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Sonic Automotive, Inc. Awarded Two Volvo Satellite Franchises

24 February 1998

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Awarded Two Volvo Satellite Franchises

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 24 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc.
announced today that Volvo Cars of North America Inc. has granted
Sonic Automotive, Inc. approval to open two new Volvo satellite dealerships in
the Greater Atlanta Metropolitan area.
    Construction will begin immediately with the first facility opening in the
first quarter of 1999.  These new locations will be subsidiaries of Sonic
Automotive's Dyer & Dyer Volvo of Atlanta, the largest Volvo dealership in the
United States.
    The Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, B. Scott Smith,
stated "Our relationship with Volvo Cars led by Richard Dyer (the former owner
of Sonic Automotive's Dyer & Dyer Volvo dealership) was critical to obtaining
these new points.  We will continue to search for acquisition candidates that
offer more than just a dealership.  We are acquiring dealerships and groups
with management that can help us continue to grow our business."
    O. Bruton Smith, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
stated that "These new points demonstrate our commitment to building market
share in our existing markets.  We are particularly excited about these new
Volvo points as they fit perfectly into our strategic plans to expand the
luxury import segment of our business.  Volvo is one of the strongest
franchises in the Atlanta market and by leveraging our resources of Dyer &
Dyer Volvo, the upside opportunity is tremendous."
    Theodore M. Wright, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, stated that
"Financially, this is an excellent opportunity for Sonic Automotive, Inc.  The
return on investment in a new franchise location is higher than from an
acquisition transaction due to the dramatically lower investment."
    Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with
respect to anticipated revenue growth.  There are many factors which affect
management's views about future events and trends of the Company's business.
These factors involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results
or trends to differ materially from management's view, including without
limitation economic conditions, risks associated with acquisitions and the
risk factors set forth from time to time in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE  Sonic Automotive, Inc.