Lithia Motors Reports Adjusted Continuing Operations EPS of $0.49 for Fourth Quarter and $1.97 for Full Year 2011; Increases 2012 Outlook
Release: 2/22/2012 7:30:00 AM
Print item:Lithia Motors Reports Adjusted Continuing Operations EPS of $0.49 for Fourth Quarter and $1.97 for Full Year 2011; Increases 2012 Outlook  View PDF item:Lithia Motors Reports Adjusted Continuing Operations EPS of $0.49 for Fourth Quarter and $1.97 for Full Year 2011; Increases 2012 Outlook
Lithia Motors Announces Sid DeBoer Will Assume the Role of Executive Chairman; Bryan DeBoer Appointed CEO Effective May 1, 2012

MEDFORD, OR -- (Marketwire) -- 02/22/12 -- Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE: LAD) today reported the highest fourth quarter net income in company history, and more than doubled earnings for the fourth quarter and full year 2011 over the prior year periods.

2011 fourth quarter adjusted income from continuing operations was $13.0 million, or $0.49 per diluted share. This compares to a 2010 fourth quarter adjusted income from continuing operations of $5.4 million, or $0.20 per diluted share. 2011 full year adjusted income from continuing operations was $1.97 per diluted share as compared to $0.93 per diluted share in 2010.

Unadjusted net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $16.4 million or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to $4.2 million or $0.16 per diluted share for 2010. Unadjusted 2011 full year income from continuing operations was $2.09 per diluted share, compared to $0.51 per diluted share for 2010.

As shown in the attached non-GAAP reconciliation table, the 2011 fourth quarter adjusted income from continuing operations is reduced to exclude a benefit of $0.15 per share gain on the sale of real estate offset by a non-core reserve adjustment charge of $0.02 per share. The 2010 fourth quarter adjusted results from continuing operations exclude a non-core charge of $0.04 per share on asset impairments and reserve adjustments.

Fourth quarter 2011 revenue from continuing operations increased $179.4 million, or 33% to $717.5 million, compared to $538.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Fourth Quarter Year-over-Year Operating Highlights:

  • New vehicle same store sales increased 29%
  • Used vehicle retail same store sales increased 21%
  • Service, body and parts same store sales increased 3%
  • Adjusted SG&A expense as a percentage of gross profit reduced 610 basis points, to 74.6%

For the full year of 2011, revenue from continuing operations increased 30% to $2.7 billion as compared to $2.1 billion in 2010. New vehicle same store sales increased 29%, used vehicle retail same store sales increased 17% and service, body and parts same store sales increased 5%.

"We increased both fourth quarter and full year total same store sales 23%," said Bryan DeBoer, President and COO of Lithia. "New vehicle same store sales increased 29% in both the fourth quarter and full year 2011."

Mr. DeBoer continued, "Our team is aligned and focused on continuous improvement. Although we had a successful 2011, we still have opportunities to increase new and used vehicles sales in our markets. Improving customer satisfaction in both our sales and service offerings will be a key objective in 2012."

Chris Holzshu, SVP and Chief Financial Officer, commented, "We continue our focus on leveraging our expense structure as sales volumes increase. Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of gross profit was 72.9% for the full year, an improvement of 530 basis points over our 2010 results. Our team has remained vigilant to ensure the fixed expenses we took out of the business do not return as sales volumes recover. We believe we can continue to improve our leverage and have a goal to lower full year SG&A to gross profit into the 70% range."

CEO Succession
Effective May 1, 2012, Bryan DeBoer, President and COO, will be promoted to Chief Executive Officer. Sid DeBoer, Founder, Chairman and CEO, will assume the role of Executive Chairman and remain Chairman of the Board.

Bryan DeBoer has served as President and COO since 2007, and has been directly responsible for Lithia's operational performance. Bryan has been a Lithia employee for over 26 years, starting in retail sales and moving into corporate development roles. With the promotion to CEO, Bryan will expand his responsibilities to include strategy and vision for the organization. Sid DeBoer will continue to serve Lithia in an executive capacity, including strategic oversight, manufacturer relations, governmental relations and business development.

