Sonic Automotive, Inc. Reports Record Results and Launch of EchoPark® Automotive

Adjusted Continuing Operations Quarterly EPS of $0.63

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Fourth Quarter 2014 Results

  • Record Q4 new retail units of 34,755, up 2.2%, over the prior year quarter
  • Record Q4 pre-owned units and gross profit of 26,406 and $37.8 million, respectively
  • Record Q4 fixed operations gross profit of $156.3 million, up 2.4% over the prior year quarter
  • Record Q4 total gross profit of $348.5 million, up 2.9% over the prior year quarter
  • EchoPark® stores in Denver open for business
  • One Sonic-One Experience launched in Charlotte

Full Year 2014 Results

  • Retailed an annual record new retail and pre-owned units of 135,932 and 110,113, respectively
  • Record annual pre-owned gross profit of $157.2 million
  • Record annual fixed operations gross profit of $623.5 million
  • Record annual total gross profit of $1.4 billion
  • Near record pre-tax income from continuing operations of $161.7 million

Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation's largest automotive retailers, today reported adjusted net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2014 of $32.5 million, or $0.63 per diluted share.  Included in these adjusted amounts are pre-tax expenses of $7.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, related to the Company's EchoPark® initiative and $3.8 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, related to its One Sonic-One Experience initiative.

Adjusted net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2013 was $35.6 million, or $0.67 per diluted share. Included in these adjusted amounts are pre-tax expenses of $2.2 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to the Company's EchoPark® initiative and $2.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, related to its One Sonic-One Experience initiative.

On a GAAP basis, net income from continuing operations and related diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter 2014 were $27.0 million and $0.52 per share, respectively, compared to $29.6 million and $0.55 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2013.  See the accompanying tables for details of quarterly adjustments.

Sonic reported full year 2014 adjusted net income from continuing operations of $100.0 million, or $1.90 per diluted share, that includes expenses of $15.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, related to the Company's EchoPark® initiative and $10.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, related to its One Sonic-One Experience initiative.

For the full year of 2013, Sonic reported adjusted net income from continuing operations of $108.4 million, or $2.03 per diluted share that includes expenses of $5.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, related to EchoPark® and $6.7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, related its One Sonic-One Experience initiative.

On a GAAP basis, net income from continuing operations for full year of 2014 was $98.6 million, or $1.87 per diluted share, compared to full year 2013 results of $84.7 million, or $1.59 per diluted share.  See the accompanying tables for details of annual adjustments.

Jeff Dyke, Sonic's EVP of Operations, stated, "I could not be more pleased with our team's performance in the fourth quarter and for the year.  We started 2014 with a huge calendar including launching both EchoPark® and One Sonic-One Experience all in the fourth quarter of 2014.  The amount of preparation and effort that went into launching these critical programs was second to none and I want to personally thank everyone for the hard work and dedication it took to successfully bring both projects to life.  We look forward to sharing our progress as the projects gain momentum.   Despite the time and energy dedicated to the EchoPark® and One Sonic-One Experience initiatives, our operations team was able to turn in a record breaking quarter and year.  December was the biggest gross and profit month in our Company's history for any year or store count! 

We expect 2015 to be another great year as our team works diligently to deliver on our goals with EchoPark® and One Sonic-One Experience.  We are confident that as the year progresses we will be able to announce our second market for both EchoPark® and One Sonic-One Experience."

