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Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] | (7) Commitments and Contingencies Leases We lease certain facilities under non-cancelable operating and capital leases. These leases expire at various dates through 2050. Certain lease commitments contain fixed payment increases at predetermined intervals over the life of the lease, while other lease commitments are subject to escalation clauses of an amount equal to the increase in the cost of living based on the “Consumer Price Index - U.S. Cities Average - All Items for all Urban Consumers” published by the U.S. Department of Labor, or a substantially equivalent regional index. Lease expense related to operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. The minimum lease payments under our operating and capital leases after December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31, |  |  |  |
2017 |  | $ | 27,294 |
2018 |  |  | 25,557 |
2019 |  |  | 24,031 |
2020 |  |  | 22,226 |
2021 |  |  | 20,249 |
Thereafter |  |  | 132,449 |
Total minimum lease payments |  |  | 251,806 |
Less: sublease rentals |  |  | (7,777 | )
|  | $ | 244,029 |
Rent expense, net of sublease income, for all operating leases was $26.8 million, $23.8 million, and $17.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These amounts are included as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. In connection with dispositions of dealerships, we occasionally assign or sublet our interests in any real property leases associated with such dealerships to the purchaser. We often retain responsibility for the performance of certain obligations under such leases to the extent that the assignee or sublessee does not perform. Additionally, we may remain subject to the terms of any guarantees and have correlating indemnification rights against the assignee or sublessee in the event of non-performance, as well as certain other defenses. We may also be called upon to perform other obligations under these leases, such as environmental remediation of the premises or repairs upon termination of the lease. We currently have no reason to believe that we will be called upon to perform any such services; however, there can be no assurance that any future performance required by us under these leases will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. Charge-Backs for Various Contracts We have recorded a liability of $44.2 million as of December 31, 2016 for our estimated contractual obligations related to potential charge-backs for vehicle service contracts, lifetime oil change contracts and other various insurance contracts that are terminated early by the customer. We estimate that the charge-backs will be paid out as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31, |  |  |  |
2017 |  | $ | 24,320 |
2018 |  |  | 12,831 |
2019 |  |  | 5,188 |
2020 |  |  | 1,498 |
2021 |  |  | 320 |
Thereafter |  |  | 71 |
Total |  | $ | 44,228 |
Lifetime Lube, Oil and Filter Contracts We retain the obligation for lifetime lube, oil and filter service contracts sold to our customers and assumed the liability of certain existing lifetime lube, oil and filter contracts. These amounts are recorded as deferred revenues. At the time of sale, we defer the full sale price and recognize the revenue based on the rate we expect future costs to be incurred. As of December 31, 2016, we had a deferred revenue balance of $99.6 million associated with these contracts and estimate the deferred revenue will be recognized as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31, |  |  |  |
2017 |  | $ | 19,800 |
2018 |  |  | 15,661 |
2019 |  |  | 12,511 |
2020 |  |  | 10,400 |
2021 |  |  | 8,866 |
Thereafter |  |  | 32,402 |
Total |  | $ | 99,640 |
The current portion of this deferred revenue balance is recorded as a component of accrued liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We periodically evaluate the estimated future costs of these assumed contracts and record a charge if future expected claim and cancellation costs exceed the deferred revenue to be recognized. As of December 31, 2016, we had a reserve balance of $3.4 million recorded as a component of accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The charges associated with this reserve were recognized in 2011 and earlier. Self-insurance Programs We self-insure a portion of our property and casualty insurance, vehicle open lot coverage, medical insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. Third parties are engaged to assist in estimating the loss exposure related to the self-retained portion of the risk associated with these insurances. Additionally, we analyze our historical loss and claims experience to estimate the loss exposure associated with these programs. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had liabilities associated with these programs of $32.8 million and $25.9 million, respectively, recorded as a component of accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Litigation We are party to numerous legal proceedings arising in the normal course of our business. Although we do not anticipate that the resolution of legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business or the proceedings described below will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows, we cannot predict this with certainty. In Re Lithia Motors Derivative Litigation On December 14, 2015, Shiva Y. Stein, a Lithia shareholder, filed derivative claims on behalf of Lithia against its Board of Directors (the “Board”), listing Lithia as a nominal defendant. The case, Stein v. DeBoer, et al. , Case No. 15CV33696, is pending in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Marion County. Ms. Stein’s claims relate to the adoption of a transition agreement between Lithia and Sidney B. DeBoer, as disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8 -K filed September 16, 2015. Ms. Stein alleges that Lithia's directors breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty and due care, and wasted corporate assets, when they approved the agreement with Mr. DeBoer. Ms. Stein also alleges a claim against Sidney B. DeBoer, asserting that he has been unjustly enriched by the agreement. Ms. Stein is seeking relief in the amount of damages allegedly sustained by Lithia as a result of