Exhibit 99.1

Sonic Automotive Reports 2nd Quarter 2020 EPS Growth
Accelerated EchoPark Expansion Expected To Generate Over $10 Billion In Incremental Revenue By 2025

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – July 30, 2020 - Sonic Automotive, Inc. (“Sonic” or the “Company”) (NYSE:SAH), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Second Quarter Highlights

Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of $0.71 for the second quarter of 2020, compared to $0.62 for the second quarter of 2019 (included in the results for the second quarter of 2020 is a non-recurring tax benefit of $3.2 million, or $0.07 per share)
SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit were 74.9% for the second quarter of 2020, compared to 77.2% for the second quarter of 2019, a 230-basis point improvement (total SG&A expenses for the second quarter of 2020 decreased $64.2 million, or 22%, compared to the second quarter of 2019)
Total Sonic consolidated second quarter 2020 revenues of $2.1 billion and gross profit of $307.4 million
EchoPark second quarter 2020 revenues of $315.3 million, up 8% from the second quarter of 2019
EchoPark second quarter 2020 retail sales volume of 13,207 units, up 5% from the second quarter of 2019
EchoPark segment income of $2.6 million, up 52% from the second quarter of 2019
Same store Franchised Dealerships Segment operating results for the second quarter of 2020, compared to the second quarter of 2019:
Revenues down 19%, gross profit down 19%
New vehicle unit sales volume down 25%; new vehicle gross profit per unit up 9%, to $2,218
Retail used vehicle unit sales volume down 12%; retail used vehicle gross profit per unit down 14%, to $1,122
Parts, service and collision repair gross profit down 24%; customer pay gross profit down 16%
Finance and insurance (“F&I”) gross profit down 8% (all-time record quarterly F&I gross profit per retail unit of $1,946, up 14%, on a total Sonic consolidated basis)

Commentary

David Smith, Sonic’s and EchoPark’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Our second quarter results reflect not only a dramatic operating improvement since the onset of COVID-19, but also an all-time record monthly profit in June. The record-setting momentum we saw during the month of June has continued throughout July to date.”

Mr. Smith continued, “We continue to offer our guests a transparent, guest-centric vehicle purchase experience, meeting their individual needs by offering an integrated online and on-site sales experience. To enable guests to choose their preferred buying approach, we are proud to announce an historic strategic partnership with Cox Automotive and Darwin Automotive to develop a first of its kind proprietary e-commerce platform and user interface. This digital retailing partnership will accelerate our EchoPark expansion plans and elevate the online retail guest experience on our franchised dealership websites and EchoPark.com beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020.”

Jeff Dyke, Sonic’s and EchoPark’s President, commented, “I am extremely proud of the way our team has responded to the challenges of the past few months and the positive impact they have had on our business. EchoPark has continued to see a v-shaped recovery in sales volume and improved profitability, surpassing our original pre-pandemic forecasts for the month of June. For the second quarter, EchoPark segment income increased 52%, demonstrating the leverage and profit potential of this model. Based on the significant success of EchoPark, we are accelerating EchoPark’s expansion. We expect EchoPark to sell over half a million vehicles annually by 2025, through a 140-point nationwide distribution network and expanded e-commerce capabilities, generating incremental revenue in excess of $10 billion annually.”

Heath Byrd, Sonic’s and EchoPark’s Chief Financial Officer, commented, “We continue to manage expenses and capital expenditure levels in the short term to bolster our financial flexibility and address the challenges of COVID-19. These actions have been extremely successful in improving operational efficiencies and enhancing our overall profitability. Longer term, we remain committed to increasing revenues and maximizing profitability through further expansion of EchoPark, strategic growth of our franchised dealerships and more aggressive pursuit of new avenues for sales growth through omni-channel selling, including online, on-site and hybrid channels. In addition, we remain committed to reducing SG&A expenses by $84 million annualized, on a go-forward basis, as compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.”





Financial Position

As of June 30, 2020, Sonic’s total available liquidity increased to $455.1 million, up from $311.5 million as of March 31, 2020. Sonic’s liquidity as of June 30, 2020 consists of $115.7 million of cash on hand, $83.9 million of floor plan deposit balances and $255.5 million of availability under our credit facilities. From a debt perspective, Sonic has no significant near-term debt maturities.

