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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950123-09-054937.txt : 20091029
<SEC-HEADER>0000950123-09-054937.hdr.sgml : 20091029
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091029171338
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950123-09-054937
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091029
ITEM INFORMATION:		Regulation FD Disclosure
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091029
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091029

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:		091145340

	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>g20993e8vk.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>e8vk</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>








<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM 8-K</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): <U>October&nbsp;29, 2009</U></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">
<B>Delaware</B><BR>

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>1-13395</B><BR>
(Commission File Number)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>56-201079</B><BR>
(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>6415 Idlewild Road, Suite&nbsp;109<BR>
Charlotte, North Carolina</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>28212</B><BR>
(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">
Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (<B>704) 566-2400</B></DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">
<B>N/A</B><BR>

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)</DIV>



<DIV align="center">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">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:</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>







<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7.01. Regulation&nbsp;FD Disclosure." -->

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;7.01.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Regulation&nbsp;FD Disclosure.</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On October&nbsp;29, 2009, Sonic Automotive, Inc. issued a press release announcing that it had
successfully completed a redemption of all of its outstanding 6.0% Senior Secured Convertible Notes
due 2012 at 100% of par value, using proceeds from its recently completed and previously announced
offerings of shares of Class&nbsp;A common stock and 5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2029.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits." -->

<DIV align="left" style="margin-top: 12pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt; background: transparent; color: #000000">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>Exhibits.</I>
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="79%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Press Release of Sonic Automotive, Inc. dated October&nbsp;29, 2009</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 " SIGNATURES" -->

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">                          /s/ Stephen K. Coss
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Stephen K. Coss&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Senior Vice President and General Counsel&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Dated: October&nbsp;29, 2009
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->3<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="84%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">99.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Press release of Sonic Automotive, Inc. dated October&nbsp;29, 2009</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->4<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>



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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>g20993exv99w1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EX-99.1
<TEXT>
<HTML>
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<TITLE>exv99w1</TITLE>
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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;99.1</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><I>Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Redemption of Outstanding 6.0% Senior Secured Convertible Notes</I></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>CHARLOTTE, N.C. &#151; </B>October&nbsp;29, 2009 <B>&#151;  </B>Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), the nation&#146;s
third-largest automotive retailer, today reported that it has successfully completed a redemption
of all of its outstanding 6.0% Senior Secured Convertible Notes which were due in 2012 using
proceeds from its recently completed public offerings of shares of Class&nbsp;A common stock and 5.0%
Convertible Senior Notes.</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Scott Smith, Sonic&#146;s President, stated, &#147;This latest step in the restructuring of our balance sheet
removes an extremely dilutive security from our capital structure. We are very pleased that, even
in the midst of a severe economic downturn, the strength and flexibility of our business model has
allowed us to successfully address our near-term debt obligations. Through a combination of
internally generated cash and proceeds from our recent offerings, we have reduced our outstanding
debt by over $150&nbsp;million since the end of 2008. We appreciate the support and confidence
demonstrated by our bondholders and shareholders as we completed these recent transactions. With
our next significant bond maturity not occurring until late 2013, we believe we have a clear road
ahead of us for the successful refinancing of our syndicated credit facility, which we expect to
have complete by the end of this calendar year. In the meantime, our operations team is clearly
focused on continuing the rollout of our operational playbooks to set the stage for even greater
successes in 2010.&#148;</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><U>About Sonic Automotive</U></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company based in Charlotte, N.C., is the nation&#146;s
third-largest automotive retailer, operating 153 franchises. Sonic can be reached on the web at
www.sonicautomotive.com.</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to anticipated
future debt refinancing and anticipated future operational improvement. There are many factors
that affect management&#146;s views about future events and trends of the Company&#146;s business. These
factors involve risk 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 the risk factors described in the Company&#146;s current report on Form
8-K furnished on August&nbsp;21, 2009. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update
forward-looking information.</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio -->
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