Commenting on the changes, Tom Becker, Lead Independent Director, stated, "This transition is part of our plan to position the next generation of Lithia's leaders for success. Under Bryan's direction as COO, the team has outperformed the overall automotive retail sector. The Board of Directors believes the time is right for this change. We look forward to continued success in the future and feel that Lithia has never been better positioned to prosper under the leadership of Bryan as CEO and Sid as Founder and Executive Chairman."

Corporate Development
Lithia is pleased to announce the addition of a Scion franchise to our existing Toyota store in Billings, Montana. Additionally, Lithia has relocated MINI of Portland from our BMW store in Portland, Oregon to a stand-alone location in Beaverton, Oregon and relocated Subaru of Spokane from our BMW store to a stand-alone location in Spokane, Washington.

Balance Sheet Update
Lithia ended the period with $21 million in cash, $10 million in available credit on our credit facility and $66 million in unfinanced new vehicle inventory. In total, this represents approximately $97 million in available liquidity.

Dividend Payment
Lithia announced that the Board of Directors has approved a dividend of $0.07 per share for the fourth quarter 2011. Lithia will pay the dividend March 23, 2012 to shareholders of record on March 9, 2012.

Updated Outlook for 2012
Commenting on Lithia's outlook for the future, Sid DeBoer, Chairman and CEO, stated, "We expect that 2012 will be another year of increased vehicle sales due to several factors. As consumer credit availability for auto loans increases, the population of vehicles in operation continues to age, and the number of vehicles being scrapped each year is at or above current new vehicle sales levels, a multi-year expansion of vehicle sales lies ahead. Additionally, new and innovative products with improved safety and fuel efficiency features are an additional catalyst to increased sales."

Lithia projects its 2012 first quarter earnings within a range of $0.41 to $0.43 per diluted share. Full-year 2012 earnings are projected within a range of $2.06 to $2.16 per diluted share. Both projections are based on the following annual assumptions:

  • Total revenues in range of $2.9 to $3.1 billion
  • New vehicle same store sales increasing 10.8%
  • New vehicle gross margin ranging from 7.4% to 7.6%
  • Used vehicle same store sales increasing 10.5%
  • Used vehicle gross margin ranging from 14.3% to 14.5%
  • Service body and parts same store sales increasing 2.0%
  • Service body and parts gross margin ranging from 48.3% to 48.5%
  • Finance and insurance gross profit of $1,000 per unit
  • Tax rate of 40%
  • Average diluted shares outstanding of 26.6 million
  • Capital expenditures of $44 million
  • Guidance excludes the impact of future acquisitions, dispositions, and any potential non-core items

Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call and Updated Presentation
The fourth quarter conference call may be accessed at 10:00 a.m. ET today by telephone at 877-407-8029. An updated presentation highlighting the fourth quarter results has been added to Investor Relations on www.lithia.com.

To listen live on our website or for replay, visit Investor Relations on www.lithia.com and click on webcasts. A playback of the conference call will be available after 1:00 p.m. ET on February 22, 2012 through March 7, 2012 by calling 877-660-6853 (Conference ID: 387816, Account: 305).

About Lithia
Lithia Motors, Inc. is the ninth largest automotive retailer in the United States. Lithia sells 25 brands of new and all brands of used vehicles at 86 stores, which are located in 11 states. Lithia also arranges finance, warranty, and credit insurance contracts; and provides vehicle parts, maintenance, and repair services at all of its locations.

For additional information on Lithia Motors, contact John North, VP Finance and Controller at (541) 618-5748.

Sites
www.lithia.com
www.lithiacareers.com
www.assuredservice.com

Lithia Motors on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/LithiaMotors

