Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Reports Record Results

Continuing Operations Quarterly Earnings Per Share of $0.84

Fourth Quarter 2016 Results

 

    Record Q4 pre-owned units and gross profit of 29,621 and $41.5 million, respectively

 

    Record Q4 fixed operations gross profit of $169.9 million, up 0.5% over the prior year quarter

 

    Record Q4 F&I gross profit and gross profit per retail unit of $88.3 million and $1,363, respectively

 

    Record Q4 total gross profit of $371.7 million, up 2.2% over the prior year quarter

 

    EchoPark® stores retailed 1,330 units, up 74.1% over the prior year quarter

Full Year 2016 Results

 

    Record annual pre-owned units of 119,174, up 1.8% over the prior year

 

    Record annual fixed operations gross profit of $674.1 million, up 1.3% over the prior year

 

    Record annual F&I gross profit and gross profit per retail unit of $343.3 million and $1,354, respectively

 

    Record annual total gross profit of $1.429 billion, up 1.0% over the prior year

 

    EchoPark® stores retailed 4,865 units, up 50.9% over the prior year

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – February 21, 2017Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2016.

GAAP Basis

Net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2015 was $38.0 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, and $31.5 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, respectively. Also included in the reported amounts for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2015 is a net loss from operations related to EchoPark® of $1.3 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, and $2.2 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, respectively.

Net income from continuing operations for the full year of 2016 and 2015 was $94.5 million, or $2.06 per diluted share, and $88.1 million, or $1.73 per diluted share, respectively. Also included in the reported amounts for the full year of 2016 and 2015 is a net loss from operations related to EchoPark® of $7.8 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, and $10.8 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, respectively.


Adjusted Basis

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 most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted net income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2015 was $29.8 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, and $30.9 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, respectively. The adjustments in the 2016 quarterly period relate to gains for a settlement with an original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) and the adjustment of physical damage loss accruals offset partially by losses related to fixed asset impairments and lease exit charges. The adjustments in the 2015 quarterly period relate to gains from the disposal of dealership franchises, offset partially by losses related to fixed asset and franchise asset impairments.    

Adjusted net income from continuing operations for the full year of 2016 and 2015 was $92.3 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, and $100.2 million, or $1.97 per diluted share, respectively. The adjustments in the 2016 annual period relate to gains for a settlement with an OEM, partially offset by charges related to physical damage losses, lease exit charges and fixed asset impairments. The adjustments in the 2015 annual period related to charges related to physical damage losses, legal matters, lease exit charges and fixed assets impairments, franchise assets and goodwill, offset partially by gains from the disposal of dealership franchises.    

Commentary

Jeff Dyke, Sonic’s EVP of Operations, stated, “We are very proud of our record setting performance in the fourth quarter and throughout 2016. During the year, increases in fixed operations and F&I gross profit have been able to overshadow challenges experienced in the new and used vehicle gross profit categories. We are very proud of our team for how they handled these challenges driven by recalls, over-supply of inventory and softening in the Houston, Texas market. The December month was an all-time record breaking month for us and offset a weaker start to the quarter. We sold, grossed, serviced and profited more in December than in any month in our company’s history. We believe our brand mix, improvements in the Houston economy and our team’s execution of our Playbook strategy helped lead to this record breaking performance. In addition, our stores representing three of our most significant brands, Honda, BMW and Mercedes, were able to outpace industry unit results during the fourth quarter.”

“EchoPark® continues to improve its performance from an operational and financial standpoint. Several of the original stores in Denver were cash flow positive in the fourth quarter at the store operating level and our first store that has been open the longest was profitable for the year. We have an additional store opening in Colorado Springs in the second quarter that will bring our store count total in Colorado to six. Our next market we expect to open will be in Texas, specifically, the San Antonio market where we anticipate openings of at least three new locations in late 2017. We are excited about our EchoPark® performance and the progress we are making from a profit perspective. We also continue to have one of the highest Reputation.com scores for auto retail, and retail in general, as guests continue to tell us that the goal we set of developing the best guest experience in the industry is being met!”


2017 Outlook

B. Scott Smith, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, noted, “The 2016 year proved to be a bit of a roller coaster ride from month-to-month as we believe consumer uncertainty, the effect of recalls and stop-sales made it challenging for all automotive retailers. We expect 2017 to be consistent with the 2016 environment for dealers and anticipate new vehicle industry volume to be between 17.0 million and 17.5 million units. We project diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for 2017 to be between $2.00 and $2.10 per share. This range includes the effect of projected EchoPark® results and expansion. We are projecting a loss related to EchoPark® for 2017 of between $0.23 and $0.27 per diluted share. We will have additional comments on our 2017 outlook in our earnings call later today.”

