BofA/Merrill analyst John Murphy downgraded Lithia Motors to Underperform from Neutral and cut its price target to $92 from $106. The analyst lowered US sales and North American production forecasts saying year-to-date sales tracking down 2%, following a likely peak in 2016, and there is a "looming tsunami" of off-lease volumes that will hit the industry in 2018, further pressuring vehicle pricing. As a result, Murphy expects a quick and material downturn in the US auto cycle and lowered estimates across the industry. For Lithia Motors, the analyst said benefits from diversification efforts and leverage is reflected in valuation.

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Lithia Motors is readying to cut hundreds of positions following a collapse in the supply of used vehicles after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Financial Times' Peter Campbell reports, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Lithia, which acquired Pendragon dealerships and its used car marketplace CarStore this year, plans to shutter CarStore and cut about 250 jobs across the UK. Reference Link