2015 Outlook

B. Scott Smith, the Company's President, noted, "I am very pleased with the performance of our team in the fourth quarter, especially considering the various initiatives we have tasked the team with during the year.  In addition to our internal initiatives, during the fourth quarter we purchased Cherry Creek Chevrolet and Land Rover of Roaring Fork, both located in the Denver, Colorado market.  We have also been awarded Mercedes Benz and Audi add points during the year.  The Mercedes Benz add point is located in McKinney, Texas and we believe it will be operational by the second quarter of 2016.  The Audi add point is located in the Pensacola, Florida area and we expect opening this point in late 2016.  The additions of these premium luxury brands will prove to augment our existing luxury brand portfolio.  We are dedicated to our EchoPark®, One Sonic–One Experience and growth through acquisitions initiatives and will continue to invest in these initiatives in 2015.  We expect 2015 to continue to be favorable to dealers and anticipate new vehicle industry volume to be between 16.5 million and 17.0 million units.  We project diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for 2015 to be between $1.85 and $1.95 per share.  Excluding the effects of EchoPark on this range, adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations from our historical franchised group of stores is expected to be between $2.01 and $2.11 per share.  We will have additional comments on our 2015 outlook in our earnings call later today."

Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call

Senior management will host a conference call today at 11:00 A.M. (Eastern) to discuss the quarter's results. To access the live broadcast of the call over the Internet go to: www.sonicautomotive.com, then click on "Our Company," then "Investor Relations," then "Earnings Conference Calls."

Presentation materials for the conference call can be accessed on the Company's website at www.sonicautomotive.com by clicking on the "Investor Relations" tab under "Our Company" and choosing "Webcasts & Presentations."

The conference call will also be available live by dialing in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call at:

Domestic: 1.877.450.3867
International: 1.706.643.0958
Conference ID: 74193723

A conference call replay will be available one hour following the call for seven days and can be accessed by calling:

Domestic: 1.855.859.2056
International: 1.404.537.3406
Conference ID: 74193723

About Sonic Automotive

Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 500 company based in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the nation's largest automotive retailers. Sonic can be reached on the web at www.sonicautomotive.com.

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to anticipated future success and impacts from the implementation of our planned customer experience and stand-alone pre-owned store initiatives. 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 in the markets in which we operate, new and used vehicle industry sales volume, the success of our operational strategies, the rate and timing of overall economic recovery or decline, and the risk factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2013. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information.

 

 


Sonic Automotive, Inc.


Results of Operations (Unaudited)




This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules, such as, but not limited to, adjusted income from continuing operations and related earnings per share data.  The Company has reconciled these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the release.  The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company's disclosure by providing period-to-period comparability of the Company's results from operations.














Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Year Ended December 31,




2014


2013


2014


2013




(In thousands, except per share and unit data)


Revenues:










   New retail vehicles


$          1,337,896


$          1,299,444


$          5,046,010


$          4,819,787


   Fleet vehicles


12,899


38,254


78,019


169,398


        Total new vehicles


1,350,795


1,337,698


5,124,029


4,989,185


   Used vehicles


562,993


551,028


2,310,247


2,176,034


   Wholesale vehicles


38,361


40,772


166,158


175,328


        Total vehicles


1,952,149


1,929,498


7,600,434


7,340,547


   Parts, service and collision repair


322,924


316,888


1,296,570


1,230,178


   Finance, insurance and other, net


76,755


68,983


300,095


272,443


        Total revenues


2,351,828


2,315,369


9,197,099


8,843,168


Gross profit


348,464


338,700


1,365,900


1,301,607


Selling, general and administrative expenses


(264,402)


(254,647)


(1,067,433)


(1,003,125)


Impairment charges


(6,379)


(9,803)


(6,594)


(9,872)


Depreciation and amortization


(15,213)


(14,986)


(58,260)


(54,007)


Operating income (loss)


62,470


59,264


233,613


234,603


Other income (expense):









   Interest expense, floor plan


(4,852)


(5,688)


(18,793)


(21,954)


   Interest expense, other, net


(12,614)


(13,183)


(53,190)


(55,485)


   Other income (expense), net


(2)


1


97


(28,143)


        Total other income (expense)


(17,468)


(18,870)


(71,886)


(105,582)


Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes


45,002


40,394


161,727


129,021


Provision for income taxes - benefit (expense)


(18,045)


(10,832)


(63,168)


(44,343)


