Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Results and EchoPark® Expansion

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – July 28, 2017Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, today reported financial results for the second quarter of 2017.

Second Quarter 2017 Results & Announcements

 

    EchoPark stores retailed 2,049 units, up 80.4% over the prior year quarter

 

    Accelerated expansion of an additional 15 EchoPark stores by the end of 2018

 

    Record Q2 pre-owned units of 30,536 contributing gross profit of $40.0 million

 

    All-time record quarterly fixed operations gross profit of $173.1 million, up 2.9% over the prior year quarter

 

    Record Q2 F&I gross profit and gross profit per retail unit of $86.9 million and $1,379, respectively

 

    Record Q2 total gross profit of $360.6 million, up 2.1% over the prior year quarter

 

    Repurchased 1.2 million Class A shares (approximately 2.6% of outstanding stock) for $22.0 million and declared $0.05/share dividend

 

    GAAP continuing operations net income of $12.3 million with EPS of $0.27 per diluted share

 

    Adjusted continuing operations net income of $17.9 million with adjusted EPS of $0.40 per diluted share

GAAP Basis

Net income from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2017 was $12.3 million, or $0.27 per diluted share. These results include charges related to fixed asset impairments, weather-related physical damage costs, legal matters, and charges associated with closing and relocating stores. Also included in the GAAP reported amounts for the second quarter of 2017 is a net after-tax loss from operations related to EchoPark of $4.7 million, or $0.11 per diluted share.

Comparatively, net income from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2016 was $23.0 million, or $0.50 per diluted share. Included in the GAAP reported amounts for the second quarter of 2016 is a net after-tax loss from operations related to EchoPark of $2.0 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.

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 second quarter of 2017 was $17.9 million, or $0.40 per diluted share. There were no adjustments in the second quarter of 2016. The adjustments in the 2017 quarterly period relate to fixed asset impairments, weather-related physical damage costs, legal matters, and charges associated with closing and relocating stores.


Commentary

Jeff Dyke, Sonic’s EVP of Operations, stated, “Given our performance at EchoPark, we are accelerating our expansion into the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia and Texas markets. Our Colorado stores were cash flow positive in the quarter. Currently, we have more than 15 locations in the aforementioned markets that will break ground in 2017 and 2018.”

“The new vehicle retail sales environment continues to be challenging in Houston and across certain brands. Our exposure to BMW, coupled with economic conditions in Houston’s energy corridor, pressured sales and profitability in the second quarter. On a same store basis, our new vehicle unit sales declined 3.0% compared to the prior year quarter. This decline was slightly higher than the overall SAAR decline of 2.9%. Other parts of the business, however, continue to experience growth. We were able to grow used vehicle, fixed operations and F&I (finance and insurance) gross profit during the quarter which is a testament to the dealer operating model. In addition, our operations and financial management teams have been busy during the quarter adjusting our cost structure in various areas to compensate for increased competition that has pressured margins. We expect this highly competitive retail landscape to continue and possibly intensify over the next several quarters as dealers balance volume and gross per unit expectations.”

B. Scott Smith, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, noted, “Our activities in the quarter continue to support our long-term growth strategies. During the second quarter, we opened our new open point Audi store in Pensacola, Florida and our sixth EchoPark store in Colorado. We believe these investments will offer strong earning streams as the underlying businesses mature. Year to date, we also invested approximately $30 million returning capital to stockholders through dividends and share repurchases. Our facilities teams have been extremely busy as well, evidenced by the $121 million invested in capital expenditures during the first half of 2017. We are committed to offering the best customer buying experience in the industry, which includes state of the art facilities at both our franchised dealerships and EchoPark stores.”

“Based on results experienced in the first half of the year and our forecast for the remainder of 2017, we are updating our earnings guidance. We currently project adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for 2017 to be between $1.85 and $1.95 per share ($1.49 and $1.59 per diluted share, on an unadjusted GAAP basis). This range includes the effect of projected EchoPark results and expansion. We are also now projecting an adjusted loss related to EchoPark for 2017 of between $0.29 and $0.33 per diluted share ($0.32 and $0.36 per diluted share, on an unadjusted GAAP basis). We will have additional comments on our guidance 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 September 15, 2017. The dividend will be payable on October 13, 2017.

