Who Owns Lithia?
Lithia is the physical dealership banner of Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE: LAD), operating as Lithia & Driveway, the world's largest automotive retailer by store count. Founded in 1946 in Ashland, Oregon, the brand covers dealership stores across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Parent FY2025 revenue was a record $37.63 billion.
Parent Company
Founded
1946
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Who Owns Lithia?
- Parent Company: Lithia & Driveway (Lithia Motors, Inc.)
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: LAD
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Lithia | Lithia & Driveway (Lithia Motors, Inc.) | Brand division |
Where to Buy
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Lithia on AmazonHistory of Lithia
- Founded: 1946
- Founders: Walt DeBoer
Walt DeBoer founded Lithia Springs Motors in 1946 in Ashland, Oregon, naming the business for the local lithium-rich mineral springs. For decades it was a small-town dealership group.
Grandson Bryan DeBoer took over in the 1990s, took the company public in 1996, and began an aggressive acquisition strategy that consolidated dealerships in underserved mid-sized markets. Lithia grew into the fastest-expanding dealer group in the country through the 2000s and 2010s.
In 2020 the company launched Driveway, the online retail platform that shifted the corporate identity toward Lithia & Driveway. In 2024 it acquired Pendragon, a major UK dealer group, making the network global. By FY2025 the company described itself as the largest global automotive retailer, with the Lithia name covering the physical store network across three countries.
About Lithia & Driveway (Lithia Motors, Inc.)
What does Lithia & Driveway own?
The company owns the Lithia dealership network across the US, Canada, and UK, the Driveway online retail platform, Driveway Finance Corporation captive lender, and the GreenCars EV information platform. It acquired UK dealer group Pendragon in 2024.
Is Lithia & Driveway publicly traded?
Yes. Lithia Motors, Inc., doing business as Lithia & Driveway, trades on the NYSE under ticker LAD. It has been public since 1996.
Who founded Lithia Motors?
Walt DeBoer founded the company in 1946 as Lithia Springs Motors in Ashland, Oregon. Grandson Bryan DeBoer took over in the 1990s and built it into the world's largest automotive retailer.
Where is Lithia & Driveway headquartered?
Lithia & Driveway is headquartered in Medford, Oregon, USA, the city where the company began.
Who owns Lithia & Driveway?
The company is publicly traded with broad institutional ownership. The DeBoer family retains meaningful shareholding, and founder's grandson Bryan DeBoer serves as President, CEO, and Chairman.
What is Lithia & Driveway's revenue?
The company reported record FY2025 revenue of $37.63 billion, up 4.0% from $36.19 billion in FY2024. Net income was $825.9 million and adjusted diluted EPS was $33.46.
How many brands does Lithia & Driveway own?
The company operates the Lithia physical dealership banner, the Driveway online retail platform, Driveway Finance Corporation, and the GreenCars platform, plus UK operations under Pendragon following the 2024 acquisition.
- Founded: 1946
- Headquarters: Medford, Oregon, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: LAD
- Revenue: $37.63 billion (FY2025)
- Employees: Approximately 30,000
Where Is Lithia Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Medford, Oregon, USA
Lithia Categories & Tags
Lithia Recalls & Controversies
As a dealership network, Lithia's controversies are retail and regulatory rather than product recalls, which are handled by vehicle manufacturers.
FTC dealer practices scrutiny: The Federal Trade Commission's CARS Rule targeting dealer fees and advertising practices applies to all dealers including Lithia. The rule faced legal challenge from industry groups, and Lithia operates under the applicable regulatory framework.
Dealer franchise disputes: The company has been involved in periodic franchise and manufacturer disputes, matters common to the auto retail sector rather than Lithia-specific controversies.
F&I and sales practices: Dealer groups generally face scrutiny over finance and insurance product disclosures, warranty sales practices, and pricing transparency, issues managed through compliance processes across the network.
Brands Owned by Lithia & Driveway (Lithia Motors, Inc.)
Lithia Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +World's largest automotive retailer by store count across three countries
- +Physical network provides infrastructure that online-only competitors lack
- +Driveway platform extends each store's reach beyond local market
- +Driveway Finance captive lending captures margin across the transaction
- +Record FY2025 revenue and 16% adjusted EPS growth
Considerations
- -New vehicle margin compression is a structural industry pressure
- -Pendragon UK integration adds international execution complexity
- -Auto retail is highly cyclical and sensitive to interest rates
- -Physical dealership model faces long-term digital disruption pressure
- -Captive finance exposes the company to auto credit risk
Frequently Asked Questions About Lithia
Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Lithia
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmax | USA | 1993 | Market leader | United states | All-ages |
Learn More About Competitors
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Lithia competes with 1 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Independent Alternatives to Lithia
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Lithia & Driveway (Lithia Motors, Inc.), giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
AutomotiveCarMax
Owned by CarMax, Inc.
Consumer-facing used vehicle retail brand of CarMax, Inc., the largest used car retailer in the United States with more than 250 stores nationwide.
used-carsauto-retailcarmax
Publicly Traded
CarMax operates independently without a large parent corporation.
AutomotiveHyundai
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
South Korean automobile manufacturer known for its value proposition, quality improvements, and stylish designs in the global automotive market.
korean-carvalue-brandglobal-automaker
Privately Owned
Hyundai is privately owned, unlike Lithia which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveInterstate Batteries
Owned by Interstate Battery System of America
American battery distributor founded in 1952, specializing in automotive, commercial, and consumer batteries, headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
batteriesautomotive-batterieslead-acid-batteries
Privately Owned
Interstate Batteries is privately owned, unlike Lithia which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveKia
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
South Korean automobile manufacturer known for sporty design and value positioning, part of Hyundai Motor Group.
korean-carvalue-brandsporty-design
Privately Owned
Kia is privately owned, unlike Lithia which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveGenesis
Owned by Hyundai Motor Group
South Korean luxury vehicle brand specializing in premium automobiles, owned by Hyundai Motor Group.
luxuryautomotivepremium-vehicles
Privately Owned
Genesis is privately owned, unlike Lithia which is under a publicly traded parent company.
AutomotiveIronman Tires
Owned by Hercules Tire and Rubber Company
Budget tire brand owned by Hercules Tire and Rubber Company, a subsidiary of American Tire Distributors, offering affordable tires for passenger vehicles, light trucks, and commercial vehicles.
tiresbudget-tiresautomotive
Privately Owned
Ironman Tires is privately owned, unlike Lithia which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Lithia & Driveway (Lithia Motors, Inc.) Stock Information
Jobs at Lithia & Driveway (Lithia Motors, Inc.)
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