Note 14 - Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Note 14. Subsequent Events Acquisitions On October 1, 2014, we completed the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of DCH Auto Group (USA) Inc., which includes 27 stores located in New York, New Jersey and California. The purchase price was $669.5 million, comprised of $364 million in cash, the issuance of 268,770 shares of Lithia Class A common stock with a value of $22.5 million, incurring $230 million of vehicle floor plan debt financing, and the assumption of non-floor plan debt of $53 million. In conjunction with the transaction, we increased our syndicated credit facility by $700 million and we expect to increase outstanding mortgage debt by $100 million. On October 6, 2014, we acquired the inventory, equipment and intangible assets of Harris Nissan in Clovis, California for $7.8 million in cash. Credit Facility On October 1, 2014, we amended our existing credit facility to increase the total financing commitment to $1.7 billion. This syndicated credit facility is comprised of 16 financial institutions, including seven manufacturer-affiliated finance companies. Our credit facility provides for up to $1.25 billion in new vehicle inventory floor plan financing, up to $150 million in used vehicle inventory floor plan financing and a maximum of $300 million in revolving financing for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and working capital. This credit facility may be expanded to $1.85 billion total availability, subject to lender approval. New Market Tax Credit In October 2014, we acquired a 99.9% membership interest in USB NMTC Fund 2014-1, LLC (“the LLC”). The LLC was formed by U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, which invests in a variety of entities providing capital for businesses in distressed or low income areas. We expect these investments will generate new market tax credits that may be used to reduce our federal income tax liability. The transaction obligates us to contribute $37.1 million to the entity over the next 24 months. Common Stock Dividend On October 27, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.16 per share on our Class A and Class B common stock related to our third quarter 2014 financial results. The dividend will total approximately $4.2 million and will be paid on December 5, 2014 to shareholders of record on November 21, 2014.

Note 14 - Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Note 14. Subsequent Events

Acquisitions

On October 1, 2014, we completed the purchase of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of DCH Auto Group (USA) Inc., which includes 27 stores located in New York, New Jersey and California. The purchase price was $669.5 million, comprised of $364 million in cash, the issuance of 268,770 shares of Lithia Class A common stock with a value of $22.5 million, incurring $230 million of vehicle floor plan debt financing, and the assumption of non-floor plan debt of $53 million. In conjunction with the transaction, we increased our syndicated credit facility by $700 million and we expect to increase outstanding mortgage debt by $100 million.

On October 6, 2014, we acquired the inventory, equipment and intangible assets of Harris Nissan in Clovis, California for $7.8 million in cash.

Credit Facility

On October 1, 2014, we amended our existing credit facility to increase the total financing commitment to $1.7 billion. This syndicated credit facility is comprised of 16 financial institutions, including seven manufacturer-affiliated finance companies. Our credit facility provides for up to $1.25 billion in new vehicle inventory floor plan financing, up to $150 million in used vehicle inventory floor plan financing and a maximum of $300 million in revolving financing for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and working capital. This credit facility may be expanded to $1.85 billion total availability, subject to lender approval.

New Market Tax Credit

In October 2014, we acquired a 99.9% membership interest in USB NMTC Fund 2014-1, LLC (“the LLC”). The LLC was formed by U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation, which invests in a variety of entities providing capital for businesses in distressed or low income areas. We expect these investments will generate new market tax credits that may be used to reduce our federal income tax liability. The transaction obligates us to contribute $37.1 million to the entity over the next 24 months.

Common Stock Dividend

On October 27, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.16 per share on our Class A and Class B common stock related to our third quarter 2014 financial results. The dividend will total approximately $4.2 million and will be paid on December 5, 2014 to shareholders of record on November 21, 2014.