August 7, 2008

Lithia Motors Announces Second Quarter 2008 Results

-- Net income of ten cents per share from continuing operations, excluding impairment charges -- GAAP net loss of $243.8 million or ($12.27) per share -- $18 million annualized cost reductions completed through July, with $4 million more in progress -- $65 million in capital raised in first half of 2008 through real estate financing; another $50 - $70 million expected in second half, including real estate sales
MEDFORD, Ore., Aug 07, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD) today announced that net income from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2008 was ten cents per diluted share, excluding after-tax adjustments for asset impairments of $243.4 million (or $12.27 per share) and a net loss from discontinued operations of $2.2 million (or ten cents per share).

Sid DeBoer, Lithia's Chairman and CEO, commented, "Lithia Motors continues to show improved operating results for the third consecutive quarter despite a more difficult operating environment. We were able to return to profitability this quarter on our core operations with the strategic steps we have taken since the start of the year, despite same-store sales declining 20.8%. Our cost-cutting measures and restructuring actions are progressing as planned; the results of which are clearly evident in our second quarter operating results. The asset impairment charges recorded this quarter are non-cash accounting charges. They primarily result from our declining stock price, and franchise locations that have not performed up to our operating expectations, as more fully explained below."

"Our current book value per basic share is $13.05, which does not include any appreciation of real estate values above our carrying value. Recent pending and completed store sales have indicated that franchise value and "blue-sky" exist, particularly with import and luxury brands and domestic stores in stronger market areas. Additionally, this applies to many stores acquired prior to 2002 when GAAP did not require franchise value to be allocated at the time of purchase."

"We have shown success this quarter in our efforts to raise capital, restructure our workforce, and continue the strategic shift in our brand mix through the identification of stores for divestiture. These efforts and results show our ability, as a retailer, to adjust to market conditions as necessary. The Company's reported quarterly sales, general and administrative expenses in continuing operations have represented as a percentage of gross profits 89.9%; 85.9%; and 82.5%, sequentially improving since the fourth quarter of 2007, excluding one-time expenses from terminated construction projects this quarter of $4.5 million. June showed solid progress coming in at 80.7%."

"Historically, Lithia Motors had been structured and staffed for growth. Our current focus is to keep our company strong and profitable. In the last year, we have successfully reduced our headcount by over 800 employees. In the second quarter, we eliminated over 150 positions and made further reductions in July. The disposition of stores, as we have outlined, will result in even lower costs necessary to run our operations. Our high-caliber team continues to identify opportunities to streamline and operate more efficiently, while not sacrificing the high level of service to our customers."

On June 2nd, 2008, the Company announced restructuring plans that would generate annualized savings of $18 million. Additionally, the Company outlined a list of steps it is taking to right-size and realign its business. Mr. DeBoer continued, "Those cost savings have all been completed, and we are now on track for $22 million in total cost reductions - as we have recently added an additional $4 million in planned annualized cost cuts. Since the beginning of the year, we have reduced the outstanding debt on our credit line from $184 million to $138 million. We have sold one domestic store and have agreements on six of the thirteen remaining store divestitures. An additional two domestic stores are pending sale as a result of an unsolicited offer, showing a demand still exists for domestic auto retail stores. These store sales are estimated to generate over $35 million in total net cash proceeds."

Lithia's CFO and Senior Vice President, Jeff DeBoer said, "We realized positive cash flows from operations of $15.3 million in the first half of 2008, and we anticipate that our cost cutting measures will continue to increase our cash flows from operations despite the current economic environment."

"Through the second quarter, financing of real estate has raised net proceeds of approximately $65 million. The depreciated value of our real estate portfolio in continuing operations has book value of over $300 million, and we are confident it would appraise for significantly more; we have real estate debt of approximately $220 million - leaving substantial room for additional financing to be completed throughout the remainder of the year. This does not include $22.8 million in development properties and our airplane which are held for sale - many of which have pending buy-sell agreements."

"Through the reduction of used vehicle inventory, we estimate to generate another $30 to $40 million of cash. All of these steps create proceeds to further reduce the outstanding borrowings on the line of credit and to help retire the $85 million in subordinated convertible notes due in May 2009," concluded Mr. Jeff DeBoer.

