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Sonic Implements Competitive Purchasing With bbcn.com's Online Marketplace

29 February 2000

             Top Auto Retailer Supplements Expense Reduction Strategy
                           With E-procurement System

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 29 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. today announced that it will implement competitive online
purchasing at its dealerships through bbcn.com, an Internet-based marketplace
allowing competitive purchasing between automotive dealerships and their
supply partners.  The move coincides with the company's progressive
initiatives to reduce expenses and increase profitability for dealers and
shareholders.
    By subscribing to the bbcn.com e-procurement site, Sonic dealers will be
able to purchase a broad range of products, goods and services.  Based on
specific category identifications, the site will electronically notify a list
of pre-approved and randomly selected suppliers of a dealer's purchase
inquiry.  Suppliers can then electronically submit a response.
     "We believe that bbcn.com will help our dealers to be more profitable,"
said B. Scott Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sonic
Automotive, Inc. "We are always looking for new ways to save time and money.
I can't imagine a better way to support our dealers - we're streamlining
purchases through our preferred supplier network, but operating within a
competitive landscape, so they get the best price every time."
    The system significantly reduces marketing costs and increases efficiency
for both dealers and suppliers.  Once the anticipated savings is realized at
the first three dealerships, Sonic will implement the service throughout its
115-store nationwide dealer network.
    "We're thrilled the second largest publicly traded dealer group recognizes
the value of the e-procurement system developed by bbcn.com," said Les Hall,
co-founder of bbcn.com.  "Sonic sees the potential of our software, one that
would have been costly to develop in-house, to further its expense reduction
and provide central administration capability."
    "Sonic has exhibited its industry leadership by embracing methods for
managing processes," said George Armstrong, chief technology officer and
executive vice president of bbcn.com.  "By employing our Web enabled system,
Sonic not only takes its own business practices to the next level, but it also
sets a good example for the entire automotive industry."

    About bbcn.com
    bbcn.com is an Internet-based marketplace allowing for competitive
purchasing to take place between automotive dealerships and their supply
partners.  bbcn.com provides a secure, efficient and centralized on-line
process designed to measurably reduce expenses and increase net profits for
all participants.  At bbcn.com, users may harness the power of a vertical
portal that effectively matches buyers and sellers within the automotive
dealership industry.  For more information, call 1-877-222-6266 or visit
http://www.bbcn.com

    About Sonic Automotive, Inc.
    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.  Sonic operates 165 franchises and 30 collision repair centers with
an estimated revenue run rate of approximately $6 billion.