Edgar Filing: LITHIA MOTORS INC

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1),
Registration No. 333-81424
PROSPECTUS

5,000,000 Shares

LITHIA LOGO
CLASS A COMMON STOCK

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LITHIA MOTORS, INC. IS OFFERING 4,000,000 SHARES OF ITS CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND
THE SELLING STOCKHOLDER IS OFFERING 1,000,000 SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK.
LITHIA WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON
STOCK SOLD BY SELLING STOCKHOLDERS.

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OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK IS LISTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE UNDER THE
SYMBOL "LAD." ON FEBRUARY 25, 2002, THE CLOSING PRICE OF OUR CLASS A COMMON
STOCK WAS $18.35 PER SHARE.

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INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON
PAGE 7.

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PRICE $18.25 A SHARE

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UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
PRICE TO DISCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS SELLING
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS TO LITHIA STOCKHOLDER
----------- ------------- ----------- ------------

Per Share.................... $18.2500 $.9581 $17.2919 $17.2919
Total........................ $91,250,000 $4,790,500 $69,167,600 $17,291,900

We and certain other selling stockholders have granted the underwriters the
right to purchase up to an additional 500,000 shares and 250,000 shares,
respectively, of Class A common stock to cover over-allotments.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not
approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus is
truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated expects to deliver the shares to purchasers
on March 1, 2002.
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MORGAN STANLEY STEPHENS INC.
February 25, 2002

[INSIDE COVER TO INCLUDE MAP OF THE COMPANY'S STORE LOCATIONS IN THE WESTERN
UNITED STATES]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
----

Prospectus Summary.......................................... 1
Risk Factors................................................ 7
Cautionary Statement About Forward-Looking Statements....... 11
Use of Proceeds............................................. 12
Price Range of Common Stock................................. 12
Dividend Policy............................................. 12
Capitalization.............................................. 13
Selected Consolidated Financial Data........................ 14
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 15
and Results of Operations.................................
Business.................................................... 25
Management.................................................. 36
Principal and Selling Stockholders.......................... 38
Description of Capital Stock................................ 41
Underwriters................................................ 45
Legal Matters............................................... 47
Experts..................................................... 47
Where You Can Find More Information......................... 47
Index to Financial Statements............................... F-1

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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with
information different from that contained in this prospectus. We are offering to
sell shares of common stock and seeking offers to buy shares of common stock
only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information
contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus,
regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of the
common stock.
------------------------

In this prospectus "Lithia," "we," "us" and "our" refers to Lithia Motors,
Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires. Unless
otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes no exercise of
the underwriters' over-allotment option.

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No automotive manufacturer or distributor has been involved, directly or
indirectly, in the preparation of this prospectus or in the offering being made
hereby. No manufacturer or distributor has been authorized to make any
statements or representations in connection with the offering, and no
manufacturer or distributor has any responsibility for the accuracy or
completeness of this prospectus or for the offering.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

You should read the following summary together with the more detailed
information concerning our company, the common stock being sold in this offering
and our financial statements and notes thereto appearing or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. Because this is only a summary, you should
carefully read all of this prospectus, including the risks described under "Risk
Factors," before you invest in our common stock.

LITHIA MOTORS, INC.

Lithia Motors, Inc. is a leading operator of automotive franchise stores in
the western United States. We sell new and used cars, light trucks and sport
utility vehicles. We also provide vehicle maintenance, warranty and repair
services and arrange finance, extended warranty and insurance contracts for our
customers. We achieve gross margins above industry averages by selling a higher
ratio of retail used vehicles to new vehicles and by arranging finance and
extended warranty contracts for a greater percentage of our customers. In 2001,
we achieved a gross margin of 16.4% compared with the industry average of 13.1%.
We offer 24 brands of new vehicles, through 123 franchises in 65 stores. Our
core markets are concentrated in the fastest growing regions in the United
States with 16 stores in Oregon, 11 in California, 10 in Washington, 7 in
Colorado, 7 in Idaho, 5 in Nevada, 4 in Texas, 3 in South Dakota and 2 in
Alaska. Over 65% of our stores are located in markets where our store does not
compete directly with any other franchised dealer selling the same brand.

We were founded in 1946. Our two senior executives have managed the company
for more than 30 years. Since our initial public offering in 1996, we have grown
from 5 to 65 stores primarily through an aggressive acquisition program,
increasing annual revenues from $143 million in 1996 to $1.87 billion in 2001.
We have achieved five-year compounded annual growth rates through December 31,
2001 of 67% for revenues, 53% for net income and 25% for earnings per share,
together with a 5.3% average annual same store sales growth.

In 2000, due to the economic outlook at that time, we intentionally slowed
our growth in anticipation of a more favorable acquisition environment. We
believe the current economic environment provides us with an increasing number
of attractive acquisition opportunities. As a result, we have accelerated our
pace of acquisitions. Since July 2001, we have acquired 10 stores compared with
9 in the preceding twelve months. We expect the majority of our future growth to
come from acquisitions. Our ability to successfully identify and integrate
acquired stores and to achieve financial performance superior to industry
averages is a result of a focused acquisition strategy and disciplined operating
standards for all departments.

As an automotive retailer, we experience relatively low earnings volatility
compared with automotive manufacturers because of the following factors:

-- 72% of our gross profits are achieved from the sale of used vehicles,
service, body and parts and finance, extended warranty and insurance
contracts, which have higher margins and are not as sensitive to
economic downturns as are sales of new vehicles;

-- over one-half of our costs are variable or discretionary, including
personnel, advertising and inventory finance expenses;

-- manufacturers bear the cost of consumer and dealer incentives which
improves our margins and helps offset the effect of new vehicle sales
declines; and

-- we offer a wide variety of new vehicle brands, which minimizes our
dependence on any one manufacturer and reduces our exposure to supply
problems, product cycles and changing consumer preferences.

ACQUISITION GROWTH STRATEGY

The highly fragmented U.S. automotive retailing industry is estimated to
generate approximately $1.0 trillion in revenue: $746 billion from sales of new
and used vehicles and $219 billion from repair, service and parts. The
automotive finance industry generates revenues of $493 billion for providing
vehicle loans,

leases, extended warranties and credit insurance. The 100 largest automotive
retailers generated only approximately 16% of total new and used vehicle sales
in 2001. Based on reported 2001 revenues and retail units sold, we are one of
the 10 largest automotive retailers in the country. According to industry data,
the number of franchised automotive stores has declined from more than 36,000
stores in 1960 to approximately 22,000 in 2001, which are operated by fewer than
14,000 retailers. Most stores are privately held. We expect further
consolidation of the automotive retailing industry due to:

-- the number of owners who are nearing retirement age;

-- the desire of manufacturers to have dealers implement "best" customer
service and operating practices;

-- pressures from manufacturers on automotive retailers to invest in
upgraded facilities and information systems; and

-- the limited availability of new franchise locations.

The enormous size and fragmentation of the industry and the lack of
attractive exit strategies create a favorable environment for us to pursue our
acquisition strategy. We currently target acquisitions in 70 markets west of the
Mississippi River where we have the opportunity to acquire single-point or
well-protected franchise stores. We seek to enter a new territory either by
acquiring one or two stores at a time until we establish a significant market
presence or by acquiring an entire group of stores.

We seek to acquire stores where we can apply our operating disciplines to
enhance their profitability. We target stores with zero to 2% pretax margins,
which encompasses over one-half of all U.S. new vehicle stores. Based upon our
experience, our goal is to improve pretax margins to over 3%. As we integrate
newly acquired stores, we improve their profitability by:

-- emphasizing sales of higher margin used vehicles and finance,
warranty and insurance products;

-- utilizing specialized operational support teams to train and motivate
store personnel;

-- increasing new vehicle sales through aggressive marketing and
improved vehicle allocations from manufacturers;

-- standardizing management information systems to identify cost savings
and revenue enhancing opportunities;

-- realizing volume pricing benefits in the cost of advertising, retail
finance contracts, extended warranty and insurance products, flooring
line interest and from other vendors; and

-- improving inventory, receivables and other asset controls.

OPERATING GROWTH STRATEGY

We strive to maximize the overall franchise value of each store by using
our disciplined operating strategy. We believe the application of this operating
strategy provides us with a competitive advantage and is critical to our ability
to achieve levels of profitability superior to industry averages. Our operating
strategy consists of the following elements:

MAINTAIN COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANUFACTURERS

We strive to maintain our highly valued manufacturer/franchisee
relationships. Manufacturers commit significant resources to the franchise
system as the exclusive method of retailing their automotive products by:

-- funding dealer and customer incentives and rebates;

-- sharing in regional and national advertising expenses;

-- designating the franchise retailer as the exclusive warranty and
recall service provider;

-- providing us with a low cost source of acquisition and working
capital financing;

-- bearing a substantial portion of new vehicle inventory financing
costs;

-- offering our customers low cost financing and lease options; and

-- training many of our employees.

We, in turn, cooperate in facility design, marketing efforts and
manufacturer-preferred brand alignment within our markets. We believe our
cooperative relationship with manufacturers facilitates their approval of new
acquisitions.

EMPHASIZE SALES OF HIGHER MARGIN PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

We generate substantial incremental revenue and net income by arranging
financing for the sale of vehicles, selling extended service contracts and other
ancillary products, providing vehicle maintenance and retailing used vehicles.

Revenues and gross profit by product line were as follows for the year
ended December 31, 2001:

PERCENT OF PERCENT OF TOTAL
TOTAL REVENUES GROSS MARGIN GROSS PROFIT
-------------- ------------ ----------------

New vehicles...................................... 52.9% 8.7% 28.2%
Retail used vehicles(1)........................... 26.4 12.7 20.4
Service, body and parts........................... 10.0 46.5 28.5
Finance and insurance(2).......................... 3.8 99.0 23.2
Fleet and other................................... 2.2 2.8 0.4

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(1) Excludes wholesale used vehicle sales, representing 4.7% of total revenues
with a negative gross margin contribution of 0.7%.

(2) Reported net of administration fees and anticipated cancellations.

Vehicle financing and leasing. We arrange third-party financing and
leasing alternatives from multiple sources to meet the needs of each customer.
Our ability to offer customer-tailored financing on a "same day" basis provides
us with a competitive advantage, particularly over smaller competitors who do
not generate sufficient volume to attract our breadth of financing sources. In
2001, we arranged financing for 77% of our new vehicle sales and 74% of our
retail used vehicle sales, compared to the industry averages of 55% and 59%,
respectively. Our average finance and insurance revenue per vehicle totaled $933
in 2001 compared to the industry average of $438.

Service, body and parts. Our service, body and parts departments generate
recurring, higher margin revenues. We achieved a gross margin of 46.5% for the
year ended December 31, 2001. Our service, body and parts operation is an
integral part of our customer service program and helps establish customer
loyalty. Approximately 30% of our new and used vehicle buyers purchase a
lifetime oil and filter service, which generates repeat business for our service
departments. Additionally, we perform warranty and recall servicing for
manufacturers at rates similar to our retail rates. Revenues from the service,
body and parts departments are important during economic downturns as owners
tend to repair existing vehicles rather than buy new vehicles during such
periods.

Used vehicle sales. Retail used vehicle sales are an important part of our
overall profitability. For 2001, retail used vehicle sales generated a gross
margin of 12.7% compared with a gross margin of 8.7% for new vehicle sales. We
currently sell approximately 0.93 retail used vehicles for every new vehicle
sold, compared to the industry average ratio of approximately 0.77 to 1. Our
used vehicle operations give us an opportunity to:

-- generate sales to customers financially unable or unwilling to
purchase a new vehicle;

-- increase new and used vehicle sales by aggressively pursuing customer
trade-ins; and

-- increase service contract sales and financing to used vehicle
purchasers.

EMPLOY PROVEN MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

improving performance, we make available to each store a team of specialists in
new vehicle sales, used vehicle sales, finance and insurance, service and parts,
and back-office administration. These teams utilize a standardized management
information system that helps identify areas of potential cost savings as well
as revenue enhancing opportunities in each department. A significant portion of
the compensation of the general managers and department managers is based on the
profitability of their stores or departments. Our senior management monitors
each store's sales, profitability and inventory.

FOCUS ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND LOYALTY

We emphasize customer satisfaction and strive to develop a reputation for
quality and fairness. We train our sales personnel to identify an appropriate
vehicle for each of our customers at an affordable price.

We believe that our "Priority You" customer-oriented plan differentiates us
from other automotive retail stores. "Priority You" commits us to provide:

-- a complimentary credit check;

-- a complimentary used vehicle appraisal;

-- a 60-day/3,000 mile warranty on all used vehicles sold; and

-- a community donation for every vehicle sold.

Our stores have received a number of dealer quality, sales volume and
customer satisfaction awards from various manufacturers. These include:
Chrysler's highest recognition for dealer excellence, the Five-Star
Certification; Ford's Blue Oval Certificate; Toyota's President's Cup; Honda's
President's Award; Dodge's National Charger Club membership; Volkswagen's
Wolfsburg Crest Club Award; and Isuzu's Sendai Cup and President's Cup.
------------------------

We were incorporated in 1946 in Oregon. Our principal executive offices are
located at 360 East Jackson Street, Medford, Oregon 97501, and our telephone
number at this location is (541) 776-6401. Our Internet address is
www.lithia.com. Information on our website does not constitute a part of this
prospectus.

The Lithia logo is one of our registered trademarks. This prospectus also
includes other trade names, trademarks and service marks of ours or of the
manufacturers.

THE OFFERING

Class A common stock offered by us................... 4,000,000 shares

Class A common stock offered by the selling
stockholder........................................ 1,000,000 shares
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Total........................................... 5,000,000 shares
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----------

Total common stock to be outstanding after this
offering:
Class A common stock............................... 13,226,701 shares
Class B common stock............................... 4,039,719 shares
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Total........................................... 17,266,420 shares
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----------

Over-allotment option granted by us.................. 500,000 shares

Over-allotment option granted by the other selling
stockholders....................................... 250,000 shares
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Total........................................... 750,000 shares
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Voting Rights:
Class A common stock............................... One vote per share
Class B common stock............................... Ten votes per share

Use of proceeds...................................... We will receive net proceeds from the offering
of approximately $68.7 million. We intend to
use the proceeds primarily for acquisitions of
additional stores and other general corporate
purposes. Prior to such use, the funds will be
used to reduce borrowings under our credit
lines.

New York Stock Exchange symbol....................... LAD

The above information is based upon 13,266,420 common shares outstanding as
of February 22, 2002. This information does not include 1,401,945 shares of
common stock subject to outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price
of $14.06 and 394,388 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under
our stock option and employee purchase plans. See "Capitalization" and
"Description of Capital Stock" for additional information concerning the number
of outstanding shares of our capital stock and stock options.

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents summary consolidated financial data of Lithia
as of the dates and for the periods indicated. You should read our consolidated
financial statements and related notes together with our "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus for more complete
information. The "as adjusted" data gives effect to the sale of 4,000,000 shares
of Class A common stock offer under this prospectus at the offering price of
$18.25 per share, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses payable by us.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AND VEHICLE DATA)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
New vehicle sales......................... $ 161,294 $ 388,431 $ 673,339 $ 898,016 $ 990,615
Used vehicle sales........................ 113,099 220,544 375,562 480,846 582,565
Service, body and parts................... 29,828 72,216 120,722 164,002 187,725
Finance and insurance..................... 13,614 25,735 46,422 58,025 71,685
Fleet and other........................... 1,960 7,814 26,614 57,722 40,598
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues.......................... 319,795 714,740 1,242,659 1,658,611 1,873,188
=========== =========== ========== ========== ==========
Gross profit................................ 54,746 115,361 199,286 267,569 306,475
Selling, general and administrative......... 40,625 85,188 146,381 195,500 239,042
Operating income............................ 11,638 26,704 47,332 64,464 58,158
Flooring interest expense................... (2,179) (7,108) (11,105) (17,728) (14,497)
Income before income taxes.................. 9,497 17,782 32,051 39,535 35,429
Net income.................................. $ 5,959 $ 10,789 $ 19,174 $ 24,313 $ 21,754
Basic net income per share(1)............... $ 0.85 $ 1.18 $ 1.67 $ 1.78 $ 1.63
=========== =========== ========== ========== ==========
Diluted net income per share................ $ 0.82 $ 1.14 $ 1.60 $ 1.76 $ 1.60
=========== =========== ========== ========== ==========
OTHER OPERATING DATA:
Operating margin............................ 3.6% 3.7% 3.8% 3.9% 3.1%
Number of stores............................ 17 28 41 53 60
Number of stores acquired, net.............. 10 11 13 8 7
Number of franchises........................ 32 56 98 111 110
Same store sales growth..................... 4.8% 14.7% 6.9% 1.1% (0.9)%
New vehicles sold........................... 7,493 17,708 28,645 37,230 39,875
Retail used vehicles sold................... 7,147 13,645 23,840 30,896 36,960
F&I per retail vehicle...................... $ 935 $ 821 $ 884 $ 852 $ 933

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001
-------------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
---------- -----------
(IN THOUSANDS)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital........................................... $ 104,834 $104,834
Inventories............................................... 275,398 275,398
Total assets.............................................. 662,944 662,944
Flooring notes payable.................................... 280,947 234,279
Current maturities of long-term debt...................... 10,203 10,203
Long-term debt, less current maturities................... 95,830 73,830
Stockholders' equity...................................... 203,497 272,165

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(1) Based on an April 2001 Financial Accounting Standards Board announcement, we
restated basic income per share for the 1999 and 2000 periods to include the
Series M preferred stock as common stock on an as if converted basis.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an
investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones facing our
company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem
immaterial may also impair our business operations.

Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be
materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our
common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or
part of your investment.

This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including the risks faced by us described below and elsewhere in this
prospectus.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS

OUR ABILITY TO INCREASE REVENUES THROUGH OUR ACQUISITION GROWTH STRATEGY
DEPENDS ON OUR ABILITY TO ACQUIRE AND SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE ADDITIONAL STORES.

General. The U.S. automobile industry is considered a mature industry in
which minimal growth is expected in unit sales of new vehicles. Accordingly, a
principal component of our growth in sales is to make additional acquisitions in
our existing markets and in new geographic markets. To complete the acquisitions
of additional stores, we need to successfully address each of the following
challenges.

Limitations on our capital resources may prevent us from capitalizing on
acquisition opportunities. Acquisitions of additional stores will require
substantial capital investment. Limitations on our capital resources would
restrict our ability to complete new acquisitions. Further, the use of any
financing source could have the effect of reducing our earnings per share.

In the past, we have financed our acquisitions from a combination of the
cash flow from our operations, borrowings under our credit arrangements and
issuances of our common stock. Although we expect the proceeds from this
offering, together with our other financing resources, to be sufficient for our
currently anticipated acquisition program through 2003, we cannot guarantee that
additional funds would be available in the future if needed. If we are unable to
obtain financing on acceptable terms, we may be required to slow the pace of our
acquisition plans, which may materially and adversely affect our acquisition
growth strategy.

On occasion, we finance acquisitions by issuing shares of our common stock
as partial consideration for acquired stores. Our willingness and ability to
issue our common stock for acquisitions will depend on the market value of the
common stock at the time and the willingness of potential acquisition candidates
to accept our common stock as part of the consideration for the sale of their
businesses. Accordingly, our ability to make acquisitions could be adversely
affected if the price of our common stock declines. If potential acquisition
candidates are unwilling to accept our common stock as partial consideration, we
will be forced to rely solely on available cash from operations or debt
financing, which could limit our acquisition plans.

Manufacturers may restrict our ability to make new acquisitions. We are
required to obtain consent from the applicable manufacturer prior to the
acquisition of a franchised store. The term "manufacturer" in this prospectus
refers to all of the manufacturers of new vehicles that we sell.

In determining whether to approve an acquisition, a manufacturer considers
many factors, including our financial condition, ownership structure, the number
of stores currently owned and our performance with those stores. Most major
manufacturers have now established limitations or guidelines on the:

-- number of such manufacturers' stores that may be acquired by a single
owner;

-- number of stores that may be acquired in any market or region;

-- percentage of total sales that may be controlled by one dealer group;

-- ownership of stores in contiguous markets;

-- frequency of acquisitions; and

-- requirement that no other manufacturer's brands be sold from the same
store location.

DaimlerChrysler has issued a policy statement to all of its dealers stating
that it may disapprove any acquisition if the buyer would own more than ten
stores nationally, six in any Chrysler-defined sales zone or two in the same
market. Although we currently own 21 Chrysler stores, DaimlerChrysler has
continued to approve new acquisitions; however, no assurance can be given that
any future acquisition applications will be approved. There are approximately
4,300 Chrysler stores nationwide.

General Motors currently evaluates our acquisitions of GM stores on a
case-by-case basis. GM, however, limits the maximum number of GM stores that we
may acquire at any time to 50% of the GM stores, by franchise line, in a
GM-defined geographic market area. GM has approximately 7,300 stores nationwide.

Ford currently limits the number of stores that we may own to the greater
of (1) 15 Ford and 15 Lincoln Mercury stores and (2) that number of Ford and
Lincoln Mercury stores accounting for 5% of the preceding year's total Ford,
Lincoln and Mercury retail sales in the United States. In addition, Ford limits
us to one Ford store in a Ford-defined market area having two or fewer
authorized Ford stores and one-third of Ford stores in any Ford-defined market
area having three or more authorized Ford stores. Ford has approximately 4,600
franchised stores nationwide.

Toyota restricts the number of stores that we may own and the time frame
over which we may acquire them, and imposes specific performance criteria on
existing stores as a condition to any future acquisitions. In order for us to
acquire more than seven stores, we must execute Toyota's standard Level Two
Multiple Ownership Agreement. Under the Level Two Multiple Ownership Agreement,
we may acquire more than seven stores over a minimum of seven semi-annual
periods, up to a maximum number of stores equal to 5% of Toyota's aggregate
national annual retail sale volume. In addition, Toyota restricts the number of
Toyota stores that we may acquire in any Toyota-defined region and Metro market,
as well as any contiguous market. Toyota has approximately 1,200 stores
nationwide.

