72 citation events (10 in the last 25 years) across 32 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Arthur Glick Truck Sales, Inc. v. Hyundai Motor America (nysd, 2024-08-29)
Treatment trajectory · 1976 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1976 2001 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 38 distinct citers.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Arthur Glick Truck Sales, Inc. v. Hyundai Motor America
S.D.N.Y. · 2024 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
in the absence of coercion, intimidation, or threats thereof, there can be no recovery through the day-in-court statute, even if the manufacturer otherwise acted in 'bad faith' as that term is normally used.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Peterson Motorcars, LLC v. BMW of North America, LLC
W.D. Ky. · 2022 · confidence medium
Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir. 1976)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
cited Cited as authority (rule) TRBR, Inc. d/b/a Superior Buick GMC v. Americredit Financial Services, Inc. d/b/a GM Financial
E.D. Mich. · 2021 · confidence medium
Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir. 1976).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Epps Chevrolet Co. v. Nissan North America, Inc. (4×) also: Cited "see"
E.D. Ky. · 2015 · confidence medium
Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted) (collecting cases); Hall v. Ford Motor Co., 1995 U.S.App.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) George Lussier Enterprises, Inc. v. Subaru of New England, Inc.
1st Cir. · 2004 · confidence medium
We find these cases instructive, and agree with the district court that “coercion” holds the same meaning under both the state dealer acts and the ADD- *48 CA. 13 The Rhode Island Supreme Court has already defined its own state dealer statute as such: “we define coercion as ‘a wrongful demand which will result in sanctions if not complied with.’ ” Dunne Leases Cars & Trucks, Inc. v. Kenworth Truck Co., 466 A.2d 1153, 1160 (R.I.1983)(quoting Marquis v. Chrysler Corp., 577 F.2d 624, 633 (9th Cir.1978) (quoting Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Motorsport Engineering, Inc. v. Maserati, S.P.A.
D. Mass. · 2001 · confidence medium
The cease-and-desist letter at issue here was a demand that fits the typical “either-or” structure of demands sometimes prohibited by the Dealer’s Act, Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976), but it was not a wrongful demand, as FNA had a proper trademark infringement claim to bring against Majestic.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Schaeffer v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
W.D. Tenn. · 1997 · confidence medium
Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 686 (6th Cir.1976); see also Crane, 854 F.2d at 807 (a complaint charging restraint of trade based on a manufacturer’s substitution of one distributorship for another must allege anticompetitive effect at the interbrand level to survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Larry James Oldsmobile-Pontiac-GMC Truck Co. v. General Motors Corp.
N.D. Miss. · 1996 · confidence medium
“Coercion or intimidation must include ‘a wrongful demand which will result in sanctions if not complied with.’ ” Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Pearson v. Ford Motor Co.
N.D. Fla. · 1994 · confidence medium
See also, General GMC, Inc. v. Volvo White Truck Corp., 918 F.2d 306, 308 (1st Cir.1990); Dreiling v. Peugeot Motors of America, Inc., 850 F.2d 1373, 1378 (10th Cir.1988); Empire Volkswagen, Inc. v. World-Wide Volkswagen Corp., 814 F.2d 90, 95 (2nd Cir.1987); Bob Maxfield, Inc. v. American Motors Corp., 637 F.2d 1033, 1038 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 860 , 102 S.Ct. 315 , 70 L.Ed.2d 158 (1981); Autohaus *1512 Brugger, Inc. v. Saab Motors, Inc., 567 F.2d 901, 911 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 436 U.S. 946 , 98 S.Ct. 2848 , 56 L.Ed.2d 787 (1978); Minson Plymouth, Inc. v. Chrysler Motors Corp.…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Crane & Shovel Sales Corporation v. Bucyrus-Erie Co.
6th Cir. · 1988 · confidence medium