Income (loss) from continuing operations


26,957


29,562


98,559


84,678


Income (loss) from discontinued operations


(831)


(1,478)


(1,342)


(3,060)


Net income (loss)


$               26,126


$               28,084


$               97,217


$               81,618











Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:









  Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations


$                   0.52


$                   0.55


$                   1.87


$                   1.59


  Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations


(0.02)


(0.02)


(0.03)


(0.06)


  Earnings (loss) per common share


$                   0.50


$                   0.53


$                   1.84


$                   1.53


  Weighted average common shares outstanding


51,834


52,974


52,563


52,941











Gross Margin Data (Continuing Operations):









   New retail vehicles


5.9%


6.3%


5.7%


5.9%


   Fleet vehicles


1.1%


2.2%


1.9%


2.6%


       Total new vehicles


5.8%


6.2%


5.6%


5.8%


   Used vehicles


6.7%


6.5%


6.8%


6.9%


   Wholesale vehicles


(2.9%)


(3.9%)


(2.2%)


(4.5%)


   Parts, service and collision repair


48.4%


48.2%


48.1%


48.5%


   Finance, insurance and other


100.0%


100.0%


100.0%


100.0%


      Overall gross margin


14.8%


14.6%


14.9%


14.7%











SG&A Expenses (Continuing Operations): 









   Compensation (4)


$             155,382


$             151,704


$             638,875


$             601,495


   Advertising


15,409


15,327


57,437


56,609


   Rent


18,384


17,632


73,707


73,976


   Other (5)


75,227


69,984


297,414


271,045


        Total SG&A expenses


$             264,402


$             254,647


$          1,067,433


$          1,003,125


   SG&A expenses as % of gross profit


75.9%


75.2%


78.1%


77.1%











Operating Margin %


2.7%


2.6%


2.5%


2.7%











Unit Data (Continuing Operations):









   New retail units


34,755


34,001


135,932


132,363


   Fleet units


352


1,250


2,485


5,911


       Total new units


35,107


35,251


138,417


138,274


    Used units


26,406


26,354


110,113


107,054


   Wholesale units


6,912


6,670


29,946


29,961

 

 


Sonic Automotive, Inc.


Results of Operations (Unaudited)





















Per Share Data



































Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2014







Income (Loss)


Income (Loss)











From Continuing


From Discontinued











Operations


Average


Net Income (Loss)





Weighted




Per




Per




Per





Average




Share




Share




Share





Shares


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount





(In thousands, except per share amounts)



Reported:

















   Earnings (loss) and shares


51,272


$     26,957




$       (831)




$     26,126





   Effect of participating securities:

















       Non-vested restricted stock

















        and stock units




(86)




-




(86)





   Basic earnings (loss) and shares


51,272


$     26,871


$       0.52


$       (831)


$      (0.01)


$     26,040


$       0.51



   Effect of dilutive securities:

















     Stock compensation plans


562















   Diluted earnings (loss) and shares (1)


51,834


$     26,871


$       0.52


$       (831)


$      (0.02)


$     26,040


$       0.50




















Adjustments (net of tax):

















   Fire and severe storm damage




$          594


$       0.01


$             -


$           -


$          594


$       0.01



   Legal and other




355


-


-


-


355


-



   Impairment charges




3,943


0.08


-


-


3,943


0.08



   Gain on disposal of franchises




(157)


-


-


-


(157)


-



   Permanent tax difference from disposals




853


0.02


-




853


0.02



     Total adjustments




$       5,588


$       0.11


$             -


$           -


$       5,588


$       0.11




















Adjusted:

















   Earnings (loss) and 

















     Diluted earnings (loss) per share




$     32,545


$       0.63


$       (831)


$      (0.02)


$     31,714


$       0.61




















(1) Expenses attributable to the EchoPark® initiative were $0.08 per fully diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2014. 












































Fourth Quarter Ended December 31, 2013







Income (Loss)


Income (Loss)











