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Sonic Automotive, Inc. Elects Members To The Board of Directors

19 December 1997

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Elects Members To The Board of Directors

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 19 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc.
, announces the election of two officers to the Board of Directors.
    Nelson E. Bowers II, Executive Vice President of Sonic Automotive, Inc.
was elected to the Board of Directors for Sonic Automotive, Inc.  Mr. Bowers
owned a controlling interest in the Bowers Transportation Group that was
recently acquired by Sonic Automotive, Inc.  He has worked in the retail
automobile industry since 1974.  Mr. Bowers has served on national dealer
councils for BMW and Volvo and has owned and operated dealerships since 1979.
Several of the dealerships owned by Mr. Bowers have been awarded the highest
awards available from manufacturers for customer satisfaction, such as,
"Presidents Award for BMW and Volvo," and the "Honda Dealer Excellence Award."
    William P. Benton of Ogilvy & Mather, Detroit was also elected to the
Board of Directors for Sonic Automotive, Inc.  Mr. Benton is a highly
experienced and well recognized worldwide automotive sales and marketing
executive.  Following a very successful career with Ford Motor Company,
including numerous key executive positions spanning a period of 37 years, Mr.
Benton accepted a position as Deputy Chairman of British Car Auction Group
PLC, and Chairman and CEO of its two U.S. operations, British Car Auction
Group, Inc. and Sandgate Corp. and remained in that capacity until early 1986.
From there he went to Wells, Rich, Greene/BDDP, Inc. as Vice Chairman, until
January 1997 when he joined Ogilvy & Mather as Executive Director.  In
addition, Mr. Benton also serves as a director on the Board of Directors for
Speedway Motorsports, Inc. .
    "The experience and knowledge that Mr. Benton and Mr. Bowers bring to
Sonic Automotive, Inc. are without parallel and will add invaluable expertise
to the management team," says Bruton Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Sonic Automotive, Inc.

SOURCE  Sonic Automotive, Inc.