In explaining the insufficiency of the complaint, we stated that "[t]here is no allegation or contention that the beer of other breweries was not just as available in that area after the change in distributors as it was before." 318 F.2d at 287 (emphasis supplied). 20 In Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., we upheld the district court's dismissal of an antitrust claim on a summary judgment motion "because the substitution of one distributor ... for another ... does not eliminate or materially diminish the existing competition ... and, in our opinion, is not an unreasonable rest…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Crane & Shovel Sales Corp. v. Bucyrus-Erie Co.
6th Cir. · 1988 · confidence medium
In Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., we upheld the district court’s dismissal of an antitrust claim on a summary judgment motion “because the substitution of one distributor ... for another ... does not eliminate or materially diminish the existing competition ... and, in our opinion, is not an unreasonable restraint of trade.” 536 F.2d 683, 686 (quoting Ace Beer, 318 F.2d at 287 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dreiling v. Peugeot Motors of America, Inc.
10th Cir. · 1988 · confidence medium
"Coercion or intimidation must include 'a wrongful demand which will result in sanctions if not complied with.' " Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976) (quoting Ship & Shore Motors, Inc. v. British Leyland Motors, Inc., 1974-1 Trade Cas.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dreiling v. Peugeot Motors of America, Inc.
10th Cir. · 1988 · confidence medium
“Coercion or intimidation must include ‘a wrongful demand which will result in sanctions if not complied with.’ ” Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976) (quoting Ship & Shore Motors, Inc. v. British Leyland Motors, Inc., 1974-1 Trade Cas.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hubbard Chevrolet Co. v. General Motors Corp.
S.D. Miss. · 1987 · confidence medium
Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Gregoris Motors v. Nissan Motor Corp. in USA
E.D.N.Y · 1986 · confidence medium
Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Wallace Motor Sales, Inc. v. American Motors Sales Corp.
1st Cir. · 1985 · confidence medium
Autohaus Brugger, Inc. v. Saab Motors, Inc., 567 F.2d at 911 ; Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976); Rea v. Ford Motor Co., 497 F.2d at 585 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) ca1 1985
1st Cir. · 1985 · confidence medium
Autohaus Brugger, Inc. v. Saab Motors, Inc., 567 F.2d at 911 ; Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976); Rea v. Ford Motor Co., 497 F.2d at 585 . 23 The trial court aptly summarized this case law in its charge to the jury.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cabriolet Porsche Audi, Inc. v. American Honda Motor Co.
11th Cir. · 1985 · confidence medium
E.g., Bob Maxfield, Inc. v. American Motors Corp., 637 F.2d 1033, 1038 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 860 , 102 S.Ct. 315 , 70 L.Ed.2d 158 (1981); Minson Plymouth, Inc. v. Chrysler Motors Corp., 554 F.2d 1266, 1267 (4th Cir.1977); Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976); Globe Motors, Inc., v. Studebaker-Packard Corp., 328 F.2d 645, 646 (3d Cir.1964).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cabriolet Porsche Audi, Inc. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
11th Cir. · 1985 · confidence medium
E.g., Bob Maxfield, Inc. v. American Motors Corp., 637 F.2d 1033, 1038 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 860 , 102 S.Ct. 315 , 70 L.Ed.2d 158 (1981); Minson Plymouth, Inc. v. Chrysler Motors Corp., 554 F.2d 1266, 1267 (4th Cir.1977); Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976); Globe Motors, Inc., v. Studebaker-Packard Corp., 328 F.2d 645, 646 (3d Cir.1964). 76 Florida Statutes, section 320.64(6) also requires "coercion." That statute, in essence, prohibits motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors and importers from coercing or attempting to coerce mo…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) North Broadway Motors, Inc. v. Fiat Motors of North America, Inc.
N.D. Ill. · 1984 · confidence medium
Blackwell Co. v. Kenworth Truck Co., 620 F.2d 104, 107 (5th Cir.1980); Marquis v. Chrysler Corp., 577 F.2d 624, 633 (9th Cir.1978); Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976); McDaniel v. General Motors Corp., 480 F.Supp. 666, 677 (E.D.N.Y.1979); Cecil Corley Motor Co. v. General Motors Corp., 380 F.Supp. 819, 844 (M.D.Tenn.1974); General Motors Corp. v. Mac Co., 247 F.Supp. 723, 726 (D.Colo.1965) (conduct which results in dealer acting or refraining from acting against its will).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dunne Leases Cars & Trucks, Inc. v. Kenworth Truck Co.
R.I. · 1983 · confidence medium
That subsection provides that it shall be deemed a violation of the chapter: “To coerce or attempt to coerce, any motor vehicle dealer to enter into any agreement with such manufacturer * * * or to do any other act prejudicial to said dealer by threatening to cancel any franchise or any contractual agreement existing between such manufacturer * * * provided, however, that notice in good faith to any * * * dealer of said dealer’s violation of any terms or provisions of such franchise or contractual agreement shall not constitute a violation of this chapter.” For the purposes of our consid…
cited Cited as authority (rule) American Motors Sales Corporation v. James F. Runke
6th Cir. · 1983 · confidence medium
See Kingsport Motors, Inc. v. Chrysler Motors Corp., 644 F.2d 566 (6th Cir.1981); Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685-86 (6th Cir.1976).
cited Cited as authority (rule) American Motors Sales Corp. v. Runke
6th Cir. · 1983 · confidence medium
See Kingsport Motors, Inc. v. Chrysler Motors Corp., 644 F.2d 566 (6th Cir.1981); Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685-86 (6th Cir.1976).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sink v. Ford Motor Co. (2×)
E.D. Mich. · 1982 · confidence medium
Mere arbitrariness or bad faith is not enough, id.; plaintiff must prove “ ‘a wrongful demand which will result in sanctions if not complied with’ ”, Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corporation, 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir. 1976) quoting Ship & Shore Motors, Inc. v. British Leyland Motors, Inc., 74-1 CCH Trade Cases, ¶ 75,102 (D.N.J.1974).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Frank Meador Buick, Inc. v. General Motors Acceptance Corp. (In Re Frank Meador Buick, Inc.)
Bankr. W.D. Va. · 1981 · confidence medium
See Francis Chevrolet Co. v. General Motors Corp., 602 F.2d 227, 229 (8th Cir. 1979); Autohaus Brugger, Inc. v. Saab Motors, Inc., 567 F.2d 901, 911 (9th Cir.), cert. denied 436 U.S. 946 , 98 S.Ct. 2848 , 56 L.Ed.2d 787 (1978); Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir. 1976); Rea v. Ford Motor Co., 497 F.2d 577, 585 (3rd Cir.), cert. denied 419 U.S. 868 , 95 S.Ct. 126 , 42 L.Ed.2d 106 (1974).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Conroy Datsun Ltd. v. Nissan Motor Corp. in U. S. A.
N.D. Ill. · 1980 · confidence medium
Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir. 1976); Spitler Chevrolet, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 1980-1 Trade Cases ¶ 63,225 at 78,101 (E.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Andrew Byars v. Bluff City News Company, Incorporated
6th Cir. · 1980 · confidence medium
Daniels v. All Steel Equipment, Inc., 590 F.2d 111 (5th Cir. 1979) ; Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 686 (6th Cir. 1976); Burdett Sound, Inc. v. Attic Corporation, 515 F.2d 1245 (5th Cir. 1975); Elder-Beerman Stores Corp. v. Federated Dept.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) McDaniel v. General Motors Corp. (2×)
E.D.N.Y · 1979 · confidence medium
Corp. v. General Motors Corp., 597 F.2d 676, 678 (9 Cir. 1979); Oreck Corp. v. Whirlpool Corp., 579 F.2d 126, 133 (2 Cir.) (en banc), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 946 , 99 S.Ct. 340 , 58 L.Ed.2d 338 (1978); Marquis v. Chrysler Corp., 577 F.2d 624, 640 (9 Cir. 1978); Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 686 (6 Cir. 1976); Diehl & Sons, Inc. v. International Harvester Co., supra, 426 F.Supp. at 119 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Francis Chevrolet Company v. General Motors Corporation (2×) also: Cited "see"
8th Cir. · 1979 · confidence medium
Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir. 1976); Frank Chevrolet Co. v. General Motors Corp., 304 F.Supp. 307, 316 (N.D.Ohio 1968), aff’d, 419 F.2d 1054 (6th Cir. 1969).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Kaiser v. Local No. 83
9th Cir. · 1978 · confidence medium
See also Autohaus Brugger, Inc. v. Saab Motors, Inc., 567 F.2d at 910-11 ; Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir. 1976); Randy’s Studebaker Sales, Inc. v. Nissan Motor Corp., 533 F.2d 510, 514-15 (10th Cir. 1976); Overseas Motors, Inc. v. Import Motors Ltd., 519 F.2d 119, 124-25 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 987 , 96 S.Ct. 395 , 46 L.Ed.2d 304 (1975); Salco Corp. v. General Motors Corp., 517 F.2d 567, 571 (10th Cir. 1975); Autowest, Inc. v. Peugeot, Inc., 434 F.2d 556 (2d Cir. 1970); Southern Rambler Sales, Inc. v. American Motors Corp., 375 F.2d…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) ca9 1978
