Lithia UK is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its parent company, Lithia & Driveway,.
Although the business has only had a UK presence since 2023, Lithia UK’s wider heritage is steeped in history that has helped shape the landscape of the modern motor dealership.
From a single Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge dealership opened by founder Walt DeBoer in Ashland, Oregon in 1946, the business has grown into one of the world’s largest automotive retailers and the UK’s second largest retail group.
Under the leadership of Walt’s son, Sid DeBoer, the business expanded from Oregon to five locations before becoming a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 1996.
Now with stores across the U.S, Canada and the UK, Lithia represents over 50 automotive brands, across 450 locations.
The 80th anniversary milestone on 16 July comes during an important period for the company’s UK operation and amid a continued year of growth in 2026 for Lithia UK.
Today, Lithia UK comprises the Evans Halshaw and Stratstone retail networks, the multi-franchise car parts distributers QuickCo and TPS, and fleet and leasing arm, Driveway Vehicle Solutions.
Operating across 150 stores and representing 36 automotive brands, Lithia UK has continued to strengthen its national footprint through strategic investment and expansion this year, which has included acquisitions from Hatfields, Group 1, Read Motor Group and Agility Fleet.
Neil Williamson, operations president at Lithia UK, said: “Celebrating 80 years is a significant milestone for everyone across Lithia and Driveway. It’s not just an opportunity to reflect on the growth of our own business, but on how much the automotive industry has evolved over the past eight decades.”
