Form 8-K

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

Date: January 20, 2016

/s/ Stephen K. Coss

Stephen K. Coss

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

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): January 20, 2016

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

1-13395

56-2010790

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

4401 Colwick Road

Charlotte, North Carolina

28211

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

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

Not Applicable

(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 8.01.

Other Events.

On January 18, 2016, the board of directors of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (the “Company”) increased the dollar amount authorized for the Company to repurchase shares of its Class A common stock pursuant to its previously announced share repurchase program. On January 20, 2016, the Company repurchased approximately $16.9 million of its Class A common stock in a block purchase. Following such purchase, approximately $82.4 million remained authorized for repurchases under the Company’s share repurchase program.

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.