9th Cir. · 1978 · confidence medium
See also Autohaus Brugger, Inc. v. Saab Motors, Inc., 567 F.2d at 910-11 ; Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir. 1976); Randy's Studebaker Sales, Inc. v. Nissan Motor Corp., 533 F.2d 510, 514-15 (10th Cir. 1976); Overseas Motors, Inc. v. Import Motors Ltd., 519 F.2d 119, 124-25 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 987 , 96 S.Ct. 395 , 46 L.Ed.2d 304 (1975); Salco Corp. v. General Motors Corp., 517 F.2d 567, 571 (10th Cir. 1975); Autowest, Inc. v. Peugeot, Inc., 434 F.2d 556 (2d Cir. 1970); Southern Rambler Sales, Inc. v. American Motors Corp., 375 F.2d 9…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Carlo C. Gelardi Corp. v. Miller Brewing Co.
D.N.J. · 1976 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Co. v. Somerset Importers, Ltd., 411 F.Supp. 754, 756 (N.D.Ill. 1976) ; Beaute Craft Supply Co. v. Revlon, Inc., 402 F.Supp. 385, 387-88 (E.D.Mich. 1975); cf. Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 686 (6th Cir. 1976); Morton Bldgs, of Neb., Inc. v. Morton Bldgs., Inc., supra, 531 F.2d at 917; Dreibus v. Wilson, 529 F.2d 170, 172 (9th Cir. 1975); Westinghouse Elec.
cited Cited "see" Lucinda Marterson Hall, Trustee in Possession for William F. Davis and W.F. Davis Motor Company v. Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Credit Company
6th Cir. · 1995 · signal: see · confidence high
See Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir. 1976), a case that still represents the law of this circuit.
discussed Cited "see" Arnold Pontiac-Gmc, Inc. v. General Motors Corporation (2×)
3rd Cir. · 1986 · signal: accord · confidence high
Accord Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 685 (6th Cir.1976); Salco Corp. v. General Motors Corp., 517 F.2d 567, 573 (10th Cir.1975); Berry Brothers Buick, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 257 F.Supp. 542, 546 (E.D.Pa.1966), aff'd, 377 F.2d 552 , 546 (3d Cir.1967).
cited Cited "see" Kingsport Motors, Inc., Cross-Appellant v. Chrysler Motors Corporation, Cross-Appellee
6th Cir. · 1981 · signal: see · confidence high
See Fray v. Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., C.A.6th (1976), 536 F.(2d) 683, 685-686 [2], [3, 4].
discussed Cited "see" Golden Gate Acceptance Corp., and Fred Kohlenberg v. General Motors Corp.
9th Cir. · 1979 · signal: accord · confidence high
Seagram & Sons, Inc. v. Hawaiian Oke & Liquors, Ltd., 416 F.2d 71, 76 (9th Cir. 1969), cert, denied, 396 U.S. 1062 , 90 S.Ct. 752 , 24 L.Ed.2d 755 (1970); cf., Marquis v. Chrysler Corp., 577 F.2d 624, 639-41 (9th Cir. 1978); accord, Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 686 (6th Cir. 1976) —(involving a similar GM franchise agreement).
cited Cited "see" Business Equipment Center, Ltd. v. DeJur-Amsco Corp.
D.D.C. · 1978 · signal: see · confidence high
See Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683, 686 (6th Cir. 1976); Dart Drug Corp. v. Parke, Davis & Co., 120 U.S.App.D.C. 79, 84 , 344 F.2d 173, 178 (1965). 31 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Francis Chevrolet Co. v. General Motors Corp.
E.D. Mo. · 1978 · signal: see also · confidence low
See also Fray Chevrolet Sales, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 536 F.2d 683 (6th Cir. 1976); Garvin v. American Motor Sales Corporation, 318 F.2d 518 (3d Cir. 1963); Pierce Ford Sales, Inc. v. Ford Motor Company, 299 F.2d 425 (2d Cir. 1962); Cecil Corley Motor Company, supra ; Frank Chevrolet Company v. General Motors Corporation, 304 F.Supp. 307 (N.D.Ohio 1968); Berry Brothers Buick, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 257 F.Supp. 542 (E.D.Pa.1966).
FRAY CHEVROLET SALES, INC., a Michigan Corporation, and Donald E. Fray, Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v.
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, Et Al., Defendants-Appellees
75-1527.
Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Jun 11, 1976.
536 F.2d 683
Rene J. Ortlieb, Guy H. Hill, Flint, Mich., for plaintiffs-appellants., William W. Wumkes, Flint, Mich., for GM., Allison K. Thomas, Lansing, Mich., for Andrews.
Phillips, Peck, Miller.
Cited by 52 opinions  |  Published
JOHN W. PECK, Circuit Judge.