Dividend

Sonic’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share payable on October 15, 2020 to all stockholders of record on September 15, 2020.

Outlook

Sonic expects to provide the next mid-quarter update to its 2020 outlook during the week of September 14th. The COVID-19 pandemic could impact both our outlook and future results depending on its continued evolution.

Second Quarter 2020 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, please go to ir.sonicautomotive.com. The conference call will also be available live by dialing in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call at:

Domestic: (833) 519-1243
International: (914) 800-3816
Conference ID: 8236339

A conference call replay will be available one hour following the call for 14 days and can be accessed by calling:

Domestic: (855) 859-2056
International: (404) 537-3406
Conference ID: 8236339

Investor presentation and earnings press release materials for the Company’s earnings conference call will be accessible beginning the morning of the conference call on the Company’s website at ir.sonicautomotive.com.

About Sonic Automotive

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

About EchoPark Automotive

EchoPark Automotive is an operating segment within the Company that specializes in pre-owned vehicle sales and provides a unique guest experience unlike traditional used car stores. More information about EchoPark Automotive can be found at www.echopark.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Included herein are forward-looking statements. There are many factors that affect management’s views about future events and trends of the Company’s business. These factors involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or trends to differ materially from management’s views, including, without limitation, anticipated future growth in our EchoPark Segment, expected incremental EchoPark revenues, anticipated future EchoPark unit sales volume, expected SG&A expense reductions, economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, new and used vehicle industry sales volume, anticipated liquidity position, expected future capital expenditures, the success of our operational strategies, the rate and timing of overall economic expansion or contraction, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government-imposed restrictions on operations, and the risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and other reports and information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC.





Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the attached financial tables contain certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules, such as segment income. As required by SEC rules, the Company provides reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company’s disclosures and provide a meaningful presentation of the Company’s results.

Company Contacts

Investor Inquiries:
Heath Byrd, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (704) 566-2400
Danny Wieland, Investor Relations (704) 927-3462

Press Inquiries:
Danielle DeVoren / Anthony Feldman
212-896-1272 / 347-487-6194
ddevoren@kcsa.com/afeldman@kcsa.com






Sonic Automotive, Inc.
Results of Operations (Unaudited)

Results of Operations - Consolidated
Three Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)Six Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)
20202019% Change20202019% Change
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
New vehicles$900,003  $1,204,754  (25.3)%$1,859,492  $2,271,088  (18.1)%
Used vehicles808,877  885,627  (8.7)%1,658,930  1,705,992  (2.8)%
Wholesale vehicles33,175  50,039  (33.7)%81,718  104,810  (22.0)%
Total vehicles1,742,055  2,140,420  (18.6)%3,600,140  4,081,890  (11.8)%
Parts, service and collision repair259,058  355,312  (27.1)%593,738  696,742  (14.8)%
Finance, insurance and other, net110,773  118,349  (6.4)%226,064  224,587  0.7 %
Total revenues2,111,886  2,614,081  (19.2)%4,419,942  5,003,219  (11.7)%
Cost of Sales:
New vehicles(854,617) (1,148,354) 25.6 %(1,768,690) (2,160,892) 18.2 %
Used vehicles(781,506) (848,898) 7.9 %(1,599,428) (1,632,256) 2.0 %
Wholesale vehicles(33,601) (50,752) 33.8 %(82,303) (106,789) 22.9 %
Total vehicles(1,669,724) (2,048,004) 18.5 %(3,450,421) (3,899,937) 11.5 %
Parts, service and collision repair(134,779) (184,766) 27.1 %(311,560) (362,960) 14.2 %
Total cost of sales(1,804,503) (2,232,770) 19.2 %(3,761,981) (4,262,897) 11.8 %
Gross profit307,383  381,311  (19.4)%657,961  740,322  (11.1)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses(230,359) (294,532) 21.8 %(512,515) (541,626) 5.4 %
Impairment charges(833) —  (100.0)%(268,833) (1,952) (13,672.2)%
Depreciation and amortization(22,647) (23,806) 4.9 %(44,944) (46,456) 3.3 %
Operating income (loss)53,544  62,973  (15.0)%(168,331) 150,288  (212.0)%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, floor plan(6,314) (12,518) 49.6 %(16,822) (25,744) 34.7 %
Interest expense, other, net(9,797) (13,628) 28.1 %(20,762) (26,481) 21.6 %
Other income (expense), net—  (5) 100.0 %100  95  (5.3)%
Total other income (expense)(16,111) (26,151) 38.4 %(37,484) (52,130) 28.1 %
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes37,433  36,822  1.7 %(205,815) 98,158  (309.7)%
Provision for income taxes for continuing operations - benefit (expense)(6,437) (10,071) 36.1 %37,680  (29,058) 229.7 %
Income (loss) from continuing operations30,996  26,751  15.9 %(168,135) 69,100  (343.3)%
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before taxes(289) (213) (35.7)%(573) (393) (45.8)%
Provision for income taxes for discontinued operations - benefit (expense)84  61  37.7 %166  114  45.6 %
Income (loss) from discontinued operations(205) (152) (34.9)%(407) (279) (45.9)%
Net income (loss)$30,791  $26,599  15.8 %$(168,542) $68,821  (344.9)%
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations$0.72  $0.62  16.1 %$(3.93) $1.61  (344.1)%
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations—  —  — %(0.01) (0.01) — %
Earnings (loss) per common share$0.72  $0.62  16.1 %$(3.94) $1.60  (346.3)%
Weighted-average common shares outstanding42,940  43,066  0.3 %42,779  42,953  0.4 %
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations$0.71  $0.62  14.5 %$(3.93) $1.60  (345.6)%
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations—  (0.01) 100.0 %(0.01) —  (100.0)%
Earnings (loss) per common share$0.71  $0.61  16.4 %$(3.94) $1.60  (346.3)%
Weighted-average common shares outstanding43,575  43,230  (0.8)%42,779  43,060  0.7 %
Dividends declared per common share$0.10  $0.10  — %$0.20  $0.20  — %






