Exhibit 99.1

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC. ANNOUNCES IMPROVED

FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR END 2004 RESULTS

CHARLOTTE, NC (February 22, 2005) - Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), a leader in automotive retailing, today reported that its 2004 fourth quarter income from continuing operations was $20.5 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, compared to $19.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Net income for the quarter was $14.6 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared to $13.8 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

Revenue of $1.89 billion for the quarter increased 11.2% over the year-ago quarter, with all areas reporting significant growth. Parts and service experienced a 12.1% increase; used vehicles a 12.3% increase; new vehicles a 10.6% increase; and finance and insurance an 8.3% increase.

Commenting on fourth quarter performance, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer O. Bruton Smith said, “Sonic Automotive’s earnings reflect a stronger than anticipated fourth quarter retail environment and our continued focus on improving operating efficiencies. We were pleased to be recognized at the Automotive News World Congress last month for achieving the industry’s best shareholder returns in 2004.”

For the year ended December 31, 2004, income from continuing operations was $95.7 million, or $2.22 per diluted share, compared to $87.3 million, or $2.04 per diluted share, in the prior year. Revenue for the full year of 2004 was $7.39 billion, compared to $6.95 billion for 2003. Net income for the year was $86.1 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, compared to net income of $71.6 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, in 2003.

Based on a change required by the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF 04-8), the company has included in diluted earnings per share, the effect of its $130.1 million contingently convertible senior subordinated notes, as if these notes had been converted. For the full year 2004, the dilutive impact was $0.04 per diluted share, compared to a dilutive impact of $0.02 per diluted share in 2003, on a continuing operations basis. There was no impact on earnings from continuing operations in the fourth quarters of 2004 or 2003.

On a same store basis, total revenue in the quarter increased 2.4% from the same quarter last year. Same store new vehicle revenue increased 2.5% for the quarter, while same store retail used vehicle revenue increased 2.8% for the quarter. Finance and insurance revenue increased 1.2% on a same store basis for the quarter. Same store revenue in our service, parts and collision repair business increased 1.8% in the quarter.

“We continue to focus on improving operating execution and performance. Our progress during the fourth quarter confirms that our efforts are gaining traction,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey C. Rachor. “Consistent inventory management improved our new vehicle days supply to 52 days from 56 days. We saw improvement in our selling, general and administrative expense rate in the fourth quarter and are targeting a 100 basis point reduction to 78% in 2005.”

Consistent with the company’s previously announced slower acquisition strategy, there have been no acquisitions completed since July 2004. In 2005, targeted acquisitions will include luxury and high volume import brands in the company’s existing markets. The company will continue to dispose of non-performing stores and non-core brands.

At December 31, 2004, the company had approximately $253.3 million available under its revolving credit facility. “The slower acquisition pace along with continued strong cash flows from operations allowed us to reach a 46.2% debt to total capital ratio, net of cash, consistent with our target. We are making significant progress toward our 40% long term objective,” Mr. Smith said.

Looking ahead to 2005, Mr. Smith said, “We anticipate that the industry will continue to be challenging. We estimate overall same store sales growth in the 2% to 3% range in 2005. It is likely that we will add targeted acquisitions in the

$400 million to $700 million range in annualized revenue, which will help offset the effect of rising interest rates on our business. Earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to be between $2.35 and $2.45 for the full year 2005, with most of the improvement realized during the second half.”

Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company based in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States operating 192 franchises and 40 collision repair centers. Sonic can be reached on the Web at http://www.sonicautomotive.com.

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements pertaining to anticipated acquisition activity and acquisition growth pace, disposition activity, earnings, earnings per share from continuing operations, anticipated growth in earnings and earnings per share from continuing operations, anticipated improvements in operating performance, same store sales, expense levels, debt levels and future debt to total capital ratios, as well as anticipated industry conditions and rising interest rates. This release and the attached financial tables contain certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules, including operating income, net income and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, adjusted in each case to exclude certain items disclosed in the attached financial tables. As required by SEC rules, the company has provided reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, which are set forth in the attachments to this release. The company believes that each of the foregoing non-GAAP financial measures improves the transparency of the company’s disclosures and improves the period-to-period comparability of the company’s results. 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, risks associated with acquisitions and the risk factors described in Exhibit 99.1 to the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004. The company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information.

MANAGEMENT WILL HOLD A CONFERENCE CALL ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2005 AT 11:00 A.M. EASTERN TIME. TO PARTICIPATE, PLEASE DIAL 877-791-3416 – OR YOU CAN ACCESS THE CALL AT WWW.CCBN.COM.

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share, unit data and percentage amounts)

Comparable Basis Items:

Balance Sheets: