Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Reports Record Results

Adjusted Continuing Operations Quarterly EPS of $0.61,

Increases Dividend by 33%

Fourth Quarter 2015 Results

 

    Record Q4 new retail units of 35,228, up 1.4% over the prior year quarter

 

    Record Q4 pre-owned units and gross profit of 28,220 and $38.8 million, respectively

 

    Record Q4 fixed operations gross profit of $169.1 million, up 8.2% over the prior year quarter

 

    Record Q4 total gross profit of $363.8 million, up 4.4% over the prior year quarter

 

    EchoPark® stores retailed 764 units

Full Year 2015 Results

 

    Record annual new retail units of 138,129, up 1.6% over the prior year

 

    Record annual pre-owned units of 117,123, up 6.4% over the prior year

 

    Record annual pre-owned gross profit of $162.0 million, up 3.1% over the prior year

 

    Record annual fixed operations gross profit of $655.4 million

 

    Record annual total gross profit of $1.415 billion

 

    EchoPark® stores retailed 3,225 units

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – February 23, 2016 Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, today reported adjusted net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2015 of $30.9 million, or $0.61 per diluted share. Included in these adjusted amounts are pre-tax expenses of $3.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, related to the Company’s EchoPark® operations. Adjusted net income from continuing operations and related earnings per diluted share are non-GAAP financial measures. The schedules included in this press release reconcile these non-GAAP financial measures to the comparable GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $32.5 million, or $0.63 per diluted share. Included in these adjusted amounts are pre-tax expenses of $7.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, related to the Company’s EchoPark® operations.

On a GAAP basis, net income from continuing operations and related diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2015 were $31.5 million and $0.63 per share, respectively, compared to $27.0 million and $0.52 per diluted share, respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2014.

Sonic reported full year 2015 adjusted net income from continuing operations of $100.2 million, or $1.97 per diluted share, that includes expenses of $16.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, related to the Company’s EchoPark® operations. For the full year of 2014, Sonic reported adjusted net income from continuing operations of $100.0 million, or $1.90 per diluted share, that includes expenses of $15.7 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, related to EchoPark®.


On a GAAP basis, net income from continuing operations for the full year of 2015 was $88.1 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, compared to full year 2014 results of $98.6 million, or $1.87 per diluted share.

Jeff Dyke, Sonic’s EVP of Operations, stated, “The year ended up being a great year for Sonic and EchoPark®. I am very proud of our team as we progressed together on our long-term strategy to redefine the Automotive Guest Experience. This is a huge undertaking that we are confident will reward our Guests, Associates and Long-Term Shareholders. We have been able to grow gross across all of our revenue streams with the exception of new vehicles, which is a direct reflection of manufacturers’ inventory growth in particular in the luxury category. Some of the OEM’s have simply over produced and it has caused competitive and margin pressures that we have not experienced in several years. However, the stability and strength of our pre-owned revenue stream has continued to allow us to drive additional profitability in that area. In addition, we have overcome the warranty mix issues from earlier in the year and we were able to increase same store fixed operations gross profit 9.6% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Our focus on increasing customer pay, up 7.8% on a same store basis during the fourth quarter, was key to achieving this level of growth.

We are excited about the growth we are planning for EchoPark® in 2016 and 2017. Two new stores in the Denver market will open in the first half of 2016 with two more coming in the first part of 2017. We also have plans in place to add additional stores in at least two different markets beginning in Q4 2016 depending on real-estate closing dates.”

Dividend

Sonic’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share payable in cash for stockholders of record on March 15, 2016. The dividend will be payable on April 15, 2016. This represents a 33% increase in the dividend rate from the prior quarter amount of $0.0375 per share.

2016 Outlook

B. Scott Smith, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, noted, “I am very pleased with the performance of our team in the fourth quarter and the year. Subsequent to December 31, 2015, market news and expectations related to the retail automotive sector created pressure on public company valuations. As a result, our Board of Directors increased our authorization to repurchase shares by $100.0 million. During the first quarter of 2016, we repurchased approximately 4.0 million shares, roughly 7.9% of outstanding shares as of December 31, 2015, for approximately $72.0 million.

