<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001628280-18-009287.txt : 20180717
<SEC-HEADER>0001628280-18-009287.hdr.sgml : 20180717
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20180717163631
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001628280-18-009287
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20180717
ITEM INFORMATION:		Results of Operations and Financial Condition
FILED AS OF DATE:		20180717
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20180717

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:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13395
		FILM NUMBER:		18956838

	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>q22018earningspre-release8.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>
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<div><a name="sF916A24D8C575847AF6051DFF01C4860"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:99.80506822612085%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="1"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:100%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1.5px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1.5px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:5px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:5px;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;____________________________________</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM 8-K</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">____________________________________</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&#160;13 or 15(d)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">July 17, 2018 </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">____________________________________</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:24pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:24pt;font-weight:bold;">SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">____________________________________</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Delaware</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(State or other jurisdiction</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">of incorporation)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:99.80506822612085%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:49%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:50%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">1-13395</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">56-2010790</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(Commission</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">File Number)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(IRS Employer</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Identification No.)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:99.80506822612085%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:49%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:50%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">4401 Colwick Road</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Charlotte, North Carolina</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">28211</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(Address of principal executive offices)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(Zip Code)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code: (704) 566-2400</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Not Applicable</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">____________________________________&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">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></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:6pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:6pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:99.80506822612085%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:3%;"></td><td style="width:97%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#9744;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#9744;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#9744;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#9744;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (&#167;230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (&#167;240.12b-2 of this chapter).</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Emerging growth company&#160;&#160;&#9744;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&#160;13(a) of the Exchange Act.&#160;&#160;&#9744;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:99.80506822612085%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="1"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:100%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1.5px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1.5px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:5px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><a name="s58BC548FCA40545D89AC0B16D8B46217"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;-sec-extract:summary;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:11px;text-align:left;text-indent:34px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">On July 17, 2018, Sonic Automotive, Inc. issued a press release announcing its anticipated financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended June 30, 2018 and fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 (the &#8220;Earnings Press Release&#8221;). A copy of the Earnings Press Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:11px;text-align:left;text-indent:34px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(d)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Exhibits.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:9%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:90%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:1px;padding-top:1px;text-align:center;padding-left:1px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;Exhibit&#160;&#160;</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:1px;padding-top:1px;text-align:center;padding-left:1px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">No.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">99.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:middle;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><a style="text-decoration:underline;color:#0000FF;-sec-extract:exhibit;" href="sonicq22018earningspre-rel.htm"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Press Release of Sonic Automotive, Inc., dated July 17, 2018.</font></a></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:23px;text-align:left;text-indent:34px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the exhibit attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be &#8220;filed&#8221; for purposes of Section&#160;18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#8220;Exchange Act&#8221;), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:8px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><a name="s4D034905FC7D53EEA2908466FEDBA174"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">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></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;">&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:61%;"></td><td style="width:4%;"></td><td style="width:35%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:20px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Date: July 17, 2018</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">By:</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ STEPHEN K. COSS</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Stephen K. Coss</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Senior Vice President and General Counsel</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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<TYPE>EX-99.1
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<FILENAME>sonicq22018earningspre-rel.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
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<div><a name="s9B91C9BB9D633AC3F23E8A95BEF9A0FE"></a></div><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit 99.1</font></div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Gross Margin Pressure in Key Brands Negatively Impacted 2018 Second Quarter Results and Schedules Release of 2018 Second Quarter Results</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">CHARLOTTE, N.C. &#8211; </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">July&#160;17, 2018</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">&#32;&#8211;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation&#8217;s largest automotive retailers, today announced that second quarter earnings were negatively impacted by lower than anticipated new vehicle gross profit per unit in certain key brands. </font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:underline;">Commentary</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Jeff Dyke, the Company&#8217;s Executive Vice President of Operations, noted, &#8220;Our BMW and Honda dealerships historically have represented approximately 40% of our store level profits. Beginning in the second quarter, new vehicle gross profit per unit at our BMW and Honda dealerships was significantly lower than expected due primarily to lower manufacturer-to-dealer incentives on certain models. We believe we will continue to see margin pressure in these brands through the third quarter, however, we are optimistic that support from our manufacturer partners and highly anticipated new model releases from BMW in the fourth quarter will drive consumer demand and increased profitability on new units.