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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):      July 26, 2005

Lithia Motors, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a -12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
    (17 CFR 240.14d -2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
    (17 CFR 240.13e -4(c))

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Item 8.01         Other Events 

        On July 26, 2005, Lithia Motors, Inc. issued a press release announcing a cash dividend of $0.12 per share for the second quarter of 2005. Shareholders of record as of August 5, 2005 will receive the dividend that will be payable August 19, 2005.

Item 9.01		Financial Statements and Exhibits.
		(a)		Not applicable.
		(b)		Not applicable.
		(c)		Exhibits.
				99.1 Dividend Press Release

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

						LITHIA MOTORS, INC.
						(Registrant)
Date:		July 26, 2005		By:		/s/ Kenneth E. Roberts
						Kenneth E. Roberts
						Assistant Secretary

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EXHIBIT 99.1

LITHIA MOTORS INC. INCREASES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND 50% TO $0.12 PER SHARE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2005

MEDFORD, OREGON, July 26, 2005 (4:45 a.m. Pacific) - Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE: LAD) today announced that the Board of Directors has approved a 50% increase in Lithia's quarterly dividend from $0.08 to $0.12 per share for the second quarter of 2005. Shareholders of record as of August 5, 2005 will receive the dividend that will be payable August 19, 2005.

Sid DeBoer, Lithia's Chairman and CEO, commented, "The Company remains confident that it has sufficient cash flow to fund the increased dividend and to continue our growth plans."

About Lithia

Lithia Motors, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 and Russell 2000 Company that sells 25 brands of new vehicles and operates 88 stores and 174 franchises in 12 states in the Western United 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 98,331 new and used vehicles and had $2.7 billion in total revenue in 2004.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe-Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which management believes are a benefit to shareholders. These statements are necessarily subject to risk and uncertainty and actual results could differ materially due to certain risk factors, including without limitation economic conditions, acquisition risk factors and others set forth from time to time in the company's filings with the SEC. Specific risks in this press release include the company's ability to meet future cash flow needs while maintaining its growth plans.

Additional Information

For additional information on Lithia Motors, contact the Investor Relations Department: (541) 776-6591 or log-on to: www.lithia.com - go to Investor Relations

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