---

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Closes Riverside Dealership Group

8 March 2000

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Closes Riverside Dealership Group and Blount Strange Automotive Group Acquisitions

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 7 Sonic Automotive, Inc.
announced today that it has closed its acquisitions of the
Riverside Dealership Group in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Blount Strange
Automotive Group in Montgomery, Alabama.  The Riverside Dealership Group
includes Riverside Chevrolet, Riverside Nissan and Jim Glover Dodge.  The
Blount Strange Automotive Group includes Blount Strange Ford Lincoln-Mercury,
Cobb Pontiac-Cadillac, and Royal Motor Company (Chrysler-Jeep) whose names
have been subsequently changed to Friendly Ford Lincoln-Mercury, Classic
Cadillac-Pontiac and City Chrysler-Jeep, respectively.  Combined, these six
dealerships have estimated revenues of approximately $425.0 million.
    In 1999, the Company closed 73 dealership acquisitions totaling
approximately $2.9 billion in 1998 revenues.  The Riverside Dealership Group
and Blount Strange Automotive Group acquisitions mark the Company's first
dealership closings of 2000.
    O. Bruton Smith, Sonic's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, comments,
"These acquisitions represent a continuation of Sonic's disciplined
acquisition strategy.  The Blount Strange Automotive Group Acquisition
continues Sonic's growth in brand diversification and market share in the
Montgomery, Alabama market.  We've experienced terrific same store growth in
the Montgomery market and believe our volume pricing and brand diversity will
benefit the wonderful people of Montgomery."
    The Riverside Dealership Group acquisition is Sonic's first acquisition in
Tulsa, Oklahoma as it looks to consolidate dealerships in that market.  These
dealerships will fall under Sonic's Central Division under the leadership of
Rene Isip, Division Vice President.
    "We're excited to enter the Tulsa market, a fast-growing market, with
strong brands and market share.  This is an example of the kind of high
growth, medium-sized market Sonic is seeking to enter.  Tulsa is also a great
truck market and we will represent some of the best truck and sport utility
vehicle brands with Chevrolet, Dodge and Nissan," stated B. Scott Smith, the
Company's President and Chief Operating Officer.
    The Blount Strange Automotive Group acquisition adds three new dealerships
to Sonic's existing Montgomery, Alabama operations.  Sonic now owns and
operates six dealerships in this market including the following franchises:
Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lincoln, Mercury,
Mitsubishi and Pontiac.
    Sonic Automotive, Inc. is the second largest automotive retailer in the
United States operating 172 franchises and 30 collision repair centers in
Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio,
Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
    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.

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

    http://www.sonicautomotive.com