VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Aug. 11, 2016) - Lithium Americas Corp. (the "Company" or "LAC") (TSX:LAC)(OTCQX:LACDF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Myron Manternach as Executive Vice President, Finance and Corporate Development, effective immediately.

Mr. Manternach has over 20 years of experience in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and investment management. He worked as an investment banker at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and as an analyst and manager of global alternative investment funds with significant experience in natural resources and emerging market credit and equity. Most recently he was a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager of Ambac Assurance Corp., a subsidiary of Ambac Financial Group. He is chairman of Wellgreen Platinum Ltd. and was previously a director of Lithium Americas Corp. prior to its merger with Western Lithium. Mr. Manternach holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering with distinction from Iowa State University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

In March of this year, Lithium Americas announced a joint venture to develop the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium project in the Jujuy province of Argentina with Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. ("SQM"). Discussions with financial advisors and a wide range of potential investors have commenced and various financing paths are being explored. Among other duties, Mr. Manternach is expected to represent LAC in these upcoming financing discussions.

Tom Hodgson, Chief Executive Officer of LAC, commented. "We welcome Myron to the senior executive team at LAC. We have known Myron for years, and his skill set, experience and network of global relationships is perfectly suited to make an immediate contribution to our JV team on financing related matters. The Cauchari project is on the eve of representing significant employment and investment into the province of Jujuy that will benefit the province for generations, and Myron's appointment is an important commitment to that effort."

About the Company

The Company is developing the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium project, located in Jujuy province, Argentina, and the Lithium Nevada project (formerly Kings Valley project) in Nevada, USA, with the intent to become a major supplier of lithium products. In addition, Lithium Americas is a supplier of specialty drilling additives, Hectatone™ and other organoclay products for the oil and gas and other industries.

Forward-looking statements

Statements in this release that are forward-looking information are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in the company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this document, the words such as "explore," "believe", "intent" and similar expressions is forward-looking information. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information.

All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Lithium Americas management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information or statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include those described under the heading "Risks Factors" in the Lithium America's most recently filed Annual Information Form. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.