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Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Expansion of Acquisition Credit Facility

9 June 1999

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Expansion of Acquisition Credit Facility

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 7 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc.
announced today that availability under its Credit Facility with Ford Motor
Credit has been increased from $100 million to $150 million.
    O. Bruton Smith, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
stated, "With the recent completion of a secondary equity offering and
increased borrowing availability, Sonic Automotive has the capital available
to continue to execute its acquisition strategy.  Our acquisition pipeline
remains full and we see continued opportunity to grow earnings by executing
our disciplined acquisition strategy."
    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 risk
factors set forth from time to time in the Company's recent filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.