<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001965353-23-000136.txt : 20230830
<SEC-HEADER>0001965353-23-000136.hdr.sgml : 20230830
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20230830163442
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001965353-23-000136
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	144
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20230830
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20230830

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	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:		144
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13395
		FILM NUMBER:		231225697

	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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Byrd Heath
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001574017

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		144

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4401 COLWICK ROAD
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28211
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>144
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001574017</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0001043509</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>001-13395</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>4401 COLWICK ROAD</com:street1>
        <com:city>CHARLOTTE</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>NC</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>28211</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>704-566-2400</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>Byrd Heath</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>MERRILL LYNCH</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>3455 PEACHTREE RD NE</com:street1>
          <com:street2>SUITE 1000</com:street2>
          <com:city>ATLANTA</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>GA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>30326</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>39595</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>2138130.00</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>23412610</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>08/30/2023</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NEW YORK</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>08/30/2023</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>STOCK OPTION EXERCISE</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>39595</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>08/30/2023</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>COMPENSATORY PAYMENT</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>N</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
      <sellerDetails>
        <name>HEATH BYRD</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>4401 COLWICK ROAD</com:street1>
          <com:city>CHARLOTTE</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>NC</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>28211</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </sellerDetails>
      <securitiesClassTitle>COMMON</securitiesClassTitle>
      <saleDate>07/19/2023</saleDate>
      <amountOfSecuritiesSold>5473</amountOfSecuritiesSold>
      <grossProceeds>295841.44</grossProceeds>
    </securitiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>08/30/2023</noticeDate>
      <planAdoptionDates>
        <planAdoptionDate>02/17/2023</planAdoptionDate>
      </planAdoptionDates>
      <signature>HEATH BYRD</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
