8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 8-K
 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 10, 2006

Lithia Motors, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Oregon	0-21789	93 - 0572810
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification
incorporation)		No.)

360 E. Jackson Street
Medford, Oregon 97501
(Address of Principal Executive Office)

Registrant's telephone number including area code 541-776-6868 

Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a -12)

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d -2(b))

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e -4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events

        On April 10, 2006, Lithia Motors, Inc. issued a press release announcing a cash dividend of $0.12 per share for the first quarter of 2006. Shareholders of record as of April 21, 2006, will receive the dividend that will be payable May 5, 2006. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01	Financial Statements and Exhibits.
	(a)	Not applicable.
	(b)	Not applicable.
	(c)	Exhibits.
		99.1 Cash Dividend Press Release

SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			LITHIA MOTORS, INC.
			(Registrant)
Date:	April 10, 2006	By:	/s/ Kenneth E. Roberts
			Kenneth E. Roberts
			Assistant Secretary

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1
 

LITHIA MOTORS INC. DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND OF $0.12 PER SHARE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2006

MEDFORD, OREGON, April 10, 2006 (5:00 a.m. Pacific) - Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE: LAD) today announced that the Board of Directors has approved a dividend of $0.12 per share for the first quarter of 2006. Shareholders of record as of April 21, 2006 will receive the dividend that will be payable May 5, 2006.

About Lithia Lithia Motors, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 and Russell 2000 Company that sells 25 brands of new vehicles and operates 94 stores and 189 franchises in 12 states in the Western United States and over the Internet through "Lithia.com-America's Car & Truck Store." Lithia also sells used vehicles; arranges finance, warranty, and credit insurance contracts; and provides vehicle parts, maintenance, and repair services at all of its locations.

Additional Information
For additional information on Lithia Motors, contact the Investor Relations Department: (541) 776-6591 or log-on to:  www.lithia.com -- go to Investor Relations