Note 20 - Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Note 20. Subsequent Events Acquisition of Stores On October 6, 2011 we acquired the inventory, equipment, intangible assets and certain reserves related to Subaru and Mitsubishi brands of Fresno, California from Herwaldt Automotive Group for a purchase price of $2.9 million, of which $2.1 million was paid in cash and $0.8 million was financed through a floor plan credit facility. As of October 28, 2011, the initial accounting for determining the acquisition-date fair value for each major class of assets and liabilities acquired, including goodwill, was not yet complete. Disposal of Real Estate In October 2011, we disposed of real estate in Vacaville, California. The disposal generated net cash of approximately $3.0 million, after the payoff of the outstanding mortgage of $11.8 million, and resulted in a pre-tax gain of approximately $6.3 million. Disposal of Store In October 2011, we disposed of the Lithia Volkswagen of Thornton store in Thornton, Colorado. The disposal generated cash of approximately $4.8 million and resulted in a gain of $0.9 million. Common Stock Dividend On October 26, 2011, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.07 per share on our Class A and Class B common stock related to our third quarter 2011 financial results. The dividend will total approximately $1.8 million and will be paid on November 25, 2011 to shareholders of record on November 11, 2011.

Note 20 - Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Note 20. Subsequent Events

Acquisition of Stores

On October 6, 2011 we acquired the inventory, equipment, intangible assets and certain reserves related to Subaru and Mitsubishi brands of Fresno, California from Herwaldt Automotive Group for a purchase price of $2.9 million, of which $2.1 million was paid in cash and $0.8 million was financed through a floor plan credit facility. As of October 28, 2011, the initial accounting for determining the acquisition-date fair value for each major class of assets and liabilities acquired, including goodwill, was not yet complete.

Disposal of Real Estate

In October 2011, we disposed of real estate in Vacaville, California. The disposal generated net cash of approximately $3.0 million, after the payoff of the outstanding mortgage of $11.8 million, and resulted in a pre-tax gain of approximately $6.3 million.

Disposal of Store

In October 2011, we disposed of the Lithia Volkswagen of Thornton store in Thornton, Colorado. The disposal generated cash of approximately $4.8 million and resulted in a gain of $0.9 million.

Common Stock Dividend

On October 26, 2011, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.07 per share on our Class A and Class B common stock related to our third quarter 2011 financial results. The dividend will total approximately $1.8 million and will be paid on November 25, 2011 to shareholders of record on November 11, 2011.