LAD Lithia Motors Inc

ODESSA, Texas, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD), the country's fast growing automotive dealership group, today announced the Grand Opening of its new Toyota Facility in Odessa, Texas. Lithia has a strong commitment to the Texas market with the new dealership adding to the 14 franchises already in place. Lithia's growth strategy concentrates on smaller regional markets like Odessa where exceptional value, superior customer services and community involvement are key factors for success. "At Lithia, we don't enter markets, we join communities," said Sid DeBoer, Lithia Chairman and CEO. "Lithia's roots are in smaller towns like Odessa, where all you have is your reputation. In fact, our entire business model depends on providing superior customer service in each and every transaction, and therefore earning customers for life. Lithia is about long-term growth and we look forward to serving the Odessa community for years to come." The official grand opening will be held at 12 noon on December 8, 2006 at the new location at 5050 JBS Parkway and all interested media and area residents are encourage to attend. The event will include an official ribbon cutting, as well as media interviews and facility tour opportunities. Sid DeBoer, Lithia Chairman; Dick Heimann, President of Corporate Affairs; and Mark DeBoer, President of Lithia Real Estate will join Odessa and Toyota representatives for the official opening. "Toyota has introduced a new concept in dealership development called 'Image USA II' which sets comprehensive standards for franchisees. The new Lithia Toyota of Odessa dealership represents the 'state of the art' in automotive design," said George Irving, Field Manager, Retail Market Development, Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. "Toyota of Odessa was designed to make the buying process easy and the ownership experience more convenient," said Larry James, General Manager of Toyota of Odessa. "We are excited to better serve the Odessa community through our new facility." Lithia Motors, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 and Russell 2000 Company that sells 25 brands of new vehicles and operates 105 stores located in 15 states and over the Internet through "Lithia.com-America's Car & Truck Store." Lithia also sells used vehicles; arranges finance, warranty, and credit insurance contracts; and provides vehicle parts, maintenance, and repair services at all of its locations. Lithia retailed 103,333 new and used vehicles and had $2.9 billion in total revenue in 2005. For more on Lithia Motors, visit us on the web at http://www.lithia.com/. DATASOURCE: Lithia Motors, Inc. CONTACT: Larry James of Lithia Motors, ; or Pat Liebler of Liebler!MacDonald, +1-248-229-4418, or Web site: http://www.lithia.com/

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