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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Basis of Presentation | Basis of Presentation – The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the third quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. These Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all material normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly state the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year, because the first quarter normally contributes less operating profit than the second, third and fourth quarters. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (“Sonic” or the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2012, which were included in Sonic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Reclassifications | Reclassifications – The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the third quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 reflect the reclassification of amounts from continuing operations to discontinued operations from the prior year presentation for additional dealerships sold or terminated subsequent to September 30, 2012.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements | Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued an accounting standard update that amended the reporting requirements for amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. An entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes to the financial statements, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. The amendments in this accounting standard update are to be applied prospectively and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012. See Note 10, “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss),” for the impact of this accounting standard update on Sonic’s required disclosures.
Change in Accounting Principle | Change in Accounting Principle – During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, Sonic voluntarily changed the date of its annual goodwill impairment test and other intangible assets impairment test from the last day of the fiscal year to the first day of the fourth quarter. This voluntary change is preferable under the circumstances as it provides Sonic with additional time to prepare and complete the impairment test, including measurement of any indicated impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, as necessary, prior to filing of the Form 10-K. This voluntary change in accounting principle was not made to delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge. This change is not applied retrospectively as it is impracticable to do so because retrospective application would require the application of significant estimates and assumptions with the use of hindsight. Accordingly, the change will be applied prospectively.
Lease Exit Accruals | Lease Exit Accruals – Lease exit accruals relate to facilities Sonic has ceased using in its operations. The accruals represent the present value of the lease payments, net of estimated or actual sublease proceeds, for the remaining life of the operating leases and other accruals necessary to satisfy the lease commitment to the landlord. A summary of the activity of these operating lease exit accruals consists of the following:
|  | (In thousands) |
Balance, December 31, 2012 |  | $ | 32,983 |
Lease exit expense (1) |  |  | 2,331 |
Payments (2) |  |  | (6,568 | )
Balance, September 30, 2013 |  | $ | 28,746 |
(1) | Expense of approximately $0.2 million is recorded in interest expense, other, net, expense of approximately $0.1 million is recorded in SG&A, and expense of approximately $2.0 million is recorded to income (loss) from operations and the sale of dealerships in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2) | Amount is recorded as an offet to rent expense in selling, general and administrative expenses, with approximately $0.9 million in continuing operations and $5.7 million in income (loss) from operations and the sale of dealerships in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Income Tax Expense | Income Tax Expense – The overall effective tax rate from continuing operations was 36.3% and 37.8% for the third quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, respectively, and 38.6% and 34.8% for the third quarter and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The effective rate for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013 was lower than the prior year period as a result of the favorable resolution of previously outstanding tax matters. The effective rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013 was higher than the prior year period primarily due to a $3.6 million tax benefit during the second quarter ended June 30, 2012 related to the settlement of a state tax examination. Sonic expects the effective tax rate for continuing operations in future quarterly periods to fall within a range of 38.0% to 40.0%.

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