Franchised Dealerships Segment - Reported


Three Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)Six Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)
20202019% Change20202019% Change
(In thousands, except unit and per unit data)
Revenues:
New vehicles$900,003  $1,204,754  (25.3)%$1,859,492  $2,271,088  (18.1)%
Used vehicles535,699  637,090  (15.9)%1,102,587  1,241,039  (11.2)%
Wholesale vehicles28,509  43,720  (34.8)%70,948  96,253  (26.3)%
Total vehicles1,464,211  1,885,564  (22.3)%3,033,027  3,608,380  (15.9)%
Parts, service and collision repair251,998  347,337  (27.4)%576,499  683,563  (15.7)%
Finance, insurance and other, net80,401  89,507  (10.2)%163,429  170,028  (3.9)%
Total revenues1,796,610  2,322,408  (22.6)%3,772,955  4,461,971  (15.4)%
Gross Profit:
New vehicles45,386  56,400  (19.5)%90,802  110,196  (17.6)%
Used vehicles30,416  37,454  (18.8)%62,730  74,191  (15.4)%
Wholesale vehicles(357) (670) 46.7 %(440) (1,874) 76.5 %
Total vehicles75,445  93,184  (19.0)%153,092  182,513  (16.1)%
Parts, service and collision repair124,466  170,707  (27.1)%282,562  334,154  (15.4)%
Finance, insurance and other, net80,401  89,507  (10.2)%163,429  170,028  (3.9)%
Total gross profit280,312  353,398  (20.7)%599,083  686,695  (12.8)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses(209,496) (272,331) 23.1 %(465,914) (499,330) 6.7 %
Impairment charges(833) —  (100.0)%(268,833) (26) NM
Depreciation and amortization(19,895) (21,144) 5.9 %(39,484) (41,381) 4.6 %
Operating income (loss)50,088  59,923  (16.4)%(175,148) 145,958  (220.0)%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, floor plan(5,675) (11,597) 51.1 %(15,283) (24,102) 36.6 %
Interest expense, other, net(9,557) (13,192) 27.6 %(20,156) (25,606) 21.3 %
Other income (expense), net—  (5) 100.0 %100  34  194.1 %
Total other income (expense)(15,232) (24,794) 38.6 %(35,339) (49,674) 28.9 %
Income (loss) before taxes34,856  35,129  (0.8)%(210,487) 96,284  (318.6)%
Add: impairment charges833  —  (100.0)%268,833  26  NM
Segment income (loss)$35,689  $35,129  (1.6)%$58,346  $96,310  (39.4)%
Unit Sales Volume:
New vehicles19,891  28,196  (29.5)%41,615  53,393  (22.1)%
Used vehicles23,973  28,871  (17.0)%50,011  56,283  (11.1)%
Wholesale vehicles4,827  6,960  (30.6)%11,737  15,108  (22.3)%
Retail new & used vehicles43,864  57,067  (23.1)%91,626  109,676  (16.5)%
Used:New Ratio1.21  1.02  17.7 %1.20  1.05  14.0 %
Gross Profit Per Unit:
New vehicles$2,282  $2,000  14.1 %$2,182  $2,064  5.7 %
Used vehicles$1,269  $1,297  (2.2)%$1,254  $1,318  (4.9)%
Finance, insurance and other, net$1,839  $1,581  16.3 %$1,798  $1,561  15.2 %
NM = Not Meaningful