Under SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," the Company is required to perform a goodwill impairment analysis on an interim basis if certain events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred. Recent restructuring actions taken, including the placing of stores up for sale, an adverse change in business climate, reduced earnings forecast and the significant decrease in the Company's share price required goodwill to be tested on an interim basis in the second quarter. The Company performed the required steps for impairment analysis and concluded that the entire balance of goodwill was impaired. The Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge to write-off the entire balance of goodwill of $210.6 million after tax in the second quarter, of which $24.8 million is classified in discontinued operations. In the quarter, the Company also recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge of $32.8 million after tax related to certain indefinite-lived intangible assets (franchise value) and other long-lived assets, of which $10.0 million is classified in discontinued operations.

Due to the resulting complexities of reporting second quarter results, the Company will be filing a Form 12b-25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission to request an extension of the filing deadline for its Form 10-Q. The expected date for filing the Form 10-Q is August 18, 2008.

About Lithia

Lithia Motors, Inc. is a Fortune 700 Company, selling 28 brands of new and all brands of used vehicles at 109 stores, which are located in 46 markets within 15 states. Internet sales are centralized at www.Lithia.com, or through www.L2Auto.com. Lithia also sells used vehicles; arranges finance, warranty, and credit insurance contracts; and provides vehicle parts, maintenance, and repair services at all of its locations. Lithia retailed 105,108 new and used vehicles and had $3.22 billion in total revenue in 2007. Lithia is publicly traded (NYSE:LAD) and is accessible on the web at www.Lithia.com.

Additional Information

For additional information on Lithia Motors, contact the Investor Relations Department: 541-618-5770 or log-on to: www.lithia.com - go to Investor Relations.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe-Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which management believes are a benefit to shareholders. These statements are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty and actual results could differ materially due to certain risk factors, including without limitation, future economic conditions and others set forth from time to time in the company's filings with the SEC. We make forward-looking statements about (i) our ability to manage through the current sales and economic environment, (ii) our ability to reduce infrastructure costs, (iii) the sale of stores in discontinued operations and development properties at the prices anticipated, (iv) the raising of cash from our restructuring efforts and ongoing operations and (v) our ability to secure financing on real estate at expected values. We also make forward-looking statements about the filing of our Form 10-Q. Specific risks in this press release include execution of the restructuring plan and macro-economic and market factors affecting the company's profitability and cash flows.

LITHIA MOTORS, INC.
            (In Thousands except per share data)
            Unaudited                    Three Months Ended                 %
            June 30,        Increase   Increase
            --------------------
            2008      2007    (Decrease) (Decrease)
            ---------- --------- ---------- ----------
            New vehicle sales           $ 372,476  $482,612  $(110,136)    (22.8)%
            Used vehicle sales            179,975   219,673    (39,698)    (18.1)
            Finance and insurance          24,287    31,433     (7,146)    (22.7)
            Service, body and parts        86,916    88,435     (1,519)     (1.7)
            Fleet and other revenues        1,490     1,297        193      14.9
            ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
            Total revenues                665,144   823,450   (158,306)    (19.2)
            ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
            Cost of sales                 554,351   685,126   (130,775)    (19.1)
            ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
            Gross Profit                  110,793   138,324    (27,531)    (19.9)
            Asset impairment charges      300,952              300,952        NM
            SG&A expense                   95,910   103,668     (7,758)     (7.5)
            Depreciation and
            amortization                   5,425     4,784        641      13.4
            ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
            Income (loss) from
            operations                  (291,494)   29,872   (321,366)       NM
            Floorplan interest expense     (5,790)   (7,875)    (2,085)    (26.5)
            Other interest expense         (5,894)   (4,648)     1,246      26.8
            Other income, net               1,104       111        993     894.6
            ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
            Income (loss) from
            continuing operations
            before income taxes         (302,074)   17,460   (319,534)       NM
            Income tax expense (benefit)  (95,254)    6,937   (102,191) (1,473.1)
            Income Tax Rate                  31.5%     39.7%
            ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
            Income (loss) from
            continuing operations       (206,820)   10,523   (217,343)       NM
            Discontinued Operations:
            Loss from operations, net
            of income tax               (2,174)      (99)     2,075   1,972.7
            Loss on disposal
            activities, net of income
            tax                        (34,790)   (2,481)    32,309   1,307.2
            ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
            Net income (loss)           $(243,784) $  7,943  $(251,727)       NM
            ========== ========= ========== =========
            Diluted net income (loss)
            per share:
            Continuing Operations       $  (10.41) $   0.50
            Discontinued Operations:
            Loss from operations, net
            of income tax               (0.10)
            Loss on disposal
            activities, net of
            income tax                  (1.76)    (0.12)
            ---------- --------- ---------- ---------
            Net income (loss) per share $  (12.27) $   0.38  $  (12.65)       NM
            ========== ========= ========== =========
            Diluted shares outstanding   19,873(A)   22,109     (2,236)    (10.1)%
            ========== ========= ========== =========
            (A) Excludes shares issuable upon conversion of the convertible debt
            as well as common stock equivalents, as their effect on EPS would be
            antidilutive.
            NM - Not Meaningful
            
