CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation's largest automotive retailers, today reported 2012 first quarter earnings from continuing operations of $19.5 million for a 24% increase over the prior year results.  Earnings from continuing operations per diluted share increased 22% to $0.33 compared to $0.27 in the prior year quarter. 

Q1 2012 Highlights – Record Q1 Same Store Revenues; Fixed Operations Revenue and Gross Revenue Growth Despite Lower Warranty Activity; Continue to Invest in Base Business

• Total Q1 revenues up 9.3% over prior year quarter
• New vehicle retail revenue up 12.1% in Q1
• Used vehicle revenue up 9.0% for the quarter
• Parts and Service revenue up 5.1% in Q1
• SG&A to gross profit % down 30 bps to 79.4% for the quarter

B. Scott Smith, the Company's President, noted, "We are pleased with this quarter's results. Our overall profitability increased significantly from the prior year quarter due to our strong revenue growth and continued improvement in our SG&A to gross profit metrics.  The improvements in these metrics were achieved as we continue substantial investment in our information technology and training initiatives.  We have cultivated a culture and team that are mature and stable, allowing us to embrace and execute these processes and technologies.  Our goal remains the same, develop predictable, repeatable and sustainable processes through the use of innovative technologies and operating playbooks to create a competitive advantage benefiting Sonic Automotive now and in the years to come."

Commenting on Sonic's operating performance, Jeff Dyke, the Company's EVP of Operations noted, "As a result of our operating disciplines, we achieved record first quarter revenues of nearly $2 billion with our current complement of stores.  Our new vehicle retail unit volume, which increased 11.2% versus the first quarter of 2011, outpaced the new vehicle retail industry volume increase.  We are excited about the possibilities of further improvement resulting from our continued focus on efficient execution of our selling and customer service processes."

First 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".

A live audio of the call will be accessible to the public by calling (877) 791-3416. International callers dial (706) 643-0958.  Callers should dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call begins.

A conference call replay will be available one hour following the call for seven days and can be accessed by calling:  800-585-8367, Conference ID: 70848537, International callers dial (404) 537-3406.

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 growth in new vehicle sales, and future success and impacts from the implementation of our strategic 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, 2011.  The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information.

SOURCE Sonic Automotive, Inc.