Lithia Motors on Twitter
https://twitter.com/lithiamotors

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. Forward-looking statements in this press release include our guidance regarding first quarter and full year 2012 results, estimated new vehicle inventory and sales levels and the sustainability of future incremental operating leverage. Forward looking statements include statements regarding our goals, plans, projections and guidance regarding our financial position, results of operations, market position, pending and potential future acquisitions and business strategy, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks" or "will." 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 urge you to carefully consider this information. We undertake no duty to update our forward-looking statements, including our earnings outlook, which are made as of the date of this release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release and the attached financial tables contain certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules, such as adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, adjusted service, body and parts margin, adjusted gross margin, adjusted SG&A as a percentage of revenues and gross profit, adjusted operating margin, adjusted operating profit as a percentage of gross profit, and adjusted pre-tax margin. These measures exclude certain items disclosed in the attached financial tables. Cash flows from operations were adjusted to include the change in non-trade floor plan debt to improve the visibility of cash flows related to vehicle financing. As required by SEC rules, the Company has provided reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, which are set forth in the attachments to this release. The Company believes that each of the foregoing non-GAAP financial measures improves the transparency of the Company's disclosure, provides a meaningful presentation of the Company's results from its core business operations excluding adjustments for items not related to the Company's ongoing core business operations or other non-cash adjustments, and improves the period-to-period comparability of the Company's results from its core business operations. These presentations are not intended to provide net income, cash flows from operations, operating income, selling, general and administrative costs, or cost of sales in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to GAAP measures.

Lithia Motors, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share data)

                               Three Months Ended                     %
                                  December 31,        Increase     Increase
                             ----------------------
                                2011        2010     (Decrease)   (Decrease)
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
Revenues:
New vehicle retail           $  394,570  $  280,467  $  114,103       40.7%
Used vehicle retail             175,284     136,008      39,276       28.9
Used vehicle wholesale           35,925      27,562       8,363       30.3
Finance and insurance            22,920      16,776       6,144       36.6
Service, body and parts          84,799      74,184      10,615       14.3
Fleet and other                   3,980       3,087         893       28.9
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------
  Total revenues                717,478     538,084     179,394       33.3
Cost of sales:
New vehicle retail              364,535     258,472     106,063       41.0
Used vehicle retail             151,799     117,553      34,246       29.1
Used vehicle wholesale           35,957      27,618       8,339       30.2
Service, body and parts          45,009      40,035       4,974       12.4
Fleet and other                   3,581       2,623         958       36.5
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------
  Total cost of sales           600,881     446,301     154,580       34.6
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------
Gross profit                    116,597      91,783      24,814       27.0
Other Asset Impairments             504         550         (46)      (8.4)
SG&A expense                     81,396      74,751       6,645        8.9
Depreciation and
 amortization                     4,156       4,109          47        1.1
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------
Income from operations           30,541      12,373      18,168      146.8
Floor plan interest expense      (2,753)     (2,117)        636       30.0
Other interest expense           (3,550)     (3,719)       (169)      (4.5)
Other income, net                   233          65         168      258.5
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------
Income from continuing
 operations before income
 taxes                           24,471       6,602      17,869      270.7
Income tax expense               (8,108)     (2,363)      5,745      243.1
Income tax rate                    33.1%       35.8%
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------
Income from continuing
 operations                  $   16,363  $    4,239  $   12,124      286.0%
Income from discontinued
 operations                       2,403         140       2,263         NM
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------
Net income                   $   18,766  $    4,379  $   14,387      328.5%
                             ==========  ==========  ==========  =========

Diluted net income per
 share:
Continuing operations        $     0.62  $     0.16  $     0.46      287.5%
Discontinued operations            0.09           -        0.09         NM
                             ----------  ----------  ----------  ---------
Net income per share         $     0.71  $     0.16  $     0.55      343.8%
                             ==========  ==========  ==========  =========

Diluted shares outstanding       26,442      26,540         (98)      (0.4)%

NM - not meaningful



Lithia Motors, Inc.
Key Performance Metrics (Unaudited)

                                Three Months Ended                    %
                                   December 31,        Increase    Increase
                                ------------------
                                  2011      2010      (Decrease)  (Decrease)
                                --------  --------  ------------- ----------
Gross margin
New vehicle retail                   7.6%      7.8%      (20) bps
Used vehicle retail                 13.4      13.6       (20) bps
Used vehicle wholesale              (0.1)     (0.2)        10 bps
Finance and insurance              100.0     100.0          - bps
Service, body and parts             46.9      46.0         90 bps
Fleet and Other                     10.0      15.0      (500) bps
Gross profit margin                 16.3      17.1       (80) bps

Unit sales
New vehicle retail                11,515     8,596          2,919      34.0%
Used vehicle retail               10,092     8,106          1,986      24.5
Used vehicle wholesale             4,388     3,569            819      22.9
Total units sold                  25,995    20,271          5,724      28.2

