Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Earnings

Q3 2016 Continuing Operations Diluted Earnings per Share of $0.42, and $0.47 on an Adjusted Basis

Third Quarter 2016 Highlights

 

    All-time record quarterly used retail unit sales of 30,933, up 1.5% over the prior year quarter

 

    Record third quarter fixed operations gross profit of $170.0 million, up 0.2% over the prior year quarter with one less selling day

 

    All-time record F&I quarterly gross profit of $89.6 million, up 4.4% over the prior year quarter

 

    EchoPark® stores retail 1,458 units, up 58.5% from the prior year quarter – five stores operational in the Denver market

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – November 1, 2016 Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2016.

GAAP Basis

Net income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2016 was $19.0 million, or $0.42 per diluted share. Included in these amounts are net pre-tax charges totaling $3.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, consisting of fixed asset impairment charges (relating to a facility construction project and the abandonment of certain construction projects) which were partially offset by favorable storm-related physical damage and legal accrual adjustments. Also included in the reported amounts for the third quarter of 2016 is a net loss from operations related to EchoPark® of $2.3 million, or $0.05 per diluted share.

Net income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2015 was $27.1 million, or $0.53 per diluted share. Included in these reported amounts is a net loss from operations related to EchoPark® of $2.2 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.

Adjusted Basis

Adjusted net income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2016 was $21.2 million, or $0.47 per diluted share. Excluded from these adjusted amounts are the impairment of fixed assets, physical damage and legal adjustments discussed above (see attached tables for additional information and reconciliation of reported GAAP basis amounts to adjusted balances).

There were no adjusted amounts for the third quarter of 2015.


Commentary

Jeff Dyke, Sonic’s EVP of Operations, stated, “We had another record quarter in fixed operations, F&I and pre-owned, but did face headwinds during the quarter. Stop-sale vehicles, BMW brand performance and weakness in one of our most profitable markets, Houston, negatively impacted our results. Given BMW’s brand performance during the quarter and that BMW stores represent over 30% of our profitability, we were negatively impacted. We have absolute confidence in the BMW brand and are working with our partners at BMW to address this bump in the road, which we view as a short-term issue. We are making progress with our stop-sale inventory with less than 2,200 units on hand at the end of the third quarter of 2016 compared to nearly 4,700 units on hand at the end of the second quarter of 2016. Finally, we expect weakness to continue in the Houston market, especially in our high-line stores, through at least the end of the year as we believe the energy sector’s recovery may take time to gain some momentum.”

“Our One Sonic-One Experience (“OSOE”) stores are also making good progress and we plan to launch the technology in our first BMW store in the first quarter of 2017. The technology, pricing tools and OSOE playbook have continued to develop nicely and we are excited to see how these tools can be leveraged in a BMW retail operation. We are confident that the implementation of OSOE will greatly enhance our BMW customers’ buying experience as our EchoPark® stores and current OSOE stores boast some of the very highest social media reputation scores in the industry.”

B. Scott Smith, Sonic’s Chief Executive Officer, noted, “We continued to execute our long-term strategies during a challenging third quarter. Expansion of EchoPark® is continuing with two new stores operating during the quarter. We are very excited that combined, our original three stores generated positive cash during the third quarter. Our sixth Denver market store, located in Colorado Springs, will open during the first half of 2017. In addition, we will break ground on our first Texas locations in the first half of 2017.”

“We are also very excited to announce the progress we are making with our open-points. Our new Mercedes-Benz open-point in McKinney, Texas began operations during the quarter. We expect this store to contribute in excess of $100 million in revenue once it is completely ramped up. The Nissan open-point in Cleveland, Tennessee, with expected annual revenues in excess of $30 million, will open before the end of the current year. Lastly, our Pensacola Audi open-point broke ground during the quarter and is expected to open in the first quarter of 2017. Once fully operational, we anticipate this store will produce annual revenues in excess of $50 million. We continue to work with our manufacturer partners and anticipate further growth via additional open-points over the next several years.”