Lithia Motors, Inc.
            ------------------------------
            (Continuing Operations)         Three Months
            Unaudited                           Ended                     %
            June 30,      Increase   Increase
            ------------------------------ ----------------
            2008    2007   (Decrease) (Decrease)
            -------- ------- ---------- ----------
            Unit Sales:
            ------------------------------
            New Vehicle                     13,285   16,719    (3,434)     (20.5)%
            Used - Retail Vehicle            8,903   10,821    (1,918)     (17.7)
            Used - Wholesale                 5,490    6,097      (607)     (10.0)
            Total Units Sold                27,678   33,637    (5,959)     (17.7)
            Average Selling Price:
            ------------------------------
            New Vehicle                    $28,037  $28,866     ($829)      (2.9)%
            Used - Retail Vehicle           16,765   16,681       $84        0.5
            Used - Wholesale                 5,594    6,423     ($829)     (12.9)
            Gross Margin/Profit Data
            ------------------------------
            New Vehicle Retail                 7.8 %    7.6%    20 bps
            Used Vehicle Retail               11.1 %   14.5%  -340 bps
            Used Vehicle Wholesale            (3.7)%    2.7%  -640 bps
            Service, Body & Parts             47.9 %   48.3%   -40 bps
            Finance & Insurance              100.0 %  100.0%     0 bps
            Gross Profit Margin               16.7 %   16.8%   -10 bps
            New Retail Gross Profit/Unit   $ 2,177   $2,180       -$3
            Used Retail Gross Profit/Unit  $ 1,868   $2,422     -$554
            Used Wholesale Gross
            Profit/Unit                   $  (207)    $176     -$383
            Finance & Insurance/Retail
            Unit                          $ 1,095   $1,141      -$46
            Revenue Mix:
            ------------------------------
            New Vehicles                      56.0 %   58.6%
            Used Retail Vehicles              22.4 %   21.9%
            Used Wholesale Vehicles            4.6 %    4.8%
            Finance and Insurance, Net         3.7 %    3.8%
            Service and Parts                 13.1 %   10.7%
            Fleet and other                    0.2 %    0.2%
            New Vehicle Unit Sales Brand
            Mix:
            ------------------------------
            Chrysler Brands                   32.5 %   38.9%
            General Motors & Saturn           18.1 %   16.4%
            Toyota                            16.1 %   14.6%
            Honda                              9.6 %    7.7%
            BMW                                4.0 %    4.1%
            Nissan                             3.9 %    3.8%
            Hyundai                            3.9 %    3.7%
            Ford                               3.8 %    4.6%
            Volkswagen, Audi                   3.0 %    2.5%
            Subaru                             2.1 %    1.6%
            Mercedes                           1.0 %    0.8%
            Other                              2.0 %    1.3%
            
