<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000893877-17-000005.txt : 20170217
<SEC-HEADER>0000893877-17-000005.hdr.sgml : 20170217
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20170217145247
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000893877-17-000005
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20170215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20170217
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20170217

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LITHIA MOTORS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001023128
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS [5500]
		IRS NUMBER:				930572810
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OR
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		150 NORTH BARTLETT STREET
		CITY:			MEDFORD
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97501
		BUSINESS PHONE:		541-776-6401

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		150 NORTH BARTLETT STREET
		CITY:			MEDFORD
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97501

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEBOER SIDNEY B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001170769

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14733
		FILM NUMBER:		17621020

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		234 VISTA ST.
		CITY:			ASHLAND
		STATE:			OR
		ZIP:			97520
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-02-15</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001023128</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>LITHIA MOTORS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>LAD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001170769</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DEBOER SIDNEY B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>150 N. BARTLETT STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MEDFORD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OR</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>97501</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>C</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>500000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By The Sidney B. DeBoer Trust and Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>104.21</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>279106</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>104.21</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>279106</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By The Sidney B. DeBoer Trust and DeBoer Family LLC</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>30077</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2349</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By wife jointly</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class B Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-02-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>C</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F8"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1262231</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By The Sidney B. DeBoer Trust and Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As permitted by instruction 4(b)(iv) to Form 4, the reporting person is reporting beneficial ownership of all of shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. Class A Common Stock owned by Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, and the inclusion of these shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The reporting person is the settlor of the Sidney B. DeBoer Trust, and the Sidney B. DeBoer Trust is revocable by the reporting person at any time at the reporting person's option. The Sidney B. DeBoer Trust is a member and the sole manager of Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C., which is the direct owner of the derivative securities shown in row 1 of column 5 of Table I.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Distribution from Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C. to certain members of Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C., including DeBoer Family LLC.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C. distributed shares of the issuer's Class A Common Stock to certain of the members of Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C., including DeBoer Family LLC. The price shown is the value of one share of the issuer's Class A Common Stock at the close of the New York Stock Exchange on February 15, 2017.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C. distributed shares of the Issuer's Class A Common Stock to certain members of Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C., including DeBoer Family LLC. The shares distributed to DeBoer Family LLC are shown on the next row.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">As permitted by instruction 4(b)(iv) to Form 4, the reporting person is reporting beneficial ownership of all of shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. Class A Common Stock owned by DeBoer Family LLC. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, and the inclusion of these shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">The reporting person is the settlor of the Sidney B. DeBoer Trust, and the Sidney B. DeBoer Trust is revocable by the reporting person at any time at the reporting person's option. The Sidney B. DeBoer Trust is a member and the sole manager of DeBoer Family LLC, which is the direct owner of the securities shown in row 3 of column 5 of Table I.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Class B Common Stock is immediately convertible on a one-for-one basis into Class A Common Stock and has no expiration date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">As permitted by instruction 4(b)(iv) to Form 4, the reporting person is reporting beneficial ownership of all of shares of Lithia Motors, Inc. Class B Common Stock owned by Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C. The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, and the inclusion of these shares in this report shall not be deemed an admission of beneficial ownership of all of the reported shares for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">The reporting person is the settlor of the Sidney B. DeBoer Trust, and the Sidney B. DeBoer Trust is revocable by the reporting person at any time at the reporting person's option. The Sidney B. DeBoer Trust is a member and the sole manager of Lithia Holding Company, L.L.C., which is the direct owner of the derivative securities shown in column 9 of Table II.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Larissa McAlister, Attorney-In-Fact for Sidney B. DeBoer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
