LAD Lithia Motors Inc

Lithia Body & Paint of Medford announced today that it is the first auto body repair shop in Southern Oregon to offer an environmentally safer option for paint repair. This comes two months after Lithia Body & Paint was certified as being �Eco-Logical� by the Department of Environmental Quality�s Pollution Prevention Outreach team. Lithia Body & Paint has made an environmentally sound decision to convert its shop from a solvent based system to the Glasurit 90 Line waterborne refinish system by BASF � The Chemical Company. BASF�s Glasurit 90 Line waterborne paint system not only helps protect the environment, but also provides the excellent durability, color match and a flawless car finish that Glasurit customers have come to expect. Lithia�s goal is to protect the region�s air, water, and soil by reducing hazardous waste and air pollution. �Our employees, customers, friends and family live in this community. We are going to work diligently to maintain the quality of life in Southern Oregon,� said Sid DeBoer, CEO of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD). �The truth is that safeguarding the environment was an easy decision for us.� BASF applauds Lithia Body & Paint�s commitment to the environment. �We view Lithia as a true environmental leader in its industry,� says Darlene Eilenberger, BASF Marketing Director, North America. About Lithia Lithia Motors, Inc. is a Fortune 700 and Russell 2000 Company. Lithia sells 28 brands of new and all brands of used vehicles at 110 stores which are located in 46 markets within 15 states. Internet sales are centralized at www.Lithia.com, or through the recently launched www.L2Auto.com. 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 105,323 new and used vehicles and had $3.23 billion in total revenue in 2007. Lithia is publicly traded (NYSE:LAD) and is available on the web at www.Lithia.com.