LITHIA MOTORS, INC.
            (Selected Same Store Data)
            Unaudited                                               Three Months
            Ended
            June 30,
            --------------
            2008    2007
            ------- ------
            Same Store Total Sales Geographic Mix:
            --------------------------------------------------------
            Texas                                                     26.1%  21.9%
            Oregon                                                    12.8%  14.7%
            California                                                12.4%  13.6%
            Alaska                                                     7.8%   7.0%
            Washington                                                 7.8%   8.0%
            Iowa                                                       7.2%   6.3%
            Colorado                                                   5.8%   6.6%
            Montana                                                    5.7%   6.2%
            Idaho                                                      5.3%   6.1%
            Nevada                                                     4.0%   4.2%
            Nebraska                                                   2.1%   2.0%
            South Dakota                                               2.1%   2.2%
            New Mexico                                                 0.9%   1.2%
            Same Store Revenue:
            --------------------------------------------------------
            New Vehicle Retail Sales                                (23.3)% (1.5)%
            Used Vehicle Retail Sales                               (21.5)% (3.7)%
            Used Wholesale Sales                                    (25.7)%   3.6%
            Total Vehicle Sales (excluding Fleet)                   (22.9)% (1.8)%
            Finance & Insurance Sales                               (23.5)%      %
            Service, Body and Parts Sales                            (2.9)%   4.9%
            Total Sales (excluding Fleet)                           (20.8)% (1.1)%
            Total Gross Profit (excluding Fleet)                    (20.9)% (2.1)%
            
LITHIA MOTORS, INC.
            (In Thousands except per share data)
            Unaudited                   Six Months Ended                    %
            June 30,          Increase   Increase
            -----------------------
            2008        2007     (Decrease) (Decrease)
            ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------
            New vehicle sales        $  726,915  $  892,657  $(165,742)    (18.6)%
            Used vehicle sales          367,335     415,207    (47,872)    (11.5)
            Finance and insurance        48,852      59,505    (10,653)    (17.9)
            Service, body and parts     176,677     173,805      2,872       1.7
            Fleet and other revenues      2,438       1,979        459      23.2
            ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
            Total revenues            1,322,217   1,543,153   (220,936)    (14.3)
            Cost of sales             1,100,161   1,278,414   (178,253)    (13.9)
            ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
            Gross Profit                222,056     264,739    (42,683)    (16.1)
            Asset impairment charges    300,952                300,952        NM
            SG&A expense                191,438     202,749    (11,311)     (5.6)
            Depreciation and
            amortization                10,787       9,237      1,550      16.8
            ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
            Income (loss) from
            operations                (281,121)     52,753   (333,874)       NM
            Floorplan interest
            expense                    (11,727)    (14,608)    (2,881)    (19.7)
            Other interest expense      (11,004)     (9,013)     1,991      22.1
            Other income, net             1,199         324        875     270.1
            ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
            Income (loss) from
            continuing operations
            before income taxes       (302,653)     29,456   (332,109)       NM
            Income tax expense
            (benefit)                  (95,378)     11,651   (107,029)       NM
            Income Tax Rate                31.5%       39.6%
            ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
            Income (loss) from
            continuing operations     (207,275)     17,805   (225,080)       NM
            Discontinued Operations:
            Loss from operations,
            net of income tax         (3,880)       (306)     3,452   1,128.1
            Loss on disposal
            activities, net of
            income tax               (34,790)     (2,481)    32,431   1,307.2
            ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
            Net income (loss)        $ (245,945) $   15,018  $(260,963)       NM
            =========== =========== ========== =========
            Diluted net income (loss)
            per share:
            Continuing Operations    $   (10.47) $     0.85
            Discontinued Operations:
            Loss from operations,
            net of income tax         (0.17)      (0.01)
            Loss on disposal
            activities, net of
            income tax                (1.79)      (0.12)
            ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------
            Net income (loss) per
            share                   $   (12.43) $     0.72  $  (13.15)       NM
            =========== =========== ========== =========
            Diluted shares
            outstanding               19,793(A)     22,116     (2,323)    (10.5)%
            =========== =========== ========== =========
            (A) Excludes shares issuable upon conversion of the convertible debt
            as well as common stock equivalents, as their effect on EPS would be
            antidilutive.
            NM - Not Meaningful
            