“Lastly, our commitment to return capital to shareholders continued during the quarter as we repurchased approximately 579,000 Class A shares for roughly $10.0 million and declared a dividend with an expected payment of $2.2 million. This brings our year-to-date annual return of capital to shareholders through stock repurchases to $97.5 million. Coupled with dividends declared during 2016 of $9.0 million, we will have returned over $100 million to shareholders so far in 2016.”

“Based on results experienced so far this year and uncertainty related to new vehicle margins in the fourth quarter, we are adjusting our earnings guidance range. We currently estimate diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2016 will range from $0.59 to $0.69 and $1.95 to $2.05 on an adjusted basis for the full year of 2016. This guidance does not include the effect of any amounts related to an anticipated settlement with VW expected to be finalized by the end of the year.”


Dividend

Sonic’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share payable in cash for stockholders of record on December 15, 2016. The dividend will be payable on January 13, 2017.

Third Quarter 2016 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 “Webcasts & Presentations.”

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: 96968408

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: 96968408

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.

 

Contact:    Heath Byrd, Chief Financial Officer (704) 566-2400
   C.G. Saffer, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (704) 566-2439

Forward Looking Statements

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to anticipated expansion of our EchoPark® business, anticipated improved profitability in the fourth quarter of 2016, anticipated continued weakness in the Houston market, anticipated launch of OSOE technology in new markets in the first quarter of 2017, anticipated opening dates for and anticipated future annual revenues from previously-announced open-point dealerships, anticipated additional open-point dealerships in future years, and anticipated diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the fourth quarter and the full year ending December 31, 2016.


There are many factors that affect management’s views about future events and trends of the Company’s business. These factors involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or trends to differ materially from management’s views, 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, 2015. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the attached financial tables contain certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules, such as adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations, which exclude certain items disclosed in the attached financial tables. As required by SEC rules, the Company provides reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company’s disclosure, provide a meaningful presentation of the Company’s results from its core business operations excluding the impact of items not related to the Company’s ongoing core business operations, and improve the period-to-period comparability of the Company’s results from its core business operations.

###


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures (the “Adjusted” amounts) 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 (the “Reported” amounts) 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 September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2016     2015     2016     2015  
     (In thousands, except per share and unit data)  

Revenues:

        

New retail vehicles

   $ 1,364,842      $ 1,352,180      $ 3,784,122      $ 3,828,027   

Fleet vehicles

     10,302        15,849        42,056        37,612   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new vehicles

     1,375,144        1,368,029        3,826,178        3,865,639   

Used vehicles

     660,974        652,058        1,881,514        1,904,594   

Wholesale vehicles

     70,522        37,971        153,141        120,760   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total vehicles

     2,106,640        2,058,058        5,860,833        5,890,993   

Parts, service and collision repair

     361,709        350,520        1,059,093        1,019,878   

Finance, insurance and other, net

     89,579        85,830        254,940        242,792   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     2,557,928        2,494,408        7,174,866        7,153,663   

Gross profit

     359,085        360,251        1,057,540        1,050,764   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (282,141     (280,041     (843,721     (835,564

Impairment charges

     (6,089     (37     (6,240     (16,698

Depreciation and amortization

     (19,928     (17,250     (57,302     (50,953
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     50,927        62,923        150,277        147,549   

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense, floor plan

     (6,672     (5,364     (19,797     (15,488

Interest expense, other, net

     (13,016     (12,361     (37,560     (38,635

Other income (expense), net

     11        —          120        102   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (19,677     (17,725     (57,237     (54,021
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

     31,250        45,198        93,040        93,528   

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

     (12,281     (18,095     (36,565     (36,944
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     18,969        27,103        56,475        56,584   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (858     (598     (918     (1,331
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 18,111      $ 26,505      $ 55,557      $ 55,253   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

        

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.42      $ 0.53      $ 1.22      $ 1.11   

Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

     (0.02     (0.01     (0.02     (0.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.40      $ 0.52      $ 1.20      $ 1.08   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     45,354        50,769        46,130        51,086   

Gross Margin Data (Continuing Operations):

        