Second 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: 48697046

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: 48697046

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. More information about EchoPark Automotive can be found at www.echopark.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to our 2017 earnings expectations, our long-term strategy, the anticipated expansion of our EchoPark business and our franchised dealerships, and our expectation that the highly competitive retail landscape will continue and possibly intensify over the next several quarters. 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 ended December 31, 2016. 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 non-GAAP financial 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.


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

Results of Operations

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2017     2016     2017     2016  
     (In thousands, except per share and unit data)  

Revenues:

        

New retail vehicles

   $ 1,247,318     $ 1,269,843     $ 2,394,699     $ 2,419,280  

Fleet vehicles

     27,751       16,621       52,302       31,754  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new vehicles

     1,275,069       1,286,464       2,447,001       2,451,034  

Used vehicles

     641,891       622,186       1,276,364       1,220,540  

Wholesale vehicles

     40,765       38,245       87,076       82,620  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total vehicles

     1,957,725       1,946,895       3,810,441       3,754,194  

Parts, service and collision repair

     361,113       351,329       713,156       697,384  

Finance, insurance and other, net

     86,908       84,088       169,971       165,361  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     2,405,746       2,382,312       4,693,568       4,616,939  

Gross profit

     360,618       353,305       710,965       698,455  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (293,931     (277,204     (586,165     (561,580

Impairment charges

     (2,605     (151     (3,115     (151

Depreciation and amortization

     (21,911     (18,905     (43,065     (37,374
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     42,171       57,045       78,620       99,350  

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense, floor plan

     (9,144     (6,690     (17,531     (13,126

Interest expense, other, net

     (12,764     (12,205     (26,172     (24,544

Other income (expense), net

     7       6       (14,495     110  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (21,901     (18,889     (58,198     (37,560
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

     20,270       38,156       20,422       61,790  

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

     (7,956     (15,113     (8,128     (24,283
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     12,314       23,043       12,294       37,507  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (182     (221     (703     (61
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 12,132     $ 22,822     $ 11,591     $ 37,446  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

        

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.27     $ 0.50     $ 0.27     $ 0.81  

Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

     —         —         (0.01     (0.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.27     $ 0.50     $ 0.26     $ 0.80  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     44,810       45,924       44,976       46,523  

Gross Margin Data (Continuing Operations):

        

New retail vehicles

     5.1%       5.2%       5.1%       5.1%  

Fleet vehicles

     (2.8%     0.9%       (1.9%     0.6%  

Total new vehicles

     4.9%       5.1%       4.9%       5.1%  

Used vehicles

     6.2%       5.9%       6.3%       6.3%  

Wholesale vehicles

     (4.7%     (4.8%     (3.5%     (3.5%

Parts, service and collision repair

     47.9%       47.9%       48.0%       47.9%  

Finance, insurance and other

     100.0%       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%  

Overall gross margin

     15.0%       14.8%       15.1%       15.1%  

SG&A Expenses (Continuing Operations):

        

Compensation

   $ 171,182     $ 166,560     $ 347,729     $ 335,601  

Advertising

     15,344       15,499       30,602       30,847  

Rent

     19,110       18,508       37,598       37,228  

Other

     88,295       76,637       170,236       157,904  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 293,931     $ 277,204     $ 586,165     $ 561,580  

SG&A expenses as % of gross profit

     81.5%       78.5%       82.4%       80.4%  

Operating Margin %

     1.8%       2.4%       1.7%       2.2%  

Unit Data (Continuing Operations):

        

New retail units

     32,466       33,229       62,336       63,385  

Fleet units

     682       553       1,307       1,002  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new units