Plaintiffs-appellants, formerly the corporate Chevrolet franchisee at Mason, Michigan, and the franchisee’s sole shareholder, claimed in their district court complaint that defendant-appellee General Motors’ refusal to approve the transfer of the franchise to one Joslin violated the Automobile Dealers’ Day in Court Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1221-1225. [1] They also claimed GM conspired with defendants-appellees Andrews Chevrolet Sales, Inc., and Andrews to prevent the transfer to Joslin, thereby violating the Sherman Antitrust Act, 15 U.S.C. § I-

Appellants charged that GM refused to approve the transfer to Joslin, not because he was unqualified, [2] but because GM had “promised” the franchise to Andrews, purportedly for GM’s intracorporate reasons. [3] By GM’s refusal to approve the transfer to Joslin, appellants claim that they lost the benefits of a favorable lease and of a sale of their dealership properties (to wit, accessories, gas, parts, tires, shop equipment, fixtures) to Joslin for $137,000, the transactions being “subjected to [Joslin’s] approval” by GM. Joslin and appellants failing to consummate the sale because the dealership properties were substantially less valuable to one lacking a GM franchise, appellants thereafter sold their dealership properties for $82,000 to Andrews, the “approved” transferee.

The district court, after some discovery procedures, granted appellee’s motion for summary judgment, reasoning that there was no day-in-court claim because, rather than being terminated, Fray Chevrolet voluntarily terminated its franchise and because Fray Chevrolet could have sold its dealership properties anyway to Joslin, and that there was no antitrust claim because, inter alia, there was no proof of public injury, the claimed conspiracy not “reasonably calculated to prejudice the public interests by unreasonably suppressing the free flow of trade or commerce . . . .” We affirm.