New retail vehicles

     4.6%        4.8%        4.9%        5.1%   

Fleet vehicles

     0.3%        (0.8%     0.5%        (0.5%

Total new vehicles

     4.5%        4.8%        4.9%        5.0%   

Used vehicles

     6.0%        6.4%        6.2%        6.5%   

Wholesale vehicles

     (3.6%     (6.5%     (3.5%     (4.4%

Parts, service and collision repair

     47.0%        48.4%        47.6%        48.7%   

Finance, insurance and other

     100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%   

Overall gross margin

     14.0%        14.4%        14.7%        14.7%   

SG&A Expenses (Continuing Operations):

        

Compensation

   $ 171,287      $ 167,489      $ 506,894      $ 497,158   

Advertising

     14,987        15,470        45,834        46,160   

Rent

     18,037        18,558        55,265        55,058   

Other

     77,830        78,524        235,728        237,188   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 282,141      $ 280,041      $ 843,721      $ 835,564   

SG&A expenses as % of gross profit

     78.6%        77.7%        79.8%        79.5%   

Operating Margin %

     2.0%        2.5%        2.1%        2.1%   

Unit Data (Continuing Operations):

        

New retail units

     35,715        36,891        99,100        102,901   

Fleet units

     339        602        1,341        1,244   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new units

     36,054        37,493        100,441        104,145   

Used units

     30,933        30,467        89,553        88,903   

Wholesale units

     10,377        7,787        26,012        23,574   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Per Share Data

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  
            Income (Loss)      Income (Loss)              
            From Continuing      From Discontinued              
            Operations      Operations     Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted            Per            Per           Per  
     Average            Share            Share           Share  
     Shares      Amount     Amount      Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Reported:

                

Earnings (loss) and shares

     45,118       $ 18,969         $ (858     $ 18,111     

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock

        (11        —            (11  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     45,118       $ 18,958      $ 0.42       $ (858   $ (0.02   $ 18,100      $ 0.40   

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     236                 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     45,354       $ 18,958      $ 0.42       $ (858   $ (0.02   $ 18,100      $ 0.40   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

                

Impairment charges

      $ 6,089         $ —          $ 6,089     

Storm damage and other

        (2,341        1,000          (1,341  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        3,748           1,000          4,748     

Income tax effect of above adjustments

        (1,473        (390       (1,863  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

      $ 2,275      $ 0.05       $ 610      $ 0.01      $ 2,885      $ 0.06   

Adjusted:

                
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share (1)

      $ 21,244      $ 0.47       $ (248   $ (0.01   $ 20,996      $ 0.46   
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1) Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.05 per fully diluted share in the three months ended September 30, 2016.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2015  
            Income (Loss)      Income (Loss)              
            From Continuing      From Discontinued              
            Operations      Operations     Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted            Per            Per           Per  
     Average            Share            Share           Share  
     Shares      Amount     Amount      Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Reported:

                

Earnings (loss) and shares

     50,456       $ 27,103         $ (598     $ 26,505     

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock

        (13        —            (13  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     50,456       $ 27,090      $ 0.54       $ (598   $ (0.01   $ 26,492      $ 0.53   

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     313                 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares (2)

     50,769       $ 27,090      $ 0.53       $ (598   $ (0.01   $ 26,492      $ 0.52   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(2) Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.04 per fully diluted share in the three months ended September 30, 2015.    


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Per Share Data    

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016  
            Income (Loss)      Income (Loss)              
            From Continuing      From Discontinued              
            Operations      Operations     Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted            Per            Per           Per  
     Average            Share            Share           Share  
     Shares      Amount     Amount      Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Reported:

                

Earnings (loss) and shares

     45,930       $ 56,475         $ (918     $ 55,557     

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock

        (31        —            (31  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     45,930       $ 56,444      $ 1.23       $ (918   $ (0.02   $ 55,526      $ 1.21   

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     200                 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     46,130       $ 56,444      $ 1.22       $ (918   $ (0.02   $ 55,526      $ 1.20   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

                

Impairment charges

      $ 6,089         $ —          $ 6,089     

Storm damage and other

        3,702           477          4,179     
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        9,791           477          10,268     

Income tax effect of above adjustments

        (3,818        (187       (4,005  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

      $ 5,973      $ 0.13       $ 290      $ 0.01      $ 6,263      $ 0.14   
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Adjusted:

                
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share (3)

      $ 62,448      $ 1.35       $ (628   $ (0.01   $ 61,820      $ 1.34   
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

(3)    Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.14 per fully diluted share in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.    