From Continuing


From Discontinued











Operations


Operations


Net Income (Loss)





Weighted




Per




Per




Per





Average




Share




Share




Share





Shares


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount





(In thousands, except per share amounts)



Reported:

















   Earnings (loss) and shares


52,492


$     29,562




$    (1,478)




$     28,084





   Effect of participating securities:

















   Non-vested restricted stock

















      and stock units




(208)




-




(208)





   Basic earnings (loss) and shares


52,492


$     29,354


$       0.56


$    (1,478)


$      (0.03)


$     27,876


$       0.53



   Effect of dilutive securities:

















   Stock compensation plans


482















   Diluted earnings (loss) and shares  (2)


52,974


$     29,354


$       0.55


$    (1,478)


$      (0.02)


$     27,876


$       0.53




















Adjustments (net of tax):

















   Impairment Charges




$       6,022


$       0.11


$             -


$             -


$       6,022


$       0.11



   Effect of two-class method & rounding




-


0.01


-


(0.01)


-


-



    Total adjustments




$       6,022


$       0.12


$             -


$      (0.01)


$       6,022


$       0.11




















Adjusted:

















   Earnings (loss) and 

















     Diluted earnings (loss) per share




$     35,584


$       0.67


$    (1,478)


$      (0.03)


$     34,106


$       0.64




















(2) Expenses attributable to the EchoPark® initiative were $0.03 per fully diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2013. 






































 


Sonic Automotive, Inc.


Results of Operations (Unaudited)




Per Share Data

































Year Ended December 31, 2014






Income (Loss)


Income (Loss)










From Continuing


From Discontinued










Operations


Operations


Net Income (Loss)




Weighted




Per




Per




Per




Average




Share




Share




Share




Shares


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount




(In thousands, except per share amounts)


Reported:
















   Earnings (loss) and shares


52,065


$     98,559




$    (1,342)




$     97,217




   Effect of participating securities:
















      Non-vested restricted stock
















         and stock units




(311)




-




(311)




   Basic earnings (loss) and shares


52,065


$     98,248


$       1.89


$    (1,342)


$      (0.03)


$     96,906


$       1.86


   Effect of dilutive securities:
















      Stock compensation plans


498














   Diluted earnings (loss) and shares (3)


52,563


$     98,248


$       1.87


$    (1,342)


$      (0.03)


$     96,906


$       1.84


















Adjustments (net of tax):
















   Fire and severe storm damage




$       2,685


$       0.05


$             -


$           -


$       2,685


$       0.05


   Legal and other




749


0.01


-


-


749


0.01


   Impairment charges




4,459


0.08


-


-


4,459


0.08


   Gain on disposal of franchises




(7,273)


(0.14)


-


-


(7,273)


(0.14)


   Permanent tax difference from disposals




853


0.02


-


-


853


0.02


   Lease exit adjustments




-


-


(844)


(0.02)


(844)


(0.02)


   Effect of two-class method & rounding




-


0.01


-


0.01


-


0.02


       Total adjustments




$       1,473


$       0.03


$       (844)


$      (0.01)


$          629


$       0.02


















Adjusted:
















   Earnings (loss) and 
















      Diluted earnings (loss) per share




$   100,032


$       1.90


$    (2,186)


$      (0.04)


$     97,846


$       1.86


















(3) Expenses attributable to the EchoPark® initiative were $0.18 per fully diluted share in the year ended December 31, 2014. 





