We currently own 21 Chrysler, 8 General Motors, 6 Ford and 5 Toyota stores.
As noted above, we currently own more Chrysler stores than provided in its
policy guidelines and further acquisitions of Chrysler stores may be prohibited
or severely limited. With respect to other manufacturers, we do not believe
existing numerical limitations will materially restrict our acquisition program
for a number of years.

A manufacturer also considers our past performance as measured by their
customer satisfaction index, or CSI, scores and sales performance at our
existing stores. At any point in time, some of our stores may have CSI scores
below the manufacturers' sales zone averages or have achieved sales performances
below the targets manufacturers have set. Our failure to maintain satisfactory
CSI scores and to achieve sales performance goals could restrict our ability to
complete future acquisitions. In particular, our current Nissan and
Lincoln/Mercury stores have not achieved manufacturer established sales goals
and we do not believe we would receive approval to acquire any new Nissan or
Lincoln/Mercury stores until our sales levels improve for a sustained period of
time.

We may be unable to improve profitability of newly acquired stores. We
target stores with pretax margins below our historical pretax margin. Our
ability to improve the profitability of newly acquired stores depends in large
part on our ability at such stores to:

-- increase new vehicle sales;

-- improve sales of higher margin used vehicles and finance and
insurance products;

-- train and motivate store management;

-- achieve cost savings and realize revenue enhancing opportunities; and

-- improve inventory, receivable and other controls.

If we fail to improve the profitability of newly acquired stores, we may be
unable to maintain our historical pretax margin. Further, failure to improve the
performance of under-performing stores could preclude us from receiving
manufacturer approval for any new acquisitions of that brand.

Competition with other automotive retailers for attractive acquisition
targets could restrict our ability to complete new acquisitions. In the current
economic environment, we are presented with an increasing number of attractive
acquisition opportunities. However, we compete with several other public and
private automotive retailer groups, some of which have greater financial and
managerial resources. Competition with existing automotive retailer groups and
those formed in the future may result in fewer attractive acquisition
opportunities and increased acquisition costs. If we cannot negotiate
acquisitions on acceptable terms, our future revenue growth will be
significantly limited.

THE LOSS OF KEY PERSONNEL AND THE FAILURE TO ATTRACT ADDITIONAL PROVEN
MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS AND GROWTH.

Our success depends to a significant degree on the efforts and abilities of
our senior management, particularly Sidney B. DeBoer, our Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, M. L. Dick Heimann, our President and Chief Operating
Officer, and R. Bradford Gray, our Executive Vice President. Further, we have
identified Mr. DeBoer and/or Mr. Heimann in most of our store franchise
agreements as the individuals who control the franchises and upon whose
financial resources and management expertise the manufacturers may consider when
awarding or approving the transfer of any franchise. The loss of either of those
individuals could have a material adverse effect on our on-going relationship
with the manufacturers.

We place substantial responsibility on our general managers for the
profitability of their stores. We have increased our number of stores from 5 in
1996 to 65 as of February 2002. Many stores are offered for sale to us to enable
the owner/manager to retire. These potential acquisitions are viable to us only
if we are able to obtain replacement management. This has resulted in the need
to hire many additional managers. As we continue to expand, the need for
additional experienced managers will become even more critical. The market for
qualified general managers is highly competitive. The loss of the services of
key management personnel or the inability to attract additional qualified
general managers could have a material adverse effect on our business and the
execution of our acquisition growth strategy.

OUR STORES DEPEND ON VEHICLE SALES AND, THEREFORE, OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS IN
LARGE PART UPON THE OVERALL DEMAND FOR THE PARTICULAR LINES OF VEHICLES THAT
EACH OF OUR STORES SELLS.

Our Chrysler, GM, Ford and Toyota stores represent approximately
three-fourths of our total new vehicle retail sales. Demand for our primary
manufacturers' vehicles as well as the financial condition, management,
marketing, production and distribution capabilities of these manufacturers can
significantly affect our business. Events that adversely affect a manufacturer's
ability to timely deliver new vehicles, such as labor disputes and other
production disruptions, including delays that sometimes occur during periods of
new product introductions, may adversely affect us by reducing our supply of
popular new vehicles and leading to lower sales in our stores during those
periods. Further, any event that causes adverse publicity involving any of our
manufacturers or their vehicles could reduce sales of those vehicles and
adversely affect our sales and profits.

CYCLICAL DOWNTURNS IN THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY THAT REDUCE OUR VEHICLE SALES
MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY.

The automobile industry is cyclical and historically has experienced
downturns characterized by oversupply and weak demand. Many factors affect the
industry, including general economic conditions, consumer confidence, personal
discretionary spending levels, interest rates and credit availability. We cannot
guarantee that the industry will not experience sustained periods of decline in
vehicle sales in the future. Any such decline could have an adverse effect on
our business.

The automobile industry also experiences seasonal variations in revenue.
Demand for automobiles is generally lower during the winter months than in other
seasons, particularly in our market areas that experience harsh winters.
Accordingly, we expect revenues and operating results generally to be lower in
our

first and fourth quarters than in our second and third quarters for existing
stores. With respect to our company, the timing and volume of our acquisitions
has had a greater effect on our revenues than seasonal sales variations.

THE ABILITY OF OUR STORES TO MAKE NEW VEHICLE SALES DEPENDS IN LARGE PART
UPON THE MANUFACTURERS AND, THEREFORE, ANY DISRUPTION OR CHANGE IN OUR
RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANUFACTURERS MAY MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
PROFITABILITY.

We depend on the manufacturers to provide us with a desirable mix of new
vehicles. The most popular vehicles usually produce the highest profit margins
and are frequently in short supply. If we cannot obtain sufficient quantities of
the most popular models, our profitability may be adversely affected. Sales of
less desirable models may reduce our profit margins.

We depend on the manufacturers for sales incentives and other programs that
are intended to promote sales or support our profitability. Manufacturers
historically have made many changes to their incentive programs during each
year. A discontinuation or change in manufacturers' incentive programs could
adversely affect our business. Moreover, some manufacturers use a store's CSI
scores as a factor for participating in incentive programs. Accordingly, our
failure to meet CSI standards at our stores could have a material adverse effect
on us.

Each of our stores operates pursuant to a franchise agreement with each of
the respective manufacturers for which it serves as franchisee. Manufacturers
exert significant control over our stores through the terms and conditions of
their franchise agreements, including provisions for termination or non-renewal
for a variety of causes. From time-to-time, certain of our stores have failed to
comply with certain provisions of their franchise agreements. These agreements
and state law, however, generally afford us the opportunity to cure violations
and no manufacturer has terminated or failed to renew any franchise agreement
with us. If a manufacturer terminates or fails to renew one or more of our
significant franchise agreements, such action could have a material adverse
effect on us.

Our franchise agreements also specify that, in certain situations, we
cannot operate a franchise by another manufacturer in the same building as the
manufacturer's franchised store. This may require us to build new facilities at
a significant cost. In addition, some manufacturers are in the process of
realigning their stores along defined channels, such as combining Chrysler and
Jeep in one location. As a result, manufacturers may require us to move or sell
certain stores. Moreover, our manufacturers generally require that the store
meet defined image standards. All of these commitments could require us to make
significant capital expenditures.

Some of our franchise agreements prohibit transfers of ownership interests
of a store or, in some cases, its parent. The most prohibitive restriction,
which has been imposed by various manufacturers, provides that, under certain
circumstances, we may lose a franchise if a person or entity acquires an
ownership interest in us above a specified level (ranging from 20% to 50%
depending on the particular manufacturer's restrictions and falling as low as 5%
if another vehicle manufacturer is the entity acquiring the ownership interest)
without the approval of the applicable manufacturer. Violations by our
stockholders or prospective stockholders are generally outside of our control
and may result in the termination or non-renewal of one or more of our
franchises, which may have a material adverse effect on us.

IMPORT PRODUCT RESTRICTIONS AND FOREIGN TRADE RISKS MAY IMPAIR OUR ABILITY
TO SELL FOREIGN VEHICLES PROFITABLY.

Certain vehicles we sell, as well as certain major components of vehicles
we sell, are manufactured outside the United States. Accordingly, we are subject
to import and export restrictions of various jurisdictions and are dependent to
some extent on general economic conditions in, and political relations with, a
number of foreign countries. Additionally, fluctuations in currency exchange
rates may adversely affect our sales of vehicles produced by foreign
manufacturers. Imports into the United States may also be adversely affected by
increased transportation costs and tariffs, quotas or duties, any of which could
have a material adverse effect on us.

RISKS RELATED TO THIS OFFERING

THE SOLE VOTING CONTROL OF OUR COMPANY IS HELD BY SIDNEY B. DEBOER, WHO MAY
HAVE INTERESTS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR INTERESTS.

Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C., of which Sidney B. DeBoer, our Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, is the sole managing member, holds all of the
outstanding shares of Class B common stock. A holder of Class B common stock is
entitled to ten votes for each share held, while a holder of Class A common
stock is entitled to one vote for each share held. On most matters, the Class A
and Class B common stock vote together as a single class. Even after completion
of the offering, Lithia Holding will control 75.0% of the aggregate number of
votes eligible to be cast by stockholders for the election of directors and most
other stockholder actions, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option,
and 73.6% of such votes if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option
in full. Therefore, Lithia Holding will control the election of our Board of
Directors and will be in a position to control the policies and operations of
the company. In addition, because Mr. DeBoer is the managing member of Lithia
Holding, he currently controls and will continue to control, all of the
outstanding Class B common stock, thereby allowing him to control the company.
See "Principal and Selling Stockholders." So long as at least 16 2/3% of the
total number of shares outstanding are shares of Class B common stock, the
holders of Class B common stock will be able to control all matters requiring
approval of 66 2/3% or less of the aggregate number of votes. Absent a
significant increase in the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding
or conversion of Class B common stock into Class A common stock, the holders of
shares of Class B common stock will be entitled to elect all members of the
Board of Directors and control all matters subject to stockholder approval that
do not require a class vote. See "Description of Capital Stock."

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements under the sections entitled "Prospectus Summary,"
"Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and "Business" and elsewhere in this prospectus and in
the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus constitute
forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking
statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "intend,"
"forecast," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential,"
"continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The
forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and situations that may cause our actual results,
level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from
any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by these statements. Some of the important factors that could cause
actual results to differ from our expectations are discussed in the "Risk
Factors" section of this prospectus.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of
activity, performance or achievements. You should not place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will receive net proceeds from the sale of the 4,000,000 shares of Class
A common stock we are offering of approximately $68.7 million after deducting
underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. If the
underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full, we estimate our net
proceeds from this offering will be approximately $77.3 million. We will not
receive any proceeds from the Class A common stock being offered by the selling
stockholders.

We intend to use the net proceeds from our sale of Class A common stock
primarily to finance future acquisitions and other general corporate purposes.
Prior to such use, we intend to reduce our outstanding borrowings under credit
agreements with Ford Motor Credit and others. These credit lines currently bear
interest at rates ranging from 3.38% to 4.63% per annum and expire in December
2003. We borrowed under these lines to purchase new and used vehicles and to
fund some of our acquisitions.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

The following table presents the high and low sale prices for our Class A
common stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Tape, for the
periods indicated.

CLASS A
COMMON STOCK
PRICE
----------------
HIGH LOW
------ ------

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
First Quarter............................................. $18.19 $13.00
Second Quarter............................................ 17.13 11.63
Third Quarter............................................. 13.50 11.75
Fourth Quarter............................................ 14.13 11.38
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001
First Quarter............................................. $15.05 $12.00
Second Quarter............................................ 21.38 14.00
Third Quarter............................................. 19.06 12.50
Fourth Quarter............................................ 20.70 11.85
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002
First Quarter (through February 25)....................... $21.75 $17.40

A recent closing price per share for our common stock as reported by the
NYSE is set forth on the cover of this prospectus. On February 22, 2002, there
were approximately 1,700 holders of record of our Class A common stock.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock and
do not anticipate paying dividends for the foreseeable future. We intend to
retain future earnings for acquisitions and operations. Our credit agreement
with Ford Motor Credit Company precludes the payment of cash dividends without
its prior consent. The payment of future dividends is also subject to the
discretion of our Board of Directors.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our short-term debt and capitalization as of
December 31, 2001 and as adjusted to give effect to the conversion in January
2002 of 5,177 shares of Series M preferred stock into 249,311 shares of Class A
common stock and the application of the estimated net proceeds received by us
from the sale of the 4,000,000 shares of Class A common stock we are offering
under this prospectus.

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2001
-----------------------
ACTUAL AS ADJUSTED
-------- -----------
{(IN THOUSANDS)}

Short-term debt:
Flooring notes payable.................................... $211,947 $211,947
Current maturities of long-term debt...................... 10,203 10,203
-------- --------
Total short-term debt................................ $222,150 $222,150
======== ========
Long-term debt:
Used vehicle flooring facility............................ $ 69,000 $ 22,332
Real estate debt, less current maturities................. 40,693 40,693
Long-term debt, less current maturities................... 55,137 33,137
-------- --------
Total long-term debt, less current maturities........ 164,830 96,162
-------- --------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, no par value
15,000,000 shares authorized;
15,000 shares designated Series M Preferred;
issued and outstanding 9,676 actual and 4,499 as
adjusted............................................... 5,806 2,699
Common Stock
Class A common stock, no par value
100,000,000 shares authorized;
issued and outstanding 8,894,107 actual and
13,143,418 as adjusted............................... 113,553 185,328
Class B common stock, no par value
25,000,000 shares authorized;
issued and outstanding 4,039,719 actual and
as adjusted.......................................... 502 502
Additional paid-in capital.................................. 507 507
Accumulated other comprehensive loss........................ (2,091) (2,091)
Retained earnings........................................... 85,220 85,220
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity............................. 203,497 272,165
-------- --------
Total capitalization.............................. $368,327 $368,327
======== ========

The above information is based upon the common shares outstanding as of
December 31, 2001. This information does not include 1,409,745 shares of common
stock subject to outstanding options at a weighted average exercise price of
$14.02 and 452,671 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our
stock option and employee purchase plans. See "Description of Capital Stock" for
additional information concerning the number of outstanding shares of our
capital stock and stock options.

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table presents consolidated balance sheet data and
consolidated statements of operations data as of and for the years ended
December 31, 1997 through 2001, which is derived from our audited consolidated
financial statements. You should read this data in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto
contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues
New vehicle sales..................................... $161,294 $388,431 $ 673,339 $ 898,016 $ 990,615
Used vehicle sales.................................... 113,099 220,544 375,562 480,846 582,565
Service, body and parts............................... 29,828 72,216 120,722 164,002 187,725
Finance and insurance................................. 13,614 25,735 46,422 58,025 71,685
Fleet and other....................................... 1,960 7,814 26,614 57,722 40,598
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues...................................... 319,795 714,740 1,242,659 1,658,611 1,873,188
Cost of sales........................................... 265,049 599,379 1,043,373 1,391,042 1,566,713
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit............................................ 54,746 115,361 199,286 267,569 306,475
Selling, general and administrative..................... 40,625 85,188 146,381 195,500 239,042
Depreciation and amortization........................... 2,483 3,469 5,573 7,605 9,275
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income........................................ 11,638 26,704 47,332 64,464 58,158
Flooring interest expense............................... (2,179) (7,108) (11,105) (17,728) (14,497)
Other interest expense.................................. (824) (2,735) (4,250) (7,917) (7,822)
Other income (expense), net............................. 862 921 74 716 (410)
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes.............................. 9,497 17,782 32,051 39,535 35,429
Income taxes............................................ (3,538) (6,993) (12,877) (15,222) (13,675)
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income.............................................. $ 5,959 $ 10,789 $ 19,174 $ 24,313 $ 21,754
======== ======== ========== ========== ==========
Basic net income per share(1)........................... $ 0.85 $ 1.18 $ 1.67 $ 1.78 $ 1.63
======== ======== ========== ========== ==========
Shares used -- basic.................................... 6,988 9,147 11,506 13,652 13,371
Diluted net income per share............................ $ 0.82 $ 1.14 $ 1.60 $ 1.76 $ 1.60
======== ======== ========== ========== ==========
Shares used -- diluted.................................. 7,303 9,470 11,998 13,804 13,612

AS OF DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital......................................... $ 23,870 $ 53,553 $ 74,999 $ 98,917 $ 104,834
Inventories............................................. 89,845 157,455 268,281 314,290 275,398
Total assets............................................ 166,526 294,398 506,433 628,003 662,944
Flooring notes payable.................................. 82,598 129,167 243,903 314,137 280,947
Current maturities of long-term debt.................... 2,787 3,143 7,132 5,342 10,203
Long-term debt, less current maturities................. 26,558 41,420 38,411 72,586 95,830
Stockholders' equity.................................... 37,877 91,511 155,638 181,775 203,497

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

We are a leading operator of automotive franchises and retailer of new and
used vehicles and services. As of February 22, 2001, we offered 24 brands of new
vehicles through 123 franchises in 65 stores in the western United States and
over the internet. As of February 22, 2001, we operated 16 stores in Oregon, 11
in California, 10 in Washington, 7 in Colorado, 7 in Idaho, 5 in Nevada, 4 in
Texas, 3 in South Dakota and 2 in Alaska. We sell new and used cars and light
trucks; sell replacement parts; provide vehicle maintenance, warranty, paint and
repair services; and arrange related financing and insurance for our automotive
customers.

During an economic downturn, customers tend to shift towards the purchase
of more reasonably priced new vehicle models or used vehicles. Many customers
decide to delay purchasing a new vehicle and instead repair existing vehicles.
In addition, manufacturers typically offer increased dealer and customer
incentives during an economic downturn in order to support new vehicle sales
volume. These factors lead to less volatility in earnings for automotive
retailers than for automotive manufacturers.

Historically, new vehicle sales account for approximately 50% of our total
revenues but less than 30% of total gross profit. We emphasize sales of higher
margin products, which generate over 70% of our gross profits. Our revenues and
gross profit by product line were as follows for 2001:

PERCENT OF GROSS PERCENT OF TOTAL
TOTAL REVENUES MARGIN GROSS PROFIT
-------------- ------ ----------------

New vehicles.............................. 52.9% 8.7% 28.2%
Retail used vehicles(1)................... 26.4 12.7 20.4
Service, body and parts................... 10.0 46.5 28.5
Finance and insurance(2).................. 3.8 99.0 23.2
Fleet and other........................... 2.2 2.8 0.4

------------
(1) Excludes wholesale used vehicle sales, representing 4.7% of total revenues
and a reduction in gross margin of 0.7%.

(2) Reported net of administration fees and anticipated cancellations.

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, historical
condensed financial data expressed as a percentage of total revenues.

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1999 2000 2001
----- ----- -----

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues:
New vehicles............................................ 54.2% 54.1% 52.9%
Used vehicles........................................... 30.2 29.0 31.1
Service, body and parts................................. 9.7 9.9 10.0
Finance and insurance................................... 3.7 3.5 3.8
Fleet and other......................................... 2.2 3.5 2.2
----- ----- -----
Total revenues....................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
===== ===== =====
Gross profit.............................................. 16.0 16.1 16.4
Selling, general and administrative....................... 11.8 11.8 12.8
Depreciation and amortization............................. 0.4 0.5 0.5
Income from operations.................................... 3.8 3.9 3.1
Floorplan interest expense................................ 0.9 1.1 0.8
Other interest expense.................................... 0.3 0.5 0.4
Other income, net......................................... 0.0 0.0 0.0
Income before income tax.................................. 2.6 2.4 1.9
Income tax expense........................................ 1.0 0.9 0.7
Net income................................................ 1.5 1.5 1.2

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2000 COMPARED TO 2001

YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------- INCREASE % INCREASE
2000 2001 (DECREASE) (DECREASE)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT VEHICLE INFORMATION)

Revenues:
New vehicle sales......................... $ 898,016 $ 990,615 $ 92,599 10.3%
Used vehicle sales........................ 480,846 582,565 101,719 21.2
Service, body and parts................... 164,002 187,725 23,723 14.5
Finance and insurance..................... 58,025 71,685 13,660 23.5
Fleet and other........................... 57,722 40,598 (17,124) (29.7)
---------- ---------- -------- ------
Total revenues......................... 1,658,611 1,873,188 214,577 12.9
Cost of sales............................... 1,391,042 1,566,713 175,671 12.6
---------- ---------- -------- ------
Gross profit................................ 267,569 306,475 38,906 14.5
Selling, general and administrative......... 195,500 239,042 43,542 22.3
Depreciation and amortization............... 7,605 9,275 1,670 22.0
---------- ---------- -------- ------
Income from operations...................... 64,464 58,158 (6,306) (9.8)
Floorplan interest expense.................. (17,728) (14,497) (3,231) (18.2)
Other interest expense...................... (7,917) (7,822) (95) (1.2)
Other, net.................................. 716 (410) (1,126) (157.3)
---------- ---------- -------- ------
Income before income taxes.................. 39,535 35,429 (4,106) (10.4)
Income tax expense.......................... (15,222) (13,675) (1,547) (10.2)
---------- ---------- -------- ------
Net income.................................. $ 24,313 $ 21,754 $ (2,559) (10.5)%
========== ========== ======== ======
New vehicles sold........................... 37,230 39,875 2,645 7.1%
Average selling price per new vehicle....... $ 24,121 $ 24,843 $ 722 3.0%
Used vehicles sold--retail.................. 30,896 36,960 6,064 19.6%
Average selling price per retail used
vehicle................................... $ 13,149 $ 13,381 $ 232 1.8%
Used vehicles sold--wholesale............... 16,751 18,918 2,167 12.9%
Average selling price per wholesale used
vehicle................................... $ 4,454 $ 4,651 $ 197 4.4%

Revenues. Total revenues increased 12.9% to record levels for 2001
compared to 2000 due to acquisitions, which were partially offset by same store
retail sales decreasing 0.9%. The decrease in same store retail sales was due to
a slower new vehicle sales environment in the first three quarters of 2001,
offset in part by same store increases in used vehicle and finance and insurance
sales. During the fourth quarter of 2001, manufacturers offered, and are
continuing to offer in the first quarter of 2002, incentives, including low
interest rates and rebates, in order to attract new vehicle buyers. These
incentives, along with improvements in our core operations, contributed to same
store sales growth of 11.4% in the fourth quarter of 2001 compared to the fourth
quarter of 2000. The availability of cash rebates and zero percent and low
interest rate financing have also enhanced our ability to sell finance, warranty
and insurance products and services.

