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Sonic Automotive, Inc. Adds Industry Leaders to Management Team

2 February 2000

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Adds Industry Leaders to Management Team

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 2 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc.
announced today additions to its operations management team, completing
development of its operations infrastructure.  Three new geographic operating
divisions have been created within Sonic Automotive which will be led by
Division Vice Presidents.  The Division Vice Presidents will report to Jeffrey
C. Rachor, the Company's Executive Vice President of Retail Operations and
will be responsible for all phases of dealership operations in their
respective divisions.
    "Our new Division Vice Presidents will provide Sonic with demonstrated
expertise in operating dealerships and achieving high standards of market
penetration and customer satisfaction on behalf of automobile manufacturers,"
stated Jeffrey C. Rachor.
    The Western Division, comprised of California and Nevada, is led by
Michael A. Lee.  Mike was formerly Vice President of Sales, Retail Development
and Strategic Planning at Southeast Toyota Distributors, a private distributor
of Toyota automobiles and related products.  Mr. Lee was instrumental in
developing marketing and Internet strategies for Southeast Toyota.  He will be
responsible for unification of Sonic's business-to-consumer E-commerce
programs and will be taking a lead role in developing consistent retailing and
sub-branding strategies for Sonic.  Mike has nearly 20 years experience in the
automotive industry with experience in retail sales, service, parts and
distribution.
    Rene Isip will lead Sonic's Central Division with operations in Texas and
Oklahoma.  Rene joined Sonic as Dealer Operator of Lute Riley Honda in Dallas,
Texas.  Lute Riley Honda is the second largest Honda dealership in the United
States and the most profitable of Sonic's over 100 dealerships.  Rene provides
Sonic a proven retail operator with experience operating high volume, high
profit dealerships.  Lute Riley Honda is also a leader in Internet marketing
processes with over 600 units sold and over $12 million in Internet-related
revenue for 1999.
    Sonic's Eastern Division is the responsibility of B. Lee Crumpton, Jr.,
who has 22 years of experience in automotive retailing.  The Eastern Division
has operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio,
South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.  Lee was previously operator of
Gwinnett Honda in Atlanta, Georgia, a dealership owned by the Hendrick
Automotive Group.  Lee has extensive experience in improving sales and
profitability at underperforming dealerships and has developed industry-
leading sales management processes at Gwinnett Honda, the country's third
largest Honda dealership.  Mr. Crumpton is also an industry pioneer in
Internet marketing with Internet marketing efforts initiated in 1995 at
Gwinnett Honda.
    O. Bruton Smith, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
stated, "Sonic has the premier management team in the industry.  Our team of
proven, professional automotive retailers is second to none and is prepared to
continue Sonic's impressive track record of improving dealership operating
performance."
    Sonic Automotive, Inc. is the second largest automotive retailer in the
United States, with operations in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia,
Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and
Virginia.  Sonic currently operates 158 franchises and 29 collision repair
centers.
    Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with
respect to anticipated earnings 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.

    Contact: Theodore M. Wright, Chief Financial Officer of Sonic Automotive,
              Inc. (704) 532-3347.
             J. Todd Atenhan, Investor Relations of Sonic Automotive, Inc.
              (888) 766-4218.
             Val Holley-Dennis, Media Relations of Sonic Automotive, Inc.
             (704) 660-3424.

    Internet Address:  http://www.sonicautomotive.com