Lithia Motors, Inc.
            -------------------------------
            (Continuing Operations)         Six Months Ended                %
            Unaudited                          June 30,      Increase   Increase
            ------------------------------- ----------------
            2008    2007   (Decrease) (Decrease)
            -------- ------- ---------- ----------
            Unit Sales:
            -------------------------------
            New Vehicle                      25,292   31,004       (5,712) (18.4)%
            Used - Retail Vehicle            17,676   20,505       (2,829) (13.8)
            Used - Wholesale                 10,961   11,711         (750)  (6.4)
            Total Units Sold                 53,929   63,220       (9,291) (14.7)
            Average Selling Price:
            -------------------------------
            New Vehicle                     $28,741  $28,792         ($51)  (0.2)%
            Used - Retail Vehicle            17,025   16,471         $554    3.4
            Used - Wholesale                  6,058    6,615        ($557)  (8.4)
            Gross Margin/Profit Data
            -------------------------------
            New Vehicle Retail                  7.7 %    7.7%        0 bps
            Used Vehicle Retail                11.4 %   14.6%     -320 bps
            Used Vehicle Wholesale             (2.4)%    3.4%     -580 bps
            Service, Body & Parts              47.2 %   48.0%      -80 bps
            Finance & Insurance               100.0 %  100.0%        0 bps
            Gross Profit Margin                16.8 %   17.2%      -40 bps
            New Retail Gross Profit/Unit    $ 2,227   $2,227           $0
            Used Retail Gross Profit/Unit   $ 1,938   $2,412        ($474)
            Used Wholesale Gross
            Profit/Unit                    $  (146)    $225        ($371)
            Finance & Insurance/Retail Unit $ 1,137   $1,155         ($18)
            Revenue Mix:
            -------------------------------
            New Vehicles                       55.0 %   57.8%
            Used Retail Vehicles               22.8 %   21.9%
            Used Wholesale Vehicles             4.9 %    5.0%
            Finance and Insurance, Net          3.7 %    3.9%
            Service and Parts                  13.4 %   11.3%
            Fleet and other                     0.2 %    0.1%
            New Vehicle Unit Sales Brand
            Mix:
            -------------------------------
            Chrysler Brands                    34.7 %   39.8%
            General Motors & Saturn            18.0 %   16.9%
            Toyota                             15.6 %   14.0%
            Honda                               8.6 %    6.8%
            Nissan                              4.1 %    3.8%
            Ford                                4.0 %    5.0%
            BMW                                 3.9 %    4.1%
            Hyundai                             3.3 %    3.3%
            Volkswagen, Audi                    2.8 %    2.2%
            Subaru                              2.1 %    1.7%
            Mercedes                            1.0 %    0.8%
            Other                               1.9 %    1.6%
            
LITHIA MOTORS, INC.
            (Selected Same Store Data)
            Unaudited                                                Six Months
            Ended
            June 30,
            --------------
            2008    2007
            ------- ------
            Same Store Total Sales Geographic Mix:
            --------------------------------------------------------
            Texas                                                     25.9%  21.5%
            Oregon                                                    13.3%  15.1%
            California                                                12.5%  14.0%
            Washington                                                 8.1%   8.1%
            Alaska                                                     7.5%   6.9%
            Colorado                                                   6.0%   6.9%
            Iowa                                                       6.1%   5.3%
            Montana                                                    5.9%   5.9%
            Idaho                                                      5.6%   6.3%
            Nevada                                                     4.0%   4.5%
            Nebraska                                                   2.1%   2.0%
            South Dakota                                               2.0%   2.3%
            New Mexico                                                 1.0%   1.2%
            Same Store Revenue:
            --------------------------------------------------------
            New Vehicle Retail Sales                                (19.7)% (2.1)%
            Used Vehicle Retail Sales                               (16.1)% (4.3)%
            Used Wholesale Sales                                    (17.8)%   9.3%
            Total Vehicle Sales (excluding Fleet)                   (18.6)% (2.1)%
            Finance & Insurance Sales                               (19.1)%   1.9%
            Service, Body and Parts Sales                            (0.4)%   5.0%
            Total Sales (excluding Fleet)                           (16.6)% (1.2)%
            Total Gross Profit (excluding Fleet)                    (18.4)% (1.5)%
            
