<div id="readability-page-1"><ul><li>These 4 Mid-Caps Just Announced Big Buyback Plans</li></ul><p>Lithia Motors <span>NYSE: LAD<span></span></span> shareholders elected directors, approved executive compensation on an advisory basis, and ratified the company’s auditor at the company’s 2026 annual meeting on April 30, 2026, while rejecting a shareholder proposal seeking an independent board chair.</p><div><p><span></span><span>Get <strong>Lithia Motors</strong> alerts:</span></p></div><h2>Shareholders elect directors and vote on four proposals</h2> <p>David Stork, Lithia Motors’ Chief Administrative Officer, opened the formal portion of the meeting at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time and said the company had established a quorum based on shares represented in person or by proxy. Stork said notice of the meeting and internet availability was mailed “on or about 11 March 2026” to shareholders of record as of Feb. 27, 2026. </p><ul><li>Ladder Corporation: Climbing Higher And Paying 9% Yield </li></ul><p>Stork listed four matters submitted for a vote: </p><ul>   <li>Election of 10 directors</li>   <li>An advisory vote on 2025 compensation for named executive officers</li>   <li>Ratification of KPMG LLP as independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending Dec. 31, 2026</li>   <li>A shareholder proposal requesting the board appoint an independent board chair</li> </ul> <p>Stork introduced directors and members of management present, including CEO Bryan DeBoer, CFO Tina Miller, and representatives from KPMG and outside legal counsel.  </p><h2>Independent chair proposal argued by proponent, opposed by board</h2> <ul><li>3 Undervalued Consumer Stocks to Stock Up On</li></ul><p>The shareholder proposal was submitted by John Chevedden, who urged adoption of a policy to separate the chair and CEO roles and require an independent chair “as soon as possible.” Chevedden said “a lead director shall not be a substitute for an independent Board Chairman,” arguing that an independent chair improves governance by providing “impartiality, objective oversight, and external expertise,” while strengthening accountability and checks and balances. </p><p>Chevedden also referenced stock performance, saying Lithia Motors stock was “at $418 in 2021 and is at only $291 now despite a robust stock market,” and concluded: “Please vote yes.” </p><p>Stork reiterated that the board recommended shareholders vote against the proposal and directed participants to the proxy statement for the board’s opposition.  </p><h2>Election results: directors elected; independent chair proposal fails</h2> <p>After polls closed, Stork reported that all 10 director nominees named in the proxy statement were elected: Richard J. Bailey, Sidney B. DeBoer, Bryan B. DeBoer, Priya C. Huskins, James E. Lentz, Stacy C. Loretz-Congdon, Shauna F. McIntyre, Cassandra M. McKinney, Louis P. Miramontes, and Heidi L. O’Neill. Stork noted that all nominees except Huskins were already serving on the board. </p><p>Stork said the advisory vote on executive compensation was presented and that KPMG’s ratification as auditor for 2026 “has been approved by the required vote.” He also said shareholders did not approve the independent chair proposal. A formal inspector of elections report will be filed with the meeting minutes, Stork said, and the formal meeting was adjourned.  </p><h2>CEO highlights 2025 results and outlines 2026 priorities</h2> <p>In the informational presentation following the formal vote, President and CEO Bryan DeBoer told shareholders 2025 was “a defining year,” highlighted “record performance,” and said revenue grew to $37.6 billion. DeBoer said Lithia delivered adjusted diluted earnings per share of $33.46, “a 16% increase over the prior year,” and generated “durable free cash flows” that supported growth investment and capital returns. </p><p>DeBoer said the company allocated $1.1 billion to share repurchases during the year, buying back “more than 11% of our outstanding shares,” while also funding “accretive acquisitions at attractive valuations.” He added that after-sales expanded to 41% of gross profit and described it as “the anchor of our customer funnel.” </p><p>DeBoer also pointed to Driveway Finance Corporation, saying it reached 15% U.S. penetration, grew its managed portfolio to nearly $5 billion, and generated $75 million in financing operations income. He said the company deepened its partnership with Pinewood.AI to support a “fully integrated technology platform across our global operations by the end of 2028.” </p><p>Looking to 2026, DeBoer outlined three priorities: deepening customer loyalty, driving performance across core operations to accelerate operating leverage, and continuing a “disciplined approach to network development and capital deployment,” including an “unwavering commitment to ongoing share repurchases and high return to acquisitions.”  </p><h2>Q&amp;A addresses FTC-related question on recall disclosures</h2> <p>In the question-and-answer portion, Stork read a question from Chevedden asking for “the Lithia response to the Federal Trade Commission looking into accusations that Lithia sold used cars with unrepaired safety recalls.” </p><p>DeBoer responded by referencing what he recalled as prior research from “somewhere before COVID,” stating that “there was four groups that were suggested that they needed to clarify their disclosures on recalls of selling used vehicles,” and that “there was no wrongdoing found on that research.” </p><p>With no further questions, management closed the meeting, with DeBoer saying the company looked forward to making 2026 its “strongest year yet.”</p><h2>About Lithia Motors <span>NYSE: LAD<span></span></span></h2><p>Lithia Motors, Inc is an American automotive retailer headquartered in Medford, Oregon. Founded in 1946 as a small auto body and glass shop, the company has grown through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions to become one of the largest automotive retail networks in North America. Lithia operates dealerships across the United States and Canada, offering a broad portfolio of new and pre-owned vehicles from more than 40 different manufacturers.  </p><p>The company's core business activities include vehicle sales, financing, insurance, parts and service.</p><h2>Featured Stories</h2><ul><li>Five stocks we like better than Lithia Motors</li></ul><p><em>This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.</em></p><h2>Should You Invest $1,000 in Lithia Motors Right Now?</h2><p>Before you consider Lithia Motors, you'll want to hear this.</p><p>MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Lithia Motors wasn't on the list.</p><p>While Lithia Motors currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.</p><p>View The Five Stocks Here</p>                  </div>

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<p>At Lithia Motors' 2026 annual meeting, shareholders elected directors, approved executive compensation, and ratified the auditor, while rejecting a proposal for an independent board chair. CEO Bryan DeBoer highlighted record performance in 2025, with revenue of $37.6 billion and a 16% increase in earnings per share. The company allocated $1.1 billion for share repurchases and emphasized priorities for 2026, including customer loyalty and disciplined capital deployment. A question regarding FTC investigations into safety recalls was addressed during the Q&A session.</p>

Lithia Motors AGM: Shareholders Elect Directors, Approve Pay, Reject Independent Chair Proposal