       

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015  
            Income (Loss)      Income (Loss)              
            From Continuing      From Discontinued              
            Operations      Operations     Net Income (Loss)  
     Weighted            Per            Per           Per  
     Average            Share            Share           Share  
     Shares      Amount     Amount      Amount     Amount     Amount     Amount  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Reported:

                

Earnings (loss) and shares

     50,697       $ 56,584         $ (1,331     $ 55,253     

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock

        (27        —            (27  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     50,697       $ 56,557      $ 1.12       $ (1,331   $ (0.03   $ 55,226      $ 1.09   

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     389                 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     51,086       $ 56,557      $ 1.11       $ (1,331   $ (0.03   $ 55,226      $ 1.08   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

                

Gain on disposal

      $ (955      $ —          $ (955  

Impairment charges

        16,661           —            16,661     

Storm damage and other

        5,138           —            5,138     
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        20,844           —            20,844     

Income tax effect of above adjustments

        (8,129        —            (8,129  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

      $ 12,715      $ 0.25       $ —        $ —        $ 12,715      $ 0.25   
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Adjusted:

                
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share (4)

      $ 69,299      $ 1.36       $ (1,331   $ (0.03   $ 67,968      $ 1.33   
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

(4)    Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.15 per fully diluted share in the nine months ended September 30, 2015.    

       

 


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

New Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,375,144       $ 1,368,029       $ 7,115        0.5%   

Gross profit

   $ 62,388       $ 65,435       $ (3,047     (4.7%

Unit sales

     36,054         37,493         (1,439     (3.8%

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,141       $ 36,488       $ 1,653        4.5%   

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,730       $ 1,745       $ (15     (0.9%

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.5%         4.8%         (30     bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 3,826,178       $ 3,865,639       $ (39,461     (1.0%

Gross profit

   $ 186,678       $ 193,720       $ (7,042     (3.6%

Unit sales

     100,441         104,145         (3,704     (3.6%

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,094       $ 37,118       $ 976        2.6%   

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,859       $ 1,860       $ (1     (0.1%

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.9%         5.0%         (10     bps   
     Three Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,369,958       $ 1,354,798       $ 15,160        1.1%   

Gross profit

   $ 61,794       $ 64,853       $ (3,059     (4.7%

Unit sales

     35,957         37,164         (1,207     (3.2%

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,100       $ 36,455       $ 1,645        4.5%   

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,719       $ 1,745       $ (26     (1.5%

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.5%         4.8%         (30     bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 3,820,992       $ 3,827,094       $ (6,102     (0.2%

Gross profit

   $ 186,011       $ 192,204       $ (6,193     (3.2%

Unit sales

     100,344         103,175         (2,831     (2.7%

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,079       $ 37,093       $ 986        2.7%   

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,854       $ 1,863       $ (9     (0.5%

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.9%         5.0%         (10     bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Used Vehicles    

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 660,974       $ 652,058       $ 8,916        1.4%   

Gross profit

   $ 39,622       $ 41,730       $ (2,108     (5.1%

Unit sales

     30,933         30,467         466        1.5%   

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,368       $ 21,402       $ (34     (0.2%

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,281       $ 1,370       $ (89     (6.5%

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.0%         6.4%         (40     bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,881,514       $ 1,904,594       $ (23,080     (1.2%

Gross profit

   $ 117,121       $ 123,271       $ (6,150     (5.0%

Unit sales

     89,553         88,903         650        0.7%   

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,010       $ 21,423       $ (413     (1.9%

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,308       $ 1,387       $ (79     (5.7%

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.2%         6.5%         (30     bps   
     Three Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 649,308       $ 644,255       $ 5,053        0.8%   

Gross profit

   $ 39,862       $ 41,726       $ (1,864     (4.5%

Unit sales

     30,433         30,053         380        1.3%   

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,336       $ 21,437       $ (101     (0.5%

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,310       $ 1,388       $ (78     (5.6%

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.1%         6.5%         (40     bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,869,441       $ 1,878,064       $ (8,623     (0.5%