LITHIA MOTORS, INC.
            Balance Sheet Highlights (Dollars in Thousands)
            Unaudited
            June 30,    December
            2008      31, 2007
            ----------- -----------
            Cash & Cash Equivalents                           $21,352  $   21,665
            Trade Receivables(A)                               93,656     109,387
            Inventory                                         623,162     601,759
            Assets held for sale                              133,070      23,807
            Other Current Assets                               24,393      21,920
            ----------- -----------
            Total Current Assets                              895,633     778,538
            Real Estate, net                                  305,347     363,391
            Equipment & Other, net                             92,834      98,355
            Goodwill, net                                          --     311,527
            Other Assets                                       97,805      74,924
            ----------- -----------
            Total Assets                                   $1,391,619  $1,626,735
            =========== ===========
            Flooring Notes Payable                           $479,786  $  451,590
            Liabilities held for sale                          79,287      17,857
            Other Current Liabilities                         223,945     115,644
            ----------- -----------
            Total Current Liabilities                         783,018     585,091
            Used Vehicle Flooring                             121,679     122,550
            Real Estate Debt                                  172,948     179,160
            Other Long-Term Debt                               42,615     153,785
            Other Liabilities                                  13,005      77,937
            ----------- -----------
            Total Liabilities                              $1,133,265  $1,118,523
            =========== ===========
            Shareholders' Equity                              258,354     508,212
            ----------- -----------
            Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity       $1,391,619  $1,626,735
            =========== ===========
            (A) Note: Includes contracts-in-transit of $38,058 and $48,474 for
            2008 and 2007
            Other Balance Sheet Data (Dollars in Thousands)
            Current Ratio                                         1.1x        1.3x
            LT Debt/Total Cap.
            (Excludes Real Estate)                                 39%         35%
            Working Capital                                  $112,615  $  193,447
            Book Value per Basic Share                          13.05       26.02
            
The following table reconciles reported GAAP net income (loss) per the
            income statement to non-GAAP net income (loss):
            Unaudited                            Three Months    Six Months Ended
            Ended            June 30
            June 30,
            ----------------- -----------------
            2008     2007     2008     2007
            --------- ------- --------- -------
            Income (loss) from continuing
            operations - as reported          (206,820) 10,523  (207,275) 17,805
            Goodwill and other asset impairment 208,601           208,601
            --------- ------- --------- -------
            Income from continuing operations
            - non GAAP                            1,781  10,523     1,326  17,805
            ========= ======= ========= =======
            Loss from discontinued operations -
            as reported                        (36,964) (2,580)  (38,670) (2,787)
            Goodwill and other asset impairment  34,790   2,481    34,790   2,481
            --------- ------- --------- -------
            Loss from discontinued operations
            - non GAAP                           (2,174)    (99)   (3,880)   (306)
            ========= ======= ========= =======
            Net income (loss) - as reported    (243,784)  7,943  (245,945) 15,018
            Goodwill and other asset impairment 243,391   2,481   243,391   2,481
            --------- ------- --------- -------
            Net income (loss) - non GAAP           (393) 10,424    (2,554) 17,499
            ========= ======= ========= =======
            The following table reconciles reported GAAP diluted earnings (loss)
            per share ("EPS") to non-GAAP diluted earnings (loss) per share:
            Unaudited                            Three Months    Six Months Ended
            Ended            June 30
            June 30,
            ----------------- -----------------
            2008     2007     2008     2007
            --------- ------- --------- -------
            Net income per share from
            Continuing Operations - as
            reported                            (10.41)   0.50    (10.47)   0.85
            Goodwill and other asset impairment   10.51             10.57
            --------- ------- --------- -------
            Net income per share from
            Continuing Operations - non GAAP      0.10    0.50      0.10    0.85
            ========= ======= ========= =======
            Loss per share from Discontinued
            Operations - as reported             (1.86)  (0.12)    (1.96)  (0.13)
            Goodwill and other asset impairment    1.76    0.11      1.79    0.11
            --------- ------- --------- -------
            Loss per share from Discontinued
            Operations - non GAAP                (0.10)  (0.01)    (0.17)  (0.02)
            ========= ======= ========= =======
            Net income (loss) per share as
            reported                            (12.27)   0.38    (12.43)   0.72
            Goodwill and other asset impairment   12.27    0.11     12.36    0.11
            --------- ------- --------- -------
            Net income (loss) per share
            - non GAAP                             0.00    0.49     (0.07)   0.83
            ========= ======= ========= =======
            

Adjusted results for the periods with net income are shown on a diluted share basis. Due to anti-dilutive effects, adjusted results per basic and diluted share are the same in periods showing a loss.

SOURCE: Lithia Motors, Inc.

Lithia Motors
Investor Relations, 541-618-5770
www.lithia.com - go to Investor Relations.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995
With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report include forward-looking statements. These statements are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks including those set forth from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, the cyclical nature of automobile sales and the intense competition in the automobile retail industry, the Company's ability to negotiate profitable acquisitions, and the ability to secure manufacturer approvals for such acquisitions.