Year Ended December 31, 2013






Income (Loss)


Income (Loss)










From Continuing


From Discontinued










Operations


Operations


Net Income (Loss)




Weighted




Per




Per




Per




Average




Share




Share




Share




Shares


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount


Amount




(In thousands, except per share amounts)


Reported:
















   Earnings (loss) and shares


52,556


$     84,678




$    (3,060)




$     81,618




   Effect of participating securities:
















      Non-vested restricted stock
















          and stock units




(601)




-




(601)




   Basic earnings (loss) and shares


52,556


$     84,077


$       1.60


$    (3,060)


$      (0.06)


$     81,017


$       1.54


   Effect of dilutive securities:
















      Stock compensation plans


385














   Diluted earnings (loss) and shares (4)


52,941


$     84,077


$       1.59


$    (3,060)


$      (0.06)


$     81,017


$       1.53


















Adjustments (net of tax):
















   Impairment Charges




$       6,022


$       0.11


$             -


$           -


$       6,022


$       0.11


   Double-carry interest




17,704


0.33


-


-


17,704


0.33


   Effect of two-class method & rounding




-


-


-


0.01


-


0.01


      Total adjustments




$     23,726


$       0.44


$             -


$       0.01


$     23,726


$       0.45


















Adjusted:
















   Earnings (loss) and 
















      Diluted earnings (loss) per share




$   108,404


$       2.03


$    (3,060)


$      (0.05)


$   105,344


$       1.98


















(4) Expenses attributable to the EchoPark® initiative were $0.07 per fully diluted share in the year ended December 31, 2014. 


















 

 


Sonic Automotive, Inc.


Results of Operations (Unaudited)






New Vehicles






















Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)




2014


2013


Change


% Change




(In thousands, except units and per unit data)


Reported:









   Revenue


$          1,350,795


$          1,337,698


$               13,097


1.0%


   Gross profit .


$               78,734


$               82,936


$              (4,202)


(5.1%)


   Unit sales


35,107


35,251


(144)


(0.4%)


   Revenue per unit


$               38,477


$               37,948


$                    529


1.4%


   Gross profit per unit


$                 2,243


$                 2,353


$                 (110)


(4.7%)


   Gross profit as a % of revenue


5.8%


6.2%


(40)

bps














Year Ended December 31, 


Better / (Worse)




2014


2013


Change


% Change




(In thousands, except units and per unit data)


Reported:









   Revenue


$          5,124,029


$          4,989,185


$             134,844


2.7%


   Gross profit


$             288,626


$             289,603


$                 (977)


(0.3%)


   Unit sales


138,417


138,274


143


0.1%


   Revenue per unit


$               37,019


$               36,082


$                    937


2.6%


   Gross profit per unit


$                 2,085


$                 2,094


$                     (9)


(0.4%)


   Gross profit as a % of revenue


5.6%


5.8%


(20)

bps














Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)




2014


2013


Change


% Change




(In thousands, except units and per unit data)


Same Store:









   Revenue


$          1,338,612


$          1,292,378


$               46,234


3.6%


   Gross profit


$               78,136


$               80,604


$              (2,468)


(3.1%)


   Unit sales


34,723


34,006


717


2.1%


   Revenue per unit


$               38,551


$               38,004


$                    547


1.4%


   Gross profit per unit


$                 2,250


$                 2,370


$                 (120)


(5.1%)


   Gross profit as a % of revenue


5.8%


6.2%


(40)

bps














Year Ended December 31, 


Better / (Worse)




2014


2013


Change


% Change




(In thousands, except units and per unit data)


Same Store:









   Revenue


$          4,953,201


$          4,818,937


$             134,264


2.8%


   Gross profit


$             278,938


$             280,225


$              (1,287)


(0.5%)


   Unit sales


134,059


133,578


481


0.4%


   Revenue per unit


$               36,948


$               36,076


$                    872


2.4%


   Gross profit per unit


$                 2,081


$                 2,098


$                   (17)


(0.8%)


   Gross profit as a % of revenue


5.6%


5.8%


(20)

bps











 


Sonic Automotive, Inc.


