EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Board of Directors Lithia Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries: We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (Nos. 333-45553, 333-43593, 333-69169, 333-69225, 333-80459, 333-39092, 333-61802, 333-21673 and 333-106686) on Forms S-8 of Lithia Motors, Inc. of our report dated February 6, 2004 relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Lithia Motors, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, which report appears in the December 31, 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lithia Motors, Inc. Our report refers to adoption, effective July 1, 2001, of SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, and certain provisions of SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and adoption, effective January 1, 2002, of the remaining provisions of SFAS No. 142. /s/ KPMG LLP - ---------------------------------------- Portland, Oregon March 12, 2004