auto dealer in black and red logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Lithia Motors Net Income Plummets

Though revenue increase of 4% hits a first-quarter record, net income for the auto group fell 33%.

April 20, 2023
Lithia Motors Net Income Plummets

Lithia Motors reported a 4% increase in revenue, hitting a first quarter record of $6.97 billion.

Credit:

Monstera

2 min to read


 

Lithia Motors Inc. reported its first-quarter net income dropped by one-third as the auto group saw double-digit declines in new- and used-vehicle gross profit per retail unit and lower average used-vehicle selling prices.

The Medford, Oregon retailer reported a 4% increase in revenue, hitting a first-quarter record of $6.97 billion. However, net income fell 33% to $229.6 million.

Lithia reported selling 67,796 new vehicles, up 4.4%, and 78,142 used vehicles, up 6%, in the first quarter. But that was offset by a 20% decline in the average gross profit per new retail vehicle to $4,924.

Used-vehicle average gross profits fell even more, plunging 30% to $2,120.

Still, Lithia reported the average selling price for new retail vehicles rose 2.6% to $48,364, while the average selling price for used retail vehicles fell 6% to $28,506.

The retailer reported it has acquired $16 billion in annualized revenue since July 2020.

"Our solid first quarter performance demonstrates the durability and diversity of our business model. With a wide selection of products and services for all affordability levels, we are positioned well to meet consumer needs in-store or online through Driveway and other omnichannel store offerings," said Bryan DeBoer, Lithia & Driveway, president and CEO. "As we navigate the current environment, we continue to find accretive acquisitions that expand our network, grow DFC, which will increase our profitability in the long-term, and progress toward the goals in our 2025 Plan. Our strong balance sheet and significant capital engine position us well to further consolidate the industry."

Lithia surpassed AutoNation in new vehicles sold in 2022 after it purchased Jardine Motors Group in the United Kingdom. The acquisition added over three dozen U.K. new vehicle dealerships to Lithia’s portfolio and is expected to add over $2 billion to its annual revenue.

The company added an Acura store in Canada in February. However, Lithia also sold an unspecified dealership in the first quarter. The store reportedly generated revenue of $46 million in the past year.

 

More Dealer Ops

Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 07/15/2026, with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJuly 15, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Defection Data & EV Updates

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses how to use defection data to your advantage and the latest on EV sales and charging infrastructure.

Read More →
Two professionals shake hands while exchanging a car key fob beside a vehicle, symbolizing a vehicle sale, lease agreement, or dealership transaction.
SponsoredJuly 8, 2026

How Defection Data is Bridging the Dealership Conversion Gap

Lead volume is flat, cross-shopping is up and brand loyalty is in retreat. As confident sales teams keep losing buyers they thought they had, daily industry sales data is showing dealers exactly where their funnel is breaking and how to fix it without buying a single new lead.

Read More →
Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 07/02/2026 with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJuly 2, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Where are you losing customers?

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses the hidden leaks in dealerships where you might be losing customers without even realizing it.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 06/25/2026, with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJune 26, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Improving Your Inventory Management

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers a new survey that shows what service technicians really want and two launches that could help improve your inventory and vehicle life cycle management.

Read More →
group of people standing in a circle holding puzzle pieces together
Dealer OpsJune 1, 2026

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins

A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.

Read More →
Cover image for a BOK Financial report titled “Timing the market: How avoiding volatility entirely can hurt long-term reinsurance program performance.” The image shows several road construction barricades with flashing amber warning lights lined up in a nighttime work zone. Beneath the image, red text explains that avoiding volatility can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long-term surplus growth. The BOK Financial logo appears at the bottom right.
SponsoredMay 8, 2026

What Market Timing Mistakes Mean for Your Reinsurance Program

When volatility hits, dealer-owned reinsurance programs face a familiar temptation: pull back and wait for calmer waters. New data from BOK Financial shows why that instinct can quietly cost you years of surplus growth.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
two cars on a billboard, No Hidden Fees
ComplianceMay 1, 2026

Dealer Ads and the FTC

The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.

Read More →
Closeup of white car's headlight, front end
Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellApril 17, 2026

Used Autos Supply Dwindles

The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.

Read More →
hands making protective frame over red car, Risk Reality Check, Be Proactive, Auto Dealer Today logo
Dealer OpsApril 1, 2026

Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times

The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Car key, stacks of coins, and a paper car cutout with AutoPayPlus logo, representing auto financing, loan terms, and vehicle affordability trends.
Dealer Opsby StaffMarch 31, 2026

Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales

AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.

Read More →