Lithia & Driveway Reports Record Q4 Revenue of $9.2B – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
MEDFORD, Ore. – Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD), the world’s largest automotive dealership group whose holdings also include the six-location Airstream Adventures, today reported the highest fourth quarter revenue in company history and the first profitable year for Financing Operations, which includes Driveway Finance Corporation.
Fourth quarter 2024 revenue increased 20% to $9.2 billion from $7.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Fourth quarter 2024 diluted earnings per share attributable to LAD was $8.12, a 5% increase from $7.74 per share reported in the fourth quarter of 2023. Fourth quarter 2024 adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to LAD was $7.79, a 6% decrease compared to $8.32 per share in the same period of 2023. Insurance proceeds related to a business interruption claim, partially offset by foreign currency exchange losses, increased diluted earnings per share by $0.17.
Fourth quarter 2024 net income was $217 million, remained flat compared to net income of $216 million in the same period of 2023. Adjusted fourth quarter 2024 net income was $209 million, a 10% decrease compared to adjusted net income of $232 million for the same period of 2023.
As shown in the attached non-GAAP reconciliation tables, the 2024 fourth quarter adjusted results exclude a $0.33 per diluted share impact resulting from non-core items, including a net gain on the disposal of stores and tax attributes, partially offset by acquisition expenses. The 2023 fourth quarter adjusted results exclude a $0.58 per diluted share impact resulting from non-core items, including acquisitions expenses and a net loss on the disposal of stores, partially offset by insurance reserves.
Key Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights:
- Total revenues increased 20% compared to fourth quarter 2023
- New retail units increased 7.4 % on a same-store basis
- Aftersales gross profit increased 4.5% on a same-store basis
- Driveway Finance Corporation (DFC) originated $501 million in loans, for a portfolio of $3.9 billion in average managed receivables, with net interest margin increasing to 4.7%
- Repurchased 0.9% of outstanding shares
“2024 marks another milestone year for Lithia & Driveway, with record-breaking fourth-quarter revenues, the first profitable year for Driveway Finance, and the continued maturity of foundational elements to our strategy.” said Bryan DeBoer, President and CEO. “Our focus on providing experiences that enhance customer loyalty, unlocking the full potential of our platform, and accelerating the growth of our unique ecosystem, positions us to deliver sustainable performance and best-in-class returns. We believe our omnichannel strategy, supported by a strong financial foundation, will allow us to drive continued growth in 2025 and beyond.”
Full year 2024 revenue increased 17% to a record $36.2 billion from $31.0 billion in 2023.
Full year 2024 diluted earnings per share attributable to LAD was $29.65, an 18% decrease from $36.29 per share reported in 2023. Full year 2024 adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to LAD was $29.96, a 19% decrease from $36.94 per share reported in 2023. Equity method investment gains and foreign currency exchange losses had a positive net impact to our diluted earnings per share by $0.44. Full year 2024 net income attributable to LAD decreased 20% to $0.8 billion from $1.0 billion for 2023. Adjusted net income attributable to LAD decreased 20% to $0.8 billion for 2024 from $1.0 billion for 2023.
As shown in the attached non-GAAP reconciliation tables, the 2024 adjusted results exclude a $0.31 per diluted share net impact resulting from non-core items, including a premium paid for the redemption of the remaining non-controlling interest in Pfaff Automotive, acquisition expenses, and insurance reserves, offset by a net gain on disposal of stores and tax attributes. The 2023 adjusted results exclude a $0.65 per diluted share impact resulting from non-core items, including acquisition expenses, one-time contract buyout, and insurance reserves, offset by a net gain on disposal of stores.
Full Year-over-Year and 2024 Operating Highlights
- Record full year revenues of $36.2 billion, including $5.9 billion of acquired annual revenue
- Aftersales gross profit increased 4.7% on a same-store basis
- Financing operations first profitable year with income of $15.4 million, compared to a loss of $45.9 million in 2023
- Driveway Finance Corporation scaled portfolio to $3.7 billion in average managed receivables, and increased net interest margin by 135 basis points to 4.2%
- Repurchased $348 million of shares, 4.6% of shares outstanding
Corporate Development
In January 2025, LAD continued to expand its network in the Mid-Atlantic region with the acquisition of the Stohlman Subaru store in Sterling, Virginia. This addition will strengthen LAD’s brand offerings in the region’s market and increase our presence in this growing market. This acquisition adds expected annual revenue of $80 million.
Balance Sheet Update
LAD ended the fourth quarter with approximately $1.4 billion in cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and availability on our revolving lines of credit. In addition, unfinanced real estate could provide additional liquidity of approximately $0.3 billion.
Dividend Payment and Share Repurchases
The Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.53 per share related to fourth quarter 2024 financial results. The dividend is expected to be paid on March 21, 2025 to shareholders of record on March 7, 2025.
During 2024, we repurchased approximately 1,230,000 shares at a weighted average price of $283. To date in 2025, we have repurchased approximately 43,000 shares at a weighed average price of $345. Under the current share repurchase authorization approximately $454.3 million remains available.
Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call and Updated Presentation
The fourth quarter 2024 conference call may be accessed at 10:00 a.m. ET today by telephone at 877-407-8029. An updated presentation highlighting the fourth quarter 2024 results has been added to our investor relations website. To listen live on our website or for replay, visit investors.lithiadriveway.com and click on quarterly earnings.
About Lithia & Driveway (LAD)
Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD) is the largest global automotive retailer providing a wide array of products and services throughout the vehicle ownership lifecycle. Simple, convenient, and transparent experiences are offered through our comprehensive network of physical locations, e-commerce platforms, captive finance solutions, fleet management offerings, and other synergistic adjacencies. We deliver consistent, profitable growth in a massive and unconsolidated industry. Our highly diversified and competitively differentiated design provides us the flexibility and scale to pursue our vision to modernize personal transportation solutions wherever, whenever and however consumers desire.
