-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TkDRhgdPMUgOM98sTB6MemCRxCN2FUTGYWq2fgCp47dmUmvPy+VpUJm0sSCdM2KR
 CdSmlhF5Ooa1vOPtcMye4Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-09-190937.txt : 20090914
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-09-190937.hdr.sgml : 20090914
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090914070640
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-09-190937
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090911
ITEM INFORMATION:		Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other Events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090914
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090914

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001043509
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS [5500]
		IRS NUMBER:				562010790
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0207

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13395
		FILM NUMBER:		091066481

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5401 EAST INDEPENDENCE BLVD
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 18747
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28212
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7045323354

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5401 EAST INDEPENDENCE BLVD
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28212
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="line-height:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:3px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="3"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P
STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>FORM 8-K </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September&nbsp;11, 2009 </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"
ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="6"><B>SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Delaware </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(State or other
jurisdiction of incorporation) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>1-13395</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>56-201079</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Commission File Number)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(IRS Employer Identification No.)</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>6415 Idlewild Road, Suite 109</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Charlotte, North Carolina</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>28212</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Zip Code)</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (704)&nbsp;566-2400 </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>N/A </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Former name or former address,
if changed since last report.) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:1pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P
STYLE="line-height:3px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;1.01.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On
September&nbsp;11, 2009, we entered into an amendment to our Credit Agreement dated February&nbsp;17, 2006, as amended, among the Company, the subsidiaries of the Company named therein, Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toyota Motor
Credit Corporation, BMW Financial Services NA, LLC, Carolina First Bank, Comerica Bank, Fifth Third Bank, General Electric Capital Corporation, KeyBank National Association, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation, Sovereign Bank, SunTrust Bank,
Wachovia Bank, National Association and World Omni Financial Corp. This amendment, among other things, authorized the refinancing of 4.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 and redemption of our 6.00% Senior Secured Convertible Notes
due 2012 with net proceeds from Sonic Automotive, Inc.&#146;s proposed concurrent public offerings of convertible debt securities and shares of Class&nbsp;A common stock. As of September&nbsp;11, 2009, we had $35.0 million outstanding and $95.7
million available under the revolving credit sub-facility portion of this credit facility. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;8.01</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Other Events. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On September&nbsp;14, 2009, we
issued a press release announcing proposed offerings of convertible debt securities and shares of Class&nbsp;A common stock. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01.</B></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>Exhibits.</I> </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">99.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Press
release of Sonic Automotive, Inc. dated September&nbsp;14, 2009 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2 </FONT></P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>SIGNATURES </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="92%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stephen K. Coss</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Stephen K. Coss</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Senior Vice President and General Counsel</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dated: September&nbsp;14, 2009 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;
</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3 </FONT></P>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:39pt"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:39pt"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">99.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Press release of Sonic Automotive, Inc. dated September 14, 2009</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4 </FONT></P>

</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>dex991.htm
<DESCRIPTION>PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Press Release</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Exhibit 99.1 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B>SONIC AUTOMOTIVE ANNOUNCES CONCURRENT OFFERINGS OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Charlotte, NC &#150;
September&nbsp;14, 2009 </B>&#150; Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH) today announced a public offering of Class&nbsp;A common stock and convertible senior notes.<B> </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Sonic Automotive intends to offer approximately 9,000,000 shares of its Class&nbsp;A common stock in an underwritten registered public offering. In connection with this offering, Sonic Automotive intends to grant the
underwriters a 30-day option to purchase an additional 1,350,000 shares of common stock to cover over allotments. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In conjunction with the common stock
offering, Sonic Automotive intends to offer approximately $125,000,000 aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2029 in an underwritten registered public offering. In connection with this offering, Sonic Automotive intends to grant
the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional $18,750,000 aggregate principal amount of the convertible senior notes to cover over allotments. The convertible senior notes will be convertible, under certain circumstances, into
cash, shares of Sonic Automotive Class&nbsp;A common stock, or a combination of cash and shares, at the option of Sonic Automotive. The offering price, interest rate, conversion price and other terms of the convertible senior notes will be
determined by Sonic Automotive and the underwriters. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The closing of the underwritten convertible notes offering and underwritten offering of common stock
will not be contingent on each other. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Sonic Automotive intends to use the net proceeds from these offerings to repay all or a portion of the principal
amount outstanding on its 4.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 (which the holders can put to Sonic Automotive in November 2010) and its 6.00% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012. If Sonic Automotive is unable to repay
these notes, it will use proceeds from the offerings to repay outstanding amounts under its credit facility. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and BofA Merrill
Lynch are acting as joint book-running managers for the offerings. Wells Fargo Securities, Moelis &amp; Company and Stephens, Inc. are acting as co-managers for the offerings. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Sonic Automotive has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus and related preliminary prospectus supplements for each of the common stock and convertible senior notes offerings) with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the offerings to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the applicable preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for more complete information about Sonic
Automotive and these offerings. You may get these documents for free by visiting IDEA on the SEC website at <U>www.sec.gov</U>. Alternatively, copies may be obtained from J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., 4 Chase Metrotech Center, CS Level, Brooklyn, NY
11245, Attention: Prospectus Library or BofA Merrill Lynch, 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This release is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these
securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>About Sonic Automotive </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company based in Charlotte, N.C., is the nation&#146;s
third-largest automotive retailer, operating 153 franchises. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Included herein are forward-looking statements pertaining to completion of the proposed
transactions on the terms described above. There are many factors that affect management&#146;s views about future events and trends of Sonic&#146;s business. These factors involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or trends to
differ materially from management&#146;s view, including without limitation, economic conditions, risks associated with acquisitions and risk factors described in Exhibit 99.1 to Sonic&#146;s Current Report on Form 8-K furnished on August&nbsp;21,
2009 and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Sonic does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information. </FONT></P>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
