Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Four More Dealerships

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 5 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. announced today that it has acquired or entered into agreements to acquire four additional dealerships. The four additional dealerships have combined annual revenues of approximately $200 million. Acquisition of one of the four dealerships, Stone Mountain Chevrolet, has been completed. The remaining acquisitions are expected to close in the third or fourth quarter of 2002. Closing of the pending transactions is subject to normal closing conditions, including manufacturers' approval. With today's announcement, the Company has announced acquisitions that complete its previously stated acquisition targets for 2002.

The dealerships to be acquired are:

* Stone Mountain Chevrolet, located in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area; * Crow Brothers Toyota, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma; * Capital Imports (including Audi, Hyundai and Subaru dealerships) in Columbia, South Carolina; and * Mountain States Motors, a Volkswagen dealership in Denver, Colorado.

All dealerships to be acquired operate in markets where Sonic has existing operations. Three of these dealerships will require relocation to realize their full potential and sites for two of the dealerships have already been secured. Relocating dealerships illustrates Sonic's ability to add value for shareholders and automobile manufacturers through its real estate development expertise and access to capital. The acquired dealerships will improve brand diversity in these markets, build local market share and take advantage of the Company's existing management infrastructure.

O. Bruton Smith, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated "Once again, Sonic is demonstrating our execution of a consistent, disciplined acquisition growth strategy by adding stores with outstanding brands in our existing markets. Our recently completed acquisitions, including the 16 former Don Massey dealerships, are integrating well into our operations. We expect limited additional acquisition activity for the remainder of 2002 and early 2003 as we focus on acquisition integration and improving performance of our existing dealerships."

About Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company and member of the Russell 2000 Index, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States operating 187 franchises and 44 collision repair centers in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Sonic Automotive can be reached on the Web at www.sonicautomotive.com.