We expect 2016 to continue to be favorable to dealers and anticipate new vehicle industry volume to be between 17.3 million and 17.6 million units, but expect new vehicle GPU pressure to continue. We project diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for 2016 to be between $2.07 and $2.17 per share. This range includes the effect of projected EchoPark® results and expansion. We are projecting a loss related to EchoPark® of between $0.21 and $0.23 per diluted share. We will have additional comments on our 2016 outlook in our earnings call later today.”

Fourth Quarter 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 go to:

www.sonicautomotive.com, then click on “Our Company,” then “Investor Relations,” then “Earnings Conference Calls.”


Presentation materials for the conference call can be accessed on the Company’s website at www.sonicautomotive.com by clicking on the “Investor Relations” tab under “Our Company” and choosing “Webcasts & Presentations.”

The conference call will also be available live by dialing in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call at:

Domestic: 1.877.450.3867

International: 1.706.643.0958

Conference ID: 32450261

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

Domestic: 1.855.859.2056

International: 1.404.537.3406

Conference ID: 32450261

About Sonic Automotive

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

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to anticipated future success and impacts from the implementation of our planned customer experience and EchoPark® store initiatives. 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 in the markets in which we operate, new and used vehicle industry sales volume, the success of our operational strategies, the rate and timing of overall economic recovery or decline, and the risk factors described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2014. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information.

###

 

Contact:            

  

Heath Byrd, Chief Financial Officer (704) 566-2400

   C.G. Saffer, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (704) 566-2439


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules, such as, but not limited to, adjusted income from continuing operations and related earnings per share data. The Company has reconciled these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the release. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company’s disclosure by providing period-to-period comparability of the Company’s results from operations.

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
     2015     2014     2015     2014  
     (In thousands, except per share and unit data)  

Revenues:

    

New retail vehicles

   $ 1,377,661      $ 1,337,896      $ 5,205,688      $ 5,046,010   

Fleet vehicles

     22,101        12,899        59,713        78,019   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new vehicles

     1,399,762        1,350,795        5,265,401        5,124,029   

Used vehicles

     607,430        562,993        2,512,024        2,310,247   

Wholesale vehicles

     34,579        38,361        155,339        166,158   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total vehicles

     2,041,771        1,952,149        7,932,764        7,600,434   

Parts, service and collision repair

     345,068        322,924        1,364,947        1,296,570   

Finance, insurance and other, net

     83,796        76,755        326,588        300,095   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     2,470,635        2,351,828        9,624,299        9,197,099   

Gross profit

     363,848        348,464        1,414,612        1,365,900   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (275,002     (264,402     (1,110,565     (1,067,433

Impairment charges

     (1,257     (6,379     (17,955     (6,594

Depreciation and amortization

     (17,846     (15,213     (68,799     (58,260
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     69,743        62,470        217,293        233,613   

Other income (expense):

    

Interest expense, floor plan

     (5,840     (4,852     (21,326     (18,793

Interest expense, other, net

     (12,275     (12,614     (50,910     (53,190

Other income (expense), net

     —          (2     99        97   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (18,115     (17,468     (72,137     (71,886
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

     51,628        45,002        145,156        161,727   

Provision for income taxes for continuing operations - benefit (expense)

     (20,121     (18,045     (57,065     (63,168
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     31,507        26,957        88,091        98,559   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (449     (831     (1,780     (1,342
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 31,058      $ 26,126      $ 86,311      $ 97,217   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

    

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.63      $ 0.52      $ 1.73      $ 1.87   

Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

     (0.01     (0.02     (0.03     (0.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.62      $ 0.50      $ 1.70      $ 1.84   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     50,278        51,834        50,883        52,563   

Gross Margin Data (Continuing Operations):

    

New retail vehicles

     5.4     5.9     5.2     5.7

Fleet vehicles

     0.1     1.1     (0.3 %)      1.9

Total new vehicles

     5.3     5.8     5.1     5.6

Used vehicles

     6.4     6.7     6.5     6.8

Wholesale vehicles

     (5.8 %)      (2.9 %)      (4.7 %)      (2.2 %) 

Parts, service and collision repair

     49.0     48.4     48.8     48.1

Finance, insurance and other

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Overall gross margin

     14.7     14.8     14.7     14.9

SG&A Expenses (Continuing Operations):

    

Compensation

   $ 169,510      $ 155,382      $ 666,668      $ 638,875   

Advertising

     15,470        15,409        61,630        57,437   

Rent

     18,481        18,384        73,539        73,707   

Other

     71,541        75,227        308,728        297,414   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 275,002      $ 264,402      $ 1,110,565      $ 1,067,433   

SG&A expenses as % of gross profit

     75.6     75.9     78.5     78.1

Operating Margin %

     2.8     2.7     2.3     2.5

Unit Data (Continuing Operations):

    

New retail units

     35,228        34,755        138,129        135,932   

Fleet units

     628        352        1,872        2,485   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new units

     35,856        35,107        140,001        138,417   

Used units

     28,220        26,406        117,123        110,113   

Wholesale units

     6,594        6,912        30,168        29,946   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Per Share Data

 

     Three Months Ended December 31, 2015  
            Income (Loss)
From Continuing
Operations
    Income (Loss)
From Discontinued
Operations
    Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted
Average

Shares
     Amount     Per
Share
Amount
    Amount     Per
Share
Amount
    Amount     Per
Share
Amount
 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Reported:

               

Earnings (loss) and shares

     49,872       $ 31,507        $ (449     $ 31,058     

Effect of participating securities:

               

Non-vested restricted stock

        (13       —            (13  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     49,872       $ 31,494      $ 0.63      $ (449   $ (0.01   $ 31,045      $ 0.62   

Effect of dilutive securities:

               

Stock compensation plans

     406                
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     50,278       $ 31,494      $ 0.63      $ (449   $ (0.01   $ 31,045      $ 0.62   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments (net of tax):

               

Gain on disposal

      $ (1,417   $ (0.03   $ —        $ —        $ (1,417   $ (0.03

Impairment charges

        766        0.01        —          —          766        0.01   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total adjustments

      $ (651   $ (0.02   $ —        $ —        $ (651   $ (0.02

Adjusted:

               

Earnings (loss) and

               
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share (1)

      $ 30,856      $ 0.61      $ (449   $ (0.01   $ 30,407      $ 0.60   
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1) Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.04 per fully diluted share in the three months ended December 31, 2015.

 

     Three Months Ended December 31, 2014  
            Income (Loss)
From Continuing
Operations
     Income (Loss)
From Discontinued
Operations
    Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted
Average
Shares
     Amount     Per
Share
Amount
     Amount     Per
Share
Amount
    Amount     Per
Share
Amount
 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Reported:

                

Earnings (loss) and shares

     51,272       $ 26,957         $ (831     $ 26,126     

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock and stock units

        (86        —            (86  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     51,272       $ 26,871      $ 0.52       $ (831   $ (0.01   $ 26,040      $ 0.51   

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     562                 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     51,834       $ 26,871      $ 0.52       $ (831   $ (0.02   $ 26,040      $ 0.50   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments (net of tax):

                

Gain on disposal

      $ (157   $ —         $ —        $ —        $ (157   $ —     

Impairment charges

        3,943        0.08         —          —          3,943        0.08   

Storm damage and other

        949        0.01         —          —          949        0.01   

Permanent tax differences from disposals

        853        0.02         —          —          853        0.02   
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total adjustments

      $ 5,588      $ 0.11       $ —        $ —        $ 5,588      $ 0.11   

Adjusted:

                

Earnings (loss) and

                
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share (2)

      $ 32,545      $ 0.63       $ (831   $ (0.02   $ 31,714      $ 0.61   
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(2) Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.08 per fully diluted share in the three months ended December 31, 2014.


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Per Share Data

 

     Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015  
            Income (Loss)
From Continuing
Operations
    Income (Loss)
From Discontinued
Operations
    Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted
Average
Shares
     Amount     Per
Share
Amount
    Amount     Per
Share
Amount
    Amount     Per
Share
Amount
 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Reported:

               

Earnings (loss) and shares

     50,489       $ 88,091        $ (1,780     $ 86,311     

Effect of participating securities:

               

Non-vested restricted stock and stock units

        (36       —            (36  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     50,489       $ 88,055      $ 1.74      $ (1,780   $ (0.03   $ 86,275      $ 1.71   

Effect of dilutive securities:

               

Stock compensation plans

     394                
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     50,883       $ 88,055      $ 1.73      $ (1,780   $ (0.03   $ 86,275      $ 1.70   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments (net of tax):

               

Gain on disposal

      $ (2,000   $ (0.04   $ —        $ —        $ (2,000   $ (0.04

Impairment charges

        10,930        0.22        —          —          10,930        0.22   

Storm damage and other

        3,134        0.06        —          —          3,134        0.06   

Effect of rounding

        —          —          —          (0.01     —          (0.01
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total adjustments

      $ 12,064      $ 0.24      $ —        $ (0.01   $ 12,064      $ 0.23   

Adjusted:

               

Earnings (loss) and

               
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share (3)

      $ 100,155      $ 1.97      $ (1,780   $ (0.04   $ 98,375      $ 1.93   
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(3) Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.19 per fully diluted share in the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.