Average selling price
New vehicle retail              $ 34,266  $ 32,628  $       1,638       5.0%
Used vehicle retail               17,369    16,779            590       3.5
Used vehicle wholesale             8,187     7,723            464       6.0

Average gross profit per unit
New vehicle retail              $  2,608  $  2,559  $          49       1.9%
Used vehicle retail                2,327     2,277             50       2.2
Used vehicle wholesale                (7)      (16)             9        NM
Finance and insurance              1,061     1,004             57       5.7

Revenue mix
New vehicle retail                  55.0%     52.1%
Used vehicle retail                 24.4      25.3
Used vehicle wholesale               5.0       5.1
Finance and insurance, net           3.2       3.1
Service, body and parts             11.8      13.8
Fleet and other                      0.6       0.6

Other metrics
SG&A as a % of revenue              11.4%     13.9%     (250) bps
SG&A as a % of gross profit         69.8      81.4    (1,160) bps
Operating profit as a % of
 revenue                             4.3       2.3        200 bps
Operating profit as a % of
 gross profit                       26.2      13.5      1,270 bps
Pretax margin                        3.4       1.2        220 bps

NM - not meaningful



Lithia Motors, Inc.
Same Store Operating Highlights (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per unit data)

                                 Three Months Ended                    %
                                    December 31,       Increase    Increase
                                --------------------
                                   2011       2010    (Decrease)  (Decrease)
                                ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Revenues
New vehicle retail              $ 361,968  $ 281,179  $   80,789      28.7%
Used vehicle retail               164,644    135,824      28,820      21.2
Used vehicle wholesale             33,967     27,548       6,419      23.3
Finance and insurance              21,745     15,768       5,977      37.9
Service, body and parts            76,164     74,185       1,979       2.7
Fleet and Other                     3,498      2,920         578      19.8
Total revenues                    661,986    537,424     124,562      23.2

Gross profit (loss)
New vehicle retail              $  27,002     21,705  $    5,297      24.4%
Used vehicle retail                22,313     18,459       3,854      20.9
Used vehicle wholesale                (20)       (60)         40      66.7
Finance and insurance              21,745     15,768       5,977      37.9
Service, body and parts            35,600     34,675         925       2.7
Fleet and Other                       (50)        59        (109)       NM
Total gross profit                106,590     90,606      15,984      17.6

Unit sales
New vehicle retail                 10,761      8,616       2,145      24.9%
Used vehicle retail                 9,659      8,089       1,570      19.4
Used vehicle wholesale              4,225      3,564         661      18.5
Total units sold                   24,645     20,269       4,376      21.6

Average selling price
New vehicle retail              $  33,637  $  32,635  $    1,002       3.1%
Used vehicle retail                17,046     16,791         255       1.5
Used vehicle wholesale              8,039      7,730         309       4.0

Average gross profit (loss) per
 unit
New vehicle retail              $   2,509  $   2,519  $      (10)     (0.4)%
Used vehicle retail                 2,310      2,282          28       1.2
Used vehicle wholesale                 (5)       (17)         12      70.6
Finance and insurance               1,065        944         121      12.8

NM - not meaningful



Lithia Motors, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share data)

                             Twelve Months Ended                      %
                                December 31,          Increase     Increase
                          ------------------------
                              2011         2010      (Decrease)   (Decrease)
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
Revenues:
New vehicle retail        $ 1,426,888  $ 1,038,321  $   388,567        37.4%
Used vehicle retail           695,796      566,803      128,993        22.8
Used vehicle wholesale        130,720      105,714       25,006        23.7
Finance and insurance          85,852       65,274       20,578        31.5
Service, body and parts       325,658      284,170       41,488        14.6
Fleet and other                34,446       11,706       22,740       194.3
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
  Total revenues            2,699,360    2,071,988      627,372        30.3
Cost of sales:
New vehicle retail          1,316,413      953,186      363,227        38.1
Used vehicle retail           595,178      486,739      108,439        22.3
Used vehicle wholesale        130,167      105,070       25,097        23.9
Service, body and parts       168,538      147,119       21,419        14.6
Fleet and other                31,526       10,015       21,511       214.8
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
  Total cost of sales       2,241,822    1,702,129      539,693        31.7
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Gross profit                  457,538      369,859       87,679        23.7
Asset impairment charges        1,376       15,301      (13,925)      (91.0)
SG&A expense                  327,545      290,833       36,712        12.6
Depreciation and
 amortization                  16,626       17,154         (528)       (3.1)
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Income from operations        111,991       46,571       65,420       140.5
Floor plan interest
 expense                      (10,584)     (10,325)         259         2.5
Other interest expense        (12,928)     (14,545)      (1,617)      (11.1)
Other income, net                 696          419          277        66.1
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Income from continuing
 operations before income
 taxes                         89,175       22,120       67,055       303.1
Income tax expense            (33,408)      (8,589)      24,819       289.0
Income tax rate                  37.5%        38.8%
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Income from continuing
 operations               $    55,767  $    13,531  $    42,236       312.1%
Income from discontinued
 operations                     3,093          188        2,905          NM
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Net income                $    58,860  $    13,719  $    45,141       329.0%
                          ===========  ===========  ===========  ==========