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, 2017. The dividend will be payable on April 14, 2017.

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: 57878967

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: 57878967

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.


Forward Looking Statements

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to anticipated expansion of our EchoPark® business, the estimated new vehicle industry volume in 2017 and anticipated diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the full year ending December 31, 2017. 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (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 from continuing operations and related earnings per diluted share, 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 financial 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.

###

 

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 (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 December 31,     Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
     2016     2015     2016     2015  
     (In thousands, except per share and unit data)  

Revenues:

        

New retail vehicles

   $ 1,396,413     $ 1,377,661     $ 5,180,535     $ 5,205,688  

Fleet vehicles

     11,914       22,101       53,970       59,713  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new vehicles

     1,408,327       1,399,762       5,234,505       5,265,401  

Used vehicles

     651,608       607,430       2,533,122       2,512,024  

Wholesale vehicles

     57,906       34,579       211,048       155,339  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total vehicles

     2,117,841       2,041,771       7,978,675       7,932,764  

Parts, service and collision repair

     350,726       345,068       1,409,819       1,364,947  

Finance, insurance and other, net

     88,346       83,796       343,285       326,588  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     2,556,913       2,470,635       9,731,779       9,624,299  

Gross profit

     371,735       363,848       1,429,274       1,414,612  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (267,135     (275,002     (1,110,856     (1,110,565

Impairment charges

     (1,824     (1,257     (8,063     (17,955

Depreciation and amortization

     (20,144     (17,846     (77,446     (68,799
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     82,632       69,743       232,909       217,293  

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense, floor plan

     (7,919     (5,840     (27,716     (21,326

Interest expense, other, net

     (12,546     (12,275     (50,106     (50,910

Other income (expense), net

     5       —         125       99  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (20,460     (18,115     (77,697     (72,137
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

     62,172       51,628       155,212       145,156  

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

     (24,131     (20,121     (60,696     (57,065
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     38,041       31,507       94,516       88,091  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (405     (449     (1,323     (1,780
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 37,636     $ 31,058     $ 93,193     $ 86,311  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

        

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.84     $ 0.63     $ 2.06     $ 1.73  

Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

     (0.01     (0.01     (0.03     (0.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.83     $ 0.62     $ 2.03     $ 1.70  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     45,341       50,278       45,948       50,883  

Gross Margin Data (Continuing Operations):

        

New retail vehicles

     5.3     5.4     5.0     5.2

Fleet vehicles

     (0.3 %)      0.1     0.3     (0.3 %) 

Total new vehicles

     5.2     5.3     5.0     5.1

Used vehicles

     6.4     6.4     6.3     6.5

Wholesale vehicles

     (3.3 %)      (5.8 %)      (3.5 %)      (4.7 %) 

Parts, service and collision repair

     48.4     49.0     47.8     48.8

Finance, insurance and other

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Overall gross margin

     14.5     14.7     14.7     14.7

SG&A Expenses (Continuing Operations):

        

Compensation

   $ 167,724     $ 169,510     $ 674,617     $ 666,668  

Advertising

     15,840       15,470       61,674       61,630  

Rent

     18,638       18,481       73,903       73,539  

Other

     64,933       71,541       300,662       308,728  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 267,135     $ 275,002     $ 1,110,856     $ 1,110,565  

SG&A expenses as % of gross profit

     71.9     75.6     77.7     78.5

Operating Margin %

     3.2     2.8     2.4     2.3

Unit Data (Continuing Operations):

        

New retail units

     35,188       35,228       134,288       138,129  

Fleet units

     374       628       1,715       1,872  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new units

     35,562       35,856       136,003       140,001  

Used units

     29,621       28,220       119,174       117,123  

Wholesale units

     9,086       6,594       35,098       30,168  


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Per Share Data

 

     Three Months Ended December 31, 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

     44,764      $ 38,041       $ (405     $ 37,636    

Effect of participating securities:

               

Non-vested restricted stock

        (22       —           (22  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     44,764      $ 38,019     $ 0.85     $ (405   $ (0.01   $ 37,614     $ 0.84  

Effect of dilutive securities:

               

Stock compensation plans

     577               
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     45,341      $ 38,019     $ 0.84     $ (405   $ (0.01   $ 37,614     $ 0.83  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

               

OEM Settlement

      $ (14,836     $ —         $ (14,836  

Impairment charges

        1,824         —           1,824    

Storm damage and other

        (411       450         39    
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        (13,423       450         (12,973  

Income tax effect of above adjustments

        5,210         (153       5,057    
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

      $ (8,213   $ (0.18   $ 297     $ 0.01     $ (7,916   $ (0.17

Adjusted:

               
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

      $ 29,828     $ 0.66     $ (108   $ —       $ 29,720     $ 0.66  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1)    Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.03 per fully diluted share in the three months ended December 31, 2016.