the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and alleged corporate waste, disgorgement and imposition of a constructive trust on all property and profits Sidney B. DeBoer received as a result of the alleged wrongful conduct, and an award of the costs and disbursements of the lawsuit, including reasonable attorney fees, costs, and expenses. The Board and Mr. DeBoer filed Motions to Dismiss the Stein suit on February 26, 2016. On February 12, 2016, Marty A. Jessos, a Lithia shareholder, also filed derivative claims on behalf of Lithia against the Board, listing Lithia as a nominal defendant. The case, Jessos v. DeBoer, et al. , Case No. 16CV04181, was filed in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Multnomah County. The Jessos suit involves the same subject matter and alleges substantially the same facts, claims, and causes of action as the Stein suit. On March 22, 2016, the Jessos suit was transferred to Marion County Circuit Court. On April 4, 2016, the parties filed a Stipulation and [Proposed] Order of Consolidation in the Stein suit to consolidate both Stein and Jessos under the Stein suit, Case No. 15CV33696. On April 4, 2016, the Court signed the consolidation order. The case is now known as In re Lithia Motors Derivative Litigation , Case No. 15CV33696. Plaintiffs filed their consolidated complaint on April 15, 2016. The Board and Mr. DeBoer filed Motions to Dismiss the consolidated complaint on May 10, 2016. The Court issued its ruling on the Motions on August 12, 2016. The Court determined that a majority of the Board was independent, but also that Plaintiffs alleged sufficient facts to withstand the Motions to Dismiss. For that reason, the Court denied the Board’s and Mr. DeBoer’s Motions. The Board and Mr. DeBoer filed their Answers to the consolidated complaint on October 10, 2016. The parties engaged in discovery, including depositions, and the Board and Mr. DeBoer filed Motions for Summary Judgment on December 29, 2016, which is pending. Although we do not anticipate that the resolution of this legal proceeding will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows, we cannot predict this with certainty. California Wage and Hour Litigations In June 2012, Mr. Robles and Mr. Laredo brought claims against DCH Tustin Acura ( Robles v. Tustin Motors, Inc. , Case No. 30 - 2012 - 00579414, filed in the Superior Court of California, Orange County) alleging that the employer underpaid technicians in light of California Wage Order provisions that require an employer to pay at least two times the minimum wage for each hour worked if the employee is required to bring his or her own tools. The complaint was amended in late 2013 to include allegations that the employer failed to pay technicians for non-productive time and/or time spent performing tasks not compensated by the flat-rate compensation system; off-the-clock time worked; and wages due at termination. The amended complaint also alleged that the employer failed to provide technicians accurate and complete wage statements; and statutory meal and rest periods. Plaintiffs are seeking relief on behalf of all employees at all DCH Auto Group dealerships in California. Plaintiffs also seek attorney fees and costs. These Plaintiffs (and several other former technicians in separate-but-partially-overlapping actions) also seek relief under California’s Private Attorney General Action (PAGA) provisions, which allow private plaintiffs to recover civil penalties on behalf of the State of California. DCH successfully compelled arbitration based on arbitration agreements between these claimants and the employer, although certain representative claims were excluded and stayed pending arbitration. During the pendency of Robles, related cases were filed that made substantially similar technician claims including Holzer (see below). DCH and the Robles claimants settled their individual claims in mediation in 2015. In April 2016, DCH and all technician plaintiffs in Robles and the related cases agreed in principle to settle the representative claims, although this settlement has not yet been approved by the California courts as expressly contemplated by the parties and required by applicable law as a condition of the agreed release of claims. DCH Auto Group (USA) Limited must indemnify Lithia Motors, Inc. for losses related to this claim pursuant to the stock purchase agreement between Lithia Motors, Inc. and DCH Auto Group (USA) Limited dated June 14, 2014. As a result, we believe the exposure related to this lawsuit, when considered in relation to the terms of the stock purchase agreement, is immaterial to our financial statements. In August 2014, Ms. Holzer filed a complaint in the Central District of California ( Holzer v. DCH Auto Group (USA) Inc. , Case No. BC558869) alleging that her employer, an affiliate of DCH Auto Group (USA) Inc., failed to provide vehicle finance and sales persons, service advisors, and other clerical and hourly workers accurate and complete wage statements; and statutory meal and rest periods. The complaint also alleges that the employer failed to pay these employees for off-the-clock time worked; and wages due at termination. Plaintiffs also seek attorney fees and costs. DCH has sought to compel arbitration based on Plaintiffs’ arbitration agreements. Plaintiffs (and several other employees in separate actions) are seeking relief under California’s PAGA provisions. During the pendency of Holzer, related cases were filed that made substantially similar non-technician claims. DCH and all non-technican claimants settled their individual claims in mediation in 2017. In January 2017, DCH and all non-technician plaintiffs agreed in principle to settle the representative claims, although this settlement has not yet been approved by the California courts as expressly contemplated by the parties and required by applicable law as a condition of the agreed release of claims. DCH Auto Group (USA) Limited must indemnify Lithia Motors, Inc. for losses related to this claim pursuant to the stock purchase agreement between Lithia Motors, Inc. and DCH Auto Group (USA) Limited dated June 14, 2014. As a result, we believe the exposure related to this lawsuit, when considered in relation to the terms of the stock purchase agreement, is immaterial to our financial statements.

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