Diluted net income per
 share:
Continuing operations     $      2.09  $      0.51  $      1.58       309.8%
Discontinued operations          0.12         0.01         0.11          NM
                          -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
Net income per share      $      2.21  $      0.52  $      1.69       325.0%
                          ===========  ===========  ===========  ==========

Diluted shares
 outstanding                   26,664       26,279          385         1.5%

NM - not meaningful



Lithia Motors, Inc.
Key Performance Metrics (Unaudited)

                                 Twelve Months Ended
                                    December 31,       Increase   % Increase
                                --------------------
                                   2011       2010    (Decrease)  (Decrease)
                                ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------
Gross margin
New vehicle retail                    7.7%       8.2%   (50) bps
Used vehicle retail                  14.5       14.1      40 bps
Used vehicle wholesale                0.4        0.6    (20) bps
Finance and insurance               100.0      100.0       - bps
Service, body and parts              48.2       48.2       - bps
Fleet and Other                       8.5       14.4   (590) bps
Gross profit margin                  16.9       17.9   (100) bps

Unit sales
New vehicle retail                 43,273     32,664      10,609      32.5%
Used vehicle retail                40,457     33,869       6,588      19.5
Used vehicle wholesale             16,439     13,906       2,533      18.2
Total units sold                  100,169     80,439      19,730      24.5

Average selling price
New vehicle retail              $  32,974  $  31,788  $    1,186       3.7%
Used vehicle retail                17,198     16,735         463       2.8
Used vehicle wholesale              7,952      7,602         350       4.6

Average gross profit per unit
New vehicle retail              $   2,553  $   2,606  $      (53)     (2.0)%
Used vehicle retail                 2,487      2,364         123       5.2
Used vehicle wholesale                 34         46         (12)    (26.1)
Finance and insurance               1,025        981          44       4.5

Revenue mix
New vehicle retail                   52.9%      50.1%
Used vehicle retail                  25.8       27.4
Used vehicle wholesale                4.8        5.1
Finance and insurance, net            3.2        3.1
Service, body and parts              12.0       13.7
Fleet and other                       1.3        0.6

Other metrics
SG&A as a % of revenue               12.1%      14.0%  (190) bps
SG&A as a % of gross profit          71.6       78.6   (700) bps
Operating profit as a % of
 revenue                              4.1        2.2     190 bps
Operating profit as a % of
 gross profit                        24.5       12.6   1,190 bps
Pretax margin                         3.3        1.1     220 bps



Lithia Motors, Inc.
Same Store Operating Highlights (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per unit data)

                                Twelve Months Ended
                                    December 31,       Increase   % Increase
                              -----------------------
                                  2011        2010    (Decrease)  (Decrease)
                              ----------- ----------- ----------  ----------
Revenues
New vehicle retail            $ 1,341,171 $ 1,039,886 $  301,285      29.0%
Used vehicle retail               658,586     563,587     94,999      16.9
Used vehicle wholesale            125,324     104,292     21,032      20.2
Finance and insurance              81,335      62,433     18,902      30.3
Service, body and parts           296,655     283,636     13,019       4.6
Fleet and Other                    26,132      11,122     15,010     135.0
Total revenues                  2,529,203   2,064,956    464,247      22.5