 

     

   
     Three Months Ended December 31, 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

     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:

               

Gain on disposal

      $ (2,323     $ —         $ (2,323  

Impairment charges

        1,257         —           1,257    
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        (1,066       —           (1,066  

Income tax effect of above adjustments

        415         —           415    
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

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

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Adjusted:

               
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share (2)

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

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Per Share Data

 

     Twelve Months Ended December 31, 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

     45,637      $ 94,516       $ (1,323     $ 93,193    

Effect of participating securities:

               

Non-vested restricted stock

        (52       —           (52  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     45,637      $ 94,464     $ 2.07     $ (1,323   $ (0.03   $ 93,141     $ 2.04  

Effect of dilutive securities:

               

Stock compensation plans

     311               
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     45,948      $ 94,464     $ 2.06     $ (1,323   $ (0.03   $ 93,141     $ 2.03  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

               

OEM Settlement

      $ (14,836     $ —         $ (14,836  

Impairment charges

        7,913         —           7,913    

Storm damage and other

        3,290         927         4,217    
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        (3,633       927         (2,706  

Income tax effect of above adjustments

        1,394         (341       1,053    
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

      $ (2,239   $ (0.05   $ 586     $ 0.01     $ (1,653   $ (0.04
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Adjusted:

               
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

      $ 92,277     $ 2.01     $ (737   $ (0.02   $ 91,540     $ 1.99  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(3) Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.17 per fully diluted share in the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.

 

     Twelve Months Ended December 31, 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

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

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock

        (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:

                

Gain on disposal

      $ (3,279      $ —         $ (3,279  

Impairment charges

        17,918          —           17,918    

Storm damage and other

        5,138          —           5,138    
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        19,777          —           19,777    

Income tax effect of above adjustments

        (7,713        —           (7,713  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

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

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Adjusted:

                
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

New Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 1,408,327     $ 1,399,762     $ 8,565       0.6

Gross profit

   $ 73,916     $ 74,209     $ (293     (0.4 %) 

Unit sales

     35,562       35,856       (294     (0.8 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 39,602     $ 39,038     $ 564       1.4

Gross profit per unit

   $ 2,079     $ 2,070     $ 9       0.4

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     5.2     5.3     (10 )  bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 5,234,505     $ 5,265,401     $ (30,896     (0.6 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 260,594     $ 267,929     $ (7,335     (2.7 %) 

Unit sales

     136,003       140,001       (3,998     (2.9 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,488     $ 37,610     $ 878       2.3

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,916     $ 1,914     $ 2       0.1

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     5.0     5.1     (10 )  bps   
     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 1,393,218     $ 1,394,423     $ (1,205     (0.1 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 73,391     $ 74,428     $ (1,037     (1.4 %) 

Unit sales

     35,261       35,726       (465     (1.3 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 39,512     $ 39,031     $ 481       1.2

Gross profit per unit

   $ 2,081     $ 2,083     $ (2     (0.1 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     5.3     5.3     —     bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 5,214,210     $ 5,221,517     $ (7,307     (0.1 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 259,403     $ 266,632     $ (7,229     (2.7 %) 

Unit sales

     135,605       138,901       (3,296     (2.4 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,451     $ 37,592     $ 859       2.3

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,913     $ 1,920     $ (7     (0.4 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     5.0     5.1     (10 )  bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Used Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 651,608     $ 607,430     $ 44,178       7.3

Gross profit

   $ 41,464     $ 38,772     $ 2,692       6.9

Unit sales

     29,621       28,220       1,401       5.0

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,998     $ 21,525     $ 473       2.2

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,400     $ 1,374     $ 26       1.9

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.4     6.4     —     bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 2,533,122     $ 2,512,024     $ 21,098       0.8

Gross profit

   $ 158,585     $ 162,042     $ (3,457     (2.1 %) 

Unit sales

     119,174       117,123       2,051       1.8

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,256     $ 21,448     $ (192     (0.9 %) 

