EXHIBIT A
                RELEVANT SUBSIDIARIES OF PARENT HOLDING COMPANY

PART A: TCW ENTITIES

PARENT HOLDING COMPANY:

     The TCW Group, Inc.

     Robert Day (an individual who may be deemed to control The TCW Group,
     Inc.)


RELEVANT SUBSIDIARIES THAT ARE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN RULE 13d-1(b):

     (i)  TCW Asset Management Company, a California corporation and an
Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940.

     (ii) TCW Investment Management Company, a California corporation and an
Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940.

     (iii)     TCW/Crescent Mezzanine, L.L.C., a California corporation and an
Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940.

Note:     No Class A Common Stock of Sonic Automotive, Inc. is held directly
by The TCW Group, Inc. Other than the indirect holdings of The TCW Group,
Inc., no Class A Common Stock of Sonic Automotive, Inc. is held directly or
indirectly by Robert Day, an individual who may be deemed to control The TCW
Group, Inc.

PART B: NON TCW ENTITIES

PARENT HOLDING COMPANY:

     Robert Day (an individual who may be deemed to control the entities
     described below which are not subsidiaries of The TCW Group, Inc.)

RELEVANT SUBSIDIARIES THAT ARE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN RULE 13d-1(b):

     Oakmont Corporation, a California corporation and an Investment Adviser
     registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.



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