Gross profit

   $ 118,250       $ 123,062       $ (4,812     (3.9%

Unit sales

     89,033         87,549         1,484        1.7%   

Revenue per unit

   $ 20,997       $ 21,452       $ (455     (2.1%

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,328       $ 1,406       $ (78     (5.5%

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.3%         6.6%         (30     bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Wholesale Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 70,522      $ 37,971      $ 32,551        85.7%   

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (2,507   $ (2,481   $ (26     (1.0%

Unit sales

     10,377        7,787        2,590        33.3%   

Revenue per unit

   $ 6,796      $ 4,876      $ 1,920        39.4%   

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (242   $ (319   $ 77        24.1%   

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (3.6%     (6.5%     290        bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 153,141      $ 120,760      $ 32,381        26.8%   

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (5,425   $ (5,366   $ (59     (1.1%

Unit sales

     26,012        23,574        2,438        10.3%   

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,887      $ 5,123      $ 764        14.9%   

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (209   $ (228   $ 19        8.3%   

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (3.5%     (4.4%     90        bps   
     Three Months Ended September 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 70,029      $ 37,599      $ 32,430        86.3%   

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (2,385   $ (2,420   $ 35        1.4%   

Unit sales

     10,323        7,722        2,601        33.7%   

Revenue per unit

   $ 6,784      $ 4,869      $ 1,915        39.3%   

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (231   $ (313   $ 82        26.2%   

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (3.4%     (6.4%     300        bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 152,627      $ 119,269      $ 33,358        28.0%   

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (5,300   $ (5,072   $ (228     (4.5%

Unit sales

     25,953        23,300        2,653        11.4%   

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,881      $ 5,119      $ 762        14.9%   

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (204   $ (218   $ 14        6.4%   

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (3.5%     (4.3%     80        bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 146,365       $ 147,308       $ (943     (0.6%

Warranty

     60,388         58,522         1,866        3.2%   

Wholesale parts

     44,202         45,832         (1,630     (3.6%

Internal, sublet and other

     110,754         98,858         11,896        12.0%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 361,709       $ 350,520       $ 11,189        3.2%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 79,153       $ 80,588       $ (1,435     (1.8%

Warranty

     32,176         32,337         (161     (0.5%

Wholesale parts

     7,566         8,045         (479     (6.0%

Internal, sublet and other

     51,108         48,767         2,341        4.8%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 170,003       $ 169,737       $ 266        0.2%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     54.1%         54.7%         (60     bps   

Warranty

     53.3%         55.3%         (200     bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.1%         17.6%         (50     bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     46.1%         49.3%         (320     bps   

Total

     47.0%         48.4%         (140     bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

  

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 443,007       $ 431,479       $ 11,528        2.7%   

Warranty

     172,759         169,170         3,589        2.1%   

Wholesale parts

     133,533         136,693         (3,160     (2.3%

Internal, sublet and other

     309,794         282,536         27,258        9.6%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 1,059,093       $ 1,019,878       $ 39,215        3.8%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 240,833       $ 236,551       $ 4,282        1.8%   

Warranty

     92,951         94,776         (1,825     (1.9%

Wholesale parts

     23,305         24,332         (1,027     (4.2%

Internal, sublet and other

     147,137         140,688         6,449        4.6%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 504,226       $ 496,347       $ 7,879        1.6%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     54.4%         54.8%         (40     bps   

Warranty

     53.8%         56.0%         (220     bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.5%         17.8%         (30     bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     47.5%         49.8%         (230     bps   

Total

     47.6%         48.7%         (110     bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 146,048       $ 145,938       $ 110        0.1%   

Warranty

     60,307         57,858         2,449        4.2%   

Wholesale parts

     44,199         45,270         (1,071     (2.4%

Internal, sublet and other

     109,657         97,765         11,892        12.2%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 360,211       $ 346,831       $ 13,380        3.9%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 78,995       $ 79,791       $ (796     (1.0%

Warranty

     32,094         32,042         52        0.2%   

Wholesale parts

     7,565         7,916         (351     (4.4%

Internal, sublet and other

     50,345         48,116         2,229        4.6%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 168,999       $ 167,865       $ 1,134        0.7%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     54.1%         54.7%         (60     bps   

