<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001965353-24-000154.txt : 20240429
<SEC-HEADER>0001965353-24-000154.hdr.sgml : 20240429
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20240429172921
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001965353-24-000154
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	144
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20240429
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20240429

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001043509
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS [5500]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	07 Trade & Services
		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:		24893007

	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:			SMITH DAVID BRUTON
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001448501
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		144

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
		STREET 2:		6415 IDLEWILD ROAD, SUITE 109
		CITY:			CHARLOTTE
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28212
</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>0001448501</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>SMITH DAVID BRUTON</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Director</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>Merrill Lynch</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>3455 Peachtree Rd NE</com:street1>
          <com:street2>Ste 1000</com:street2>
          <com:city>Atlanta</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>GA</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>30326</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>152401</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>9335271.00</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>21861771</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>04/29/2024</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>04/29/2024</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Exercise of a Stock Award</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Sonic Automotive, Inc</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>152401</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>04/29/2024</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Compensatory Payment</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>04/29/2024</noticeDate>
      <signature>David Bruton Smith</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
