---

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Completes Dealership Acquisition

30 September 1998

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Completion Of Dealership Acquisition And Promotion Of Two Executives

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 29 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc.
announced today that it has closed its previously announced
acquisition of the Higginbotham Dealership Group. This automotive group has
dealerships in Daytona Beach, Florida and New Smyrna Beach, Florida including
Higginbotham Chevrolet-Oldsmobile, Inc.; Halifax Ford-Mercury, Inc; and
Higginbotham Automobiles (Mercedes-Benz and Acura), Sonic's first Mercedes
franchise. Collectively, Sonic has acquired dealerships representing
approximately $116 million in 1997 revenues.
    As a result of this acquisition, Dennis D. Higginbotham, former owner of
the Higginbotham Dealership Group, has joined Sonic as President of Retail
Operations. As President of Retail Operations, Mr. Higginbotham will have
day-to-day management oversight of all of Sonic's dealerships ensuring that
they maintain the Company's performance standards at all locations.
    Mr. Higginbotham has 33 years of automotive retail experience. In 1965, he
began his automotive career with General Motors. He held various positions
with GM including District Manager, Service Manager, Truck Marketing Manager,
Regional Marketing Manager, National Exhibit Manager and Used Vehicle Manager.
In 1976, he acquired his first franchises as a dealer and opened Higginbotham
Chevrolet-Oldsmobile in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. His automotive group
included three dealerships representing five brands and a satellite used car
lot. He has served on National Dealer Councils and National Marketing
Committees for various manufacturers. Mr. Higginbotham also has several civic
responsibilities including board positions with the Utilities Commission of
the City of New Smyrna Beach, the State of Florida Investment Advisory
Commission and Barnett Banks of Florida.
    States Mr. Higginbotham, "Sonic Automotive is led by people like Bruton
Smith, Scott Smith and myself who know the auto retailing business. I had
opportunities to join other organizations but believed the successful public
auto retailers will be led by auto retailing professionals."
    In addition, Sonic Automotive has promoted Jeffrey C. Rachor, Mid-South
Regional Vice President, to Vice President of Retail Operations. Previously,
Mr. Rachor had management oversight responsibilities for the Company's
Mid-South Region, including dealerships in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and
South Carolina. Prior to joining Sonic, he was President and Chief Operating
Officer of Bowers Transportation Group, a multi-franchise dealership group
with annual revenues in excess of $200 million. Before entering auto
retailing, Mr. Rachor worked with auto manufacturers holding such positions as
Assistant Regional Manager with American Suzuki Motor Company and Field
Manager with the Buick Motor Division of General Motors. Mr. Rachor is a
graduate of Michigan State University where General Motors sponsored him
through their cooperative program.
    "Mr. Rachor's diverse operating experience will be invaluable in executing
professional management disciplines across our organization. Jeff has proven
himself a skillful manager of multiple dealership operations and has generated
outstanding profits and customer satisfaction performance for Sonic," said 0.
Bruton Smith, Sonic's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Higginbotham
also added, "I am looking forward to Jeff's support in my new role."
    B. Scott Smith, Sonic's President and Chief Operating Officer, said,
"Sonic continues to leverage its own human resources and promote from within
the professional automotive retailers who have joined the Company as the
result of acquisitions. People are the most important assets we evaluate when
acquiring dealerships."
    Sonic Automotive, Inc. is one of the leading automotive retailers in the
United States, with operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina,
Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. On a pro forma basis, Sonic
operates 38 dealerships representing 24 different brands, and 13 collision
repair centers.
    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.