Results of Operations (Unaudited)




Used Vehicles
























Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


Change


% Change





(In thousands, except units and per unit data)



Reported:










   Revenue


$             562,993


$             551,028


$               11,965


2.2%



   Gross profit


$               37,834


$               35,784


$                 2,050


5.7%



   Unit sales


26,406


26,354


52


0.2%



   Revenue per unit


$               21,321


$               20,909


$                    412


2.0%



   Gross profit per unit


$                 1,433


$                 1,358


$                      75


5.5%



   Gross profit as a % of revenue


6.7%


6.5%


20

bps
















Year Ended December 31, 


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


 Change


% Change





(In thousands, except units and per unit data)



Reported:










   Revenue


$          2,310,247


$          2,176,034


$             134,213


6.2%



   Gross profit


$             157,246


$             150,400


$                 6,846


4.6%



   Unit sales


110,113


107,054


3,059


2.9%



   Revenue per unit


$               20,981


$               20,327


$                    654


3.2%



   Gross profit per unit


$                 1,428


$                 1,405


$                      23


1.6%



   Gross profit as a % of revenue


6.8%


6.9%


(10)

bps
















Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


 Change


% Change





(In thousands, except units and per unit data)



Same Store:










   Revenue


$             551,576


$             529,846


$               21,730


4.1%



   Gross profit


$               36,945


$               34,255


$                 2,690


7.9%



   Unit sales


25,784


25,322


462


1.8%



   Revenue per unit


$               21,392


$               20,924


$                    468


2.2%



   Gross profit per unit


$                 1,433


$                 1,353


$                      80


5.9%



   Gross profit as a % of revenue


6.7%


6.5%


20

bps
















Year Ended December 31, 


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


 Change


% Change





(In thousands, except units and per unit data)



Same Store:










   Revenue


$          2,200,362


$          2,085,069


$             115,293


5.5%



   Gross profit


$             150,990


$             144,253


$                 6,737


4.7%



   Unit sales


105,057


102,597


2,460


2.4%



   Revenue per unit


$               20,944


$               20,323


$                    621


3.1%



   Gross profit per unit


$                 1,437


$                 1,406


$                      31


2.2%



   Gross profit as a % of revenue


6.9%


6.9%


0

bps














Sonic Automotive, Inc.


Results of Operations (Unaudited)













Wholesale Vehicles






















Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


Change


% Change





(In thousands, except units and per unit data)



Reported:











   Revenue


$               38,361


$               40,772


$              (2,411)


(5.9%)



   Gross profit (loss)


$              (1,122)


$              (1,589)


$                    467


29.4%



   Unit sales


6,912


6,670


242


3.6%



   Revenue per unit


$                 5,550


$                 6,113


$                 (563)


(9.2%)



   Gross profit (loss) per unit


$                 (162)


$                 (238)


$                      76


31.9%



   Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue


(2.9%)


(3.9%)


100

bps

















Year Ended December 31, 


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


Change


% Change





(In thousands, except units and per unit data)



Reported:











   Revenue


$             166,158


$             175,328


$              (9,170)


(5.2%)



   Gross profit (loss)


$              (3,616)


$              (7,931)


$                 4,315


54.4%



   Unit sales


29,946


29,961


(15)


(0.1%)



   Revenue per unit


$                 5,549


$                 5,852


$                 (303)


(5.2%)



   Gross profit (loss) per unit


$                 (121)


$                 (265)


$                    144


54.3%



   Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue


(2.2%)


(4.5%)


230

bps

















Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


Change


% Change





(In thousands, except units and per unit data)



Same Store:











   Revenue


$               37,572


$               39,745


$              (2,173)


(5.5%)



   Gross profit (loss)


$                 (939)


$              (1,493)


$                    554


37.1%



   Unit sales


6,803


6,478


325


5.0%



   Revenue per unit


$                 5,523


$                 6,135


$                 (612)


(10.0%)



   Gross profit (loss) per unit


$                 (138)


$                 (230)


$                      92


40.0%



   Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue


(2.5%)


(3.8%)


130

bps

















Year Ended December 31, 


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


Change


% Change





(In thousands, except units and per unit data)



Same Store:











   Revenue


$             159,263


$             170,489


$            (11,226)


(6.6%)



   Gross profit (loss)


$              (3,175)


$              (7,305)


$                 4,130


56.5%



   Unit sales


28,885


29,092


(207)


(0.7%)



   Revenue per unit


$                 5,514


$                 5,860


$                 (346)


(5.9%)



   Gross profit (loss) per unit


$                 (110)


$                 (251)


$                    141


56.2%



  Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue


(2.0%)


(4.3%)


230

bps














 


Sonic Automotive, Inc.