Franchised Dealerships Segment - Same Store


Three Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)Six Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)
20202019% Change20202019% Change
(In thousands, except unit and per unit data)
Revenues:
New vehicles$899,655  $1,150,601  (21.8)%$1,857,489  $2,155,333  (13.8)%
Used vehicles535,252  609,567  (12.2)%1,099,852  1,183,279  (7.1)%
Wholesale vehicles28,407  41,795  (32.0)%70,720  91,383  (22.6)%
Total vehicles1,463,314  1,801,963  (18.8)%3,028,061  3,429,995  (11.7)%
Parts, service and collision repair252,330  334,300  (24.5)%576,297  653,890  (11.9)%
Finance, insurance and other, net75,558  82,399  (8.3)%154,149  155,819  (1.1)%
Total revenues$1,791,202  $2,218,662  (19.3)%$3,758,507  $4,239,704  (11.3)%
Gross Profit:
New vehicles$44,111  $53,834  (18.1)%$89,519  $105,455  (15.1)%
Used vehicles26,874  35,182  (23.6)%59,153  67,640  (12.5)%
Wholesale vehicles(317) (421) 24.7 %(375) (1,421) 73.6 %
Total vehicles70,668  88,595  (20.2)%148,297  171,674  (13.6)%
Parts, service and collision repair124,019  164,061  (24.4)%281,803  318,774  (11.6)%
Finance, insurance and other, net75,558  82,399  (8.3)%154,149  155,819  (1.1)%
Total gross profit$270,245  $335,055  (19.3)%$584,249  $646,267  (9.6)%
Unit Sales Volume:
New vehicles19,884  26,359  (24.6)%41,575  49,450  (15.9)%
Used vehicles23,949  27,110  (11.7)%49,871  52,601  (5.2)%
Wholesale vehicles4,811  6,362  (24.4)%11,703  13,807  (15.2)%
Retail new & used vehicles43,833  53,469  (18.0)%91,446  102,051  (10.4)%
Used:New Ratio1.20  1.03  17.1 %1.20  1.06  12.8 %
Gross Profit Per Unit:
New vehicles$2,218  $2,042  8.6 %$2,153  $2,133  0.9 %
Used vehicles$1,122  $1,298  (13.6)%$1,186  $1,286  (7.8)%
Finance, insurance and other, net$1,730  $1,554  11.3 %$1,699  $1,538  10.5 %