     33,148       33,782       63,643       64,387  

Used units

     30,536       29,287       60,908       58,620  

Wholesale units

     7,783       7,212       16,090       15,635  


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Per Share Data

 

     Three Months Ended June 30, 2017  
            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

     44,570      $ 12,314        $ (182     $ 12,132    

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock

        (9        —           (9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     44,570      $ 12,305     $ 0.28      $ (182   $ (0.01   $ 12,123     $ 0.27  

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     240                
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     44,810      $ 12,305     $ 0.27      $ (182   $ —       $ 12,123     $ 0.27  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

                

Impairment charges

      $ 2,605        $ —         $ 2,605    

Storm damage

        4,618          —           4,618    

Legal accruals and settlements

        1,000          —           1,000    

Lease exit adjustments

        992          —           992    
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        9,215          —           9,215    

Income tax effect of above adjustments

        (3,617        —           (3,617  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

      $ 5,598     $ 0.13      $ —       $ —       $ 5,598     $ 0.13  

Adjusted:

                
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

      $ 17,912     $ 0.40      $ (182   $ —       $ 17,730     $ 0.40  
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

(1)    Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.07 per fully diluted share in the three months ended June 30, 2017.

     

     Three Months Ended June 30, 2016  
            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

     45,731      $ 23,043        $ (221     $ 22,822    

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock

        (13        —           (13  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     45,731      $ 23,030     $ 0.50      $ (221   $ —       $ 22,809     $ 0.50  

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     193                
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares (2)

     45,924      $ 23,030     $ 0.50      $ (221   $ —       $ 22,809     $ 0.50  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(2)    Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.04 per fully diluted share in the three months ended June 30, 2016.

     


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Per Share Data

 

     Six Months Ended June 30, 2017  
            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

     44,680      $ 12,294        $ (703     $ 11,591    

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock

        (9        —           (9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     44,680      $ 12,285     $ 0.27      $ (703   $ (0.01   $ 11,582     $ 0.26  

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     296                
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     44,976      $ 12,285     $ 0.27      $ (703   $ (0.01   $ 11,582     $ 0.26  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

                

Impairment charges

      $ 3,115        $ —         $ 3,115    

Storm damage

        7,000          —           7,000    

Legal accruals and settlements

        (149        —           (149  

Lease exit adjustments

        992          —           992    

Loss on debt extinguishment

        15,268          —           15,268    
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        26,226          —           26,226    

Income tax effect of above adjustments

        (10,294        —           (10,294  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

      $ 15,932     $ 0.36      $ —       $ (0.01   $ 15,932     $ 0.35  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Adjusted:

                
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

      $ 28,226     $ 0.63      $ (703   $ (0.02   $ 27,523     $ 0.61  
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

(3)    Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.15 per fully diluted share in the six months ended June 30, 2017.

     

     Six Months Ended June 30, 2016  
            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

     46,340      $ 37,507        $ (61     $ 37,446    

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock

        (21        —           (21  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     46,340      $ 37,486     $ 0.81      $ (61   $ —       $ 37,425     $ 0.81  

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     183                
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     46,523      $ 37,486     $ 0.81      $ (61   $ (0.01   $ 37,425     $ 0.80  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

                

Storm damage

      $ 6,043        $ —         $ 6,043    

Lease exit adjustments

        —            (523       (523  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        6,043          (523       5,520    

Income tax effect of above adjustments

        (2,345        203         (2,142  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

      $ 3,698     $ 0.08      $ (320   $ —       $ 3,378     $ 0.08  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Adjusted:

                
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

      $ 41,205     $ 0.89      $ (381   $ (0.01   $ 40,824     $ 0.88  
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

(4)    Net loss attributable to EchoPark® operations was $0.09 per fully diluted share in the six months ended June 30, 2016.