Other revenues include sales of finance, extended warranty and insurance
contracts, presented net of administration fees and anticipated cancellations.
It also includes fleet sales generally presented on a net basis.

Gross profit. Gross profit increased primarily due to increased total
revenues and increased used vehicle and service, body and parts revenues as a
percentage of total revenues. Incentives and rebates, including floorplan
interest credits, received from manufacturers are recorded as a reduction to
cost of goods sold. Gross margin expansion is common in the automotive retailing
industry as new vehicle sales slow and higher margin product lines become a
larger percentage of total revenues. Gross profit margins achieved in 2000 and
2001 were as follows:

YEAR ENDED,
DECEMBER 31,
------------- LITHIA
2000 2001 MARGIN CHANGE*
---- ---- --------------

New vehicles....................................... 9.0% 8.7% -30 bp
Retail used vehicles............................... 13.6 12.7 -90
Service and parts.................................. 44.9 46.5 +160
Overall............................................ 16.1 16.4 +30

------------
* "bp" stands for basis points (one hundred basis points equals one percent).

The increase in the overall gross profit margin is primarily a result of a
shift in mix to the more profitable used vehicle, service, body and parts and
finance and insurance product lines.

Selling, general and administrative expense. Selling, general and
administrative expense ("SG&A") includes salaries and related personnel
expenses, facility lease expense, advertising, legal, accounting, professional
services and general corporate expenses. SG&A expense increased due to increased
selling, or variable, expenses related to the increase in revenues and the
number of locations. As a percentage of revenue, SG&A expense increased in 2001
compared to 2000 due to continued investments in acquisition integration and
operational support teams in preparation for continued growth and a shift toward
our service and parts business, which has a higher SG&A component than our other
business lines.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased primarily as a result of increased property and equipment and
intangible assets related to acquisitions. As of December 31, 2001, we expect a
reduction in annual amortization expense of approximately $3.7 million in 2002
based upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142, which relates to the accounting for
goodwill and other intangible assets.

Income from operations. Operating margins decreased 80 basis points, or
eight-tenths of one percent, in 2001 compared to 2000 due to the increased
operating expenses as a percentage of revenue as discussed above, partially
offset by higher gross margins as a percentage of revenue.

Floorplan interest expense. The decrease in floorplan interest expense is
primarily due to approximately $4.1 million in savings as a result of recent
decreases in the effective interest rates on the floating rate credit lines,
offset in part by an approximately $800,000 increase in interest expense as a
result of higher average outstanding flooring debt. Floorplan interest expense
includes the interest expense related to our current interest rate swaps. We
were able to decrease our inventory levels despite the acquisition of several
stores during 2001.

Other interest expense. Other interest expense includes interest on debt
incurred related to acquisitions and interest related to our interest rate
swaps.

Income tax expense. Our effective tax rate was 38.6 percent in 2001
compared to 38.5 percent in 2000. Our effective tax rate may be affected in the
future by the mix of asset acquisitions compared to corporate acquisitions, as
well as by the mix of states where our stores are located.

Net income. Net income decreased to $21.8 million, a 10.5% decrease, for
2001 compared to 2000 as a result of the net effect of the changes discussed
above.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

1999 COMPARED TO 2000

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------- INCREASE % INCREASE
1999 2000 (DECREASE) (DECREASE)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT VEHICLE INFORMATION)

Revenues:
New vehicle sales.................... $ 673,339 $ 898,016 $224,677 33.4%
Used vehicle sales................... 375,562 480,846 105,284 28.0
Service, body and parts.............. 120,722 164,002 43,280 35.9
Finance and insurance................ 46,422 58,025 11,603 25.0
Fleet and other...................... 26,614 57,722 31,108 116.9
---------- ---------- -------- -----
Total revenues.................... 1,242,659 1,658,611 415,952 33.5
Cost of sales.......................... 1,043,373 1,391,042 347,669 33.3
---------- ---------- -------- -----
Gross profit........................... 199,286 267,569 68,283 34.3
Selling, general and administrative.... 146,381 195,500 49,119 33.6
Depreciation and amortization.......... 5,573 7,605 2,032 36.5
---------- ---------- -------- -----
Income from operations................. 47,332 64,464 17,132 36.2
Floorplan interest expense............. (11,105) (17,728) 6,623 59.6
Other interest expense................. (4,250) (7,917) 3,667 86.3
Other, net............................. 74 716 642 867.6
---------- ---------- -------- -----
Income before income taxes............. 32,051 39,535 7,484 23.4
Income tax expense..................... (12,877) (15,222) 2,345 18.2
---------- ---------- -------- -----
Net income............................. $ 19,174 $ 24,313 $ 5,139 26.8%
========== ========== ======== =====
New vehicles sold...................... 28,645 37,230 8,585 30.0%
Average selling price per new
vehicle.............................. $ 23,506 $ 24,121 $ 615 2.6
Used vehicles sold--retail............. 23,840 30,896 7,056 29.6
Average selling price per retail used
vehicle.............................. $ 13,148 $ 13,149 $ 1 0.0
Used vehicles sold--wholesale.......... 13,424 16,751 3,327 24.8
Average selling price per wholesale
used vehicle......................... $ 4,627 $ 4,454 $ (173) (3.7)

Revenues. Same store retail sales increased 1.1% in 2000 compared to 1999.
The increases in units sold and revenue from all sources are a result of
acquisitions and internal growth.

Gross profit. Gross profit increased primarily due to increased total
revenues and increased other revenues as a percentage of total revenues. Gross
profit margins achieved in 1999 and 2000 were as follows:

2000 LITHIA
INDUSTRY AVERAGE(1) LITHIA 1999 LITHIA 2000 MARGIN CHANGE(2)
------------------- ----------- ----------- ----------------

New vehicles......... 6.1% 8.7% 9.0% +30 bp
Retail used
vehicles........... 10.9 12.8 13.6 +80
Service and parts.... n/a 44.8 44.9 +10
Overall.............. 12.7 16.0 16.1 +10

------------
(1) Based on National Automotive Dealer Association data.

(2) "bp" stands for basis points (one hundred basis points equals one percent).

The increases in the gross profit margins are primarily a result of
operational improvements at our newly acquired stores, as we implemented our
business model.

Selling, general and administrative expense. Selling, general and
administrative expense increased due primarily to increased selling, or
variable, expense related to the increase in revenues and the number of total
locations. Selling, general and administrative expense, as a percentage of
revenue, remained constant in 2000 compared to 1999.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased primarily as a result of increased property and equipment and goodwill
related to acquisitions in 1999 and 2000.

Income from operations. Operating margins improved ten basis points in
2000 compared to 1999. In addition to gaining efficiencies related to economies
of scale, we have improved the operating margins at acquired stores that we have
operated for a full year, bringing them more in line with our pre-existing
stores.

Floorplan interest expense. Seventy-five percent of the increase in
floorplan interest expense is due to additional flooring notes payable as a
result of higher inventory levels from acquisitions. Twenty-five percent of the
increase is due to an overall rise in borrowing rates during 2000.

Other interest expense. Eighty percent of the increase in other interest
expense is due to higher debt levels as a result of acquisitions. Twenty percent
of the increase is due to an overall rise in borrowing rates during 2000.

Income tax expense. Our effective tax rate declined to 38.5 percent in
2000 from 40.2 percent in 1999 as a result of an increasing mix of asset
acquisitions compared to corporate acquisitions and the increased weighting of
deductible goodwill, as well as an increase in the mix of states with lower or
no state income taxes.

Net income. Net income increased primarily as a result of increased
revenues as discussed above.

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables set forth the company's unaudited quarterly financial
data for the quarterly periods presented. This presentation should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the company and the
notes thereto contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

THREE MONTHS ENDED,
---------------------------------------------------
MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31
-------- -------- ------------ -----------
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

1999
Revenues:
New vehicle sales.................... $116,853 $167,222 $199,107 $190,157
Used vehicle sales................... 71,809 93,049 105,434 105,270
Service, body and parts.............. 23,430 28,477 33,898 34,917
Finance and insurance................ 8,421 11,364 12,995 13,642
Fleet and other...................... 3,632 7,641 5,935 9,406
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues.................... 224,145 307,753 357,369 353,392
Cost of sales.......................... 188,945 258,967 300,124 295,337
-------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit........................... 35,200 48,786 57,245 58,055
Selling, general and administrative.... 26,648 36,061 41,564 42,108
Depreciation and amortization.......... 1,075 1,364 1,560 1,574
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income from operations................. 7,477 11,361 14,121 14,373
Flooring interest expense.............. (2,109) (2,179) (3,090) (3,727)
Other interest expense and other,
net.................................. (363) (1,403) (1,107) (1,303)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes............. 5,005 7,779 9,924 9,343
Income taxes........................... (1,976) (3,202) (4,071) (3,628)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income............................. $ 3,029 $ 4,577 $ 5,853 $ 5,715
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic net income per share(1).......... $ 0.30 $ 0.41 $ 0.48 $ 0.46
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted net income per share........... $ 0.29 $ 0.40 $ 0.47 $ 0.43
======== ======== ======== ========
2000
Revenues:
New vehicle sales.................... $218,009 $222,039 $243,169 $214,799
Used vehicle sales................... 116,698 119,277 128,960 115,911
Service, body and parts.............. 38,457 40,476 42,333 42,736
Finance and insurance................ 13,453 14,318 15,803 14,451
Fleet and other...................... 8,986 21,741 12,801 14,194
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues.................... 395,603 417,851 443,066 402,091
Cost of sales.......................... 332,739 350,667 372,146 335,490
-------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit........................... 62,864 67,184 70,920 66,601

THREE MONTHS ENDED,
---------------------------------------------------
MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31
-------- -------- ------------ -----------
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Selling, general and administrative.... 47,201 48,528 51,041 48,730
Depreciation and amortization.......... 1,720 1,887 1,932 2,066
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income from operations................. 13,943 16,769 17,947 15,805
Flooring interest expense.............. (3,861) (4,712) (5,321) (3,834)
Other interest expense and other,
net.................................. (1,667) (1,557) (820) (3,157)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes............. 8,415 10,500 11,806 8,814
Income taxes........................... (3,451) (4,306) (4,283) (3,182)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net income............................. $ 4,964 $ 6,194 $ 7,523 $ 5,632
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic net income per share(1).......... $ 0.37 $ 0.45 $ 0.55 $ 0.41
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted net income per share........... $ 0.37 $ 0.45 $ 0.55 $ 0.41
======== ======== ======== ========
2001
Revenues:
New vehicle sales.................... $214,957 $238,651 $247,487 $289,520
Used vehicle sales................... 136,939 142,043 149,795 153,788
Service, body and parts.............. 45,145 45,511 47,884 49,185
Finance and insurance................ 15,254 17,854 18,579 19,998
Fleet and other...................... 7,856 17,991 7,573 7,178
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues.................... 420,151 462,050 471,318 519,669
Cost of sales.......................... 351,254 386,840 391,450 437,169
-------- -------- -------- --------
Gross profit........................... 68,897 75,210 79,868 82,500
Selling, general and administrative.... 55,038 58,783 59,696 65,525
Depreciation and amortization.......... 2,215 2,226 2,372 2,462
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income from operations................. 11,644 14,201 17,800 14,513
Flooring interest expense.............. (4,655) (3,832) (3,390) (2,620)
Other interest expense and other,
net.................................. (2,346) (2,123) (1,849) (1,914)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes............. 4,643 8,246 12,561 9,979
Income taxes........................... (1,788) (3,175) (4,865) (3,847)
======== ======== ======== ========
Net income............................. $ 2,855 $ 5,071 $ 7,696 $ 6,132
======== ======== ======== ========
Basic net income per share(1).......... $ 0.21 $ 0.38 $ 0.57 $ 0.46
======== ======== ======== ========
Diluted net income per share........... $ 0.21 $ 0.37 $ 0.56 $ 0.45
======== ======== ======== ========

------------
(1) Pursuant to an April 2001 Financial Accounting Standards Board announcement,
the company has restated its basic EPS for the second, third and fourth
quarters of 1999, for each quarter of 2000 and for the first quarter of 2001
to include its Series M preferred stock as common stock on an as if
converted basis.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our principal needs for capital resources are to finance acquisitions and
capital expenditures, as well as for working capital. We have relied primarily
upon internally generated cash flows from operations, borrowings under our
credit agreements and the proceeds from public equity offerings to finance
operations and expansion. We believe that our available cash, cash equivalents,
available lines of credit and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to
meet our anticipated operating expenses and capital requirements for at least
twelve months from December 31, 2001. These resources and the anticipated net
proceeds from this offering will be sufficient to fund our anticipated
acquisitions through 2003.

In June 2000, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to
1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock. We have purchased 40,000 shares under
this program and may continue to do so from time to time in the future as
conditions warrant.

We have credit facilities with Ford Motor Credit Company totaling $530
million, which expire December 1, 2003, with interest due monthly. The
facilities include $250 million for new and program vehicle flooring, $150
million for used vehicle flooring and $130 million for franchise acquisitions.
We also have the option to convert the acquisition line into a five-year term
loan.

The credit lines with Ford Motor Credit are cross-collateralized and are
secured by inventory, accounts receivable, intangible assets and equipment. We
pledged to Ford Motor Credit the stock of all of our subsidiaries except
entities operating BMW, Honda, Nissan or Toyota stores.

The financial covenants in our agreement with Ford Motor Credit require us
to maintain compliance with, among other things, (1) specified ratios of total
debt to tangible base capital; (2) specified ratios of total adjusted debt to
tangible base capital; (3) specific current ratio; (4) specific fixed charge
coverage ratio; and (5) positive net cash. The Ford Motor Credit agreements also
preclude the payment of cash dividends without prior consent. We were in
compliance with all such covenants at December 31, 2001.

Toyota Financial Services, DaimlerChrysler Financial Corporation and
General Motors Acceptance Corporation have agreed to floor all of our new
vehicles for their respective brands with Ford Motor Credit serving as the
primary lender for all other brands. These new vehicle lines are secured by new
vehicle inventory of the relevant brands.

We also have a real estate line of credit with Toyota Financial Services
totaling $18 million, which expires July 2, 2006. In February 2002, this line of
credit was increased to $40 million. This line of credit is secured by the real
estate financed under this line of credit.

In addition, U.S. Bank N.A. has extended a $27.5 million revolving line of
credit for leased vehicles and equipment purchases, which expires January 31,
2004.

Interest rates on all of the above facilities ranged from 3.38% to 4.63% at
December 31, 2001. Amounts outstanding on the lines at December 31, 2001
together with amounts remaining available under such lines were as follows:

OUTSTANDING AT REMAINING AVAILABILITY AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 2001 DECEMBER 31, 2001
----------------- ----------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)

New and program vehicle lines.................. $211,947 *
Used vehicle line.............................. 69,000 $ 81,000
Acquisition line............................... 22,000 108,000
Real estate lines.............................. 13,740 4,260
Equipment/leased vehicle line.................. 27,500 0
-------- --------
$344,187 $193,260
======== ========

---------------
* There are no formal limits on the new and program vehicle lines with certain
lenders.

At December 31, 2001, we had capital commitments of approximately $9.0
million for the construction of three new store facilities and additions to two
existing facilities, all of which is anticipated to be incurred in 2002. We
expect to pay for the construction out of existing cash balances until
completion of the projects, at which time we anticipate securing long-term
financing and general borrowings from third party lenders for 85% to 100% of the
amounts expended.

SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY FLUCTUATIONS

Historically, our sales have been lower in the first and fourth quarters of
each year due to consumer purchasing patterns during the holiday season,
inclement weather and the reduced number of business days

during the holiday season. As a result, financial performance may be lower
during the first and fourth quarters than during the other quarters of each
fiscal year. We believe that interest rates, levels of consumer debt, consumer
confidence and buying patterns, as well as general economic conditions, also
contribute to fluctuations in sales and operating results. Historically, the
timing and frequency of acquisitions has been the largest contributor to
fluctuations in our operating results from quarter to quarter.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 141,
"Business Combinations," and SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets." SFAS No. 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used
for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 142
requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no
longer be amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually in
accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142. SFAS No. 142 also requires that
intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective
estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for
impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of."

We adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 141 on July 1, 2001, and SFAS No. 142
on January 1, 2002. Goodwill and intangible assets determined to have an
indefinite useful lives acquired in a purchase business combination completed
after June 30, 2001 but before SFAS No. 142 was adopted in full, were not
amortized, but evaluated for impairment in accordance with the appropriate
pre-SFAS No. 142 accounting literature. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired
in business combinations completed before July 1, 2001 continued to be amortized
and tested for impairment in accordance with the appropriate pre-SFAS No. 142
accounting requirements prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142.

SFAS No. 141 requires, upon adoption of SFAS No. 142, that we evaluate our
existing intangible assets and goodwill that we acquired in prior purchase
business combinations, and make any necessary reclassifications in order to
conform with the new criteria in SFAS No. 141 for recognition apart from
goodwill. We do not anticipate reclassifying any intangibles to intangibles with
determinable useful lives. For intangible assets identified as having indefinite
useful lives, we are required to test them for impairment in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 142 within the first interim period and recognize any
impairment losses as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle
in the first interim period. We do not anticipate incurring any impairment loss
charges upon adoption of SFAS No. 142.

The adoption of SFAS No. 141 did not have a significant impact on our
financial condition or results of operations. As of December 31, 2001, we expect
a reduction in annual amortization expense of approximately $3.7 million in 2002
upon adoption of SFAS No. 142.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

VARIABLE RATE DEBT

We use variable-rate debt to finance our new and program vehicle inventory.
The interest rate on the flooring debt is tied to the one-month LIBOR, the
three-month LIBOR or the prime rate. These debt obligations therefore expose us
to variability in interest payments due to changes in these rates. The flooring
debt is based on open-ended lines of credit tied to each individual store from
the various manufacturer finance companies. If interest rates increase, interest
expense increases. Conversely, if interest rates decrease, interest expense
decreases.

Our variable-rate flooring notes payable and other credit line borrowings
subject us to market risk exposure. At December 31, 2001, we had $344.2 million
outstanding under such agreements at interest rates ranging from 3.38% to 4.63%
per annum. A 10% increase in interest rates would increase interest expense by
approximately $675,000, net of tax, in 2002 based on amounts outstanding on the
lines of credit at December 31, 2001.

HEDGING STRATEGIES

We believe it is prudent to limit the variability of a portion of our
interest payments. Accordingly, we have entered into interest rate swaps to
manage the variability of our interest rate exposure, thus leveling a portion of
our interest expense in a rising or falling rate environment. We currently have
hedged approximately 17.8% of our flooring debt.

The interest rate swaps change the variable-rate cash flow exposure on a
portion of the flooring debt to fixed-rate cash flows by entering into
receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps. Under the interest rate swaps,
we receive variable interest rate payments and make fixed interest rate
payments, thereby creating fixed rate flooring debt.

We have entered into the following interest rate swaps with U.S. Bank
Dealer Commercial Services:

-- effective September 1, 2000--a five year, $25 million interest rate
swap at a fixed rate of 6.88% per annum.

-- effective November 1, 2000--a three year, $25 million interest rate
swap at a fixed rate of 6.47% per annum.

We earn interest on both of the $25 million interest rate swaps at the
one-month LIBOR rate adjusted on the first and sixteenth of every month and we
are obligated to pay interest at the fixed rate set for each swap (6.88% or
6.47% per annum) on the same amount. The difference between interest earned and
the interest obligation accrued is received or paid each month and is recorded
in the statement of operations as flooring interest expense. The one-month LIBOR
rate at December 31, 2001 was 1.87% per annum.

We do not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than to
manage interest rate exposure. That is, we do not speculate using derivative
instruments.

The fair value of interest rate swap agreements and the amount of hedging
losses deferred on interest rate swaps was $3.4 million at December 31, 2001.
Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are reported, net of
related income taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income. These amounts
are subsequently reclassified into interest expense as a yield adjustment in the
same period in which the related interest on the flooring debt affects earnings.
Because the critical terms of the interest rate swap and the underlying debt
obligation are the same, there was no ineffectiveness recorded in interest
expense.

Incremental interest expense incurred as a result of the interest rate
swaps was $1.4 million in 2001. Interest expense savings on un-hedged debt as a
result of decreasing interest rates during 2001 was approximately $6.4 million.

At current interest rates, we estimate that we will incur additional
interest expense, net of tax, of approximately $1.5 million related to our
interest rate swaps during 2002.

RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES

We assess interest rate cash flow risk by continually identifying and
monitoring changes in interest rate exposures that may adversely impact expected
future cash flows and by evaluating hedging opportunities.

We maintain risk management control systems to monitor interest rate cash
flow attributable to both our outstanding and forecasted debt obligations as
well as our offsetting hedge positions. The risk management control systems
involve the use of analytical techniques, including cash flow sensitivity
analysis, to estimate the expected impact of changes in interest rates on our
future cash flows.

As of December 31, 2001, approximately 80% of our total debt outstanding
was subject to un-hedged variable rates of interest. As a result, interest rate
declines during 2001 have resulted in a net reduction of our interest expense
compared to what it would have been at similar debt levels with no interest rate
decline. We intend to continue to gradually hedge our interest rate exposure if
market rates continue to decline.

BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

We are a leading operator of automotive franchise stores in the western
United States. We sell new and used cars, light trucks and sport utility
vehicles. We also provide vehicle maintenance, warranty and repair services and
arrange finance, extended warranty and insurance contracts for our customers. We
achieve gross margins above industry averages by selling a higher ratio of
retail used vehicles to new vehicles and by arranging finance and extended
warranty contracts for a greater percentage of our customers. In 2001 we
achieved a gross margin of 16.4% compared with the industry average of 13.1%. We
offer 24 brands of new vehicles, through 123 franchises in 65 stores. Our core
markets are concentrated in the fastest growing regions in the United States
with 16 stores in Oregon, 11 in California, 10 in Washington, 7 in Colorado, 7
in Idaho, 5 in Nevada, 4 in Texas, 3 in South Dakota and 2 in Alaska. Over 65%
of our stores are located in markets where our store does not compete directly
with any other franchised dealer selling the same brand.

THE INDUSTRY

At approximately $1.0 trillion in annual sales, automotive retailing is the
largest retail trade sector in the United States and comprises roughly 10% of
the GDP. The industry is highly fragmented with the 10 largest automotive
retailers generating approximately 4.0% of total industry revenues in 2000. The
number of franchised stores has declined significantly since 1960 from more than
36,000 stores to approximately 22,000 in 2001. In the U.S., vehicles can be
purchased from approximately 22,000 franchised dealers, 53,000 independent used
vehicle dealers, or through casual (person to person) transactions. New vehicles
can only be sold through automotive retail stores franchised by auto
manufacturers. These franchise stores have designated trade territories under
state franchise law protection which limits the number of new stores that can be
opened in any given area.

Consolidation is expected to continue as many smaller automotive retailers
are now being forced to consider selling or joining forces with larger retailer
groups, given the large capital requirements necessary to operate in today's
retail environment. With many owners reaching retirement age, often without
clear succession plans, larger, well-capitalized automotive retailers provide an
attractive exit strategy. We believe these factors, in conjunction with an
uncertain economic forecast, provide an attractive environment for continuing
consolidation.

Unlike other retailing segments, automotive manufacturers provide
unparalleled support to the automotive retailer. Manufacturers often bear the
burden of markdown risks on slow-moving inventory as they provide aggressive
dealer incentives to clear aged inventory in order to free the inventory
pipeline for new purchases. In addition, an automotive retailer's net inventory
investment is relatively small, given floorplan financing from manufacturers.
Furthermore, manufacturers provide low-cost financing for working capital and
acquisitions and credit to consumers to finance vehicle purchases, as well as
pay retail prices to their dealers for servicing vehicles under manufacturers'
warranties.

Sales in the automotive sector are affected by general economic conditions
including rates of employment, income growth, interest rates and general
consumer sentiment. Since 1990, new vehicle revenues have grown at a 5.3%
compound annual rate and used vehicles at a 4.7% compound annual rate. New and
used unit sales, however, have increased at slower compound annual rates of 2.3%
and 0.6%, respectively. Slower unit volume growth over this time period has been
offset by rising prices associated with new vehicles as a result of a mix-shift
in the marketplace to the higher-priced light trucks and SUVs and the higher
prices paid for later model used vehicles, which now comprise a growing portion
of the used vehicle market. New vehicle sales usually decline during a weak
economy; however, the higher margin service and parts business typically

benefits in the same environment because consumers tend to keep their vehicles
longer. Strong sales of new vehicles in recent years have provided a population
of vehicles for future service and parts revenues. Automotive retailers benefit
from their designation as an exclusive warranty and recall service provider of a
manufacturer. For the typical manufacturer's warranty, this provides an
automotive retailer with a period of at least 3 years of repeat business for
service covered by warranty. Extended warranties can add two or more years to
this repeat servicing period.

Automotive retailers' profitability varies widely and depends in part on
product mix, effective management of inventory, marketing, quality control and
responsiveness to customers. New vehicles account for an estimated 60% of
industry revenues, but only 35% of gross profits. The remaining 40% of revenues
are derived from used vehicles sales (26%), service and parts (10%) and finance
and insurance (4%), which combine to contribute 65% of the sector's gross
profits. Gross margins on new vehicles typically average approximately 8.5%,
versus 11.3% for retail used vehicles. The difference is primarily a function of
the non-comparability among used vehicles and lack of standardized pricing.

Automotive retailers have much lower fixed overhead costs than automobile
manufacturers parts suppliers and most specialty retailers. Variable and
discretionary costs, such as sales commissions and personnel, advertising and
inventory finance expenses, can be adjusted to match new vehicle sales. Variable
and discretionary costs account for an estimated 60-65% of the industry's total
expenses. Moreover, an automotive retailer can enhance its profitability from
sales of higher margin products and services. Gross margins for the parts and
service business are significantly higher at approximately 47%, given the labor-
intensive nature of the product category. Gross margins for finance and
insurance are virtually 100%. These supplemental, high margin products and
services provide substantial incremental revenue and net income, decreasing the
reliance on the highly competitive new vehicle sales.

STORE OPERATIONS

Each store is its own profit center and is managed by an experienced
general manager who has primary responsibility for inventory, advertising,
pricing and personnel. In order to provide additional support for improving
performance, we make available to each store a team of specialists in new
vehicle sales, used vehicle sales, finance and insurance, service and parts, and
back-office administration. The following tables set forth information about our
stores:

PERCENT OF
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF TOTAL REVENUE
STATE STORES FRANCHISES IN 2001
------------------------------------------------- --------- ---------- -----------------

California....................................... 11 15 23%
Oregon........................................... 16 36 22*
Colorado......................................... 7 15 18
Washington....................................... 10 16 13
Idaho............................................ 7 12 10
Nevada........................................... 5 8 7
South Dakota..................................... 3 3 5
Alaska........................................... 2 4 2
Texas............................................ 4 14 0*
-- --- ---
Total....................................... 65 123 100%
== === ===

------------
* The Texas stores and one Oregon store were acquired after December 31, 2001.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR OPENED/
LOCATION STORE FRANCHISES ACQUIRED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALIFORNIA
Concord Lithia Dodge of Concord Dodge, Dodge Truck 1997
Lithia Ford of Concord Ford 1997
Lithia Volkswagen of Volkswagen 1997
Concord
Fresno Lithia Ford of Fresno Ford 1997
Lithia Hyundai of Fresno Hyundai 1998
Lithia Mazda Suzuki of Mazda, Suzuki 1997
Fresno
Lithia Nissan of Fresno Nissan 1998
Napa Lithia Ford Lincoln Ford, Lincoln, Mercury 1997
Mercury
of Napa
Redding Lithia Chevrolet of Chevrolet 1998
Redding
Lithia Toyota of Redding Toyota 1998
Vacaville Lithia Toyota of Toyota 1996
Vacaville
------------------------
OREGON
Eugene Lithia Dodge of Eugene Dodge, Dodge Truck 1996
Lithia Nissan of Eugene Nissan 1998
Saturn of Eugene Saturn 2000
Grants Pass Lithia's Grants Pass Auto Dodge, Dodge Truck, Pre-IPO
Center Chrysler, Jeep
Klamath Falls Lithia Klamath Falls Auto Toyota, Dodge, Dodge 1999
Center Truck, Chrysler, Jeep
Medford Lithia Dodge Chrysler Dodge, Dodge Truck, Pre-IPO
Jeep Chrysler, Jeep
Lithia Honda Honda Pre-IPO
Lithia Lincoln Mercury Lincoln, Mercury, Mazda, Pre-IPO
Suzuki Mazda Suzuki
Lithia Nissan BMW Nissan, BMW 1998
Lithia Toyota Toyota Pre-IPO (1)
Lithia Volkswagen Volkswagen Pre-IPO (2)
Saturn of Southwest Saturn Pre-IPO
Oregon
Oregon City (Portland) Lithia Subaru of Oregon Subaru 2002
City
Roseburg Lithia Ford Lincoln Ford, Lincoln, Mercury 1999
Mercury of Roseburg
Lithia Dodge Chrysler Dodge, Dodge Truck, 1999
Jeep Chrysler, Jeep
Roseburg
Springfield (Eugene) Lithia Toyota of Toyota 1998
Springfield
------------------------

COLORADO
Aurora (Denver) Lithia Cherry Creek Dodge Dodge, Dodge Truck 1999
Lithia Colorado Chrysler Chrysler, Kia 1999
Kia
Lithia Colorado Jeep Jeep 1999
Colorado Springs Lithia Colorado Springs Jeep, Chrysler 1999
Jeep
Chrysler
Englewood (Denver) Lithia Centennial Chrysler, Jeep 1999
Chrysler
Jeep
Lithia Cherry Creek Kia Kia 1999
Fort Collins Lithia Foothills Chrysler Dodge, Dodge Truck, 1999
Hyundai Chrysler, Hyundai, Jeep
------------------------
WASHINGTON
Bellevue (Seattle) Chevrolet of Bellevue Chevrolet 2001
Issaquah (Seattle) Chevrolet of Issaquah Chevrolet 2001
Kennewick Honda of Tri-Cities Honda 2000
Lithia Dodge of Dodge, Dodge Truck 1999
Tri-Cities
Renton Lithia Chrysler Jeep of Chrysler, Jeep 2000
Renton
Lithia Dodge of Renton Dodge, Dodge Truck 2000
Richland Lithia Ford of Tri-Cities Ford 2000
Seattle Seattle BMW BMW 2001
Spokane Lithia Camp Chevrolet Chevrolet, Cadillac 1998
Lithia Camp Imports Subaru, BMW, Volvo 1998
------------------------
IDAHO
Boise Lithia Ford of Boise Ford 2000
Chevrolet of Boise Chevrolet 1999
Lithia Daewoo of Boise Daewoo 1999
Lincoln-Mercury Isuzu of Lincoln, Mercury, Isuzu 1999
Boise
Caldwell Chevrolet of Caldwell Chevrolet 2001
Pocatello Honda of Pocatello Honda 2001
Lithia Chrysler Dodge Chrysler, Dodge, Dodge 2001
Hyundai of Pocatello Truck, Hyundai
------------------------
NEVADA
Reno Lithia Reno Suzuki, Audi, Lincoln, 1997
Mercury, Isuzu
Lithia Reno Hyundai Hyundai 1997
Lithia Reno Subaru Subaru 1999
Lithia Volkswagen of Reno Volkswagen 1998
Sparks Lithia Sparks (satellite Suzuki, Lincoln, Mercury, 1997
of Isuzu
Lithia Reno)
------------------------

SOUTH DAKOTA
Sioux Falls Chevrolet of Sioux Falls Chevrolet 2000
Lithia Dodge of Sioux Dodge 2001
Falls
Lithia Subaru of Sioux Subaru 2000
Falls
------------------------
ALASKA
Anchorage Lithia Chrysler Jeep of Chrysler, Jeep 2001
Anchorage
Lithia Dodge of South Dodge, Dodge Truck 2001
Anchorage
------------------------
TEXAS
Big Spring All American Chrysler Dodge, Dodge Truck, Jeep, 2002
Jeep Chrysler
Dodge of Big Spring
San Angelo All American Chrysler Dodge, Dodge Truck, Jeep, 2002
Jeep Chrysler
Dodge of San Angelo
All American Chevrolet Chevrolet, Daewoo 2002
Daewoo of San Angelo
Odessa All American Chrysler Dodge, Dodge Truck, Jeep, 2002
Jeep Chrysler
Dodge of Odessa
------------------------

(1) Prior to moving to its own store in 2001, Lithia Toyota was part of the
Lithia Lincoln Mercury store in Medford.

(2) Prior to moving to its own store in 2000, Lithia Volkswagen was part of the
Lithia Honda store in Medford.

NEW VEHICLE SALES

In 2001, we sold 24 domestic and imported brands ranging from economy to
luxury cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans and light trucks.

PERCENT OF
NEW VEHICLE PERCENT OF
MANUFACTURER SALES IN 2001 TOTAL REVENUE
------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------

DaimlerChrysler (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Dodge
Trucks).............................................. 36.1% 19.1%
Ford (Ford, Lincoln/Mercury)........................... 16.2 8.6
General Motors (Chevrolet, Cadillac, Saturn)........... 13.5 7.2
Toyota................................................. 8.4 4.5
Volkswagen, Audi....................................... 5.1 2.7
Nissan................................................. 3.8 2.0
Subaru................................................. 3.7 2.0
BMW.................................................... 3.6 1.9
Honda.................................................. 3.4 1.8
Hyundai................................................ 2.5 1.3
Mazda.................................................. 1.0 0.5
Isuzu.................................................. 0.9 0.4
Kia.................................................... 0.8 0.4
Suzuki................................................. 0.7 0.4
Volvo.................................................. 0.2 0.1
Daewoo................................................. 0.1 0.0
----- ----
100.0% 52.9%
===== ====

Our unit and dollar sales of new vehicles were as follows:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------

New vehicle units........................... 7,493 17,708 28,645 37,230 39,875
New vehicle sales (in thousands)............ $161,294 $388,431 $673,339 $898,016 $990,615
Average selling price....................... $ 21,526 $ 21,935 $ 23,506 $ 24,121 $ 24,843

We purchase our new car inventory directly from manufacturers, who allocate
new vehicles to stores based on the number of vehicles sold by the store on a
monthly basis and by the store's market area. We attempt to exchange vehicles
with other automotive retailers to accommodate customer demand and to balance
inventory.

We post the manufacturer's suggested retail price on every vehicle, as
required by law. We negotiate the final sales price of a new vehicle
individually with the customer except at our Saturn stores, where the final
sales price does not deviate from the posted price.

USED VEHICLE SALES

At each new vehicle store, we also sell used vehicles. We employ a used
vehicle manager at each location.

Retail used vehicle sales are an important part of our overall
profitability. In 2001, retail used vehicle sales generated a gross margin of
12.7% compared with a gross margin of 8.7% for new vehicle sales. Our used
vehicle operation gives us an opportunity to:

-- generate sales to customers financially unable or unwilling to
purchase a new vehicle;

-- increase new and used vehicle sales by aggressively pursuing customer
trade-ins; and

-- increase service contract sales and provide financing to used vehicle
purchasers.

We currently sell approximately 0.93 retail used vehicles for every new
vehicle sold, compared to the industry average ratio of approximately 0.77 to 1.

In addition to selling late model used cars, as do other new vehicle
dealers, our stores emphasize sales of used vehicles three to ten years old.
These vehicles sell for lower prices, but generate greater margins for us.
Selling a larger number of used vehicles makes us less susceptible to the
effects of changes in the volume of new vehicle sales that result from economic
conditions.

We acquire most of our used vehicles through customer trade-ins, but we
also buy them at "closed" auctions, attended only by new vehicle dealers with
franchises for the brands offered. These auctions offer off-lease, rental and
fleet vehicles. We also buy used vehicles at "open" auctions of repossessed
vehicles and vehicles being sold by other automotive retailers.

In addition to selling used vehicles to retail customers, we sell vehicles
in poor condition and vehicles that have not sold promptly to other automotive
retailers and to wholesalers.

Our used vehicle sales are as follows:

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------

Retail used vehicles........................ 7,148 13,645 23,840 30,896 36,960
Retail used vehicle sales (in thousands).... $ 88,571 $174,223 $313,449 $406,244 $494,578
Average selling price....................... $ 12,393 $ 12,768 $ 13,148 $ 13,149 $ 13,381

Wholesale used vehicles..................... 4,990 9,532 13,424 16,751 18,918
Wholesale used vehicle sales (in
thousands)................................ $ 24,528 $ 46,321 $ 62,113 $ 74,602 $ 87,987
Average selling price....................... $ 4,915 $ 4,860 $ 4,627 $ 4,454 $ 4,651

Total used vehicles......................... 12,138 23,177 37,264 47,647 55,878
Total used vehicle sales (in thousands)..... $113,099 $220,544 $375,562 $480,846 $582,565

VEHICLE FINANCING, EXTENDED WARRANTY AND INSURANCE

We believe that arranging financing is critical to our ability to sell
vehicles and related products and services. We provide a variety of financing
and leasing alternatives to meet customer needs. Offering customer financing on
a "same day" basis gives us an advantage, particularly over smaller competitors
who do not generate enough sales to attract our breadth of financing sources.

Because of greater profit margins from sales of finance and insurance
products, we try to arrange financing for every vehicle we sell. Our finance and
insurance managers possess extensive knowledge of available financing
alternatives and receive training in determining each customer's financing needs
so that the customer can purchase or lease a vehicle. The finance and insurance
managers work closely with financing sources to quickly determine a customer's
credit status and to confirm the type and amount of financing available to each
customer.

In 2001, we arranged financing for 77% of our new vehicle sales and 74% of
our retail used vehicle sales, compared to the industry averages of 55% and 59%,
respectively. Our average finance and insurance revenue per vehicle totaled $933
in 2001 compared to the industry average of $438.

We receive a portion of the financing charge as fee income for each sale we
finance. In 2001 and 2002, automobile manufacturers have offered zero percent
financing as sales incentives to new vehicle purchasers. Zero percent financing
reduces, but does not eliminate, our per unit fee income from arranging
financing, as we receive a payment from the manufacturers in connection with
such financing. Many customers do not qualify for zero percent financing, either
because of their credit standing or because they require longer financing terms
than offered for zero percent financing. Incentive financing programs, including
zero percent programs, usually offer cash rebates as an alternative to reduced
interest rates. A majority of eligible customers elect to receive cash rebates
instead of incentive financing, usually using the cash rebate as a down payment
to complete the purchase of a new vehicle with little or no cash out of pocket.

We usually arrange financing for customers from outside sources on a
non-recourse basis to avoid the risk of default. During 2001, we directly
financed less than 0.01% of our vehicle sales.

Our finance and insurance managers also market third-party extended
warranty contracts and insurance contracts to our new and used vehicle buyers.
These products and services yield higher profit margins than vehicle sales and
contribute significantly to our profitability. Extended warranty contracts
provide additional coverage for new vehicles beyond the duration or scope of the
manufacturer's warranty. The service contracts we sell to used vehicle buyers
provide coverage for certain major repairs.

We also offer our customers credit life, and health and accident insurance
when they finance an automobile purchase and receive a commission on each policy
sold. We also offer other products, such as protective coatings and automobile
alarms.

SERVICE, BODY AND PARTS

Our automotive service, body and parts operations are an integral part of
establishing customer loyalty and contribute significantly to our overall
revenue and profits. We provide parts and service primarily for the new vehicle
brands sold by our stores, but we also service other vehicles. In 2001, our
service, body and parts operations generated $187.7 million in revenues, or
10.0% of total revenues. We set prices to reflect the difficulty of the types of
repair and the cost and availability of parts.

The service, body and parts businesses provide important repeat revenues to
the stores. We market our parts and service products by notifying the owners of
vehicles purchased at our stores when their vehicles are due for periodic
service. This encourages preventive maintenance rather than post-breakdown
repairs. We offer a lifetime oil and filter service, which in 2001 was purchased
by approximately 30% of our new and used vehicle buyers. This service retains
customers, and provides opportunities for repeat parts and service business.
Revenues from the service, body and parts departments are important during
economic downturns as owners tend to repair existing used vehicles rather than
buy new vehicles during such periods. This limits the effects of a drop in new
vehicle sales.

We operate twelve collision repair centers: two each in Oregon, Idaho and
South Dakota and one each in California, Washington, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and
Alaska. We work closely with the automobile insurance companies to provide
collision repair services on claims at preferred rates based on the high volume
of business. At our Medford, Oregon body shop, we provide office space to
casualty insurers to process automobile claims. This helps generate further
repair business.

MARKETING

We market ourselves as "America's Car & Truck Store." We use most types of
advertising, including television, newspaper, radio and direct mail, and an
internet web site. We advertise to develop our image as a reputable automotive
retailer, offering quality service, affordable automobiles and financing for all
buyers. The automobile manufacturers pay for many of our advertising and
marketing expenses. The manufacturers also provide us with market research,
which assists us in developing our own advertising and marketing campaigns. In
addition, our stores advertise discounts or other promotions to attract
customers. By owning a cluster of stores in a particular market, we save money
from volume discounts and other media concessions. We also participate as a
member of advertising cooperatives and associations whose members pool their
resources and expertise together with manufacturers to develop advertising
campaigns.

We maintain a web site (www.lithia.com) that generates leads and provides
information for our customers. We use the internet site as a marketing tool to
familiarize customers with us, our stores and the products we sell, rather than
to complete purchases. Although many customers use the internet to research
information about new vehicles, nearly all ultimately visit a store to complete
the sale and take delivery of the vehicle. Our web site enables a customer to:

-- locate our stores and identify the new vehicle brands sold at each
store;

-- view new and used vehicle inventory;

-- schedule service appointments;

-- view Kelley Blue Book values;

-- visit our investor relations site; and

-- view employment opportunities.

We believe that our "Priority You" customer-oriented plan differentiates us
from other automotive retail stores. "Priority You" commits us to provide:

-- a complimentary credit check;

-- a complimentary used vehicle appraisal;

-- a 60-day/3,000 mile warranty on all used vehicles sold; and

-- a community donation for every vehicle sold.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

We consolidate, process and maintain financial information, operational and
accounting data, and other related statistical information on computers at our
headquarters. Our systems are based on an ADP platform for the main database,
and information is processed and analyzed utilizing customized financial
reporting software from Hyperian Solutions. Senior management can access
detailed information from all of our locations regarding:

-- inventory;

-- cash balances;

-- total unit sales and mix of new and used vehicle sales;

-- lease and finance transactions;

-- sales of ancillary products and services;

-- key cost items and profit margins; and

-- the relative performance of the stores.

Each store's general manager has access to this same information. With this
information, we can quickly analyze the results of operations, identify trends
and focus on areas that require attention or improvement. Our management
information system also allows our general managers to respond quickly to
changes in consumer preferences and purchasing patterns, maximizing our
inventory turnover.

Our management information system is particularly important to successfully
operating new stores. Following each acquisition, we immediately install our
management information system at each location. This quickly makes financial,
accounting and other operational data easily available throughout the company.
With this information, we can more efficiently execute our operating strategy at
the new store.

FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS

Each of our store subsidiaries signs a franchise or dealer sales and
service agreement with each manufacturer of the new vehicles it sells.

The typical automobile franchise agreement specifies the locations within a
designated market area at which the dealer may sell vehicles and related
products and perform certain approved services. The designation of such areas
and the allocation of new vehicles among stores are at the discretion of the
manufacturer. Except for Saturn franchises, franchise agreements do not
guarantee exclusivity within a specified territory.

A franchise agreement may impose requirements on the dealer with respect
to:

-- the showroom;

-- service facilities and equipment;

-- inventories of vehicles and parts;

-- minimum working capital;

-- training of personnel; and

-- performance standards for sales volume and customer satisfaction.

Each manufacturer closely monitors compliance with these requirements and
requires each store to submit monthly and annual financial statements. Franchise
agreements also grant a dealer the right to use and display manufacturers'
trademarks, service marks and designs in the manner approved by each
manufacturer.

Most franchise agreements expire after one to five years. However, all of
our agreements have been renewed and we expect that manufacturers will continue
to renew them in the future. In addition, state franchise laws limit the ability
of manufacturers to terminate or fail to renew automotive franchises. Some
franchise agreements, including those with DaimlerChrysler, have no termination
date. Each franchise agreement authorizes at least one person to manage the
store's operations. The typical franchise agreement provides for early
termination or non-renewal by the manufacturer upon:

-- a change of management or ownership without manufacturer consent;

-- insolvency or bankruptcy of the dealer;

-- death or incapacity of the dealer/manager;

-- conviction of a dealer/manager or owner of certain crimes;

-- misrepresentation of certain information by the store, dealer/manager
or owner to the manufacturer;

-- failure to adequately operate the store;

-- failure to maintain any license, permit or authorization required for
the conduct of business; or

-- poor sales performance or low customer satisfaction index scores.

We sign master framework agreements with most manufacturers that impose
additional requirements on our stores. See "Risk Factors" for further details.

COMPETITION

The retail automotive business is highly competitive consisting of a large
number of independent operators, many of whom are individuals, families and
small retail groups. We compete primarily with other automotive retailers, both
publicly and privately-held, near our store locations. In addition, regional and
national car rental companies operate retail used car lots to dispose of their
used rental cars.

We are larger and have more financial resources than the other automotive
retailers with which we currently compete in most markets. As we enter other
markets, we may face competitors that are larger or have access to greater
financial resources. We do not have any cost advantage in purchasing new
vehicles from manufacturers. We rely on advertising and merchandising, sales
expertise, service reputation and location of our stores to sell new vehicles.

In addition to competition for the sale of vehicles, we expect increased
competition for the acquisition of other stores. We have faced only limited
competition with respect to our acquisitions to date, primarily from
privately-held automotive retailers. Other publicly-owned automotive retailers
with significant capital resources may enter our current and targeted market
areas in the future.

REGULATION

Our business is subject to extensive regulation, supervision and licensing
under federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations. State and
federal regulatory agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have jurisdiction
over the operation of

our stores, service centers, collision repair shops and other operations. They
regulate matters such as consumer protection, workers' safety and air and water
quality.

Laws also protect franchised automotive retailers from the unequal
bargaining power held by the manufacturers. Under those laws, a manufacturer may
not:

-- terminate or fail to renew a franchise without good cause; or

-- prevent any reasonable changes in the capital structure or financing
of a store.

Manufacturers may object to a sale of a store or change of management based
on character, financial ability or business experience of the proposed new
operator.

Automotive retailers and manufacturers are also subject to laws to protect
consumers, including so-called "Lemon Laws." A manufacturer must replace a new
vehicle or accept it for a full refund within one year after initial purchase
if:

-- the vehicle does not conform to the manufacturer's express
warranties; and

-- the automotive retailer or manufacturer, after a reasonable number of
attempts, is unable to correct or repair the defect.

We must provide written disclosures on new vehicles of mileage and pricing
information. Financing and insurance activities are subject to credit reporting,
debt collection, and insurance industry regulation.

Our business, particularly parts, service and collision repair operations,
involves hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, such as motor oil, waste motor
oil and filters, transmission fluid, antifreeze, freon, waste paint and lacquer
thinner, batteries, solvents, lubricants, degreasing agents, gasoline and diesel
fuels. Federal, state and local authorities establishing health and
environmental quality standards regulate the handling, storage, treatment,
recycling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes and remediation of
contaminated sites, both at our facilities and at sites to which we send
hazardous or toxic substances or wastes for treatment, recycling or disposal. We
are aware of contamination at certain of our current and former facilities, and
we are in the process of conducting investigation and/or remediation at some of
these properties. Based on our current information, any costs or liabilities
relating to such contamination, other environmental matters or compliance with
environmental regulations are not expected to have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations or financial condition. There can be no assurances,
however, that additional environmental matters will not arise or that new
conditions or facts will not develop in the future at our current or formerly
owned or operated facilities, or at sites that we may acquire in the future, or
that these matters, conditions or facts will not result in a material adverse
effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

REAL ESTATE

We currently own or lease the land and facilities at each of our stores and
support facilities. We also own certain parcels held for future store locations.
Most leases give us the option to renew the lease for one or more lease
extension periods. We believe our owned and leased facilities are generally
adequate for our needs and are in good repair.

EMPLOYEES

As of December 31, 2001, we employed approximately 3,800 persons on a
full-time equivalent basis. The service department employees at our Dodge, Ford
and Volkswagen stores in Concord, California are unionized. We believe we have
good relationships with our employees.

MANAGEMENT

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Our bylaws provide for not less than two and not more than seven directors.
The Board of Directors has currently established the number of directors at
seven. Directors are elected by the stockholders at our annual meeting and serve
until the next annual meeting or until their successors are elected and
qualified. Our stockholders elected the directors listed below to serve until
the 2002 annual meeting. Officers are elected by the Board of Directors to hold
office until their successors are elected and qualified. The following table
identifies our current directors and executive officers.

NAME AGE CURRENT POSITION(S)
------------------------------------- --- --------------------------------------------------------

Sidney B. DeBoer..................... 58 Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary
M. L. Dick Heimann................... 58 President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
R. Bradford Gray..................... 49 Executive Vice President and Director
Bryan B. DeBoer...................... 35 Senior Vice President, Mergers and
Acquisitions/Operations
Don Jones, Jr. ...................... 39 Senior Vice President, Retail Operations
Jeffrey B. DeBoer.................... 37 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
W. Douglas Moreland.................. 53 Senior Vice President, Regional Operations--Colorado and
Director
Thomas Becker........................ 50 Director
Gerald F. Taylor..................... 61 Director
William J. Young..................... 59 Director

Sid DeBoer has served as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Secretary since 1968. He also is a member of various automobile industry
organizations, including the President's Club of the National Automobile Dealers
Association, Oregon Auto Dealers Association, Medford New Car Dealers
Association, Chrysler Dealer Council, Toyota Dealer Council and Honda Dealer
Council. Mr. DeBoer has earned several awards including the Time Magazine
Quality Dealer Award in 1997, the Sports Illustrated All-Star Dealer Award in
1990 and Medford Chamber of Commerce Awards in 1986, 1991, 1993 and 1998. Mr.
DeBoer is active with several community and charitable organizations, including
Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland Community
Hospital and Rogue Valley Medical Center Foundation. Mr. DeBoer is the father of
executive officers Bryan B. DeBoer and Jeffrey B. DeBoer.

Dick Heimann has served as the Chief Operating Officer and Director since
1970 and was appointed President in 1997. Prior to joining us, he served as a
district manager of Chrysler Corporation from 1967 to 1970. He is a member of
various automobile industry organizations including the Oregon Auto Dealers
Association, the Jeep Dealer Council and the Medford New Car Dealers
Association, for which he has previously served as president. Mr. Heimann is a
graduate of University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology
and Languages.

Brad Gray has served as Executive Vice President since 1996 and became a
Director in 1997. From 1981 to 1995, he served in various capacities including
as General Manager of our Grants Pass (1991-1995) and Lithia Dodge (1989-1991)
stores. Since 1975, Mr. Gray has held various positions in the automobile sales
industry, including sales representative, sales manager and general manager.

Bryan DeBoer joined us in 1989 working in various capacities including
General Manager of certain stores, Finance Manager and General Sales Manager. In
1996, Mr. DeBoer began serving on the acquisition team and was promoted to Vice
President, Acquisitions in 1997. In March 2000, Mr. DeBoer was promoted to
Senior Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions/Operations. Mr. DeBoer has a
B.S. degree from Southern Oregon University. Mr. DeBoer also graduated from the
National Auto Dealers Association Dealer Academy in 1990, where he was trained
in all operational aspects of auto retailing.

Don Jones joined us in 1989 as a General Sales Manager after 13 years of
auto retailing experience outside of Lithia. Mr. Jones has held various other
positions including General Manager, Executive Manager

and Regional Manager. In 1997, Mr. Jones was promoted to Vice President,
Operations and in March 2000, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Retail
Operations. Mr. Jones holds degrees from Menlo College in Atherton, California
and the University of Oregon.

Jeff DeBoer joined us in March 1997 as Vice President, Finance and Investor
Relations. In March 2000, Mr. DeBoer was promoted to Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Lithia, Mr. DeBoer was an equity
analyst and sector fund manager at Fidelity Investments Japan from 1994 to 1997
and a Credit Officer at Fuji Bank, Ltd., in Tokyo, Japan from 1988 to 1992. Mr.
DeBoer holds an undergraduate degree from Pomona College and an M.B.A. degree
with a specialty in finance and investment management from London Business
School. Mr. DeBoer also attended the National Auto Dealers Association Dealer
Academy in 1998, where he was trained in all operational aspects of auto
retailing.

Tom Becker became a Director in March 1997. Mr. Becker is the Executive
Director of Pacific Retirement Services, Inc. and Rogue Valley Manor in Medford,
Oregon. Pacific Retirement Services, Inc. is the parent corporation of a number
of retirement centers and related operations in Oregon, California and Texas.
Mr. Becker began his career with Rogue Valley Manor in January 1978. Mr. Becker
holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oregon.

Doug Moreland became a Director and Regional Vice President--Intermountain
Region in May 1999 when we acquired the Moreland Automotive Group. In March
2000, Mr. Moreland was promoted to Senior Vice President, Regional
Operations--Colorado. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Moreland owned Moreland
Automotive Group. Mr. Moreland began his auto retailing career in 1969 and
became a primary dealer and owner in January 1980.

Jerry Taylor became a Director in April 2000. Mr. Taylor served in the
position of Senior Vice President and CFO of Applied Materials, Inc., a
manufacturer of semi-conductor equipment, from 1984 until 1998. Mr. Taylor
currently serves as a senior advisor to the CEO of Applied Materials, Inc., and
is a member of the Board of Directors of Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.,
WebTrax, Inc. (a private company) and MicroBar, Inc. (a private company).

Bill Young became a Director in March 1997. Mr. Young is the Chairman of
the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of ARC Capital, a holding
company with three wholly owned subsidiaries operating in the machine vision
industry. Mr. Young has been with ARC Capital since 1994. Prior to 1994, Mr.
Young served with Volkswagen of America for 18 years, most recently as President
and Chief Executive Officer. During his tenure as President and CEO of
Volkswagen of America, Mr. Young also served as President of V-Crest Systems,
Inc., a computer services company serving 1,200 auto dealer agencies, and
director of VCI, Inc., a $2 billion financial services company.

PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth, as of February 22, 2002, information with
respect to the ownership of Lithia's Class A and Class B common stock and Series
M preferred stock by (1) each director; (2) our Chief Executive Officer and our
other five most highly compensated executive officers; (3) all persons known by
us to be beneficial owners of more than 5 percent of our common stock; and (4)
all executive officers and directors as a group. The table also sets forth the
shares to be sold by the selling stockholders and their holdings following the
offering.

SHARES BENEFICIALLY SHARES BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BEFORE THE OWNED AFTER THE
OFFERING NUMBER OF OFFERING
------------------------- SHARES TO BE SOLD IN -----------------------
STOCKHOLDER CLASS(1) NUMBER(2) % OF CLASS(3) THE OFFERING NUMBER % OF CLASS
--------------------------------------- -------- --------- ------------- -------------------- ---------- ----------

Lithia Holding Company, LLC(4)(5)...... Class B 4,039,719 100.0% --** 4,039,719 100.0%
Sidney B. DeBoer(4)(5)(6).............. Class A 180,916 1.9 --** 180,916 1.4
Class B 4,039,719 100.0 --** 4,039,719 100.0
W. Douglas Moreland(4)(7).............. Class A 1,681,949 18.2 1,000,000 681,949 5.1
Series M 3,904 86.8 -- 3,904 86.8
Capital Guardian Trust Company(8)...... Class A 671,200 7.3 -- 671,200 5.2
11100 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Fidelity Management and Research
Corp.(9)............................. Class A 779,100 8.4 -- 779,100 5.9
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.(10)............ Class A 605,928 6.6 -- 605,928 4.6
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Wellington Management Company,
LLP(11).............................. Class A 537,600 5.8 -- 537,600 4.1
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
Goldman Sachs Asset Management(12)..... Class A 459,047 5.0 -- 459,047 3.5
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005
M. L. Dick Heimann(13)................. Class A 184,274 2.0 -- 184,274 1.4
R. Bradford Gray....................... Class A 83,299 * --** 83,299 *
Don Jones, Jr.(14)..................... Class A 42,988 * -- 42,988 *
Bryan B. DeBoer........................ Class A 30,005 * -- 30,005 *
Jeffrey B. DeBoer(15).................. Class A 30,191 * -- 30,191 *
Thomas Becker(16)...................... Class A 15,200 * -- 15,200 *
Gerald F. Taylor....................... Class A 12,000 * -- 12,000 *
William J. Young....................... Class A 5,000 * -- 5,000 *
All current executive officers and
directors as a group (10
persons)(17)......................... Class A 2,265,605 23.8 1,000,000** 1,265,605 9.4
Class B 4,039,719 100.0 -- 4,039,719 100.0
Series M 3,904 86.8 -- 3,904 86.8

------------

* Less than one percent

(footnotes on next page)

** If the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, 120,488
shares of Class B common stock currently held by Lithia Holding Company,
LLC will be converted into Class A common stock and sold in the offering.
The following table sets forth the stockholders who will be selling a total
of 250,000 shares of Class A common stock if the over-allotment option is
exercised in full.

SHARES BENEFICIALLY
OWNED AFTER THE
OFFERING IF THE
OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION
IS EXERCISED IN FULL
NUMBER OF ----------------------
CLASS SHARES TO BE SOLD NUMBER % OF CLASS
------- ----------------- --------- ----------

Lithia Holding Company, LLC ................... Class A 120,488 -- 0.0%
Class B -- 3,919,231 100.0
Sidney B. DeBoer............................... Class A 229,450 71,954 0.5
Class B -- 3,919,231 100.0
R. Bradford Gray............................... Class A 20,550 62,749 0.5

(1) The Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share, the Class B
common stock is entitled to 10 votes per share and is convertible into
Class A common stock on a share for share basis at the option of the holder
thereof or under certain other circumstances and the Series M preferred
stock is entitled to 54.3 votes per share.

(2) Includes shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of February
22, 2002 as follows:

NAME NUMBER OF OPTIONS
---- -----------------

Sidney B. DeBoer............................................ 61,902
W. Douglas Moreland......................................... 18,512
M. L. Dick Heimann.......................................... 64,810
R. Bradford Gray............................................ 62,749]
Don Jones, Jr. ............................................. 21,404
Bryan B. DeBoer............................................. 21,675
Jeffrey B. DeBoer........................................... 22,727
Thomas Becker............................................... 5,000
Gerald F. Taylor............................................ 2,000
William Young............................................... 5,000
All current executive officers and directors as a group..... 285,779

(3) Applicable percentage of ownership is based on 9,226,701 shares of Class A
common stock outstanding, 4,039,719 shares of Class B common stock
outstanding and 4,499 shares of Series M preferred stock outstanding as of
February 22, 2002, together with applicable options for such stockholders.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and includes voting and investment
power with respect to shares. Shares of common stock subject to options or
warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after February
22, 2002 are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of
the person holding such options or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding
for computing the percentage of any other person.

(4) Such person can be reached c/o 360 E. Jackson Street, Medford, Oregon
97501.

(5) Sidney DeBoer, as the manager of Lithia Holding Company and pursuant to the
terms of its operating agreement, has the sole voting and investment power
with respect to all of the Class B common stock. Accordingly all shares
held by Lithia Holding Company are deemed beneficially owned by him. The
following table gives tabular information regarding the ownership of Lithia
Holding Company, LLC:

UNITS OWNED
----------------
NAME NUMBER PERCENT
---- ------ -------

DeBoer Family LLC........................................... 50,000 50.9%
Heimann Family LLC.......................................... 34,875 35.5
R. Bradford Gray............................................ 7,000 7.1
DeBoer Insurance, LLC. ..................................... 4,990 5.1
Sidney B. DeBoer Trust...................................... 1,425 1.4

Sidney B. DeBoer is the manager of the DeBoer Family LLC whose members
include Mr. DeBoer, his spouse and other family members. M.L. Dick Heimann
is the manager of the Heimann Family LLC whose members include Mr. Heimann
and other family members. Bryan B. DeBoer is the manager of DeBoer
Insurance, LLC, whose members are Bryan B. DeBoer, Jeffrey B. DeBoer and
Mark D. DeBoer. Sidney B. DeBoer is the trustee and owner of the Sidney B.
DeBoer Trust.

(6) Includes 10,325 Class A shares held in Mr. DeBoer's 401(k) account. Also
includes all shares held by Lithia Holding Company, LLC which he controls.

(7) All Class A shares and all of the Series M shares beneficially owned by Mr.
Moreland are held by several limited partnerships of which Mr. Moreland and
his wife are the limited partners and Mr. Moreland is the President of the
corporate general partner of each of the partnerships.

(8) Based solely on information as of December 31, 2001 provided on Schedule
13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Capital Guardian
Trust Company. Capital Guardian serves as an investment manager for several
institutional customers. Capital Guardian has sole voting power with
respect to 340,500 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to all
671,200 shares.

(9) Based solely on information as of December 31, 2001 provided on Schedule
13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by FMR Corp. FMR is
the parent holding company of Fidelity Management Trust Company, which has
beneficial ownership of 779,100 of the reported shares. FMR has sole voting
power with respect to 292,400 shares and sole dispositive power with
respect to all 779,100 shares.

(10) Based solely on information as of December 31, 2001 provided on Schedule
13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by J. P. Morgan Chase
& Co. J.P. Morgan Chase has sole voting power with respect to 138,999
shares and sole dispositive power with respect to all 605,928 shares.

(11) Based solely on information as of December 31, 2001 provided on Schedule
13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Wellington
Management Company, LLP. WMC has shared voting power with respect to
278,100 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to all 537,600
shares.

(12) Based solely on information as of December 31, 2001 provided on Schedule
13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Goldman Sachs
Asset Management (GSAM), separate operating unit of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
GSAM has sole voting power with respect to 405,591 shares and sole
dispositive power as to 459,047 shares.

(13) Includes 15,964 shares held by Mr. Heimann's spouse.

(14) Includes 7,504 Class A shares held in Mr. Jones' 401(k) account.

(15) Includes 664 Class A shares held in Mr. DeBoer's 401(k) account.

(16) Includes 200 shares held in a custodial account for Mr. Becker's daughter.

(17) Class A includes 15,964 shares held by Mr. Heimann's spouse, 200 shares
held in a custodial account for Mr. Becker's daughter, 10,325 shares held
in Sidney DeBoer's 401(k) account, 7,504 shares held in Mr. Jones' 401(k)
account and 664 shares held in Jeffrey B. DeBoer's 401(k) account.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of Class A
common stock, 25,000,000 shares of Class B common stock and 15,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, each with no par value.

COMMON STOCK

Each share of common stock is designated as either Class A common stock or
Class B common stock. As of February 22, 2002, there were 9,226,701 shares of
Class A common stock outstanding and 4,039,719 shares of Class B common stock
outstanding. All of the outstanding Class B common stock is held by Lithia
Holding Company, LLC. Upon completion of this offering, there will be 13,226,701
shares (13,847,189 shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is
exercised) of Class A common stock outstanding and 4,039,719 shares (3,919,231
shares if the underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised) of Class B
common stock outstanding.

VOTING

Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes for each share
held, while holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held. The Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a
single class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders including the
election of directors.

The Oregon Business Corporation Act, however, entitles either the Class A
common stock or the Class B common stock to vote as a separate voting group on
any proposed amendment of our Articles of Incorporation otherwise requiring
stockholder approval if the proposed amendment would:

-- increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of the
class;

-- effect an exchange or reclassification of all or part of the shares
of the class into shares of another class or create a right to do so;

-- change the shares of all or part of the class into a different number
of shares of the same class;

-- create a new class having rights or preferences with respect to
distributions or dissolution that are prior to superior or
substantially equal to shares of the class; or

-- otherwise alter the rights, preferences or limitations of all or part
of the shares of the class.

Shares of the two classes of common stock do not have cumulative voting
rights with respect to the election of directors.

Immediately after this offering, Lithia Holding Company, LLC will hold
shares of Class B common stock controlling 75.0% of the aggregate number of
votes eligible to be cast by stockholders for the election of directors and on
all other actions to be taken by the stockholders, except as noted above,
assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option, and 73.6% of such votes if
the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full. Therefore, Lithia
Holding will control the election of the Board of Directors and will be in a
position to control the policies and operations of our company. Currently,
Sidney B. DeBoer is the sole manager of Lithia Holding and can direct the voting
of all Class B common stock.

DIVIDENDS AND OTHER RIGHTS

Subject to the preferences applicable to any preferred stock outstanding at
the time, holders of shares of common stock are entitled to dividends if, when
and as declared by the Board of Directors from funds legally available therefor,
and are entitled, in the event of liquidation, to share ratably in all assets
remaining after payment of liabilities and preferred stock preferences, if any.
Each share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be treated
equally with respect to dividends and distributions.

No additional shares of Class B common stock can be issued without the
prior approval of stockholders holding a majority of all Class A common stock
outstanding, except in conjunction with stock splits, stock dividends,
reclassification and similar transactions and events regarding the Class A
common stock that would

otherwise have the effect of changing conversion rights of the Class B common
stock relative to the Class A common stock.

Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights nor rights to subscribe
for additional securities. Shares of common stock are not redeemable and there
are no sinking fund provisions. Shares of Class A common stock are not
convertible into any other series or class of our securities. Subject to
adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, reclassification and similar
transactions and events, each share of Class B common stock is freely
convertible into one share of Class A common stock at the option of the holder.
Each share of Class B common stock shall automatically convert to shares of
Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis on the earliest record date for
an annual meeting of our stockholders on which the number of shares of Class B
common stock outstanding is less than 1% of the total number of shares of common
stock outstanding.

Shares of Class B common stock may not be transferred to third parties
except for transfers to certain family members and in other limited
circumstances. Any purported transfer of Class B common stock to a person who is
not a permitted transferee under our Articles of Incorporation is automatically
void.

PREFERRED STOCK

In 1999, we authorized 15,000 shares of Series M Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock, of which 4,499 shares are currently outstanding. The Series M
preferred stock votes with Class A common stock on an as if converted basis. The
Series M preferred stock is convertible into Class A common stock at our option
at any time and at the option of the holder under limited circumstances. The
Series M preferred stock is redeemable at our option. The Series M preferred
stock converts into Class A common stock based on a formula that divides the
average Class A common stock price for a 15-day period into one thousand and
then multiplies such amount by the number of Series M preferred shares being
converted. The Series M preferred stock does not have a dividend preference, but
participates in any dividends on an as if converted basis. The Series M
preferred stock has a $1,000 per share liquidation preference.

The Board of Directors may, without further action of our stockholders,
issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and fix the rights and
preferences thereof, including the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion
rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption and sinking fund
provisions, redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences and the number
of shares constituting any series or the designations of such series, and
increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series (but not below the
number of such shares then outstanding). The rights of the holders of common
stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of
holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future. Issuance of
preferred stock provides desirable flexibility in connection with possible
acquisitions and other corporate purposes. However, the Board of Directors,
without further stockholder approval, can issue preferred stock with voting and
conversion rights that would adversely affect the voting power and other rights
of the holders of common stock. In addition, the Board of Directors can issue
and sell shares of preferred stock to designated persons, the impact of which
could make it more difficult for a holder of a substantial block of common stock
to remove incumbent directors or otherwise gain control of Lithia. We have no
present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

OREGON CORPORATE LAW

We are subject to the Oregon Control Share Act, under which a person who
acquires voting stock in a transaction which results in such person holding more
than 20%, 33 1/3% or 50% of the total voting power cannot vote the shares it
acquires in the acquisition unless voting rights are accorded to such control
shares by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares, excluding
the control shares held by such person and shares held by our officers and
inside directors, and by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
shares, including shares held by our officers and inside directors. This vote
would be required at the time an acquiring person's holdings exceed 20% of the
total voting power, and again at the time the acquiring person's holdings exceed
33 1/3% and 50%, respectively. An acquiring person can include persons acting as
a group. A transaction in which voting power is acquired solely by receipt of an
immediately revocable proxy does not

constitute an acquisition covered by the provisions of the Oregon Business
Corporation Act described here. The acquiring person may, but is not required
to, submit to us an "Acquiring Person Statement" setting forth certain
information about the acquiring person and its plans with respect to us. The
Acquiring Person Statement may also request that we call a special meeting of
stockholders to determine whether the control shares will be allowed to retain
voting rights. If the acquiring person does not request a special meeting of
stockholders, the issue of voting rights of control shares will be considered at
the next annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders that is held more
than 60 days after the date of the acquisition of control shares. If the
acquiring person's control shares are accorded voting rights and represent a
majority or more of all voting power, stockholders who do not vote in favor of
the restoration of such voting rights will have the right to receive the
appraised "fair value" of their shares, which may not be less than the highest
price paid per share by the acquiring person for the control shares.

We are also subject to the Oregon Business Combination Act, which generally
provides that in the event a person or entity acquires 15% or more of our voting
stock, we and such person or entity, or any affiliated entity, may not engage in
the following business combination transactions for a period of three years
following the date the person became acquired 15% or more of the voting stock:

-- a merger or plan of share exchange;

-- any sale, lease, mortgage or other disposition of the assets of the
corporation where the assets have an aggregate market value equal to
10% or more of the aggregate market value of our assets or
outstanding capital stock; and

-- transactions that result in the issuance of our capital stock to the
stockholder that acquired 15% or more of the voting stock

These restrictions do not apply if:

-- the stockholder that acquired 15% or more of the voting stock, as a
result of such acquisition, owns at least 85% of our outstanding
voting stock disregarding shares owned by directors who are also
officers and certain employee benefit plans;

-- the Board of Directors approves the share acquisition or business
combination before the stockholder acquired 15% or more of our voting
stock; or

-- the Board of Directors and the holders of at least two-thirds of our
outstanding voting stock, disregarding shares owned by the Interested
Stockholder, approve the transaction after the stockholder acquires
15% or more of our voting stock.

The Oregon Control Share Act and the Oregon Business Combination Act will
have the effect of encouraging any potential acquiror to negotiate with our
Board of Directors and will also discourage potential acquirors unwilling to
comply with the provisions of these laws. An Oregon corporation may provide in
its articles of incorporation or bylaws that the laws described above do not
apply to its shares. We have not adopted such a provision and do not currently
intend to do so. These laws may make us less attractive for takeover, and thus
stockholders may not benefit from a rise in the price of our Class A common
stock that a takeover could cause.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

As allowed by the Oregon Business Corporation Act, our Articles of
Incorporation provide that the liability of our directors for monetary damages
will be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under Oregon law. This is
intended to eliminate the personal liability of a director for monetary damages
in an action brought by or in the right of our company for breach of a
director's duties to us or our stockholders except for liability:

-- for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to us or our
stockholders;

-- for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

-- for any unlawful distribution to stockholders; or

-- for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit.

This provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or any stockholder's
rights to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the
event of a breach of a director's duty of care. This provision also does not
affect the director's responsibilities under any other laws, such as the federal
or state securities or environmental laws.

Our Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws also provide that we shall
indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted under Oregon law, any person who has
been made, or is threatened to be made, a party to an action, suit or legal
proceeding by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director or officer
of ours. Our Articles provide that we shall indemnify directors and officers
against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service
as a director or officer and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of
any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified.

TRANSFER AGENT

The transfer agent and registrar for the Class A common stock is
Computershare Trust Company, Inc., Lakewood, Colorado.

UNDERWRITERS

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting
agreement dated the date of this prospectus, the underwriters named below, for
whom Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Stephens Inc. are acting as
representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and we and certain of the
selling stockholders have agreed to sell to them, severally, the number of
shares of Class A common stock set forth opposite their names below:

NUMBER OF
NAME SHARES
---- ---------

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated........................... 4,007,240
Stephens Inc. .............................................. 707,160
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. ................................... 35,700
Jefferies & Company, Inc. .................................. 35,700
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.......... 35,700
Monness, Crespi, Hardt & Co. Inc. .......................... 35,700
Prudential Securities Incorporated.......................... 35,700
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. ........................... 35,700
Sidoti & Company, LLC....................................... 35,700
SunTrust Equitable Securities Corporation................... 35,700
---------
Total............................................. 5,000,000
=========

The underwriters are offering the shares of Class A common stock subject to
their acceptance of the shares from us and the selling stockholders and subject
to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the
several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of common
stock offered by this prospectus are subject to the approval of legal matters by
their counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take
and pay for all of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus if any
such shares are taken. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay
for the shares covered by the underwriters' over-allotment option described
below.

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of Class A
common stock directly to the public at the public offering price listed on the
cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at a price that
represents a concession not in excess of $.62 a share under the public offering
price. No underwriter or dealer may reallow a concession. After the initial
offering of the shares of Class A common stock, the offering price and other
selling terms may from time to time be varied by the representatives.

We and certain other selling stockholders have granted to the underwriters
an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus, to purchase
up to 500,000 additional shares and 250,000 additional shares, respectively, of
Class A common stock at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of
this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters
may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if
any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of Class A common stock
offered by this prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each
underwriter will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase
about the same percentage of the additional shares of Class A common stock as
the number listed next to the underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to
the total number of shares of Class A common stock listed next to the names of
all underwriters in the preceding table. If the underwriters' option is
exercised in full, the total price to the public would be $104,937,500, the
total underwriters' discounts and commissions would be $5,509,075, total
proceeds to us would be $77,813,550 and total proceeds to the selling
stockholders would be $21,614,875.

The underwriting discounts and commissions were determined by negotiations
among us, the selling stockholders and the representatives and are a percentage
of the offering price to the public. The primary factors considered in
determining the discounts and commissions were the size of the offering, the
nature of the securities offered and the discounts and commissions charged in
comparable transactions. The estimated

offering expenses payable by us, in addition to the underwriting discounts and
commissions, are approximately $500,000, which includes legal, consulting,
accounting and printing costs and various other fees associated with registering
and listing the Class A common stock.

Each of us, the selling stockholders, our directors, executive officers and
certain other stockholders have agreed that, without the prior written consent
of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf of the underwriters, we will not,
during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus:

-- offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to
purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option,
right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose
of directly or indirectly, any shares of Class A common stock or any
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Class
A common stock; or

-- enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another,
in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of
the Class A common stock;

whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of
common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The restrictions
described in this paragraph do not apply to:

-- the sale of shares to the underwriters;

-- the issuance by us of shares of Class A common stock upon the
exercise of an option or a warrant or the conversion of a security
outstanding on the date of this prospectus of which the underwriters
have been advised in writing;

-- the grant or exercise of options to purchase Class A common stock
under our employee benefit plans; or

-- transactions by any person other than us relating to shares of Class
A common stock or other securities acquired in open market
transactions after the completion of the offering of the shares.

In order to facilitate the offering of the Class A common stock, the
underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise
affect the price of the Class A common stock. Specifically, the underwriters may
sell more shares than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting
agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short
position is no greater than the number of shares available for purchase by the
underwriters under the over-allotment option. The underwriters can close out a
covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing shares
in the open market. In determining the source of shares to close out a covered
short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market
price of shares compared to the price available under the over-allotment option.
The underwriters may also sell shares in excess of the over-allotment option,
creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short
position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more
likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be
downward pressure on the price of the Class A common stock in the open market
after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the
offering. As an additional means of facilitating the offering, the underwriters
may bid for, and purchase, shares of Class A common stock in the open market to
stabilize the price of the Class A common stock. The underwriting syndicate may
also reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for
distributing the Class A common stock in the offering, if the syndicate
repurchases previously distributed Class A common stock to cover syndicate short
positions or to stabilize the price of the Class A common stock. These
activities may raise or maintain the market price of the Class A common stock
above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market
price of the Class A common stock. The underwriters are not required to engage
in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

We, the selling stockholders and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify
each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of Class A common stock we are offering by
this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Foster Pepper & Shefelman LLP,
Portland, Oregon. As of February 22, 2002, lawyers of Foster Pepper & Shefelman
LLP owned approximately 66,000 shares of our Class A common stock. Davis Polk &
Wardwell, Menlo Park, California, represents the underwriters.

EXPERTS

Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001, have been
included or incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement
in reliance on the report of KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants,
appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at
its public reference facility at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee
for the copying costs. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information regarding its public facilities. Our SEC filings are also available
to the public from the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, you
can read and copy our SEC filings at the office of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. at 1735 K Street, Washington, D.C. 20006.

The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to previously filed documents. The information incorporated by
reference in this prospectus is considered to be part of this prospectus, and
information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and
supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed
below and any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, until our offering is
completed:

-- our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2001 and

-- the description of our capital stock in our Registration Statement on
Form S-1 filed on March 6, 1998 as amended on April 28, 1998.

You may request a copy of all of the information incorporated by reference
at no cost, by writing or calling us at:

Lithia Motors, Inc.
Attention: Dan Retzlaff, Investor Relations
360 East Jackson Street
Medford, OR 97501
(541) 776-6819

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PAGE
----

Independent Auditors' Report................................ F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets................................. F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations....................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
and Comprehensive Income.................................. F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows....................... F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................. F-7

F-1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Lithia Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Lithia
Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and
comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 2001. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Lithia Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 2001, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in note 1 to the financial statements, effective January 1,
2001, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities", as amended. As discussed in note 15 to the financial statements,
effective July 1, 2001, the Company adopted SFAS No. 141, "Business
Combinations", and certain provisions of SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets", as required for goodwill and intangible assets resulting
from business combinations consummated after June 30, 2001.

KPMG LLP

Portland, Oregon
February 7, 2002

F-2

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31,
--------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)

ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 38,789 $ 59,855
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
of $346 and $504........................................ 32,273 33,196
Notes receivable, current portion, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $988 and $700...................... 1,933 1,361
Inventories, net.......................................... 314,290 275,398
Vehicles leased to others, current portion................ 4,961 5,554
Prepaid expenses and other................................ 4,276 3,759
Deferred income taxes..................................... -- 1,286
-------- --------
Total current assets............................... 396,522 380,409
Land and buildings, net of accumulated depreciation of
$1,261 and $2,098......................................... 60,788 84,739
Equipment and other, net of accumulated depreciation of
$7,173 and $9,695......................................... 29,452 37,238
Notes receivable, less current portion...................... 1,485 244
Vehicles leased to others, less current portion............. 2,962 122
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $6,219 and
$9,407.................................................... 133,871 149,742
Other intangible assets..................................... -- 7,107
Other non-current Assets, net of accumulated amortization of
$182 and $312............................................. 2,923 3,343
-------- --------
Total assets....................................... $628,003 $662,944
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Flooring notes payable.................................... $255,137 $211,947
Current maturities of long-term debt...................... 5,342 10,203
Trade payables............................................ 13,651 16,894
Accrued liabilities....................................... 22,086 36,531
Deferred income taxes..................................... 1,389 --
-------- --------
Total current liabilities.......................... 297,605 275,575
Used vehicle flooring facility.............................. 59,000 69,000
Real estate debt, less current maturities................... 28,898 40,693
Other long-term debt, less current maturities............... 43,688 55,137
Deferred revenue............................................ 1,993 1,481
Other long-term liabilities................................. 6,900 8,181
Deferred income taxes....................................... 8,144 9,380
-------- --------
Total liabilities.................................. 446,228 459,447
-------- --------
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock--no par value; authorized 15,000 shares;
15 shares designated Series M Preferred; issued and
outstanding 14.9 and 9.7 shares......................... 8,915 5,806
Class A common stock--no par value; authorized 100,000
shares; issued and outstanding 8,412 and 8,894 shares... 108,565 113,553
Class B common stock authorized 25,000 shares; issued and
outstanding 4,087 and 4,040 shares...................... 508 502
Additional paid-in capital................................ 306 507
Accumulated other comprehensive income.................... 15 (2,091)
Retained earnings......................................... 63,466 85,220
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity......................... 181,775 203,497
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity......... $628,003 $662,944
======== ========

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
---------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
AMOUNTS)

Revenues:
New vehicle sales.................................. $ 673,339 $ 898,016 $ 990,615
Used vehicle sales................................. 375,562 480,846 582,565
Service, body and parts............................ 120,722 164,002 187,725
Finance and insurance.............................. 46,422 58,025 71,685
Fleet and other.................................... 26,614 57,722 40,598
---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues............................. 1,242,659 1,658,611 1,873,188
Cost of sales........................................ 1,043,373 1,391,042 1,566,713
---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit......................................... 199,286 267,569 306,475
Selling, general and administrative.................. 146,381 195,500 239,042
Depreciation--buildings.............................. 366 994 1,261
Depreciation--equipment and other.................... 3,274 3,425 4,221
Amortization......................................... 1,933 3,186 3,793
---------- ---------- ----------
Income from operations............................. 47,332 64,464 58,158
Other income (expense):
Flooring interest expense.......................... (11,105) (17,728) (14,497)
Other interest expense............................. (4,250) (7,917) (7,822)
Other income, net.................................. 74 716 (410)
---------- ---------- ----------
(15,281) (24,929) (22,729)
---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes........................... 32,051 39,535 35,429
Income tax expense................................... (12,877) (15,222) (13,675)
---------- ---------- ----------
Net income........................................... $ 19,174 $ 24,313 $ 21,754
========== ========== ==========
Basic net income per share........................... $ 1.67 $ 1.78 $ 1.63
========== ========== ==========
Shares used in basic net income per share............ 11,506 13,652 13,371
========== ========== ==========
Diluted net income per share......................... $ 1.60 $ 1.76 $ 1.60
========== ========== ==========
Shares used in diluted net income per share.......... 11,998 13,804 13,612
========== ========== ==========

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001

ACCUMULATED
OTHER
COMMON STOCK
SERIES M -----------------------------------------
PREFERRED STOCK CLASS A CLASS B ADDITIONAL COMPRE-
---------------- -------------------- ------------------ PAID IN HENSIVE
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL INCOME
------ ------- --------- -------- --------- ------ ---------- -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998....... -- $ -- 6,105,237 $ 70,871 4,110,000 $511 $ 150 $ --
Net income......................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Issuance of Class A Common Stock in
connection with acquisitions..... -- -- 1,611,173 30,638 -- -- 4,500 --
Issuance of stock in connection
with employee stock plans........ -- -- 85,053 821 -- -- -- --
Compensation for stock option
issuances........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- 78 --
Conversion of Class B Common Stock
into Class A Common Stock........ -- -- 23,000 3 (23,000) (3) -- --
Issuance of Series M Preferred
Stock in connection with
acquisition...................... 10,360 6,216 -- -- -- -- 2,700 --
------ ------- --------- -------- --------- ---- ------- -------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1999....... 10,360 6,216 7,824,463 102,333 4,087,000 508 7,428 --
Comprehensive income:
Net income....................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Unrealized gain on investments... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 15
Total comprehensive
income...................
Issuance of stock in connection
with acquisitions................ 4,499 2,699 303,542 4,500 -- -- (7,200) --
Issuance of stock in connection
with employee stock plans........ -- -- 324,082 2,213 -- -- -- --
Repurchase of Class A Common
Stock............................ -- -- (40,000) (481) -- -- -- --
Compensation for stock option
issuances........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- 78 --
------ ------- --------- -------- --------- ---- ------- -------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2000....... 14,859 8,915 8,412,087 108,565 4,087,000 508 306 15
Comprehensive income:
Net income....................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Unrealized loss on investments,
net............................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (26)
Cash flow hedges:
Cumulative effect of adoption
of SFAS 133, net of tax
effect of $594............... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (948)
Net derivative losses, net of
tax effect of $1,237......... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (1,963)
Reclassification adjustment,
net of tax effect of
$(523)....................... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 831
Total comprehensive
income...................
Issuance of stock in connection
with employee stock plans........ -- -- 169,492 1,873 -- -- -- --
Conversion of Series M Preferred
Stock............................ (5,183) (3,109) 265,247 3,109 -- -- (20) --
Conversion of Class B Common
Stock............................ -- -- 47,281 6 (47,281) (6) -- --
Compensation for stock option
issuances........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- 221 --
------ ------- --------- -------- --------- ---- ------- -------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2001....... 9,676 $5,806 8,894,107 $113,553 4,039,719 $502 $ 507 $(2,091)
====== ======= ========= ======== ========= ==== ======= =======

TOTAL
RETAINED STOCKHOLDERS'
EARNINGS EQUITY
-------- -------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998....... $19,979 $ 91,511
Net income......................... 19,174 19,174
Issuance of Class A Common Stock in
connection with acquisitions..... -- 35,138
Issuance of stock in connection
with employee stock plans........ -- 821
Compensation for stock option
issuances........................ -- 78
Conversion of Class B Common Stock
into Class A Common Stock........ -- --
Issuance of Series M Preferred
Stock in connection with
acquisition...................... -- 8,916
------- --------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1999....... 39,153 155,638
Comprehensive income:
Net income....................... 24,313 24,313
Unrealized gain on investments... -- 15
--------
Total comprehensive
income................... 24,328
Issuance of stock in connection
with acquisitions................ -- (1)
Issuance of stock in connection
with employee stock plans........ -- 2,213
Repurchase of Class A Common
Stock............................ -- (481)
Compensation for stock option
issuances........................ -- 78
------- --------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2000....... 63,466 181,775
Comprehensive income:
Net income....................... 21,754 21,754
Unrealized loss on investments,
net............................ -- (26)
Cash flow hedges:
Cumulative effect of adoption
of SFAS 133, net of tax
effect of $594............... -- (948)
Net derivative losses, net of
tax effect of $1,237......... -- (1,963)
Reclassification adjustment,
net of tax effect of
$(523)....................... -- 831
--------
Total comprehensive
income................... 19,648
Issuance of stock in connection
with employee stock plans........ -- 1,873
Conversion of Series M Preferred
Stock............................ -- (20)
Conversion of Class B Common
Stock............................ -- --
Compensation for stock option
issuances........................ -- 221
------- --------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2001....... $85,220 $203,497
======= ========

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
-------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income................................................ $ 19,174 $ 24,313 21,754
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization........................... 5,573 7,605 9,275
Compensation related to stock option issuances.......... 78 78 221
(Gain) loss on sale of assets........................... (4) 55 (43)
(Gain) loss on sale of vehicles leased to others........ 253 13 (20)
Gain on sale of franchise............................... -- -- (352)
Deferred income taxes................................... (1,673) 196 (97)
Equity in income of affiliate........................... (61) (30) 87
(Increase) decrease, net of effect of acquisitions:
Trade and installment contract receivables, net....... 2,940 (3,701) (1,007)
Inventories........................................... (20,094) 1,814 64,200
Prepaid expenses and other............................ 845 (391) 654
Other noncurrent assets............................... (378) (1,426) (663)
Increase (decrease), net of effect of acquisitions:
Floorplan notes payable............................... 16,012 7,083 (58,321)
Trade payables........................................ (13,570) 814 3,243
Accrued liabilities................................... 4,492 (1,368) 10,958
Other liabilities..................................... 8,794 1,232 (630)
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities........... 22,381 36,287 49,259
Cash flows from investing activities:
Notes receivable issued................................... (806) (734) (902)
Principal payments received on notes receivable........... 6,977 4,197 2,715
Capital expenditures:
Maintenance............................................. (1,812) (3,599) (4,439)
Financeable real estate and other....................... (12,774) (22,384) (26,247)
Proceeds from sale of assets.............................. 1,779 1,140 7,635
Proceeds from sale of vehicles leased to others........... 7,805 6,597 4,675
Expenditures for vehicles leased to others................ (8,102) (9,701) (6,228)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired.......... (35,020) (56,660) (45,496)
Cash from sale of franchises.............................. -- 1,287 7,060
Distribution from affiliate............................... 1,268 380 --
-------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities............... (40,685) (79,477) (61,227)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) on lines of credit............ 31,380 54,120 24,000
Payments on capital lease obligations..................... (1,018) (107) (132)
Principal payments on long-term debt...................... (13,175) (13,560) (9,776)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt.................. 9,781 9,430 17,089
Repurchase of common stock................................ -- (481) --
Proceeds from issuance of common stock.................... 821 2,213 1,853
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities........... 27,789 51,615 33,034
-------- -------- --------
Increase in cash and cash equivalents....................... 9,485 8,425 21,066
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period....................................... 20,879 30,364 38,789
-------- -------- --------
End of period............................................. $ 30,364 $ 38,789 $ 59,855
======== ======== ========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest.................. $ 15,330 $ 25,580 $ 23,282
Cash paid during the period for income taxes.............. 11,469 15,266 12,657
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing
activities:
Stock issued in connection with acquisitions.............. $ 44,053 $ -- $ --
Debt assumed/issued in connection with acquisitions....... 5,657 5,978 --
Termination of capital lease.............................. 2,431 -- 58
Assets acquired with debt................................. -- -- 6,982
Debt extinguished through refinancing..................... -- -- 10,840

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1999, 2000 AND 2001
(DOLLAR AND SHARE AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

Lithia is a leading operator of automotive franchises and retailer of new
and used vehicles and services through a well developed franchise system with
its automotive manufacturer partners. As of February 22, 2002, we offered 24
brands of new vehicles, through 123 franchises in 65 locations in the western
United States and over the Internet. At February 22, 2002, we operated 16 stores
in Oregon, 11 stores in California, 10 in Washington, 7 in Colorado, 7 in Idaho,
5 in Nevada, 4 in Texas, 3 in South Dakota and 2 in Alaska. Lithia sells new and
used cars and light trucks, sells replacement parts, provides vehicle
maintenance, warranty, paint and repair services, and arranges related financing
and insurance for its automotive customers.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The accompanying financial statements reflect the results of operations,
the financial position, and the cash flows for Lithia Motors, Inc. and its
directly and indirectly wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
accounts and transactions, consisting principally of intercompany sales, have
been eliminated upon consolidation.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company considers contracts in
transit and all highly liquid debt instruments with a maturity of three months
or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

INVENTORIES

The Company accounts for inventories using the specific identification
method for vehicles and the first-in first-out (FIFO) method for parts
(collectively, the FIFO method).