EchoPark Segment - Reported

Three Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)Six Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)
20202019% Change20202019% Change
(In thousands, except unit and per unit data)
Revenues:
Used vehicles$273,178  $248,537  9.9 %$556,343  $464,953  19.7 %
Wholesale vehicles4,666  6,319  (26.2)%10,770  8,557  25.9 %
Total vehicles277,844  254,856  9.0 %567,113  473,510  19.8 %
Parts, service and collision repair7,060  7,975  (11.5)%17,239  13,179  30.8 %
Finance, insurance and other, net30,372  28,842  5.3 %62,635  54,559  14.8 %
Total revenues315,276  291,673  8.1 %646,987  541,248  19.5 %
Gross Profit:
Used vehicles(3,045) (725) (320.0)%(3,228) (455) (609.5)%
Wholesale vehicles(70) (42) (60.5)%(146) (105) (38.1)%
Total vehicles(3,115) (767) 306.1 %(3,374) (560) 502.5 %
Parts, service and collision repair(186) (162) (14.8)%(383) (372) (3.0)%
Finance, insurance and other, net30,372  28,842  5.3 %62,635  54,559  14.8 %
Total gross profit27,071  27,913  (3.0)%58,878  53,627  9.8 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses(20,863) (22,201) 6.0 %(46,601) (42,296) (10.2)%
Impairment charges—  —  — %—  (1,926) 100.0 %
Depreciation and amortization(2,752) (2,662) (3.4)%(5,460) (5,075) (7.6)%
Operating income (loss)3,456  3,050  13.3 %6,817  4,330  57.4 %
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, floor plan(639) (921) 30.6 %(1,539) (1,642) 6.3 %
Interest expense, other, net(240) (436) 45.0 %(606) (875) 30.7 %
Other income (expense), net—  —  — %—  61  (100.0)%
Total other income (expense)(879) (1,357) 35.2 %(2,145) (2,456) 12.7 %
Income (loss) before taxes2,577  1,693  52.2 %4,672  1,874  149.3 %
Add: impairment charges—  —  — %—  (1,926) 100.0 %
Segment income (loss)$2,577  $1,693  52.2 %$4,672  $3,800  22.9 %
Unit Sales Volume:
Used vehicles13,207  12,587  4.9 %27,193  23,638  15.0 %
Wholesale vehicles1,454  1,686  4.8 %3,219  2,185  47.3 %
Gross Profit Per Unit:
Total used vehicle and F&I $2,069  $2,234  (7.4)%$2,185  $2,289  (4.5)%





EchoPark Segment - Same Store

Three Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)Six Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)
20202019% Change20202019% Change
(In thousands, except unit and per unit data)
Revenues:
Used vehicles$243,043  $248,536  (2.2)%$508,343  $464,953  9.3 %
Wholesale vehicles4,349  6,320  (31.2)%10,223  8,556  19.5 %
Total vehicles247,392  254,856  (2.9)%518,566  473,509  9.5 %
Parts, service and collision repair6,277  7,974  (21.3)%15,852  13,179  20.3 %
Finance, insurance and other, net27,049  28,605  (5.4)%57,273  54,252  5.6 %
Total revenues$280,718  $291,435  (3.7)%$591,691  $540,940  9.4 %
Gross Profit:
Used vehicles$(3,988) $(2,464) (61.9)%$(5,832) $(2,721) (114.3)%
Wholesale vehicles(69) (42) (64.3)%(139) (105) (32.4)%
Total vehicles(4,057) (2,506) 61.9 %(5,971) (2,826) 111.3 %
Parts, service and collision repair(141) (141) — %(299) (351) 14.8 %
Finance, insurance and other, net27,049  28,605  (5.4)%57,273  54,252  5.6 %
Total gross profit$22,851  $25,958  (12.0)%$51,003  $51,075  (0.1)%
Unit Sales Volume:
Used vehicles11,716  12,587  (6.9)%24,783  23,638  4.8 %
Wholesale vehicles1,319  1,686  (21.8)%2,995  2,185  37.1 %
Gross Profit Per Unit:
Total used vehicle and F&I$1,968  $2,077  (5.2)%$2,076  $2,180  (4.8)%






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

Three Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)
20202019Change% Change
(In thousands)
Reported:
Compensation$140,266  $181,197  $40,931  22.6 %
Advertising8,087  15,402  7,315  47.5 %
Rent13,223  13,336  113  0.8 %
Other68,783  84,597  15,814  18.7 %
Total SG&A expenses$230,359  $294,532  $64,173  21.8 %
Reported:
SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit:
Compensation45.6 %47.5 %190  bps
Advertising2.6 %4.0 %140  bps
Rent4.3 %3.5 %(80) bps
Other22.4 %22.2 %(20) bps
Total SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit74.9 %77.2 %230  bps

Six Months Ended June 30,Better / (Worse)
20202019Change% Change
(In thousands)
Reported:
Compensation$314,688  $365,381  $50,693  13.9 %
Advertising22,222  30,453  8,231  27.0 %
Rent27,088  28,586  1,498  5.2 %
Other148,517  117,206  (31,311) (26.7)%
Total SG&A expenses$512,515  $541,626  $29,111  5.4 %
Reported:
SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit:
Compensation47.8 %49.4 %160  bps
Advertising3.4 %4.1 %70  bps
Rent4.1 %3.9 %(20) bps
Other22.6 %15.8 %(680) bps
Total SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit77.9 %73.2 %(470) bps