Gross profit
New vehicle retail            $   102,639 $    84,773 $   17,866      21.1%
Used vehicle retail                95,955      79,405     16,550      20.8
Used vehicle wholesale                472         782       (310)    (39.6)
Finance and insurance              81,335      62,433     18,902      30.3
Service, body and parts           140,218     135,090      5,128       3.8
Fleet and Other                       604         204        400     196.1
Total gross profit                421,223     362,687     58,536      16.1

Unit sales
New vehicle retail                 41,144      32,703      8,441      25.8%
Used vehicle retail                38,762      33,646      5,116      15.2
Used vehicle wholesale             15,942      13,769      2,173      15.8
Total units sold                   95,848      80,118     15,730      19.6

Average selling price
New vehicle retail            $    32,597 $    31,798 $      799       2.5%
Used vehicle retail                16,991      16,751        240       1.4
Used vehicle wholesale              7,861       7,574        287       3.8

Average gross profit per unit
New vehicle retail            $     2,495 $     2,592 $      (97)     (3.7)%
Used vehicle retail                 2,475       2,360        115       4.9
Used vehicle wholesale                 30          57        (27)    (47.4)
Finance and insurance               1,018         941         77       8.2




Lithia Motors, Inc.
Non-GAAP Performance Metrics (Unaudited)

                                              Three Months Ended
                                                 December 31,      Increase
                                              ------------------
                                                2011      2010    (Decrease)
                                              --------  --------  ----------
Adjusted gross margin
Service, body and parts                           48.0%     47.4%     60 bps
Gross profit margin                               16.4      17.3    (90) bps

Adjusted other metrics
SG&A as a % of revenue                            12.2%     13.9%  (170) bps
SG&A as a % of gross profit                       74.6      80.7   (610) bps
Operating profit as a % of revenue                 3.6       2.6     100 bps
Operating profit as a % of gross profit           21.9      14.9     700 bps
Pretax margin                                      2.7       1.5     120 bps



                                             Twelve Months Ended
                                                December 31,       Increase
                                            --------------------
                                               2011       2010    (Decrease)
                                            ---------  ---------  ----------
Adjusted gross margin
Service, body and parts                          48.5%      48.6%   (10) bps
Gross profit margin                              17.0       17.9    (90) bps

Adjusted other metrics
SG&A as a % of revenue                           12.4%      14.0%  (160) bps
SG&A as a % of gross profit                      72.9       78.2   (530) bps
Operating profit as a % of revenue                4.0        3.1      90 bps
Operating profit as a % of gross profit          23.4       17.2     620 bps
Pretax margin                                     3.1        1.9     120 bps



Lithia Motors, Inc.
Other Highlights
(Unaudited)
                                               As of December 31,  Increase
                                              -------------------
                                                 2011      2010   (Decrease)
                                              --------- --------- ----------
Days Supply(1)
New vehicle inventory                                62        74  (12) days
Used vehicle inventory                               52        53    (1) day

(1) Days supply calculated based on current inventory levels, excluding in-
 transit vehicles, and a 30-day historical cost of sales level.




Financial covenants
                                                          As of December 31,
                                       Requirement               2011
                               -------------------------- ------------------
Current ratio                     Not less than 1.20 to 1          1.44 to 1
Fixed charge coverage ratio       Not less than 1.20 to 1          1.39 to 1
Liabilities to tangible net
 worth ratio                      Not more than 4.00 to 1          2.72 to 1
Funded debt restriction        Not more than $310 million     $199.9 million



Lithia Motors, Inc.
Revenue Mix (Unaudited)

                                     Three months ended  Twelve months ended
                                        December 31,         December 31,
                                     ------------------  -------------------
                                       2011      2010      2011       2010
                                     --------  --------  --------  ---------
New vehicle unit sales brand mix
Chrysler                                 31.4%     31.1%     32.3%     29.9%
General Motors                           16.0      15.5      16.8      17.2
BMW, Mini                                11.0       9.8      10.1       9.3
Toyota                                   10.2      12.5      10.5      12.2
Ford                                      6.6       6.1       6.2       6.1
Mercedes                                  5.8       2.6       3.7       2.3
Honda, Acura                              4.8       7.3       5.6       7.2
Subaru                                    4.5       4.8       4.2       4.5
Hyundai                                   3.4       3.6       3.9       4.1
Nissan                                    2.3       2.5       2.7       2.7
Volkswagen, Audi                          2.2       2.4       2.1       2.5
Kia                                       0.7       0.9       0.8       0.9
Other                                     1.1       0.9       1.1       1.1

