XML 52 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.2.0.727
Document And Entity Information - shares
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Jul. 31, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name LITHIA MOTORS INC  
Trading Symbol LAD  
Document Type 10-Q  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Amendment Flag false  
Entity Central Index Key 0001023128  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Voluntary Filers No  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes  
Document Period End Date Jun. 30, 2015  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2015  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q2  
Common Class B [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   2,562,231
Common Class A [Member]    
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   23,735,715