 

     Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014  
            Income (Loss)
From Continuing
Operations
    Income (Loss)
From Discontinued
Operations
    Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted
Average
Shares
     Amount     Per
Share
Amount
    Amount     Per
Share
Amount
    Amount     Per
Share
Amount
 
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Reported:

               

Earnings (loss) and shares

     52,065       $ 98,559        $ (1,342     $ 97,217     

Effect of participating securities:

               

Non-vested restricted stock and stock units

        (311       —            (311  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     52,065       $ 98,248      $ 1.89      $ (1,342   $ (0.03   $ 96,906      $ 1.86   

Effect of dilutive securities:

               

Stock compensation plans

     498                
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     52,563       $ 98,248      $ 1.87      $ (1,342   $ (0.03   $ 96,906      $ 1.84   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments (net of tax):

               

Gain on disposal

      $ (7,273   $ (0.14   $ —        $ —        $ (7,273   $ (0.14

Impairment charges

        4,459        0.08        —          —          4,459        0.08   

Storm damage and other

        3,434        0.07        —          —          3,434        0.07   

Permanent tax differences from disposals

        853        0.02        —          —          853        0.02   

Lease exit adjustments

        —          —          (844     (0.01     (844     (0.01
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total adjustments

      $ 1,473      $ 0.03      $ (844   $ (0.01   $ 629      $ 0.02   

Adjusted:

               

Earnings (loss) and

               
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share (4)

      $ 100,032      $ 1.90      $ (2,186   $ (0.04   $ 97,846      $ 1.86   
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(4) Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.18 per fully diluted share in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014.


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

New Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 1,399,762      $ 1,350,795      $ 48,967        3.6

Gross profit

   $ 74,209      $ 78,734      $ (4,525     (5.7 %) 

Unit sales

     35,856        35,107        749        2.1

Revenue per unit

   $ 39,038      $ 38,477      $ 561        1.5

Gross profit per unit

   $ 2,070      $ 2,243      $ (173     (7.7 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     5.3     5.8     (50 ) bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 5,265,401      $ 5,124,029      $ 141,372        2.8

Gross profit

   $ 267,929      $ 288,626      $ (20,697     (7.2 %) 

Unit sales

     140,001        138,417        1,584        1.1

Revenue per unit

   $ 37,610      $ 37,019      $ 591        1.6

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,914      $ 2,085      $ (171     (8.2 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     5.1     5.6     (50 ) bps   
     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 1,391,427      $ 1,333,400      $ 58,027        4.4

Gross profit

   $ 74,077      $ 78,030      $ (3,953     (5.1 %) 

Unit sales

     35,686        34,673        1,013        2.9

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,991      $ 38,456      $ 535        1.4

Gross profit per unit

   $ 2,076      $ 2,250      $ (174     (7.7 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     5.3     5.9     (60 ) bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 5,187,076      $ 4,965,615      $ 221,461        4.5

Gross profit

   $ 264,124      $ 280,264      $ (16,140     (5.8 %) 

Unit sales

     137,884        134,062        3,822        2.9

Revenue per unit

   $ 37,619      $ 37,040      $ 579        1.6

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,916      $ 2,091      $ (175     (8.4 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     5.1     5.6     (50 ) bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Used Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 607,430      $ 562,993      $ 44,437        7.9

Gross profit

   $ 38,772      $ 37,834      $ 938        2.5

Unit sales

     28,220        26,406        1,814        6.9

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,525      $ 21,321      $ 204        1.0

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,374      $ 1,433      $ (59     (4.1 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.4     6.7     (30 ) bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 2,512,024      $ 2,310,247      $ 201,777        8.7

Gross profit

   $ 162,042      $ 157,246      $ 4,796        3.0

Unit sales

     117,123        110,113        7,010        6.4

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,448      $ 20,981      $ 467        2.2

