Lithium Americas Corp. Announces Appointment of Executive Chairman

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire - Jan. 5, 2012) - Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX: LAC) (OTCQX: LHMAF) ("Lithium Americas" or the "Company"), announces that W. Thomas Hodgson has been appointed Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors effective today.

Mr. Hodgson has been a director of the Company since 2010, and was appointed Chairman of the Board following the Company's annual meeting in June 2011. Mr. Hodgson has more than 30 years senior management, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets experience in North America and the U.K., and has served on the Boards of several public companies listed in Canada, the US, and the U.K. Mr. Hodgson currently serves on the Boards of two other public companies: Helix Biopharma Corp, and Liberty Silver Corp.

Dr. Waldo A. Perez, President and CEO commented: "We are delighted to welcome Tom onto the senior executive team of Lithium Americas. His background and experience are an excellent complement to the strong operational management group we have had in place for some time. His experience in raising capital, and negotiating joint venture and other M&A transactions will be tremendously valuable to the Company in our current stage of development."

Mr. Hodgson commented: "I am excited to be even more involved with such a great management team, as well as the Company's external investment banking advisors, as we work to develop and finance one of the world's premier lithium projects."


About the Company

Lithium Americas is developing one of the world's largest and lowest cost lithium operations. The Company has defined the world's third largest lithium brine resource. A Preliminary Economic Assessment prepared by the independent engineering firm ARA WorleyParsons indicates that Lithium Americas' operating cost per tonne of lithium carbonate is US$1,434 (prior to expected potash and boron by-product credits), based on available industry information; this would make Lithium Americas the world's lowest cost lithium producer. The Company is currently working on completing a definitive Feasibility Study. Mitsubishi Corporation and Magna International are shareholders in the Company, in addition to both companies having off-take arrangements with Lithium Americas.

Roger Kelley, B.Sc. (Chem. Eng.), of ARA WorleyParsons and independent QP of the Company has reviewed and approved this press release.

The Preliminary Economic Assessment is based on mineral resources. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.


This press release contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of statements that include words such as "could", "potential", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "likely", "will" or other similar words or phrases. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligations, to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Readers should review the Company's annual information form dated May 30, 2011 for a list of risks associated with the Company, and its business.



Contact Information

Lithium Americas Corp.
Mike Cosic, VP Corporate Development
416-360-1921
mcosic@lithiumamericas.com
www.lithiumamericas.com