Lithia Motors
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive retail |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | Walt DeBoer, Sidney DeBoer |
| Headquarters | Medford , United States |
Area served | United States, Canada, United Kingdom |
Key people | Bryan DeBoer (CEO), Sidney DeBoer (Chairman), Tina Miller (CFO) |
| Products | New and used vehicles, auto repairs, financing, insurance |
Number of employees | 21,150 (2024) |
| Website | www |
Lithia Motors, Inc. stands as a prominent American automotive retail group with its headquarters situated in Medford, Oregon. It holds the position of the third largest new vehicle dealership network in the United States, trailing only behind AutoNation and Penske Automotive Group.[1] By May 2024, Lithia managed 298 dealerships within the U.S., operated 14 locations in Canada, and maintained 170 outlets in the United Kingdom, employing roughly 21,150 individuals.[2]
Established in 1946 by Walt and Sidney DeBoer, Lithia has grown substantially through targeted acquisitions, notably acquiring DCH Auto Group in 2015—a top ten dealer group consisting of 27 dealerships—thereby significantly increasing its market presence.[3]
Lithia first appeared on the Fortune 500 list at rank #482 in 2015, becoming one of only three companies based in Oregon to be included. The company’s expansion continued rapidly, advancing to #346 in 2016 and reaching #294 by 2018. By 2022, Lithia had climbed to #158 on the Fortune 500, a testament to its robust financial results fueled by a diverse portfolio of subsidiaries and broad international operations.[4][5][6]
Leadership figures such as CEO Bryan DeBoer and Chairman Sidney DeBoer have guided Lithia’s strategic focus on aggressive acquisition tactics and digital transformation initiatives through branches like Driveway. This strategy has strengthened Lithia’s market position and reinforced its status as a leader in automotive retail.
History
The inception of Lithia Motors dates back to 1946 when Walt DeBoer opened a single dealership in Ashland, Oregon, selling just 14 vehicles during its inaugural year. Sidney DeBoer, Walt’s son, assumed control in 1968 and formally incorporated Lithia Motors Inc., relocating the company headquarters to Medford after securing a Dodge franchise in 1970. By 1990, Lithia had grown to encompass five locations with a total of 19 franchises.
Lithia went public in December 1996 through an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, priced at $11 per share. By 2003, the company reported revenues of $2.5 billion from its network of 84 dealerships and employed over 5,500 staff members. The dealership count increased modestly to 88 by 2005. In 2006, Lithia was fined $500,000 in Alaska for unlawful document fees and resolved a workplace discrimination claim filed with the EEOC.
Plans for an auto mall along with a new corporate headquarters in Medford were announced in 2007. Although the economic downturn delayed construction, development resumed toward the end of 2014 with several dealerships relocating to this auto mall. The Toyota dealership instead underwent an extensive $1.5 million refurbishment rather than moving.
By 2010, Lithia collaborated with the Medford Urban Renewal Agency to create "The Commons," a mixed-use facility that became its corporate headquarters alongside infrastructure enhancements supported by $14 million from MURA. Employees transitioned into this LEED Silver-certified building by late 2012.
Over the years, Lithia has received numerous accolades such as Sports Illustrated’s All-Star Dealer Award (1990), Time magazine’s Quality Dealer Award (1997), and recognition among Fortune’s Fastest Growing Companies (2016). Recently, multiple Lithia dealerships earned "Best Dealerships to Work For" honors from Automotive News, while BMW of Ramsey was awarded Cox Automotive’s Leader in Sustainability Award in 2019.
In early 2021, Lithia embarked on significant acquisitions including Michigan-based Suburban Collection—which reported $2.7 billion revenue in 2019—and New Jersey’s Planet Honda with $230 million annual revenue. That August marked Lithia’s first international expansion through acquiring Canadian dealership Pfaff Automotive; concurrently, its subsidiary Driveway.com secured motorsport sponsorship via Pfaff Motorsports.
Chief Financial Officer Tina Miller attributed much of Lithia’s growth—adding approximately $6.5 billion in yearly revenue—to its e-commerce platform Driveway, which utilizes inventory from Lithia-owned dealerships for online used vehicle sales.
As of May 2022, Lithia operated a total of 267 dealerships across 24 U.S. states along with 14 locations throughout Canada.
Product
Lithia offers a diverse selection of new and pre-owned vehicles spanning multiple brands and models. New car sales represent 49% of its retail auto transactions, while used vehicles make up the remaining 51%. The company also generates income through dealership services such as auto repairs, financing solutions, and insurance offerings.
In 2013, Lithia was positioned ninth on Automotive News' ranking of the largest dealership groups in the United States, having sold 56,960 new vehicles and 49,067 used vehicles in 2012. The firm has been honored with several Global Automotive Shareholder Value Awards from both PwC and Automotive News, highlighting its exceptional shareholder returns among worldwide automakers and U.S. automotive retailers.
See also
External links
- ↑ "Lithia Auto Stores". Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ↑ "FAQ - Lithia & Driveway". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
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- American companies established in 1946
- Auto dealerships of the United States
- Companies based in Medford, Oregon
- Retail companies established in 1946
- 1946 establishments in Oregon
- Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange
- Companies in the S&P 400
- 1996 initial public offerings
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment