<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-13-111085.txt : 20130318
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-13-111085.hdr.sgml : 20130318
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130318071036
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-13-111085
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	NT 10-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20121231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130318
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20130318
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20130318

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:		NT 10-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13395
		FILM NUMBER:		13695995

	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>NT 10-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d444361dnt10k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 12B-25
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 12B-25</TITLE>
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8px; padding-right:8px"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">OMB
APPROVAL</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">OMB&nbsp;Number:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="right" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:8px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3235-0058</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Expires:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" ALIGN="right" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:8px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">August&nbsp;31,&nbsp;2015</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="5" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8px; padding-right:8px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Estimated&nbsp;average&nbsp;burden</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">hours&nbsp;per&nbsp;response</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000; padding-right:8px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2.50</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
<P STYLE="font-size:4px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></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="margin-top:12px;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 12b-25
</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="3"><B>NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(Check One)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#254;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Form 10-K&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Form 20-F&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Form 11-K&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
<FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Form 10-Q</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Form
10-D&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Form N-SAR&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Form N-CSR</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">For&nbsp;Period&nbsp;Ended: December 31, 2012&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Transition Report on Form 10-K</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Transition Report on Form 20-F</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Transition Report on Form 11-K</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Transition Report on Form 10-Q</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Transition Report on Form N-SAR</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">For&nbsp;the&nbsp;Transition&nbsp;Period&nbsp;Ended: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8px; padding-right:8px"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><I>Read Instruction (on back
page) Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type.</I></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission
has verified any information contained herein.</B></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">If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify the Item(s) to which the
notification relates: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:2pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>PART I &#151; REGISTRANT
INFORMATION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><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="1"><B>(Full Name of Registrant) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:24px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Former Name if Applicable) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24px;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:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Address of Principal Executive Office (</B><B><I>Street and Number</I></B><B>)) </B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Charlotte, NC 28211 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(City, State and Zip Code) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;page-break-before:always"></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:2pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>PART II &#151; RULES 12b-25(b)
AND (c) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief
pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate) </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="3%"></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="middle" ROWSPAN="3" STYLE="BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; padding-left:8px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#254;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a)</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The reason described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
expense;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b)</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, Form 11-K, Form N-SAR or Form&nbsp;N-CSR, or
portion thereof, will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q or subject distribution report on Form 10-D, or portion thereof, will be
filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and</FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c)</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The accountant&#146;s statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:18px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:0.5pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>PART III &#151; NARRATIVE </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">State below in reasonable detail why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q, 10-D, N-SAR, N-CSR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within the prescribed time period. </FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Sonic Automotive, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) is unable to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K within the prescribed time period
without unreasonable effort or expense due to the circumstances described below. The Company has determined that a material weakness existed in the effectiveness of controls over its dealership level accounting processes resulting from the
aggregation of control deficiencies. This matter affected the progress of the Company&#146;s annual close process and preparation of the Form 10-K. Management is in the process of completing its Form 10-K and believes that final financial results
will be the same as reported on its earnings call held on February 20, 2013. Management is also 1) finalizing its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company&#146;s internal control over financial reporting, 2) determining the steps necessary to
remediate the material weakness, and 3) recommending to the Audit Committee of the Company&#146;s Board of Directors remediation actions that the Company expects to take. The Company expects that it will file its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2012 within the 15-day extension provided by Rule 12b-25. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">On March 14, 2013, the Company received written
confirmation from the required lenders that the Company will not be in default under its Second Amended and Restated Syndicated Credit Agreement dated July 8, 2011 with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and a lender
and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC, BMW Financial Services NA, LLC, Toyota Motor Credit Corporation, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Comerica Bank, US Bank, National Association, Capital One, N.A., VW
Credit, Inc. and World Omni Financial Corp., as lenders and Bank of America, N.A., and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as letter of credit issuer (the &#147;Revolving Facility&#148;) and its Amended and Restated Syndicated New and Used
Vehicle Floorplan Credit Agreement dated as of July 8, 2011 (the &#147;Floorplan Facility&#148;) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, a lender, new vehicle swingline lender and used vehicle swingline lender, and JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, US Bank, National Association, Capital One, N.A., Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC and Comerica Bank, as lenders, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as letter of credit issuer. The
required lenders under the Revolving Facility and the Floorplan Facility confirmed that they do not object to statements regarding the material weakness to be described in Sonic&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31,
2012. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:2px;border-bottom:2pt solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>PART IV &#151; OTHER INFORMATION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(1)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:24px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="33%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="6%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%"></TD></TR>


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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stephen K. Coss</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;704</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;566 - 2400</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Name)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Area&nbsp;Code)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Telephone Number)</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(2)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the
preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no, identify
report(s).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#254;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;No </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(3)&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings
statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#254;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;No
</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:4%"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if
appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;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="margin-top:24px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><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="1"><B>(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">has caused this notification 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>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Date&nbsp;</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>March 18, 2013</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="right"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>/s/ David P. Cosper</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2">INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or by any other duly authorized
representative. The name and title of the person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If the statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative (other than an executive officer), evidence of
the representative&#146;s authority to sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
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<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>ATTENTION</B></FONT></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:4px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" align="left">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4px;margin-bottom:1px; margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em" ALIGN="center"><FONT STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Intentional
misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal Criminal Violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;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="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
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