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are being depreciated
over their estimated useful lives, principally on the straight-line basis. The
range of estimated useful lives is as follows:

Building and improvements................................... 40 years
Service equipment........................................... 5 to 10 years
Furniture, signs and fixtures............................... 5 to 10 years

The cost for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals is expensed as
incurred, while significant renewals and betterments are capitalized. When an
asset is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated
depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is credited or
charged to income.

Leased property meeting certain criteria is capitalized and the present
value of the related lease payments is recorded as a liability. Amortization of
capitalized leased assets is computed on a straight-line basis over the shorter
of the useful life or the term of the lease and is included in depreciation
expense.

INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE

The Company has a 20% interest in Lithia Properties, LLC, of which the
other members are Sidney DeBoer (35%), M. L. Dick Heimann (30%) and three of Mr.
DeBoer's children (5% each). The investment

F-7

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

is accounted for using the equity method, with a carrying value of $131 and $34
at December 31, 2000 and 2001, respectively.

ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES AND EXPENDITURES

Accruals for environmental matters, if any, are recorded in operating
expenses when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount
of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Accrued liabilities are exclusive
of claims against third parties and are not discounted.

In general, costs related to environmental remediation are charged to
expense. Environmental costs are capitalized if the costs increase the value of
the property and/or mitigate or prevent contamination from future operations.

We are aware of contamination at certain of our current and former
facilities, and we are in the process of conducting investigations and/or
remediation at some of these properties. Based on our current information, any
costs or liabilities relating to such contamination, other environmental matters
or compliance with environmental regulations are not expected to have a material
adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. There can be
no assurances, however, that additional environmental matters will not arise or
that new conditions or facts will not develop in the future at our current or
formerly owned or operated facilities, or at sites that we may acquire in the
future, that will result in a material adverse effect on our results of
operations or financial condition.

INCOME TAXES

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method as
prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 "Accounting
for Income Taxes." Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to
apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are
expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and
liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that
includes the enactment date.

COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE AMOUNTS

Basic earnings per share (EPS) and diluted EPS are computed using the
methods prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128,
Earnings per Share (SFAS 128). Following is a reconciliation of basic EPS and
diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share amounts):

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
PER SHARE PER SHARE PER SHARE
INCOME SHARES AMOUNT INCOME SHARES AMOUNT INCOME SHARES AMOUNT
------- ------ --------- ------- ------ --------- ------- ------ ---------

BASIC EPS
Net income available to
Common Stockholders..... $19,174 11,506 $1.67 $24,313 13,652 $1.78 $21,754 13,371 $1.63
===== ===== =====
DILUTED EPS
Dilutive stock options.... -- 364 -- 152 -- 241
Contingent issuances.... -- 128 -- -- -- --
------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------
Net income available to
Common Stockholders..... $19,174 11,998 $1.60 $24,313 13,804 $1.76 $21,754 13,612 $1.60
===== ===== =====

F-8

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

34,000, 683,000 and 451,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options have
not been included in the above calculations for 1999, 2000 and 2001,
respectively, since they would have been antidilutive, or "not in the money."

ADVERTISING

The Company expenses production and other costs of advertising as incurred.
Advertising expense was $11.2 million, $15.3 million and $15.7 million for the
years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively.

GOODWILL

Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over fair value of net assets
acquired, which is not allocable to separately identifiable intangible assets.
Goodwill acquired prior to July 1, 2001 continued to be amortized on the
straight-line basis over the expected period to be benefited of forty years.
Pursuant to SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," which will be
fully adopted in the first quarter of 2002, goodwill acquired after June 30,
2001 was not amortized, but, instead, will be tested for impairment at least
annually in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142. Upon full adoption
of SFAS No. 142, all goodwill will cease to be amortized. See also Note 15
"Recent Accounting Pronouncements."

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Other intangible assets represent the franchise value of stores acquired
since July 1, 2001. All of the Company's other intangible assets have indefinite
useful lives and therefore are not amortized, but instead will be tested for
impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 142. See also Note 15 "Recent Accounting
Pronouncements."

CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited
due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer base.
Receivables from all manufacturers accounted for 36.4% and 33.4%, respectively,
of total accounts receivable at December 31, 2000 and 2001. Included in the
36.4% are two manufacturers who accounted for 12.5% and 10.3%, respectively, of
the total accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2000. Included in the
33.4% are two manufacturers who accounted for 12.6% and 7.4%, respectively, of
the total accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2001.

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to
concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash deposits. The Company
generally is exposed to credit risk from balances on deposit in financial
institutions in excess of the FDIC-insured limit.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND MARKET RISKS

The carrying amount of cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables,
accrued liabilities and short term borrowings approximates fair value because of
the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair values of long-term debt
and notes receivable for leased vehicles accounted for as sales-type leases were
estimated by discounting the future cash flows using market interest rates and
do not differ significantly from that reflected in the financial statements.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on
relevant market information about the financial instrument. These estimates are
subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant
judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in
assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
F-9

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

Lithia has variable rate floor plan notes payable and other credit line
borrowings that subject it to market risk exposure. At December 31, 2001, Lithia
had $344.2 million outstanding under such facilities at interest rates ranging
from 3.38% to 4.63% per annum at December 31, 2001. An increase or decrease in
the interest rates would affect interest expense for the period accordingly.

Lithia also subjects itself to credit risk and market risk by entering into
interest rate swaps. See Note 5. The Company minimizes the credit or repayment
risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high quality
institutions, whose credit rating is higher than Aa.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Lithia enters into interest rate swap agreements to reduce its exposure to
market risks from changing interest rates. The difference between interest paid
and interest received, which may change as market interest rates change, is
accrued and recognized as interest expense. If a swap is terminated prior to its
maturity, the gain or loss is recognized over the remaining original life of the
swap if the item hedged remains outstanding, or immediately if the item hedged
does not remain outstanding. If the swap is not terminated prior to maturity,
but the underlying hedged item is no longer outstanding, the interest rate swap
is marked to market, and any unrealized gain or loss is recognized immediately.

Effective January 1, 2001, Lithia adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities" as amended by SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for
Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities-an amendment of
FASB Statement No. 133" (collectively "the Standards"). The Standards require
that all derivative instruments (including certain derivative instruments
embedded in other contracts) be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset
or liability measured at its fair value, and that changes in the derivatives
fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting
criteria are met. Upon adoption of the Standards, the Company recorded a
liability of $1.5 million and a corresponding, net-of-tax,
cumulative-effect-type adjustment of $948,000 in accumulated other comprehensive
income to recognize, at fair value, all derivatives that are designated as
cash-flow hedging instruments.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial
statements and related notes to financial statements. Changes in such estimates
may affect amounts reported in future periods.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue from the sale of vehicles is recognized upon delivery, when the
sales contract is signed, down payment has been received and funding has been
approved from the lending agent. Fleet sales of vehicles whereby the Company
does not take title are shown on a net basis in other revenue.

Finance fees represent revenue earned by the Company for notes placed with
financial institutions in connection with customer vehicle financing net of
estimated charge-backs and sales commissions. Finance fees are recognized in
income upon acceptance of the credit by the financial institution. Insurance
income represents commissions earned on credit life, accident and disability
insurance sold in connection with the vehicle on behalf of third party insurance
companies. Commissions from third party service contracts are recognized upon
sale. Insurance commissions are recognized in income upon customer acceptance of
the insurance terms as evidenced by contract execution. Finance fees and
insurance commissions, net of

F-10

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

administration fees and anticipated cancellations, are classified as other
operating revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income includes the unrealized gain on investments and the
fair value of cash flow hedging instruments that are reflected in stockholders'
equity instead of net income.

MAJOR SUPPLIER AND DEALER AGREEMENTS

The Company purchases substantially all of its new vehicles and inventory
from various manufacturers at the prevailing prices charged by the auto maker to
all franchised dealers. The Company's overall sales could be impacted by the
auto maker's inability or unwillingness to supply the store with an adequate
supply of popular models.

The Company enters into agreements (Dealer Agreements) with the
manufacturers. The Dealer Agreements generally limit the location of the store
and provide the auto maker approval rights over changes in store management and
ownership. The automakers are also entitled to terminate the Dealer Agreements
if the store is in material breach of the terms. The Company's ability to expand
operations depends, in part, on obtaining consents of the manufacturers for the
acquisition of additional stores.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plan under Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB
25). The Company adopted the disclosure option of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS
123). SFAS 123 requires that companies, which do not choose to account for
stock-based compensation as prescribed by this statement, shall disclose the pro
forma effects on earnings and earnings per share as if SFAS 123 had been
adopted. Additionally, certain other disclosures are required with respect to
stock compensation and the assumptions used to determine the pro forma effects
of SFAS 123.

SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131
(SFAS 131), Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,
for the year ended December 31, 1998. Based upon definitions contained within
SFAS 131, the Company has determined that it operates in one segment, automotive
retailing.

RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions
have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation.

F-11

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

2. INVENTORIES AND RELATED NOTES PAYABLE

The new and used vehicle inventory, collateralizing related notes payable,
and other inventory were as follows (in thousands):

DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------
2000 2001
-------------------- --------------------
INVENTORY NOTES INVENTORY NOTES
COST PAYABLE COST PAYABLE
--------- -------- --------- --------

New and program vehicles............................. $239,185 $255,137 $191,598 $211,947
Used vehicles........................................ 58,136 59,000 67,018 69,000
Parts and accessories................................ 16,969 -- 16,782 --
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total inventories............................... $314,290 $314,137 $275,398 $280,947
======== ======== ======== ========

The inventory balance is generally reduced by manufacturer's purchase
discounts. Such reductions are not reflected in the related floor plan
liability.

All new vehicles are pledged to collateralize floor plan notes payable to
financial institutions. The floor plan notes payable bear interest, payable
monthly on the outstanding balance, at a rate of interest determined by the
lender, subject to incentives. The new vehicle floor plan notes are due when the
related vehicle is sold. As such, these floor plan notes payable are shown as a
current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Used vehicles are pledged to collateralize a $150 million line of credit.
The line of credit is due in November 2003.

3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (IN THOUSANDS)

DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
2000 2001
------- --------

Buildings and improvements.................................. $28,365 $ 34,147
Service equipment........................................... 8,522 9,872
Furniture, signs and other equipment........................ 24,857 31,701
------- --------
61,744 75,720
Less accumulated depreciation -- buildings.................. (1,261) (2,098)
Less accumulated depreciation -- equipment and other........ (7,173) (9,695)
------- --------
53,310 63,927
Land........................................................ 28,659 41,607
Construction in progress, buildings......................... 5,025 11,082
Construction in progress, other............................. 3,246 5,361
------- --------
$90,240 $121,977
======= ========

F-12

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

4. VEHICLES LEASED TO OTHERS AND RELATED LEASE RECEIVABLES (IN THOUSANDS)

DECEMBER 31,
------------------
2000 2001
------- -------

Vehicles leased to others................................... $ 8,684 $ 6,467
Less accumulated depreciation............................... (761) (791)
------- -------
7,923 5,676
Less current portion........................................ (4,961) (5,554)
------- -------
$ 2,962 $ 122
======= =======

Vehicles leased to others are stated at cost and depreciated over their
estimated useful lives (5 years) on a straight-line basis. Lease receivables
result from customer, employee and fleet leases of vehicles under agreements
that qualify as operating leases. Leases are cancelable at the option of the
lessee after providing 30 days written notice.

5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We believe it is prudent to limit the variability of a portion of our
interest payments. Accordingly, we have entered into interest rate swaps to
manage the variability of our interest rate exposure, thus leveling a portion of
our interest expense in a rising or falling rate environment. At December 31,
2001, we had hedged approximately 17.8% of our flooring debt.

The interest rate swaps change the variable-rate cash flow exposure on a
portion of the flooring debt to fixed rate cash flows by entering into
receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps. Under the interest rate swaps,
we receive variable interest rate payments and make fixed interest rate
payments, thereby creating fixed rate flooring debt.

We have entered into the following interest rate swaps with U.S. Bank
Dealer Commercial Services:

- Effective September 1, 2000--a five year, $25 million interest rate swap
at a fixed rate of 6.88% per annum.

- Effective November 1, 2000 -- a three year, $25 million interest rate
swap at a fixed rate of 6.47% per annum.

We do not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than to
manage interest rate exposure. That is, we do not speculate using derivative
instruments.

The fair value of interest rate swap agreements and the amount of hedging
losses deferred on interest rate swaps was $1.5 million and $3.4 million,
respectively, at December 31, 2000 and 2001. Changes in the fair value of the
interest rate swaps are reported, net of related income taxes, in accumulated
other comprehensive income. These amounts are subsequently reclassified into
interest expense as a yield adjustment in the same period in which the related
interest on the flooring debt affects earnings. Because the critical terms of
the interest rate swap and the underlying debt obligation are the same, there
was no ineffectiveness recorded in interest expense.

F-13

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

Incremental interest expense incurred as a result of the interest rate
swaps was $10,000 and $1.4 million, respectively in 2000 and 2001. Interest
expense savings on un-hedged debt as a result of decreasing interest rates
during 2001 was approximately $6.4 million.

At current interest rates, we estimate that we will incur additional
interest expense, net of tax, of approximately $1.5 million related to our
interest rate swaps during 2002.

6. NOTES RECEIVABLE UNDER SALES-TYPE LEASES

At one of its locations, the Company leases vehicles to customers under
sales-type leases. The following lists the components of the net investment in
sales-type leases, classified as notes receivable in the consolidated balance
sheets (in thousands).

DECEMBER 31,
----------------
2000 2001
------ ------

Total minimum lease payments to be received................. $3,681 $1,418
Allowance for uncollectible notes and repossession losses... (599) (431)
------ ------
3,082 987
Unearned interest income.................................... (405) (115)
------ ------
$2,677 $ 872
====== ======

Future minimum lease payments to be received on the notes receivable after
December 31, 2001 are as follows (in thousands):

YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
------------------------

2002........................................................ $1,095
2003........................................................ 266
2004........................................................ 57
------
Total.................................................. $1,418
======

7. LINES OF CREDIT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

We have credit facilities with Ford Motor Credit Company totaling $530
million, which expire December 1, 2003, with interest due monthly. The
facilities include $250 million for new and program vehicle flooring, $150
million for used vehicle flooring and $130 million for store acquisitions. We
also have the option to convert the acquisition line into a five-year term loan.

The financial covenants in our agreement with Ford Motor Credit require us
to maintain compliance with, among other things, (1) specified ratios total debt
to tangible base capital; (2) specified ratios of total adjusted debt to
tangible base capital; (3) specific current ratio; (4) specific fixed charge
coverage ratio; and (5) positive net cash. The Ford Motor Credit agreements also
preclude the payment of cash dividends without prior consent. We were in
compliance with all such covenants at December 31, 2001.

F-14

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

serving as the primary lender for all other brands. These new vehicle lines are
secured by new vehicle inventory of the relevant brands.

In addition, U.S. Bank N.A. has extended a $27.5 million revolving line of
credit for leased vehicles and equipment purchases, which expires January 31,
2004.

Interest rates on all of the above facilities are variable and ranged from
3.38% to 4.63% at December 31, 2001. Amounts outstanding on the lines at
December 31, 2001 together with amounts remaining available under such lines
were as follows (in thousands):

REMAINING
OUTSTANDING AT AVAILABILITY AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 2001 DECEMBER 31, 2001
----------------- ------------------

New and Program Vehicle Lines................. $211,947 $ *
Used Vehicle Line............................. 69,000 81,000
Acquisition Line.............................. 22,000 108,000
Real Estate Lines............................. 13,740 4,260
Equipment/Leased Vehicle Line................. 27,500 0
-------- --------
$344,187 $193,260
======== ========

------------
* There are no formal limits on the new and program vehicle lines with certain
lenders.

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

DECEMBER 31,
--------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------

Equipment & lease vehicle line of credit.................... $ 27,500 $ 27,500
Acquisition line of credit.................................. 8,000 22,000
Used vehicle flooring line of credit........................ 59,000 69,000
Mortgages payable in monthly installments of $219, including
interest between 3.67% and 9.00%, maturing fully December
2019; secured by land and buildings....................... 30,571 48,916
Notes payable in monthly installments of $21 plus interest
between 5.25% and 8.00%, maturing at various dates through
2006; secured by vehicles leased to others................ 1,819 1,849
Notes payable related to acquisitions, with interest rates
between 5.50% and 8.50%, maturing at various dates through
December 2010............................................. 9,831 5,751
Capital lease obligations, net of interest of $22 and $1,
respectively, with monthly lease payments of $1 and
termination dates through 2003............................ 207 17
-------- --------
136,928 175,033
Less current maturities..................................... (5,342) (10,203)
-------- --------
$131,586 $164,830
======== ========

F-15

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

The schedule of future principal payments on long-term debt after December
31, 2001 is as follows (in thousands):

YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
------------------------

2002........................................................ $ 10,203
2003........................................................ 95,732
2004........................................................ 29,187
2005........................................................ 3,388
2006........................................................ 16,242
Thereafter.................................................. 20,281
--------
Total principal payments.................................... $175,033
========

8. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

The shares of Class A Common Stock are not convertible into any other
series or class of the Company's securities. However, each share of Class B
Common Stock is freely convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock at the
option of the holder of the Class B Common Stock. All shares of Class B Common
Stock shall automatically convert to shares of Class A Common Stock (on a
share-for-share basis, subject to the adjustments) on the earliest record date
for an annual meeting of the Company stockholders on which the number of shares
of Class B Common Stock outstanding is less than 1% of the total number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding. Shares of Class B Common Stock may not be
transferred to third parties, except for transfers to certain family members and
in other limited circumstances.

Holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share
held of record, and holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes
for each share held of record. The Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of
stockholders.

In 1999, the Company authorized 15,000 shares of Series M Redeemable,
Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series M Preferred Stock"). In May 1999, in
connection with the acquisition of Moreland Automotive Group, the Company issued
10,360 shares of Series M Preferred Stock. The Series M Preferred Stock votes
with Class A Common Stock on an as if converted basis. The Series M Preferred
Stock is convertible into Class A Common Stock at the option of the Company at
any time and at the option of the holder under limited circumstances. The Series
M Preferred Stock is redeemable at the option of the Company. The Series M
Preferred Stock converts into Class A Common Stock based on a formula that
divides the average Class A Common Stock price for a certain 15-day period into
one thousand and then multiplies by the number of Series M Preferred Shares
being converted. The Series M Preferred Stock does not have a dividend
preference, but participates in any dividends on an as if converted basis. The
Series M Preferred Stock has a $1,000 per share liquidation preference.

In the first quarter of 2000, the Company issued 303,542 shares of Class A
Common Stock and 4,499 shares of Series M Preferred Stock in order to satisfy
contingent payout requirements related to the Moreland acquisition.

