Sonic Automotive, Inc. Appoints E. Lee Wyatt as Chief Financial Officer

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 23 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. today announced the appointment of E. Lee Wyatt to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Wyatt will be responsible for overseeing Sonic's financial, investor relations, tax, treasury, internal auditing, and human resources functions.

Mr. Wyatt brings to Sonic more than 20 years of experience working with public and private companies. Most recently, Mr. Wyatt served for four years as Vice President Administration and Chief Financial Officer for Sealy, Inc. A $1.2 billion revenue privately-owned company with public reporting requirements, Sealy is a market leader in the bedding industry with global manufacturing and licensing operations. Mr. Wyatt served as a member of Sealy's senior management team, and was responsible for all aspects of company finances as well as investor relations, information technology, and purchasing.

"Lee's extensive financial operations and capital management skills make him an ideal choice for our Company," said O. Bruton Smith, Sonic's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are proud to have Lee join our organization and look forward to his contributions to the ongoing success of Sonic Automotive."

Prior to Sealy, Mr. Wyatt was Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration for the wholesale and distribution division of Brown Shoe Company. He also served as an auditor for Deloitte & Touche. Mr. Wyatt holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a BS degree in Accounting from Southern Illinois University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mr. Wyatt will report directly to Theodore M. Wright, President of Sonic Automotive. He assumes the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer following Mr. Wright's recent promotion.

About Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States operating 187 franchises and 45 collision repair centers. Sonic can be reached on the Web at www.sonicautomotive.com.

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