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,331     $ 1,384     $ (53     (3.8 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.3     6.5     (20 )  bps   
     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 632,856     $ 603,026     $ 29,830       4.9

Gross profit

   $ 38,591     $ 38,681     $ (90     (0.2 %) 

Unit sales

     28,781       28,000       781       2.8

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,989     $ 21,537     $ 452       2.1

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,341     $ 1,381     $ (40     (2.9 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.1     6.4     (30 )  bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 2,502,267     $ 2,481,090     $ 21,177       0.9

Gross profit

   $ 156,841     $ 161,743     $ (4,902     (3.0 %) 

Unit sales

     117,814       115,549       2,265       2.0

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,239     $ 21,472     $ (233     (1.1 %) 

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,331     $ 1,400     $ (69     (4.9 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.3     6.5     (20 )  bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Wholesale Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 57,906     $ 34,579     $ 23,327       67.5

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (1,890   $ (2,003   $ 113       5.6

Unit sales

     9,086       6,594       2,492       37.8

Revenue per unit

   $ 6,373     $ 5,244     $ 1,129       21.5

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (208   $ (304   $ 96       31.6

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (3.3 %)      (5.8 %)      250   bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 211,048     $ 155,339     $ 55,709       35.9

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (7,316   $ (7,368   $ 52       0.7

Unit sales

     35,098       30,168       4,930       16.3

Revenue per unit

   $ 6,013     $ 5,149     $ 864       16.8

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (208   $ (244   $ 36       14.8

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (3.5 %)      (4.7 %)      120   bps   
     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 56,696     $ 34,436     $ 22,260       64.6

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (1,762   $ (1,898   $ 136       7.2

Unit sales

     8,845       6,569       2,276       34.6

Revenue per unit

   $ 6,410     $ 5,242     $ 1,168       22.3

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (199   $ (289   $ 90       31.1

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (3.1 %)      (5.5 %)      240   bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 209,323     $ 153,705     $ 55,618       36.2

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (7,062   $ (6,969   $ (93     (1.3 %) 

Unit sales

     34,798       29,869       4,929       16.5

Revenue per unit

   $ 6,015     $ 5,146     $ 869       16.9

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (203   $ (233   $ 30       12.9

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (3.4 %)      (4.5 %)      110   bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

  

Revenue

        

Customer pay

   $ 139,550     $ 145,787     $ (6,237     (4.3 %) 

Warranty

     67,656       58,923       8,733       14.8

Wholesale parts

     43,337       44,602       (1,265     (2.8 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     100,183       95,756       4,427       4.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 350,726     $ 345,068     $ 5,658       1.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross profit

        

Customer pay

   $ 73,958     $ 79,475     $ (5,517     (6.9 %) 

Warranty

     36,973       31,795       5,178       16.3

Wholesale parts

     7,450       7,917       (467     (5.9 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     51,519       49,887       1,632       3.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 169,900     $ 169,074     $ 826       0.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

        

Customer pay

     53.0     54.5     (150 )  bps   

Warranty

     54.6     54.0     60    bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.2     17.8     (60 )  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     51.4     52.1     (70 )  bps   

Total

     48.4     49.0     (60 )  bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

  

Revenue

        

Customer pay

   $ 582,557     $ 577,265     $ 5,292       0.9

Warranty

     240,415       228,093       12,322       5.4

Wholesale parts

     176,870       181,296       (4,426     (2.4 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     409,977       378,293       31,684       8.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 1,409,819     $ 1,364,947     $ 44,872       3.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross profit

        

Customer pay

   $ 314,791     $ 316,026     $ (1,235     (0.4 %) 

Warranty

     129,924       126,571       3,353       2.6

Wholesale parts

     30,754       32,249       (1,495     (4.6 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     198,657       190,575       8,082       4.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 674,126     $ 665,421     $ 8,705       1.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

        

Customer pay

     54.0     54.7     (70 )  bps   

Warranty

     54.0     55.5     (150 )  bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.4     17.8     (40 )  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     48.5     50.4     (190 )  bps   

Total

     47.8     48.8     (100 )  bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Same Store:

  

Revenue

        

Customer pay

   $ 138,954     $ 145,057     $ (6,103     (4.2 %) 

Warranty

     67,386       58,637       8,749       14.9

Wholesale parts

     43,320       44,353       (1,033     (2.3 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     98,692       95,272       3,420       3.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 348,352     $ 343,319     $ 5,033       1.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross profit

        

Customer pay

   $ 73,667     $ 79,057     $ (5,390     (6.8 %) 

Warranty

     36,802       31,641       5,161       16.3

Wholesale parts

     7,448       7,864       (416     (5.3 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     50,876       49,713       1,163       2.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 168,793     $ 168,275     $ 518       0.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

        

Customer pay

     53.0     54.5     (150 )  bps   

Warranty

     54.6     54.0     60    bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.2     17.7     (50 )  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     51.6     52.2     (60 )  bps   

Total

     48.5     49.0     (50 )  bps   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Same Store:

  

Revenue

        

Customer pay

   $ 581,642     $ 569,924     $ 11,718       2.1

Warranty

     240,065       225,572       14,493       6.4

Wholesale parts

     176,850       178,958       (2,108     (1.2 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     407,371       374,003       33,368       8.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 1,405,928     $ 1,348,457     $ 57,471       4.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross profit

        

Customer pay

   $ 314,342     $ 311,926     $ 2,416       0.8

Warranty

     129,721       125,255       4,466       3.6

Wholesale parts

     30,752       31,770       (1,018     (3.2 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     196,758       188,423       8,335       4.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   $ 671,573     $ 657,374     $ 14,199       2.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

        

Customer pay

     54.0     54.7     (70 )  bps   

Warranty

     54.0     55.5     (150 )  bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.4     17.8     (40 )  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     48.3     50.4     (210 )  bps   

Total

     47.8     48.8     (100 )  bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Reported:

           

Revenue

   $ 88,346      $ 83,796      $ 4,550        5.4

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,363      $ 1,321      $ 42        3.2
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Reported:

           

Revenue

   $ 343,285      $ 326,588      $ 16,697        5.1

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,354      $ 1,279      $ 75        5.9
     Three Months Ended December 31,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Same Store:

           

Revenue

   $ 85,445      $ 83,393      $ 2,052        2.5

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,342      $ 1,322      $ 20        1.5
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,      Better / (Worse)  
     2016      2015      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Same Store:

           

Revenue

   $ 338,733      $ 323,556      $ 15,177        4.7

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,346      $ 1,281      $ 65        5.1


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

        

Compensation

   $ 167,724     $ 169,510     $ 1,786       1.1

Advertising

     15,840       15,470       (370     (2.4 %) 

Rent

     18,638       18,481       (157     (0.8 %) 

Other

     64,933       71,541       6,608       9.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 267,135     $ 275,002     $ 7,867       2.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

OEM Settlement

   $ 14,836     $ —        

Storm damage and other

     411       —        

Gain on disposal

     —         2,323      
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total SG&A adjustments

   $ 15,247     $ 2,323      

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total adjusted SG&A expenses

   $ 282,382     $ 277,325     $ (5,057     (1.8 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Reported:

        

SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

        

Compensation

     45.1     46.6     150    bps   

Advertising

     4.3     4.3     0    bps   

Rent

     5.0     5.1     10    bps   

Other

     17.5     19.6     210    bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

     71.9     75.6     370    bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

OEM Settlement

     4.0     0.0    

Storm damage and other

     0.1     0.0    

Gain on disposal

     0.0     0.6    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total effect of adjustments

     4.1     0.6    

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total adjusted SG&A as a % of gross profit

     76.0     76.2     20    bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
     Twelve Months Ended December 31,     Better / (Worse)  
     2016     2015     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

        

Compensation

   $ 674,617     $ 666,668     $ (7,949     (1.2 %) 

Advertising

     61,674       61,630       (44     (0.1 %) 

Rent

     73,903       73,539       (364     (0.5 %) 

Other

     300,662       308,728       8,066       2.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 1,110,856     $ 1,110,565     $ (291     (0.0 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

OEM Settlement

   $ 14,836     $ —        

Storm damage and other

     (3,290     (5,138    

Gain on disposal

     —         3,279      
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total SG&A adjustments

   $ 11,546     $ (1,859    

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total adjusted SG&A expenses

   $ 1,122,402     $ 1,108,706     $ (13,696     (1.2 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Reported:

        

SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

        

Compensation

     47.2     47.1     (10 )  bps   

Advertising

     4.3     4.4     10    bps   

Rent

     5.2     5.2     0    bps   

Other

     21.0     21.8     80    bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

     77.7     78.5     80    bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

OEM Settlement

     1.0     0.0    

Storm damage and other

     (0.2 %)      (0.3 %)     

Gain on disposal

     0.0     0.2    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total effect of adjustments

     0.8     (0.1 %)     

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total adjusted SG&A as a % of gross profit

     78.5     78.4     (10 )  bps