     


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

New Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,275,069      $ 1,286,464      $ (11,395     (0.9 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 62,522      $ 65,866      $ (3,344     (5.1 %) 

Unit sales

     33,148        33,782        (634     (1.9 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,466      $ 38,081      $ 385       1.0

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,886      $ 1,950      $ (64     (3.3 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.9%        5.1%        (20 ) bps   
     Six Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 2,447,001      $ 2,451,034      $ (4,033     (0.2 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 120,800      $ 124,290      $ (3,490     (2.8 %) 

Unit sales

     63,643        64,387        (744     (1.2 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,449      $ 38,067      $ 382       1.0

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,898      $ 1,930      $ (32     (1.7 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.9%        5.1%        (20 ) bps   
     Three Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,258,531      $ 1,286,464      $ (27,933     (2.2 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 61,477      $ 65,842      $ (4,365     (6.6 %) 

Unit sales

     32,767        33,782        (1,015     (3.0 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,408      $ 38,081      $ 327       0.9

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,876      $ 1,949      $ (73     (3.7 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.9%        5.1%        (20 ) bps   
     Six Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 2,416,646      $ 2,451,034      $ (34,388     (1.4 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 119,034      $ 124,217      $ (5,183     (4.2 %) 

Unit sales

     62,955        64,387        (1,432     (2.2 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,387      $ 38,067      $ 320       0.8

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,891      $ 1,929      $ (38     (2.0 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.9%        5.1%        (20 ) bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Used Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 641,891      $ 622,186      $ 19,705       3.2

Gross profit

   $ 40,035      $ 36,969      $ 3,066       8.3

Unit sales

     30,536        29,287        1,249       4.3

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,021      $ 21,244      $ (223     (1.0 %) 

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,311      $ 1,262      $ 49       3.9

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.2%        5.9%        30  bps   
     Six Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,276,364      $ 1,220,540      $ 55,824       4.6

Gross profit

   $ 80,867      $ 77,499      $ 3,368       4.3

Unit sales

     60,908        58,620        2,288       3.9

Revenue per unit

   $ 20,956      $ 20,821      $ 135       0.6

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,328      $ 1,322      $ 6       0.5

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.3%        6.3%        0  bps   
     Three Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 618,082      $ 621,748      $ (3,666     (0.6 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 37,209      $ 35,919      $ 1,290       3.6

Unit sales

     29,388        29,267        121       0.4

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,032      $ 21,244      $ (212     (1.0 %) 

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,266      $ 1,227      $ 39       3.2

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.0%        5.8%        20  bps   
     Six Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,233,473      $ 1,220,103      $ 13,370       1.1

Gross profit

   $ 75,495      $ 74,910      $ 585       0.8

Unit sales

     58,846        58,600        246       0.4

Revenue per unit

   $ 20,961      $ 20,821      $ 140       0.7

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,283      $ 1,278      $ 5       0.4

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.1%        6.1%        0  bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Wholesale Vehicles

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 40,765     $ 38,245     $ 2,520       6.6

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (1,917   $ (1,839   $ (78     (4.2 %) 

Unit sales

     7,783       7,212       571       7.9

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,238     $ 5,303     $ (65     (1.2 %) 

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (246   $ (255   $ 9       3.5

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (4.7%     (4.8%     10  bps   
     Six Months Ended June 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 87,076     $ 82,620     $ 4,456       5.4

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (3,087   $ (2,917   $ (170     (5.8 %) 

Unit sales

     16,090       15,635       455       2.9

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,412     $ 5,284     $ 128       2.4

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (192   $ (187   $ (5     (2.7 %) 

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (3.5%     (3.5%     0  bps   
     Three Months Ended June 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 39,524     $ 38,246     $ 1,278       3.3

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (1,909   $ (1,840   $ (69     (3.8 %) 

Unit sales

     7,577       7,212       365       5.1

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,216     $ 5,303     $ (87     (1.6 %) 

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (252   $ (255   $ 3       1.2

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (4.8%     (4.8%     0  bps   
     Six Months Ended June 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 84,784     $ 82,599     $ 2,185       2.6

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (2,994   $ (2,915   $ (79     (2.7 %) 

Unit sales

     15,697       15,630       67       0.4

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,401     $ 5,285     $ 116       2.2

