LAD Lithia Motors Inc

POCATELLO, Idaho, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For the second consecutive year, three Pocatello-area Lithia dealerships have raised significant funds to help offset the local teachers' burden of spending their own dollars on materials for their classrooms. In the United States, the average teacher spends $659 per year to purchase classroom supplies for students. This year, with the Lithia Back to School Challenge raising over $16,000, the local teachers will be allowed to submit for grants to put towards their materials and equipment for the 2007-2008 school year. The Lithia Back to School Challenge was kicked-off on July 12, 2007 at Honda of Pocatello, Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Pocatello and Lithia Hyundai of Pocatello. Since then, the Lithia dealerships have designated money from each Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Hyundai, and Honda car sold and serviced. Over 450 cars were sold and approximately 1,860 were serviced throughout the length of the program contributing to the challenge revenue. Media and community leaders are welcome to attend the Thursday, October 4 event at 4 p.m. at Honda of Pocatello where local Lithia General Managers, Dave Cooper and Dave Heiter, will present school superintendent, Mary Vagner with a check for $16,005. Dave Heiter, General Manager of Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Pocatello and Lithia Hyundai of Pocatello, said, "We are extremely happy with the results of this year's challenge. Combined with last year's donation of $15,000, we have now raised over $31,000 for our teachers to best support the education of our children." "The Lithia Back to School Challenge has become an important annual fundraiser. These funds supported improved academic performance and helped purchase equipment which provided greater learning opportunities for students," said Mary Vagner, School Superintendent of Pocatello/Chubbuck School District. "We appreciate the commitment and generosity of the entire Lithia team. Great partnerships make great schools and we are extremely lucky to have such a wonderfully supportive community." The participating Lithia dealerships are: Honda of Pocatello, Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Pocatello and Lithia Hyundai of Pocatello. The program sets aside $15 from each Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Hyundai, and Honda vehicle sold and $5 from each vehicle serviced between June 1st and Sept. 30th. The money will go to K-12 grade teachers in District 25. For more on the program or our dealerships, visit us on the web at http://www.lithiapocatello.com/ or call Eldon Harston at (208) 454-7078. Lithia Motors, Inc is a strong supporter of the communities in which it does business. Since opening its first dealership in Medford, Oregon, in 1946, Lithia has continued to invest in smaller markets where it does business and can become an important and trusted community member. Lithia's "Priority You" program allows local dealership management to return funds from each car sold and serviced to area not-for-profits, which are typically centered on education, health, basic needs, environment and quality of life programs. Today, Lithia operates in 15 states and 46 markets selling 29 brands of new vehicles. Lithia is publicly traded (NYSE:LAD) and is available on the web at http://www.lithia.com/. DATASOURCE: Lithia Motors CONTACT: Eldon Harston, of Lithia Motors, +1-208-454-7078, ; or Anne Cable of Liebler!MacDonald, +1-248-233-8097, Web site: http://www.lithiapocatello.com/ http://www.lithia.com/

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