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Sonic Automotive Continues to Achieve Efficiencies of Scale

19 May 2000

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Continues to Achieve Efficiencies of Scale Through Consolidation of Their Retail Lenders

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 18 Sonic Automotive, Inc.
is pleased to introduce WFS Financial as a member of their Preferred Retail
Lending Group.
    Mr. B. Scott Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sonic
Automotive, Inc., stated, "We are pleased to have WFS Financial join our group
of Preferred Retail Lenders.  We were impressed with the level of service and
commitment that WFS provided our California stores.  We wanted to build upon
that relationship by having WFS join our Preferred Retail Lending Program
nationally."
    "Our relationship with Sonic Automotive reinforces our commitment to
develop strategic alliances which allow WFS to provide relationship lending
services through preferred national accounts," stated Joy Schaefer, Chief
Executive Officer for WFS Financial.  Schaefer continued, "We are proud to be
a preferred lender for Sonic and believe that WFS will provide additional
strength and depth to Sonic's existing lending relationships."