&#8221;</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Heath Byrd, the Company&#8217;s Chief Financial Officer, noted, &#8220;As a result of the headwinds that Jeff noted, we now expect diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2018 to be between $0.37 and $0.41 and on an adjusted basis to be between $0.32 and $0.36.  For the full year 2018, we now expect diluted earnings per share from continuing operations to be between $1.65 and $1.75 and on an adjusted basis to be between $1.90 and $2.00.  Both the second quarter and full year adjusted earnings per share ranges exclude non-operating items such as impairment charges, legal and storm damage charges, long-term compensation-related charges and lease exit adjustments, offset partially by gains from the disposal of franchises.&#8221;</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The below table provides a reconciliation of the non-GAAP ranges to the corresponding GAAP amounts.  In determining the adjusted amounts, the Company has considered actual year-to-date non-operating items as described above, but has not made reserves for potential future non-operating items with respect to its projections for third and fourth quarter results.</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="14"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:51%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td><td style="width:10%;"></td><td style="width:1%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="6" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Three Months Ended </font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">June 30, 2018</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="6" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Twelve Months Ending </font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">December 31, 2018</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Low</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">High</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Low</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">High</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Expected GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font 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style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">1.65</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">1.75</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Adjustments:</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:20px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Impairment charges</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.17</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.17</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.24</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.24</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:20px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Legal and storm damage charges</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.05</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.05</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.08</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.08</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:20px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Long-term compensation-related charges</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.40</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.40</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.55</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.55</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:20px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Lease exit adjustments</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">(0.04</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-right:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">(0.04</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-right:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.04</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.04</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:20px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Gain on disposal of franchises</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">(0.63</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-right:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">(0.63</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-right:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">(0.66</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-right:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">(0.66</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-right:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">Expected adjusted non-GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.32</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">0.36</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">1.90</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">2.00</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measure, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, improves the transparency of the Company&#8217;s disclosure, provides a meaningful presentation of the Company&#8217;s results from its core business operations excluding the impact of items not related to the Company&#8217;s ongoing core business operations and improves the period-to-period comparability of the Company&#8217;s results from its core business operations.</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:underline;">Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Sonic today announced it will release fiscal 2018 second quarter financial results on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 7:30 A.M. (Eastern). Senior management will hold a conference call on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. (Eastern).</font></div><div><br></div><div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div></div><div><br></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">To access the live broadcast of the call over the Internet, go to </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:underline;">www.sonicautomotive.com</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, then click on &#8220;Our Company,&#8221; then &#8220;Investor Relations,&#8221; then &#8220;Earnings Conference Calls.&#8221;</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The conference call will also be available live by dialing in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call at:</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Domestic: (877) 450-3867 <br>International: (706) 643-0958 <br>Conference ID: 2348946</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">A conference call replay will be available one hour following the call for seven days and can be accessed by calling: </font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Domestic: (855) 859-2056 <br>International: (404) 537-3406 <br>Conference ID: 2348946</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Presentation materials for the Company&#8217;s earnings conference call will be accessible beginning the morning of the conference call on the Company&#8217;s website at </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:underline;">www.sonicautomotive.com</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;by clicking on &#8220;Our Company,&#8221; then &#8220;Investor Relations,&#8221; then &#8220;Webcasts &amp; Presentations.&#8221;</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:underline;">About Sonic Automotive</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 500 company based in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the nation&#8217;s largest automotive retailers.  Sonic can be reached on the web at </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:underline;">www.sonicautomotive.com</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">. More information about EchoPark Automotive can be found at </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:underline;">www.echopark.com</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:underline;">Forward-Looking Statements</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to our earnings expectations for the second quarter of 2018 and for the full year 2018.  There are many factors that affect management&#8217;s views about future events and trends of the Company&#8217;s business.  These factors involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or trends to differ materially from management&#8217;s views, including without limitation, economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, new and used vehicle industry sales volume, the success of our operational strategies, the rate and timing of overall economic recovery or decline, and the risk factors described in the Company&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December&#160;31, 2017. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.</font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td style="width:8%;"></td><td style="width:92%;"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Contact:</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Heath Byrd, Chief Financial Officer (704) 566-2400</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">C.G. Saffer, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (704) 566-2439</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:105%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div></div>	</body>
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