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Sonic Automotive to Pilot Chase Automotive Finance's Dealer Internet Site

5 April 2000

Sonic Automotive to Pilot Chase Automotive Finance's Dealer Internet Site

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 5 Sonic Automotive, Inc.
, the second largest publicly owned dealership group in the United
States, announced today that it is entering into a pilot program with The
Chase Manhattan Bank to conduct business via Chase's auto dealer
Business-to-Business web site.  Under the terms of the pilot, Sonic will begin
utilizing the system in 16 of its 172 dealership franchises beginning this
month.
    The pilot is an outgrowth of Chase's existing status as the National
Preferred Retail Lender for Sonic.  Chase is one of the largest bank
originators of auto loans and leases in the United States.  Chase has more
than $23 billion in receivables in its auto finance portfolio, and Chase
maintains a network of approximately 9,000 auto dealers nationwide.
    "Chase Automotive Finance is an industry leader in both lending and
technology, and we have enjoyed a highly successful relationship with Chase
since they became a founding member of our Preferred Lending Group," said Mr.
Peter D'Angelo, Sonic's Director of Retail Lending.
    Mr. B. Scott Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sonic
Automotive, Inc., stated, "This browser-based application will enable our
dealerships to transform the entire credit process to an e-commerce model
while integrating into SonicNet, our wide area network.  This finance and
insurance application provides us with the potential to communicate
electronically with our preferred lenders."
    Mr. Smith added, "We have been working very hard to build a practical
working business model that incorporates traditional, B2B and B2C applications
that will yield immediate returns.  Sonic Automotive is embracing new
technologies that will give us competitive advantages over other dealers in
the marketplace and over the Internet 'Broker Model.'  By minimizing many of
the manual processes in the traditional finance and insurance sales model, we
are positioning Sonic to support the processes and expectations of the
Internet consumer.  In addition, this Browser-based application allows Sonic
to aggregate our own auto-financing portfolio and access vital business
information on a real time basis."
    Mr. O. Bruton Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sonic
Automotive, Inc., stated, "Chase is clearly an innovator.  I am very impressed
with the vision and response to consumer demand that Chase has demonstrated.
We are pleased to have this opportunity to pilot their Browser-based
application. This is proof that e-Business is not just another focus of our
business, but it is an integral part of our business strategy."

    About Chase:
    The Chase Manhattan Corporation (http://www.chase.com ) is a premier global
financial services firm with assets in excess of $400 billion.  Chase combines
the best of commercial and investment banking, offers world-class information
and transaction processing services, and has a leading U.S. consumer franchise
that serves 32 million customers.  Through its newly formed business unit
Chase.com, Chase is successfully creating innovative business models for the
New Economy.  Chase, with offices in more than 45 countries, has a presence in
all of the principal financial centers around the world.

    About Sonic:
    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.   Sonic has
experienced nine consecutive quarters of greater than 50% growth in earnings
per share.  Sonic Automotive can be reached on the Web at
http://www.sonicautomotive.com .

    Safe Harbor Statement:
    Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with
respect to anticipated revenue growth.  There are many factors that 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.