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Sonic Automotive, Inc. Closes FirstAmerica Automotive, Inc. Acquisition

15 December 1999

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Closes FirstAmerica Automotive, Inc. Acquisition and Other Acquisitions

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 14 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc.
announced today that it has closed its acquisition of FirstAmerica
Automotive, Inc., an owner and operator of franchised automotive dealerships
based in San Francisco, California.  FirstAmerica Automotive, Inc. currently
owns 29 dealerships in California and Nevada and has estimated proforma 1999
revenues of over $1.6 billion.  Sonic also announced that it has closed its
previously announced acquisition of the Freeland Automotive Group in
Ft. Myers, Florida and acquisitions of Village Volvo in Bel Air, Maryland and
Volvo of Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada.
    O. Bruton Smith, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
stated, "We are delighted to have completed the largest transaction in U.S.
automotive retailing history ahead of schedule.  We wish to welcome all of the
outstanding employees of FirstAmerica Automotive, Inc. to Sonic Automotive,
Inc."
    Tom Price, the Company's Vice Chairman and former Chief Executive Officer
of FirstAmerica Automotive, Inc., stated, "The combined resources of Sonic
Automotive and FirstAmerica make us far stronger than either independent
entity.  Our management team, brand diversity and geographic diversity are the
best in automotive retailing and will lead to continued industry-leading
growth and success."
    In 1999, the Company has closed 71 dealership acquisitions totaling
approximately $2.9 billion in 1998 revenues.  Sonic has now closed all
publicly-announced acquisitions to date.
    Sonic Automotive, Inc. is one of the leading automotive retailers in the
United States, with operations in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,
Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and
Virginia.  Upon completion of these acquisitions, Sonic will operate
159 franchises and 30 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 recent filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.