<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-12-096744.txt : 20120305
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-12-096744.hdr.sgml : 20120305
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120305161314
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-12-096744
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120229
ITEM INFORMATION:		Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or Completed Interim Review
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120305
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120305

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:		12666847

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4401 COLWICK ROAD
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28211
		BUSINESS PHONE:		704-566-2400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4401 COLWICK ROAD
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28211
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d308822d8k.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:4px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="4"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Securities Exchange Act of
1934 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): <U>February&nbsp;29, 2012</U> </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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="6"><B>SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Delaware
</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" 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 STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>56-201079</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Commission</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>File Number)</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(IRS Employer</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Identification No.)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>


<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>4401 Colwick Road</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>28211</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Zip Code)</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>N/A </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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
STYLE="font-family: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: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="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></P></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="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></P></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="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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></P></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="3%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:8px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <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='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;4.02. Non-Reliance on Previously Issued Financial Statements or a Related Audit Report or
Completed Interim Period. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As previously announced, on February&nbsp;25, 2012, Sonic Automotive, Inc. identified a material weakness in its
internal control over financial reporting relating to an error in the methodology utilized by the Company to classify amounts between trade accounts payable and cash and cash equivalents that resulted from a reclassification entry recorded by the
Company to properly state any bank accounts where the Company may be carrying a negative book balance. This error affects primarily the trade accounts payable and cash and cash equivalent items on the Company&#146;s consolidated balance sheet and
the &#147;net cash provided from operating activities&#148; line item on the Company&#146;s consolidated statement of cash flows. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Upon
identifying this error, the Company in coordination with its independent registered public accountants, Ernst&nbsp;&amp; Young LLP (the &#147;Auditor&#148;), conducted an evaluation of the impact of this reclassification entry on the Company&#146;s
financial statements included in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March&nbsp;31, 2011,&nbsp;June&nbsp;30, 2011 and September&nbsp;30, 2011 (the &#147;2011 Form 10-Qs&#148;). This evaluation revealed similar errors in the
methodology used by the Company to calculate this reclassification entry on a quarterly basis, which in turn resulted in errors on the Company&#146;s consolidated balance sheet and the &#147;net cash provided from operating activities&#148; line
item reported in the 2011 Form 10-Qs. These errors had no effect on the Company&#146;s: </FONT></P> <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="5%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">previously issued interim statements of income (including earnings per share); </FONT></P></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="5%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">non-GAAP measures of EBITDA and free cash flow; or </FONT></P></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="5%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">overall liquidity position (including its borrowing base availability). </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In addition, these errors did not: </FONT></P> <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="5%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">breach any covenant under the Company&#146;s 2011 Credit Facilities; or </FONT></P></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="5%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&#149;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">impact any years or quarterly periods prior to 2011. </FONT></P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The financial statement items affected by those errors are set forth in the table below. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="70%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD>
<TD></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><I>(amounts in thousands)</I></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1">As<BR>Reported</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1">Adjustments</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" COLSPAN="2" ALIGN="center" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1">As<BR>Restated</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>


<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As of and for the three-month period ended March&nbsp;31, 2011:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Cash and cash equivalents</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">8,355</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(5,960</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2,395</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Trade accounts payable</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">87,486</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(5,960</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">81,526</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Net cash provided by operating activities</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">24,380</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(5,960</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">18,420</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As of and for the six-month period ended June&nbsp;30, 2011:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Cash and cash equivalents</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">11,013</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(8,942</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2,071</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Trade accounts payable</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">87,468</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(8,942</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">78,526</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Net cash provided by operating activities</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">131,370</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(8,942</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">122,428</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="4"></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As of and for the nine-month period ended September&nbsp;30, 2011:</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Cash and cash equivalents</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">28,007</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(26,331</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1,676</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR BGCOLOR="#cceeff">
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Trade accounts payable</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">87,360</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(26,331</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">61,029</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:3.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Net cash provided by operating activities</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">193,676</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(26,331</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">$</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">167,345</FONT></TD>
<TD NOWRAP VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;</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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2 </FONT></P>


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

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On February&nbsp;29, 2012, after consultation with the Auditor, the Audit Committee of the Company&#146;s
Board of Directors and the Company&#146;s management concluded that, as a result of these errors, the Company&#146;s financial statements included in its 2011 Form 10-Qs should not be relied upon. The Company will promptly file amendments to the
2011 Form 10-Qs to correct these errors. The Company also intends to include in the amendments changes in management&#146;s assessment of the Company&#146;s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of each of those periods. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Company has filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the &#147;Annual Report&#148;) with an unqualified opinion of
the Auditor as to the Company&#146;s financial statements as of and for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2011. Because the error described herein was identified prior to the issuance of the Annual Report, that report addresses these errors and
properly presents the balances as of and for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2011. Prospectively, the Company believes it has corrected the processes that created these errors. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The Company&#146;s management and the Audit Committee have discussed the foregoing matters with the Auditor. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>SIGNATURES </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:8%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Stephen K. Coss</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family: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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dated: March&nbsp;5, 2012 </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 STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3 </FONT></P>

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