The day-in-court statute imposes upon GM a duty “to act in good faith in performing or complying with any of the terms or provisions of the franchise, or in terminating, canceling, or not renewing the franchise . . . .” (emphasis supplied) 15 U.S.C. § 1222. Even if the district court was correct in finding no statutory termination, its view being that those terminations must be manufacturer-initiated, compare Salco Corp. v. General Motors Corp., 517 F.2d 567, 571 (10th Cir. 1975), and Pinney & Topliff v. Chrysler Corp., 176 F.Supp. 801 (S.D.Calif.1959), with Hanley v. Chrysler Motors Corp., 433 F.2d 708 (10th Cir. 1970), and American Motors Sales Co. v. Semke, 384 F.2d 192, 195 (10th Cir. 1967), the statutory good faith duty still applies because, in approving or refusing to approve the transfer, GM “perform[s] . . . with [a] term ... or provision ... of the franchise,” see Hanley, supra, Tom Sul [*685] livan Porsche Audi Co. v. SCU Industries, Inc., 342 F.Supp. 738, 741 (E.D.Mich.1972), to wit, Section 25 of the Additional Provisions applicable to Chevrolet Dealer Selling Agreement, which provides:

“Dealer shall not transfer or assign nor attempt to transfer or assign this Agreement or any right or obligation hereunder without the prior written consent of Chevrolet executed by the General Sales Manager or an Assistant General Sales Manager of Chevrolet.”

Thus, the statutory duty of good faith applies to GM’s refusal to approve or approval of the transfer. But dismissal was proper because there was “no genuine issue [of] material fact” concerning the lack of statutory good faith. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). Good faith is restrictively defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1221(e) as meaning

“the duty of each party to any franchise . to act in a fair and equitable manner toward each other so as to guarantee the one party freedom from coercion, intimidation, or threats of coercion or intimidation from the other party 1)

In the absence of coercion, intimidation, or threats thereof, there can be no recovery through the day-in-court statute, see, e. g., Salco, supra, 517 F.2d at 573; Lawrence Chrysler Plymouth, Inc. v. Chrysler Corp., 461 F.2d 608, 610 (7th Cir. 1972); Kotula v. Ford Motor Co., 338 F.2d 732, 734 (8th Cir. 1964), cert. denied, 380 U.S. 979, 85 S.Ct. 1333, 14 L.Ed.2d 273 (1965); Milos v. Ford Motor Co., 317 F.2d 712, 715-16 (3rd Cir.), cert. denied, 375 U.S. 896, 84 S.Ct. 172, 11 L.Ed.2d 125 (1963); Woodard v. General Motors Corp., 298 F.2d 121 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 369 U.S. 887, 82 S.Ct. 1161, 8 L.Ed.2d 288 (1962); Raiser v. General Motors Corp., 396 F.Supp. 33 (E.D.Pa.1975); Cecil Corley Motor Co. v. General Motors Corp., 380 F.Supp. 819, 843-48 (M.D.Tenn.1974), even if the manufacturer otherwise acted “in ‘bad faith’ as that term is normally used.” Overseas Motors, Inc. v. Import Motors Ltd., 519 F.2d 119, 125 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 987, 96 S.Ct. 395, 46 L.Ed.2d 304 (1975). Accord, Daigle-McInnis v. American Motors Sales Corp., 1974-2 CCH Trade Cas. 1175, 195 (M.D.La.1974); Berry Bros. Buick, Inc. v. General Motors Corp., 257 F.Supp. 542, 546 (E.D.Pa.1966), aff’d, 377 F.2d 552 (3rd Cir. 1967).

“[T]he act of dealer designation in and of itself cannot be treated as a coercive act, even though Chevrolet’s appointment of McClintock made it difficult for Frank Chevrolet to sell its assets to another person or to secure its desired price from McClintock. . . . ”

Frank Chevrolet v. General Motors Corp., 304 F.Supp. 307, 316 (N.D.Ohio 1968), aff’d, 419 F.2d 1054 (6th Cir. 1969). See Pierce Ford Sales, Inc. v. Ford Motor Co., 299 F.2d 425, 430 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 371 U.S. 829, 83 S.Ct. 24, 9 L.Ed.2d 66 (1962); but see Semke, supra, 384 F.2d at 198.

Coercion or intimidation must include “a wrongful demand which will result in sanctions if not complied with.” Ship & Shore Motors, Inc. v. British Leyland Motors, Inc., 74-1 CCH Trade Cas. ¶ 75,102 (D.N.J.1974). See, e. g., Randy’s Studebaker Sales, Inc. v. Nissan Motor Co., 533 F.2d 510 (10th Cir. 1976) (reduce price competition and make certain capital expenditures or risk curtailed supply of automobiles), David R. McGeorge Co. v. Leyland Motor Sales, Inc., 504 F.2d 52 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 420 U.S. 992, 95 S.Ct. 1430, 43 L.Ed.2d 674 (1974) (order certain unwanted models or risk being refused other models), Semke, supra, 384 F.2d at 196-97 (order certain unwanted models or risk being refused other models), Don Richards Lincoln Mercury Jeep, Inc. v. American Motors Corp., 1976 CCH Trade Cas. ¶ 60,796 (D.Utah 1976) (relocate and carry “full line” or be terminated), De Filippo v. Ford Motor Co., 378 F.Supp. 456 (E.D.Pa.1974), rev’d on other grounds, 516 F.2d 1313 (3rd Cir. 1975) (sign general waiver or be terminated). But appellants fail to claim that GM warned them to transfer the franchise or risk termination; there was no “either-or” attempt at coercion or intimidation. That appellants “mere[ly] . . . felt [themselves] coerced is not sufficient.” Ship & Shore, supra, citing General Motors Corp. v. Mac [*686] Company, 247 F.Supp. 723, 726 (D.Colo.1965).

Likewise, we sustain the district court’s dismissal of the antitrust claim because “[t]he substitution of one distributor [Andrews] for another [Fray] does not eliminate or materially diminish the existing competition . . and, in our opinion, is not an unreasonable restraint of trade.” Ace Beer Distributors, Inc. v. Kohn, Inc., 318 F.2d 283, 287 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 375 U.S. 922, 84 S.Ct. 267, 11 L.Ed.2d 166 (1963). Accord, Dreibus v. Wilson, 529 F.2d 170, 172-74 (9th Cir. 1975); Burdett Sound, Inc. v. Altec Corp., 515 F.2d 1245 (5th Cir. 1975); Daigle-McInnis, supra, 1974-2 CCH Trade Cas. 175, 195; B & B Oil & Chemical Co. v. Franklin Oil Corp., 293 F.Supp. 1313, 1317 (E.D.Mich.1968) (granting summary judgment against claim that manufacturer’s eliminating of “middle man” distributor, and substituting itself therefor, violated antitrust laws because “[t]he opinions have been unanimous ... in holding that a manufacturer’s changes in his distribution system, vertical realignments, or transfers, do not offend anti-trust laws”).

Of course, in sustaining the dismissal of the day-in-court and antitrust claims, we imply no view as to the merits of appellants’ state court claims against appellees. Even if appellants’ state court contract claim centered around GM’s purported bad faith in refusing to approve the transfer, our holding that there was no “genuine issue” of statutory “bad faith” reflects no view as to whether there was “bad faith” sufficient to underlie a state law contract claim. Overseas Motors, supra, 519 F.2d at 125-26; Hanley, supra. See Randolph v. New England Mut. Life Ins. Co., 526 F.2d 1383 (6th Cir. 1975).

Affirmed.

1

. See Annot., Validity and Construction of Statute Regulating Dealings Between Automobile Manufacturers, Distributors, and Dealers, 7 A.L.R.3d 1173 (1966); Brown, A Bill of Rights for Auto Dealers, 12 B.C.Ind. & Com.L.Rev. 757, 791-92 (1971); Comment, Limiting the Franchisor’s Power to Withhold Consent to a Transfer by the Franchisee, 47 Ind.L.J. 559, 568 n. 47 (1972); Comment, The Automobile Dealer Franchise Act of 1956—An Evaluation, 48 Cornell L.Rev. 711 (1963); Comment, The Judicial Treatment of the Automobile Dealer Franchise Act, 62 Mich.L.Rev. 310 (1963).

2

. Joslin deposed that GM officials never told him the transfer was refused because of lack of qualifications and that GM, in fact, offered to permit him to “buy” one of three other dealerships, none of which he purchased (Joslin Deposition at 20-21).

3

. Joslin deposed that GM officials told him Andrews was promised the next Lansing area franchise for sale in order to induce Andrews’ father-in-law to transfer another franchise (Joslin Deposition 19). Andrews, however, categorically denied that he “did not wish [his] father-in-law to sell the [franchise] unless [Andrews] could acquire a dealership” (Andrews Deposition 16).