                                     Three months ended  Twelve months ended
                                        December 31,         December 31,
                                     ------------------  -------------------
                                       2011      2010      2011       2010
                                     --------  --------  --------  ---------
Revenue geographic mix
Texas                                    23.7%     24.6%     24.2%     25.3%
Oregon                                   22.6      16.1      20.4      15.5
California                                9.8      10.6       9.9      10.7
Washington                                9.5      10.5       9.6      10.4
Alaska                                    8.1       9.3       9.1      10.3
Montana                                   7.8       8.7       8.2       7.8
Idaho                                     5.6       6.0       5.8       6.4
Iowa                                      5.1       6.0       5.1       6.1
Nevada                                    4.5       4.6       4.4       4.3
North Dakota                              2.3       2.5       2.2       2.2
New Mexico                                1.0       1.1       1.1       1.0

                                     As of February 24,
                                            2012
                                     ------------------
                                       # of      % of
Current store count mix               stores     total
                                     --------  --------
Chrysler                                   22      25.6%
General Motors                             12      14.0
Honda, Acura                                9      10.5
Toyota                                      8       9.3
BMW, MINI                                   8       9.3
Hyundai                                     6       7.0
Ford                                        5       5.8
Nissan                                      4       4.6
Mercedes                                    3       3.5
Subaru                                      3       3.5
Volkswagen, Audi                            2       2.3
Kia                                         2       2.3
Other                                       2       2.3



Lithia Motors, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share data)

                                                 December 31,  December 31,
                                                     2011          2010
                                                 ------------  ------------
Cash and cash equivalents                        $     20,851  $      9,306
Trade receivables, net                                 99,407        75,011
Inventories, net                                      506,484       415,228
Deferred income taxes                                   4,730         2,937
Other current assets                                   16,719         6,062
                                                 ------------  ------------
Total current assets                             $    648,191  $    508,544

Property and equipment, net                           373,779       362,433
Goodwill                                               18,958         6,186
Franchise value                                        59,095        45,193
Deferred income taxes                                  29,270        39,524
Other non-current assets                               16,840         9,796
                                                 ------------  ------------
Total assets                                        1,146,133  $    971,676
                                                 ============  ============

Floor plan notes payable                         $    343,940  $    251,257
Current maturities of long-term debt                    8,221        12,081
Trade payables                                         31,712        23,747
Accrued liabilities                                    72,711        58,784
                                                 ------------  ------------
Total current liabilities                        $    456,584  $    345,869

Long-term debt                                        278,653       268,693
Deferred revenue                                       25,146        20,158
Other long-term liabilities                            18,629        16,739
                                                 ------------  ------------
Total liabilities                                $    779,012  $    651,459
                                                 ------------  ------------

Class A common stock                                  279,366       284,807
Class B common stock                                      468           468
Additional paid-in capital                             10,918        10,972
Accumulated other comprehensive loss                   (4,508)       (4,869)
Retained earnings                                      80,877        28,839
                                                 ------------  ------------
Total liabilities & stockholders' equity         $  1,146,133  $    971,676
                                                 ============  ============





Lithia Motors, Inc.
Summarized Cash Flow from Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

                                                        Twelve Months Ended
                                                           December 31,
                                                       --------------------
                                                          2011       2010
                                                       ---------  ---------
Net income                                             $  58,860  $  13,719

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used
 in operating activities:
Asset impairments                                          1,376     15,301
Depreciation and amortization                             16,626     17,154
Depreciation and amortization within discontinued
 operations                                                  322        432
Stock-based compensation                                   2,001      2,419
Gain on disposal of assets                                (6,495)      (107)
(Gain) loss from disposal activities within
 discontinued operations                                  (4,396)       301
Deferred income taxes                                      8,093     (2,131)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment
 arrangements                                               (525)      (264)
Increase:
  Trade receivables, net                                 (22,503)   (22,881)
  Inventories                                            (78,202)   (68,305)
  Other current assets                                   (13,111)    (1,633)
  Other non-current assets                                (1,108)    (2,029)
Decrease:
  Floor plan notes payable                                13,510     10,550
  Trade payables                                           5,998      4,960
  Accrued liabilities                                     11,605     10,029
  Other long-term liabilities and deferred revenue         7,183      1,155
                                                       ---------  ---------
Net cash used in operating activities                  $    (766) $ (21,330)





