Sonic Automotive Named to List of 100 Fastest-Growing Companies

    CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Aug. 22, 2001--Sonic Automotive, Inc. announced today that it has been named to the 15th position on the prestigious list of Fortune's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies, which highlights the fastest-growing companies in America based on revenue growth, earnings per share growth and total stock market return over the past three years.
    The list appeared in Fortune's September 3, 2001 issue. This ranking not only marks Sonic Automotive's first appearance on the list but also establishes them as the fastest-growing publicly traded automotive retailer.
    Scott Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sonic Automotive, Inc. stated, "We are proud to be recognized in this exclusive ranking as one of Fortune's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies. This honor could not have happened without the hard work, dedication and expertise of all our employees over the past three years. Our Company's continued success reflects the sustained execution of a solid, well thought out business model that derives strength from all areas of operation including consumer service, parts, finance, insurance as well as new and used vehicle sales."
    Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company and member of the Russell 2000 Index, is the second largest automotive retailer in the United States operating 163 franchises and 30 collision repair centers in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Sonic Automotive can be reached on the Web at www.sonicautomotive.com.