Warranty

     53.2%         55.4%         (220     bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.1%         17.5%         (40     bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     45.9%         49.2%         (330     bps   

Total

     46.9%         48.4%         (150     bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 442,688       $ 424,867       $ 17,821        4.2%   

Warranty

     172,678         166,934         5,744        3.4%   

Wholesale parts

     133,530         134,605         (1,075     (0.8%

Internal, sublet and other

     308,680         278,733         29,947        10.7%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 1,057,576       $ 1,005,139       $ 52,437        5.2%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 240,675       $ 232,869       $ 7,806        3.4%   

Warranty

     92,919         93,614         (695     (0.7%

Wholesale parts

     23,304         23,906         (602     (2.5%

Internal, sublet and other

     145,882         138,710         7,172        5.2%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 502,780       $ 489,099       $ 13,681        2.8%   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     54.4%         54.8%         (40     bps   

Warranty

     53.8%         56.1%         (230     bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.5%         17.8%         (30     bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     47.3%         49.8%         (250     bps   

Total

     47.5%         48.7%         (120     bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Reported:

           

Revenue

   $ 89,579       $ 85,830       $ 3,749         4.4%   

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,344       $ 1,274       $ 70         5.5%   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Reported:

           

Revenue

   $ 254,940       $ 242,792       $ 12,148         5.0%   

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,351       $ 1,266       $ 85         6.7%   
     Three Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Same Store:

           

Revenue

   $ 88,551       $ 84,981       $ 3,570         4.2%   

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,341       $ 1,276       $ 65         5.1%   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Same Store:

           

Revenue

   $ 253,287       $ 240,163       $ 13,124         5.5%   

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,347       $ 1,267       $ 80         6.3%   

 



Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Better / (Worse)  
          2016               2015              Change             % Change      
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

        

Compensation

   $ 171,287      $ 167,489      $ (3,798     (2.3%

Advertising

     14,987        15,470        483        3.1%   

Rent

     18,037        18,558        521        2.8%   

Other

     77,830        78,524        694        0.9%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 282,141      $ 280,041      $ (2,100     (0.7%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

Storm damage and other

   $ 2,341      $ —        $ 2,341        100.0%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A adjustments

   $ 2,341      $ —        $ 2,341        100.0%   

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total adjusted SG&A expenses

   $ 284,482      $ 280,041      $ (4,441     (1.6%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Reported:

        

SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

        

Compensation

     47.7%        46.5%        (120     bps   

Advertising

     4.2%        4.3%        10        bps   

Rent

     5.0%        5.2%        20        bps   

Other

     21.7%        21.7%        (0     bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

     78.6%        77.7%        (90     bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

Storm damage and other

     0.6%        0.0%        (60     bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total effect of adjustments

     0.6%        0.0%        (60     bps   

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total adjusted SG&A as a % of gross profit

     79.2%        77.7%        (150     bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

        

Compensation

   $ 506,894      $ 497,158      $ (9,736     (2.0%

Advertising

     45,834        46,160        326        0.7%   

Rent

     55,265        55,058        (207     (0.4%

Other

     235,728        237,188        1,460        0.6%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 843,721      $ 835,564      $ (8,157     (1.0%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

Gain on disposal

   $ —        $ 955      $ (955     (100.0%

Storm damage and other

     (3,702     (5,138     1,436        27.9%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A adjustments

   $ (3,702   $ (4,183   $ 481        11.5%   

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total adjusted SG&A expenses

   $ 840,019      $ 831,381      $ (8,638     (1.0%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Reported:

        

SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

        

Compensation

     47.9%        47.3%        (60     bps   

Advertising

     4.3%        4.4%        10        bps   

Rent

     5.2%        5.2%        0        bps   

Other

     22.4%        22.6%        20        bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

     79.8%        79.5%        (30     bps   

Adjustments:

        

Gain on disposal

     0.0%        0.1%        10        bps   

Storm damage and other

     (0.4%     (0.5%     (10     bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total effect of adjustments

     (0.4%     (0.4%     —          bps   

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total adjusted SG&A as a % of gross profit

     79.4%        79.1%        (30     bps