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,384      $ 1,428      $ (44     (3.1 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.5     6.8     (30 ) bps   
     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 586,414      $ 546,962      $ 39,452        7.2

Gross profit

   $ 37,523      $ 37,011      $ 512        1.4

Unit sales

     27,182        25,597        1,585        6.2

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,574      $ 21,368      $ 206        1.0

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,380      $ 1,446      $ (66     (4.6 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.4     6.8     (40 ) bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 2,394,454      $ 2,211,513      $ 182,941        8.3

Gross profit

   $ 155,448      $ 152,355      $ 3,093        2.0

Unit sales

     111,212        105,161        6,051        5.8

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,531      $ 21,030      $ 501        2.4

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,398      $ 1,449      $ (51     (3.5 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.5     6.9     (40 ) bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Wholesale Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 34,579      $ 38,361      $ (3,782     (9.9 %) 

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (2,003   $ (1,122   $ (881     (78.5 %) 

Unit sales

     6,594        6,912        (318     (4.6 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,244      $ 5,550      $ (306     (5.5 %) 

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (304   $ (162   $ (142     (87.7 %) 

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (5.8 %)      (2.9 %)      (290 ) bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 155,339      $ 166,158      $ (10,819     (6.5 %) 

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (7,368   $ (3,616   $ (3,752     (103.8 %) 

Unit sales

     30,168        29,946        222        0.7

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,149      $ 5,549      $ (400     (7.2 %) 

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (244   $ (121   $ (123     (101.7 %) 

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (4.7 %)      (2.2 %)      (250 ) bps   
     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 33,352      $ 37,419      $ (4,067     (10.9 %) 

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (1,850   $ (930   $ (920     (98.9 %) 

Unit sales

     6,312        6,796        (484     (7.1 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,284      $ 5,506      $ (222     (4.0 %) 

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (293   $ (137   $ (156     (113.9 %) 

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (5.5 %)      (2.5 %)      (300 ) bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 149,330      $ 160,343      $ (11,013     (6.9 %) 

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (6,689   $ (3,303   $ (3,386     (102.5 %) 

Unit sales

     28,723        28,968        (245     (0.8 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,199      $ 5,535      $ (336     (6.1 %) 

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (233   $ (114   $ (119     (104.4 %) 

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (4.5 %)      (2.1 %)      (240 ) bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Parts, Service and Collision Repair (“Fixed Operations”)

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

  

Revenue

        

Customer pay

   $ 145,787      $ 137,524      $ 8,263        6.0

Warranty

     58,923        52,396        6,527        12.5

Wholesale parts

     44,602        46,615        (2,013     (4.3 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     95,756        86,389        9,367        10.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 345,068      $ 322,924      $ 22,144        6.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

        

Customer pay

   $ 79,475      $ 74,734      $ 4,741        6.3

Warranty

     31,795        29,135        2,660        9.1

Wholesale parts

     7,917        8,042        (125     (1.6 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     49,886        44,353        5,533        12.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 169,074      $ 156,264      $ 12,810        8.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

        

Customer pay

     54.5     54.3     20  bps   

Warranty

     54.0     55.6     (160 ) bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.8     17.3     50  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     52.1     51.3     80  bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

     49.0     48.4     60  bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

  

Revenue

        

Customer pay

   $ 577,265      $ 565,144      $ 12,121        2.1

Warranty

     228,093        194,468        33,625        17.3

Wholesale parts

     181,296        188,687        (7,391     (3.9 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     378,293        348,271        30,022        8.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,364,947      $ 1,296,570      $ 68,377        5.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

        

Customer pay

   $ 316,026      $ 309,885      $ 6,141        2.0

Warranty

     126,571        106,298        20,273        19.1

Wholesale parts

     32,249        32,633        (384     (1.2 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     190,575        174,733        15,842        9.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 665,421      $ 623,549      $ 41,872        6.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

        

Customer pay

     54.7     54.8     (10 ) bps   

Warranty

     55.5     54.7     80  bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.8     17.3     50  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     50.4     50.2     20  bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

     48.8     48.1     70  bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Parts, Service and Collision Repair (“Fixed Operations”)

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Same Store:

  

Revenue

        