Lithia Motors, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Flow from Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

                                                       Twelve Months Ended
                                                          December 31,
                                                     ----------------------
Net cash used in operating activities                   2011        2010
                                                     ----------  ----------
As reported                                          $     (766) $  (21,330)
  Floor plan notes payable, non-trade                    63,145      24,090
                                                     ----------  ----------
Adjusted                                             $   62,379  $    2,760



Lithia Motors, Inc.
Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
(In thousands)

                                  Three Months Ended,  Twelve Months Ended
                                      December 31          December 31,
                                 --------------------  --------------------
                                    2011       2010       2011       2010
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Service, body and parts cost of
 sales
As reported                      $  45,009  $  40,035  $ 168,538  $ 147,119
  Reserve adjustments                 (950)    (1,040)      (950)    (1,040)
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Adjusted                         $  44,059  $  38,995  $ 167,588  $ 146,079

Selling, general &
 administrative
As reported                      $  81,396  $  74,751  $ 327,545  $ 290,833
  Disposal gain                      6,301         47      6,881        419
  Reserve adjustments                    -         96          -     (1,238)
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Adjusted                         $  87,697  $  74,894  $ 334,426  $ 290,014

Income from operations
As reported                      $  30,541  $  12,373  $ 111,991  $  46,571
  Impairments and disposal
   (gain) loss                      (5,797)       503     (5,505)    14,882
  Reserve adjustments                  950        944        950      2,278
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Adjusted                         $  25,694  $  13,820  $ 107,436  $  63,731

Income from continuing
 operations before income taxes
As reported                      $  24,471  $   6,602  $  89,175  $  22,120
  Impairments and disposal
   (gain) loss                      (5,797)       503     (5,505)    14,882
  Reserve adjustments                  950        944        950      2,278
                                 ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Adjusted                         $  19,624  $   8,049  $  84,620  $  39,280



Lithia Motors, Inc.
Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share data)

Adjusted net income and diluted earnings per share

                                          Three Months Ended December 31,
                                                           Diluted earnings
                                           Net income          per share
                                       ------------------ ------------------
                                         2011      2010     2011      2010
                                       --------  -------- --------  --------
Continuing Operations
As reported                            $ 16,363  $  4,239 $   0.62  $   0.16
  Impairments and disposal (gain) loss   (3,908)      435    (0.15)     0.02
  Reserve adjustments                       591       773     0.02      0.02
                                       --------  -------- --------  --------
Adjusted                               $ 13,046  $  5,447 $   0.49  $   0.20

Discontinued Operations
As reported                            $  2,403  $    140 $   0.09         -
  Disposal gain                          (2,604)        -    (0.10)        -
                                       --------  -------- --------  --------
Adjusted                               $   (201) $    140 $  (0.01)        -

Consolidated Operations
As reported                            $ 18,766  $  4,379 $   0.71  $   0.16
Adjusted                                 12,845     5,587     0.48      0.20

                                          Twelve Months Ended December 31,
                                                            Diluted earnings
                                            Net income         per share
                                       ------------------ ------------------
                                          2011      2010     2011      2010
                                       --------  -------- --------  --------
Continuing Operations
As reported                            $ 55,767  $ 13,531 $   2.09  $   0.51
  Impairments and disposal (gain) loss   (3,732)    9,166    (0.14)     0.35
  Reserve adjustments                       591     1,496     0.02      0.07
                                       --------  -------- --------  --------
Adjusted                               $ 52,626  $ 24,193 $   1.97  $   0.93

Discontinued Operations
As reported                            $  3,093  $    188 $   0.12  $   0.01
  Impairments and disposal (gain) loss   (2,665)      181    (0.10)        -
                                       --------  -------- --------  --------
Adjusted                               $    428  $    369 $   0.02  $   0.01

Consolidated Operations
As reported                            $ 58,860  $ 13,719 $   2.21  $   0.52
Adjusted                                 53,054    24,562     1.99      0.94


John North
VP Finance and Controller
(541) 618-5748