In June 2001, the Company converted 5,183 shares of Series M Preferred
Stock with an aggregate conversion price of $5.2 million into an aggregate of
265,247 shares of Class A Common Stock.

F-16

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

9. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense for 1999, 2000 and 2001 was as follows (in thousands):

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------
1999 2000 2001
------- ------- -------

Current:
Federal............................................. $10,382 $12,705 $13,074
State............................................... 1,979 2,194 2,040
------- ------- -------
12,361 14,899 15,114
------- ------- -------
Deferred:
Federal............................................. 411 328 (1,264)
State............................................... 105 (5) (175)
------- ------- -------
516 323 (1,439)
------- ------- -------
Total....................................... $12,877 $15,222 $13,675
======= ======= =======

Individually significant components of the deferred tax assets and
liabilities are presented below (in thousands):

DECEMBER 31,
--------------------
2000 2001
-------- --------

Deferred tax assets:
Allowance and accruals.................................... $ 2,164 $ 4,006
Deferred revenue and cancellation reserves................ 2,786 3,383
-------- --------
Total deferred tax assets.............................. 4,950 7,389
-------- --------
Deferred tax liabilities:
LIFO recapture and acquired LIFO inventories
differences............................................ (7,555) (3,773)
Employee benefit plans.................................... (1,084) (1,724)
Goodwill.................................................. (4,544) (7,193)
Property and equipment, principally due to differences in
depreciation........................................... (1,300) (2,793)
-------- --------
Total deferred tax liabilities......................... (14,483) (15,483)
-------- --------
Total............................................. $ (9,533) $ (8,094)
======== ========

The reconciliation between amounts computed using the federal income tax
rate of 35% and the Company's income tax expense for 1999, 2000 and 2001 is
shown in the following tabulation.

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
------- ------- -------

Computed "expected" tax expense..................... $11,218 $13,837 $12,400
State taxes, net of federal income tax benefit...... 1,311 1,464 1,174
Nondeductible goodwill.............................. 261 443 468
Other............................................... 87 (522) (367)
------- ------- -------
Income tax expense.................................. $12,877 $15,222 $13,675
======= ======= =======

F-17

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

RECOURSE PAPER

The Company is contingently liable to banks for recourse paper assumed at
the time of acquisition when the Company does a corporate purchase. Following
the acquisition, the Company does not enter into further recourse transactions.
The contingent liability, net of reserves, at December 31, 2000 and 2001 was
approximately $907,000 and $322,000, respectively.

The Company's potential loss is limited to the difference between the
present value of the installment contract at the date of the repossession and
the amount for which the vehicle is resold. Based upon historical loss
percentages, an estimated loss reserve of $540,000 and $573,000 is reflected in
the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2000 and 2001,
respectively. The reserves were established as a purchase price adjustment as
the result of several acquisitions.

LEASES

The Company leases certain of its facilities under noncancelable operating
leases. These leases expire at various dates through 2021. Certain lease
commitments are subject to escalation clauses of an amount equal to the cost of
living based on the "Consumer Price Index--U.S. Cities Average--All Items for
all Urban Consumers" published by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The minimum lease payments under the operating leases after December 31,
2001 are as follows (in thousands):

YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
------------------------

2002........................................................ $ 16,596
2003........................................................ 15,530
2004........................................................ 14,797
2005........................................................ 14,467
2006........................................................ 13,443
Thereafter.................................................. 51,758
--------
Total minimum lease payments................................ $126,591
========

Rental expense for all operating leases was $9.6 million, $13.8 million and
$15.9 million for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001,
respectively.

CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

At December 31, 2001, the Company had capital commitments of approximately
$9.0 million for the construction of three new store facilities and additions to
two existing facilities, all of which is anticipated to be incurred in 2002.
Lithia expects to pay for the construction out of existing cash balances until
completion of the projects, at which time Lithia anticipates securing long-term
financing and general borrowings from third party lenders for 85% to 100% of the
amounts expended.

LITIGATION

The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the
ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate
disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

F-18

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

11. PROFIT SHARING PLAN

The Company has a defined contribution plan and trust covering
substantially all full-time employees. The annual contribution to the plan is at
the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company. Contributions of
$591,000, $166,000 and $1.1 million were recognized for the years ended December
31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. Employees may contribute to the plan
under certain circumstances.

12. STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS

The Company's 2001 Stock Option Plan ("the 2001 Plan"), which was approved
by the stockholders of the Company in May 2001, allows for the granting of up to
a total of 600,000 incentive and nonqualified stock options to officers, key
employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. Upon approval of
the 2001 Plan, the Company's 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1996 Plan") and its
Non-Discretionary Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the "Directors'
Plan") were terminated. However, options then outstanding under the 1996 Plan
and the Directors' Plan remained outstanding and exercisable pursuant to their
original terms. Options canceled under the 1996 Plan and the Directors' Plan do
not return to the pool of options to be granted again in the future. All of the
option plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board and
permit accelerated vesting of outstanding options upon the occurrence of certain
changes in control of the Company. Options become exercisable over a period of
up to ten years from the date of grant and at exercise prices as determined by
the Board. At December 31, 2001, 1,697,345 shares of Class A Common Stock were
reserved for issuance under the plans, of which 287,600 were available for
future grant.

Activity under the plans is as follows (in thousands):

SHARES SHARES WEIGHTED
AVAILABLE SUBJECT AVERAGE
FOR GRANT TO OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE
--------- ---------- --------------

BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 1998.......................... 496 547 $ 5.80
Additional shares reserved........................... 615 -- --
Options granted...................................... (260) 260 17.83
Options canceled..................................... 3 (3) 14.75
Options exercised.................................... -- (35) 3.98
---- ----- ------
BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 1999.......................... 854 769 9.92
Options granted...................................... (668) 668 13.17
Options canceled..................................... 58 (58) 13.39
Options exercised.................................... -- (190) 3.20
---- ----- ------
BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 2000.......................... 244 1,189 12.65
Additional shares reserved........................... 600 -- --
Option shares canceled upon approval of the 2001
Plan............................................... (244) -- --
Options granted...................................... (312) 312 19.24
Options canceled..................................... -- (64) 16.21
Options exercised.................................... -- (27) 8.78
---- ----- ------
BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 2001.......................... 288 1,410 $14.02
==== ===== ======

The Board of Directors approved the issuance of non-qualified options
during 2000 to certain members of senior management at an exercise price of
$1.00 per share. These options were issued with five-year cliff vesting as a
means to encourage long-term employment from certain members of the senior
management

F-19

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

group. Compensation expense, which is equal to the difference between the market
price and the exercise price, is recognized ratably in accordance with the
vesting schedules.

In 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company and the stockholders
approved the implementation of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase
Plan"), and reserved a total of 250,000 shares of Class A Common Stock for
issuance under the Purchase Plan. In 2000, the stockholders approved an increase
in the total number of shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance
under the Purchase Plan to 500,000 shares. The Purchase Plan is intended to
qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan" under Section 423 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and is administered by the Compensation
Committee of the Board. Eligible employees are entitled to invest up to 10
percent of their base pay for the purchase of stock. The purchase price for
shares purchased under the Purchase Plan is 85 percent of the lesser of the fair
market value at the beginning or end of the purchase period. A total of 49,808,
133,762 and 142,433 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock were issued
under the Purchase Plan during 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively, and 165,071
remained available for issuance at December 31, 2001.

During 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
(SFAS 123), which defines a fair value based method of accounting for employee
stock options and similar equity instruments. As permitted under SFAS 123, the
Company has elected to continue to account for its stock-based compensation
plans under Accounting Principal Board Opinion No. 25 Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees (APB 25), and related interpretations. Accordingly, no
compensation expense has been recognized for any of the Company's option plans
or for the Purchase Plan (collectively the "Plans").

The Company has computed, for pro forma disclosure purposes, the value of
options granted under the Plans, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model as
prescribed by SFAS 123, using the weighted average assumptions for grants as
follows:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
--------- --------- ---------

Risk-free interest rate............................ 5.50% 6.50% 5.00%
Expected dividend yield............................ 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Expected lives..................................... 7.0 years 7.0 years 8.0 years
Expected volatility................................ 49.91% 47.47% 46.72%

Using the Black-Scholes methodology, the total value of options granted
during 1999, 2000 and 2001 was $2.9 million, $6.5 million and $3.9 million,
respectively, which would be amortized on a pro forma basis over the vesting
period of the options, typically four to five years. The weighted average fair
value of options granted during 1999, 2000 and 2001 was $9.17, $7.79 and $8.30
per share, respectively. If the Company had accounted for its stock-based
compensation plans in accordance with SFAS 123, the Company's net income and net
income per share would approximate the pro forma disclosures below (net income
in thousands):

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001
------------------ ------------------ ------------------
AS PRO AS PRO AS PRO
REPORTED FORMA REPORTED FORMA REPORTED FORMA
-------- ------- -------- ------- -------- -------

Net income........................... $19,174 $17,965.. $24,313 $22,028 $21,754 $19,416
Basic net income per share........... $ 1.67 $1.55... $ 1.78 $ 1.61 $ 1.63 $ 1.45
Diluted net income per share......... $ 1.60 $1.52... $ 1.76 $ 1.61 $ 1.60 $ 1.45

F-20

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding at December 31,
2001:

OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE WEIGHTED NUMBER OF WEIGHTED
RANGE OF NUMBER REMAINING AVERAGE SHARES AVERAGE
EXERCISE OUTSTANDING CONTRACTUAL EXERCISE EXERCISABLE EXERCISE
PRICES AT 12/31/01 LIFE (YEARS) PRICE AT 12/31/01 PRICE
-------- ----------- ------------ -------- ----------- --------

$1.00 91,656 7.9 $ 1.00 22,430 $ 1.00
$3.02 137,357 2.3 $ 3.02 137,357 $ 3.02
$10.41 -- $12.49 235,976 8.5 $11.72 56,920 $11.54
$12.50 -- $14.58 47,710 6.7 $13.43 19,988 $13.16
$14.59 -- $16.66 241,921 5.7 $15.70 63,806 $15.78
$16.67 -- $18.74 264,030 7.1 $17.00 68,830 $16.99
$18.75 -- $20.83 391,095 9.2 $19.35 31,202 $20.06
--------------- --------- --- ------ ------- ------
$ 1.00 -- $20.83 1,409,745 7.2 $14.02 400,533 $10.39
=============== ========= === ====== ======= ======

At December 31, 1999 and 2000, 306,986 and 245,980 shares were exercisable
at weighted average exercise prices of $5.03 and $9.01, respectively.

13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Lithia Properties, LLC, owns certain of the real property on which the
Company's business is located. The Company owns a 20% interest in Lithia
Properties, LLC. Through 2000, the Company leased such facilities under various
lease agreements from Lithia Properties, LLC. Selling, general and
administrative expense includes rental expense of $706,000, $19,000, and $0 and
for the years ended December 31, 1999, 2000, and 2001 respectively relating to
these properties.

In June 1999, Lithia Properties, LLC completed its sale of certain real
estate holdings in the Southern Oregon region to Capital Automotive Real Estate
Investment Trust ("Capital"), an unrelated party, for $18.3 million. As a result
of this sale, the Company received a distribution for its portion of the
realized gain, totaling approximately $1.2 million, which will be realized
ratably over the 12-year life of the new lease. The Company now leases such
properties from Capital for amounts that are not materially different from the
lease amounts under the previous lease agreements.

The Company provides management services to Lithia Properties, LLC. Other
income includes management fees of $7,000, $1,000, and $1,000 for the years
ended December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively.

During 1999, 2000 and 2001, Lithia Real Estate, Inc. paid Mark DeBoer
Construction, Inc. $2.6 million, $6.8 million, and $7.9 million, respectively,
for remodeling certain of the Company's facilities. These amounts included $2.3
million, $6.1 million, and $7.1 million, respectively, paid for subcontractors
and materials, $171,000, $32,000 and $16,000, respectively for permits,
licenses, travel and various miscellaneous fees, and $226,000, $624,000, and
$780,000, respectively, for contractor fees. The Company believes the amount
paid is fair in comparison with fees negotiated with independent third parties.

In May 1999, the Company purchased certain dealerships owned by W. Douglas
Moreland for total consideration of approximately $66.0 million, at which time,
Mr. Moreland became a member of the Company's Board of Directors. During the
normal course of business, these dealerships paid $672,000, $2.8 million and
$2.5 million in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively, to other companies owned by
Mr. Moreland for vehicle purchases, recourse paid to a financial lender and
management fees. The Company also paid rental

F-21

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

expense of $1.6 million, $3.2 million and $3.0 million in 1999, 2000 and 2001,
respectively, to other companies owned by Mr. Moreland.

The terms of the acquisition agreement with Mr. Moreland provided for
additional consideration to be paid if the acquired entity results of operations
exceeded certain targeted levels in 1999. Targeted levels were set substantially
above the historical experience of the acquired entity at the time of
acquisition. Such additional consideration was paid in cash and with shares of
the Company's stock and was recorded when earned in the fourth quarter of 1999
as additional purchase price. Additional consideration totaled $18.0 million,
including $9.0 million in cash, $4.5 million in Class A Common Stock and $4.5
million in Series M Preferred Stock with a fair value of $2.7 million.

14. ACQUISITIONS

The following acquisitions were made in 2001:

-- In January 2001, Lithia acquired the Johnson Chrysler/Jeep store in
Anchorage, Alaska, which had estimated 2000 revenues of approximately
$35.0 million.

-- In February 2001, Lithia acquired two stores in Pocatello, Idaho with
the Honda, Dodge/Chrysler and Hyundai brands, which had combined
estimated 2000 revenues of approximately $48.0 million.

-- In July 2001, Lithia acquired Barton Cadillac in Spokane, Washington,
which was added to Lithia Camp Chevrolet. Barton Cadillac had
estimated 2000 revenues of approximately $18.0 million.

-- In August 2001, Lithia acquired the Lanny Berg Chevrolet store in
Caldwell, Idaho, which had anticipated 2001 annual revenues of
approximately $22.0 million.

-- In September 2001, Lithia acquired Ted Tuffy Dodge in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota, which had anticipated 2001 annual revenues of
approximately $35.0 million.

-- In September 2001, Lithia acquired BMW Seattle in Seattle,
Washington, which had anticipated 2001 annual revenues of
approximately $60.0 million.

-- In November 2001, Lithia acquired Bellevue Chevrolet in Bellevue,
Washington, which had anticipated 2001 annual revenues of
approximately $75.0 million.

-- In November 2001, Lithia acquired Issaquah Chevrolet in Issaquah,
Washington, which had anticipated 2001 annual revenues of
approximately $50.0 million.

The above acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting. Pro forma results of operations assuming all of the above
acquisitions occurred at the beginning of the respective periods are as follows
(in thousands except per share amounts):

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
2000 2001
---------- ----------

Total revenues............................................. $2,043,557 $2,112,220
Net income................................................. 27,674 24,521
Basic earnings per share................................... 2.03 1.83
Diluted earnings per share................................. 2.00 1.78

F-22

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

There are no future contingent payouts related to any of the 2001
acquisitions. The purchase price for the 2001 acquisitions was allocated as
follows (in thousands):

Inventory................................................... $36,163
Prepaid expenses and other current assets................... 219
Property and equipment...................................... 4,452
Goodwill.................................................... 22,825
Other intangible assets--franchise value.................... 7,107
-------
Total assets acquired..................................... 70,766
Flooring notes payable...................................... 25,351
Other current liabilities................................... 235
-------
Total liabilities acquired................................ 25,586
-------
Net assets acquired......................................... $45,180
=======

The Company anticipates that approximately 70 percent of the goodwill
acquired in 2001 will be deductible for tax purposes.

In addition to the above acquisitions, in August 2001, Lithia completed the
construction of and opened Lithia Dodge of Anchorage.

The Company acquired eight dealerships during 2000, with total estimated
1999 revenues of approximately $254 million. None of the acquisitions were
individually significant and all of them were accounted for as purchase
transactions.

In May 1999, the Company acquired all of the stock of seven commonly
controlled automotive dealerships constituting the Moreland Automotive Group
("Moreland") for approximately $19.7 million in cash (which is net of $16.0
million of cash acquired), 1,272,919 shares of the Company's Class A Common
Stock with a value of approximately $24.1 million at the time of issuance, and
10,360 shares of Lithia's newly created Series M Preferred Stock with a value of
approximately $6.2 million at the time of issuance. At closing, Moreland had
approximately $18.2 million of used vehicles available for flooring under the
Company's used vehicle line of credit, reducing the net investment in the
acquired dealerships by that amount to a total of $47.8 million. Based on the
Moreland dealerships achieving certain performance targets for 1999, additional
consideration totaling $18.0 million, including $9.0 million in cash, $4.5
million in Class A Common Stock and $4.5 million in stated value Series M
Preferred Stock with a fair value of $2.7 million was paid and recorded as
additional purchase price.

Unaudited pro forma results of operations including Moreland Automotive are
as follows. The results of operations for other acquisitions are not included in
the unaudited pro forma information as they are not materially different from
actual results of the Company (in thousands, except per share amounts).

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
----------------------------

Total revenues.............................................. $1,409,404
Net income.................................................. 21,009
Basic earnings per share.................................... 1.69
Diluted earnings per share.................................. 1.65

The unaudited pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of what
actually would have occurred had the acquisitions been in effect for the entire
period presented. In addition, they are not intended to be a projection of
future results that may be achieved from the combined operations.

F-23

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

15. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 141 during 2001, and is
adopting SFAS No. 142 effective January 1, 2002. Under SFAS No. 141, goodwill
and intangible assets determined to have an indefinite useful life acquired in a
purchase business combination completed after June 30, 2001, were not amortized,
but continued to be evaluated for impairment in accordance with the appropriate
pre-SFAS No. 142 accounting literature. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired
in business combinations completed before July 1, 2001 continued to be amortized
and tested for impairment in accordance with the appropriate pre-SFAS No. 142
accounting requirements prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142.

SFAS No. 141 requires, upon adoption of SFAS No. 142, that the Company
evaluate its existing intangible assets and goodwill that were acquired in prior
purchase business combinations, and make any necessary reclassifications in
order to conform with the new criteria in SFAS No. 141 for recognition apart
from goodwill. The Company does not anticipate reclassifying any intangibles to
intangibles with determinable useful lives. For intangible assets identified as
having indefinite useful lives, the Company is required to test them for
impairment in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142 within the first
interim period and recognize any impairment losses as the cumulative effect of a
change in accounting principle in the first interim period. Lithia does not
anticipate incurring any impairment loss charges upon adoption of SFAS No. 142.

The adoption of SFAS No. 141 did not have a significant impact on the
financial condition or results of operations of the Company. The amount of
goodwill amortization relating to acquisitions after July 1, 2001 that was not
recognized in 2001 as a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 141 was approximately
$130,000. As of December 31, 2001, Lithia expects a reduction in annual
amortization expense of approximately $3.7 million in 2002 upon adoption of SFAS
No. 142.

In August 2001, the FASB approved SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations,", which became effective beginning in 2002. SFAS No. 143
addresses the financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with
the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement
costs. In October 2001, the FASB approved SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," which supersedes SFAS No. 121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
be Disposed Of" and the accounting and reporting provisions of APB No. 30,
"Reporting the Results of Operations--Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a
Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring
Events and Transactions" for the disposal of a segment of a business. SFAS No.
144 retains many of the fundamental provisions of SFAS No. 121, but resolves
certain implementation issues associated with that Statement. SFAS No. 144 is
effective beginning in 2002. Lithia does not anticipate that the adoption of
SFAS No. 143 and SFAS No. 144 will have a material impact on its financial
condition or results of operations.

F-24

LITHIA MOTORS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

CONVERSION OF SERIES M PREFERRED STOCK

In January 2002, 5,177 shares of Series M Preferred Stock were converted at
a price of $20.77 per common share into 249,311 shares of the Company's Class A
Common Stock. After this conversion, 4,499 shares of Series M Preferred Stock
remained outstanding.

ACQUISITIONS IN 2002

The following acquisitions were closed in the first quarter of 2002 to
date:

-- In January 2002, Lithia acquired Lynn Alexander Auto Group, which is
comprised of All American Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge and All American
Chevrolet/Daewoo located in San Angelo, Texas and All American
Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge in Big Spring, Texas. The stores have anticipated
2002 annual revenues of $115.0 million

-- In January 2002, Lithia acquired Premier Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge in
Odessa, Texas, which has anticipated 2002 annual revenues of $33.0
million.

-- In February 2002, Lithia acquired Thomason Subaru in Oregon City,
Oregon, which has anticipated 2002 annual revenues of $20.0 million.
The store is being renamed to Lithia Subaru of Oregon City.

None of the above acquisitions were individually significant to the
Company's financial position or results of operations.

OFFERING OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK

In January 2002, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3 for
the registration and sale of 4.0 million (4.5 million with the underwriters'
over-allotment option) newly issued shares of its Class A Common Stock and 1.0
million (1.25 million with the underwriters' over-allotment option) shares from
existing stockholders.

F-25

[Inside back cover has stylized copy of the following including pictures of the
original and a current store]

PRIORITY YOU AT LITHIA, WE'VE SIMPLIFIED THE PROCESS OF BUYING A CAR WITH A
CONCEPT WE CALL PRIORITY YOU. BY MAKING YOU OUR TOP PRIORITY, WE
REMAIN FOCUSED ON YOUR NEEDS, COMFORT AND SATISFACTION. IT'S JUST
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF OUR COMPLETE COMMITMENT TO SAVING YOU TIME AND
MONEY.

[LOGO]

For every retail vehicle sold, Lithia will
make a donation to local charities or
educational institutions to help
make our community even better.

[LOGO]

Thinking about selling your car but don't
know its value? We'll appraise your car for its
current market value. Then if you like,
we'll buy it from you, on the spot.

[LOGO]
[LOGO]

Complete a simple form and you'll get
a simple credit analysis to determine
which of our many credit sources
can best suit your needs.

[LOGO]

Every Lithia used vehicle is
inspected before we warranty
it for 60 days or 3,000 miles.

[Outside back cover has Lithia Logo]