For purposes of this Act, a franchisee and a motor vehicle financing affiliate, as defined in § 5-100 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, shall be treated as a single entity. That a franchisee arranges to receive motor vehicles through a motor vehicle financing affiliate shall not exempt a manufacturer from the provisions of this Act. A manufacturer shall not require, directly or indirectly, a motor vehicle dealer to contract with a motor vehicle financing affiliate in order to receive its motor vehicles nor shall a manufacturer prevent, directly or indirectly, a motor vehicle dealer from contracting with a motor vehicle financing affiliate in order to receive its motor vehicles. A manufacturer shall not use a motor vehicle financing affiliate as a means of avoiding the provisions and requirements of this Act.