UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 8-K

 


CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 13, 2007

 


SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

1-13395   56-201079
(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

6415 Idlewild Road, Suite 109

Charlotte, North Carolina

  28212
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (704) 566-2400

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 



Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On February 13, 2007, Sonic’s Board of Directors appointed David P. Cosper, Sonic’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to replace Greg Young as Sonic’s principal accounting officer. Mr. Young will continue to serve as Sonic’s Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer.

Mr. Cosper, 52, has served as Sonic’s Executive Vice President since March 1, 2006 and as Sonic’s Chief Financial Officer since March 16, 2006. Prior to joining Sonic, Mr. Cosper was Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Ford Motor Credit Company, a position held since 2003. From 1979, when he joined Ford Motor Company, Mr. Cosper served in a variety of positions in Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Credit Company, including Vice President and Treasurer of Ford Motor Credit Company and Executive Director of Corporate Finance at Ford Motor Company. In such positions, he was responsible for worldwide profit analysis and treasury matters, risk management, business planning, and competitive and strategic analysis.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Stephen K. Coss

  Stephen K. Coss
  Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Dated: February 16, 2007

 

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