Results of Operations (Unaudited)




Parts, Service and Collision Repair ("Fixed Operations") 



















Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


 Change


% Change



Reported:


(In thousands)



     Revenue











      Customer pay


$             137,524


$             139,443


$               (1,919)


(1.4%)



      Warranty


52,396


50,572


1,824


3.6%



      Wholesale parts


46,615


44,468


2,147


4.8%



      Internal, sublet and other


86,389


82,405


3,984


4.8%



       Total


$             322,924


$             316,888


$                 6,036


1.9%



   Gross profit











      Customer pay


$               74,734


$               76,315


$               (1,581)


(2.1%)



      Warranty


29,135


26,694


2,441


9.1%



      Wholesale parts


8,042


8,084


(42)


(0.5%)



      Internal, sublet and other


44,353


41,493


2,860


6.9%



   Total


$             156,264


$             152,586


$                 3,678


2.4%



   Gross profit as a % of revenue











      Customer pay


54.3%


54.7%


(40)

bps




      Warranty


55.6%


52.8%


280

bps




      Wholesale parts


17.3%


18.2%


(90)

bps




      Internal, sublet and other


51.3%


50.4%


90

bps




      Total


48.4%


48.2%


20

bps

















Year Ended December 31, 


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


 Change


% Change



Reported:


(In thousands)



     Revenue











      Customer pay


$             565,144


$             546,695


$               18,449


3.4%



      Warranty


194,468


188,061


6,407


3.4%



      Wholesale parts


188,687


169,338


19,349


11.4%



      Internal, sublet and other


348,271


326,084


22,187


6.8%



      Total


$          1,296,570


$          1,230,178


$               66,392


5.4%



   Gross profit











      Customer pay


$             309,885


$             300,800


$                 9,085


3.0%



      Warranty


106,298


101,351


4,947


4.9%



      Wholesale parts


32,633


31,242


1,391


4.5%



      Internal, sublet and other


174,733


163,699


11,034


6.7%



      Total


$             623,549


$             597,092


$               26,457


4.4%



   Gross profit as a % of revenue











      Customer pay


54.8%


55.0%


(20)

bps




      Warranty


54.7%


53.9%


80

bps




      Wholesale parts


17.3%


18.4%


(110)

bps




      Internal, sublet and other


50.2%


50.2%


0

bps




      Total


48.1%


48.5%


(40)

bps














 

 


Sonic Automotive, Inc.


Results of Operations (Unaudited)




Parts, Service and Collision Repair ("Fixed Operations") 


















Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


 Change


% Change



Same Store:


(In thousands)



      Revenue











         Customer pay


$             135,913


$             134,788


$                 1,125


0.8%



         Warranty


51,832


48,565


3,267


6.7%



         Wholesale parts


46,099


43,107


2,992


6.9%



         Internal, sublet and other


84,174


79,693


4,481


5.6%



         Total


$             318,018


$             306,153


$               11,865


3.9%



      Gross profit











         Customer pay


$               73,891


$               73,824


$                      67


0.1%



         Warranty


28,861


25,736


3,125


12.1%



         Wholesale parts


7,941


7,814


127


1.6%



         Internal, sublet and other


43,043


39,877


3,166


7.9%



         Total


$             153,736


$             147,251


$                 6,485


4.4%



      Gross profit as a % of revenue











         Customer pay


54.4%


54.8%


(40)

bps




         Warranty


55.7%


53.0%


270

bps




         Wholesale parts


17.2%


18.1%


(90)

bps




         Internal, sublet and other


51.1%


50.0%


110

bps




         Total


48.3%


48.1%


20

bps

















Year Ended December 31, 


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


 Change


% Change



Same Store:


(In thousands)



      Revenue











         Customer pay


$             538,930


$             527,034


$               11,896


2.3%



         Warranty


185,526


180,125


5,401


3.0%



         Wholesale parts


181,058


163,979


17,079


10.4%



         Internal, sublet and other


334,166


314,529


19,637


6.2%



         Total


$          1,239,680


$          1,185,667


$               54,013


4.6%



      Gross profit











         Customer pay


$             296,160


$             290,238


$                 5,922


2.0%



         Warranty


101,689


97,581


4,108


4.2%



         Wholesale parts


30,804


30,143


661


2.2%



         Internal, sublet and other


166,909


157,123


9,786


6.2%



         Total


$             595,562


$             575,085


$               20,477


3.6%



      Gross profit as a % of revenue











         Customer pay


55.0%


55.1%


(10)

bps




         Warranty


54.8%


54.2%


60

bps




         Wholesale parts


17.0%


18.4%


(140)

bps




         Internal, sublet and other


49.9%


50.0%


(10)

bps




         Total


48.0%


48.5%


(50)

bps














 

 


Sonic Automotive, Inc.


Results of Operations (Unaudited)













Finance, Insurance and Other, Net ("F&I")





















Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


Change


% Change





(In thousands, except per unit data)



Reported:











   Revenue


$               76,755


$               68,983


$                 7,772


11.3%



   Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)


$                 1,255


$                 1,143


$                    112


9.8%



























Year Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


Change


% Change





(In thousands, except per unit data)



Reported:











   Revenue


$             300,095


$             272,443


$               27,652


10.1%



   Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)


$                 1,220


$                 1,138


$                      82


7.2%
















Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


Change


% Change





(In thousands, except per unit data)



Same Store:











   Revenue


$               75,745


$               66,476


$                 9,269


13.9%



   Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)


$                 1,259


$                 1,145


$                    114


10.0%



























Year Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


Change


% Change





(In thousands, except per unit data)



Same Store:











   Revenue


$             289,833


$             263,038


$               26,795


10.2%



   Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)


$                 1,225


$                 1,142


$                      83


7.3%













 

 













Selling, General and Administrative ("SG&A") Expenses

















Fourth Quarter Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


 Change


% Change





(In thousands)



Reported:











Compensation


$             155,382


$             151,704


$               (3,678)


(2.4%)



Advertising


15,409


15,327


(82)


(0.5%)



Rent


18,384


17,632


(752)


(4.3%)



Other


75,227


69,984


(5,243)


(7.5%)



Total


$             264,402


$             254,647


$               (9,755)


(3.8%)



SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit










Compensation


44.6%


44.8%


20

bps




Advertising


4.4%


4.5%


10

bps




Rent


5.3%


5.2%


(10)

bps




Other


21.6%


20.7%


(90)

bps




Total


75.9%


75.2%


(70)

bps
















Year Ended December 31,


Better / (Worse)





2014


2013


 Change


% Change





(In thousands)



Reported:










Compensation


$             638,875


$             601,495


$             (37,380)


(6.2%)



Advertising


57,437


56,609


(828)


(1.5%)



Rent


73,707


73,976


269


0.4%



Other


297,414


271,045


(26,369)


(9.7%)



Total


$          1,067,433


$          1,003,125


$             (64,308)


(6.4%)



SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit










Compensation


46.8%


46.2%


(60)

bps




Advertising


4.2%


4.3%


10

bps




Rent


5.4%


5.7%


30

bps




Other


21.7%


20.9%


(80)

bps




Total


78.1%


77.1%


(100)

bps













 

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sonic-automotive-inc-reports-record-results-and-launch-of-echopark-automotive-300040082.html

SOURCE Sonic Automotive, Inc.