Customer pay

   $ 144,672      $ 134,662      $ 10,010        7.4

Warranty

     58,520        51,482        7,038        13.7

Wholesale parts

     44,325        45,603        (1,278     (2.8 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     93,519        83,613        9,906        11.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 341,036      $ 315,360      $ 25,676        8.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

        

Customer pay

   $ 78,881      $ 73,159      $ 5,722        7.8

Warranty

     31,584        28,649        2,935        10.2

Wholesale parts

     7,858        7,845        13        0.2

Internal, sublet and other

     48,925        42,897        6,028        14.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 167,248      $ 152,550      $ 14,698        9.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

        

Customer pay

     54.5     54.3     20  bps   

Warranty

     54.0     55.6     (160 ) bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.7     17.2     50  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     52.3     51.3     100  bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

     49.0     48.4     60  bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Same Store:

  

Revenue

        

Customer pay

   $ 566,939      $ 545,349      $ 21,590        4.0

Warranty

     224,478        187,094        37,384        20.0

Wholesale parts

     178,113        181,878        (3,765     (2.1 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     365,554        335,435        30,119        9.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,335,084      $ 1,249,756      $ 85,328        6.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

        

Customer pay

   $ 310,297      $ 299,075      $ 11,222        3.8

Warranty

     124,675        102,376        22,299        21.8

Wholesale parts

     31,599        31,300        299        1.0

Internal, sublet and other

     184,657        167,834        16,823        10.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 651,228      $ 600,585      $ 50,643        8.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

        

Customer pay

     54.7     54.8     (10 ) bps   

Warranty

     55.5     54.7     80  bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.7     17.2     50  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     50.5     50.0     50  bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

     48.8     48.1     70  bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Finance, Insurance and Other, Net (“F&I”)

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,      Better / (Worse)  
     2015      2014      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Reported:

           

Revenue

   $ 83,796       $ 76,755       $ 7,041         9.2

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,321       $ 1,255       $ 66         5.3
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,      Better / (Worse)  
     2015      2014      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Reported:

           

Revenue

   $ 326,588       $ 300,095       $ 26,493         8.8

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,279       $ 1,220       $ 59         4.8
     Three Months Ended December 31,      Better / (Worse)  
     2015      2014      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Same Store:

           

Revenue

   $ 82,764       $ 75,480       $ 7,284         9.7

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,330       $ 1,260       $ 70         5.6
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,      Better / (Worse)  
     2015      2014      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Same Store:

           

Revenue

   $ 318,476       $ 290,368       $ 28,108         9.7

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,288       $ 1,227       $ 61         5.0


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

        

Compensation

   $ 169,510      $ 155,382      $ (14,128     (9.1 %)

Advertising

     15,470        15,409        (61     (0.4 %)

Rent

     18,481        18,384        (97     (0.5 %)

Other

     71,541        75,227        3,686        4.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 275,002      $ 264,402      $ (10,600     (4.0 %)
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total pre-tax adjustments

     2,323        (1,282     (3,605     (281.2 %)
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted SG&A

   $ 277,325      $ 263,120        (14,205     (5.4 %)

SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

        

Compensation

     46.6     44.6     (200 ) bps   

Advertising

     4.3     4.4     10  bps   

Rent

     5.1     5.3     20  bps   

Other

     19.6     21.6     200  bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

     75.6     75.9     30  bps   

Total pre-tax adjustments

     0.6     (0.4 %)      (100 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjusted SG&A as a % of gross profit

     76.2     75.5     (70 ) bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2015     2014     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

        

Compensation

   $ 666,668      $ 638,875      $ (27,793     (4.4 %)

Advertising

     61,630        57,437        (4,193     (7.3 %)

Rent

     73,539        73,707        168        0.2

Other

     308,728        297,414        (11,314     (3.8 %)
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,110,565      $ 1,067,433      $ (43,132     (4.0 %)
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total pre-tax adjustments

     (1,859     5,673        7,532        132.8 %
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted SG&A

   $ 1,108,706      $ 1,073,106        (35,600     (3.3 %)

SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

        

Compensation

     47.1     46.8     (30 ) bps   

Advertising

     4.4     4.2     (20 ) bps   

Rent

     5.2     5.4     20  bps   

Other

     21.8     21.7     (10 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

     78.5     78.1     (40 ) bps   

Total pre-tax adjustments

     (0.1 %)      0.5     60  bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjusted SG&A as a % of gross profit

     78.4 %     78.6 %     20  bps