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (191   $ (187   $ (4     (2.1 %) 

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (3.5%     (3.5%     0  bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

  

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 139,194      $ 149,248      $ (10,054     (6.7 %) 

Warranty

     72,661        54,812        17,849       32.6

Wholesale parts

     42,806        44,021        (1,215     (2.8 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     106,452        103,248        3,204       3.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 361,113      $ 351,329      $ 9,784       2.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 74,344      $ 81,323      $ (6,979     (8.6 %) 

Warranty

     40,319        29,449        10,870       36.9

Wholesale parts

     7,331        7,797        (466     (6.0 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     51,076        49,652        1,424       2.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 173,070      $ 168,221      $ 4,849       2.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     53.4%        54.5%        (110 ) bps   

Warranty

     55.5%        53.7%        180   bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.1%        17.7%        (60 ) bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     48.0%        48.1%        (10 ) bps   

Total

     47.9%        47.9%        0   bps   
     Six Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

  

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 277,328      $ 296,642      $ (19,314     (6.5 %) 

Warranty

     142,579        112,371        30,208       26.9

Wholesale parts

     86,087        89,331        (3,244     (3.6 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     207,162        199,040        8,122       4.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 713,156      $ 697,384      $ 15,772       2.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 147,784      $ 161,680      $ (13,896     (8.6 %) 

Warranty

     78,989        60,775        18,214       30.0

Wholesale parts

     14,881        15,738        (857     (5.4 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     100,760        96,029        4,731       4.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 342,414      $ 334,222      $ 8,192       2.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     53.3%        54.5%        (120 ) bps   

Warranty

     55.4%        54.1%        130   bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.3%        17.6%        (30 ) bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     48.6%        48.2%        40   bps   

Total

     48.0%        47.9%        10   bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Same Store:

  

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 138,408      $ 149,246      $ (10,838     (7.3 %) 

Warranty

     72,325        54,812        17,513       32.0

Wholesale parts

     42,478        44,021        (1,543     (3.5 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     103,273        103,231        42       0.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 356,484      $ 351,310      $ 5,174       1.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 73,942      $ 81,322      $ (7,380     (9.1 %) 

Warranty

     40,129        29,543        10,586       35.8

Wholesale parts

     7,239        7,797        (558     (7.2 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     49,803        49,470        333       0.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 171,113      $ 168,132      $ 2,981       1.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     53.4%        54.5%        (110 ) bps   

Warranty

     55.5%        53.9%        160   bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.0%        17.7%        (70 ) bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     48.2%        47.9%        30   bps   

Total

     48.0%        47.9%        10   bps   
     Six Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Same Store:

  

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 275,827      $ 296,640      $ (20,813     (7.0 %) 

Warranty

     141,914        112,371        29,543       26.3

Wholesale parts

     85,705        89,331        (3,626     (4.1 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     202,482        199,023        3,459       1.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 705,928      $ 697,365      $ 8,563       1.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 147,031      $ 161,679      $ (14,648     (9.1 %) 

Warranty

     78,568        60,825        17,743       29.2

Wholesale parts

     14,776        15,739        (963     (6.1 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     98,216        95,538        2,678       2.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 338,591      $ 333,781      $ 4,810       1.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     53.3%        54.5%        (120 ) bps   

Warranty

     55.4%        54.1%        130   bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.2%        17.6%        (40 ) bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     48.5%        48.0%        50   bps   

Total

     48.0%        47.9%        10   bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Reported:

           

Revenue

   $ 86,908      $ 84,088      $ 2,820        3.4

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,379      $ 1,345      $ 34        2.5
     Six Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Reported:

           

Revenue

   $ 169,971      $ 165,361      $ 4,610        2.8

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,379      $ 1,355      $ 24        1.8
     Three Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Same Store:

           

Revenue

   $ 84,457      $ 83,884      $ 573        0.7

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,374      $ 1,342      $ 32        2.4
     Six Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Same Store:

           

Revenue

   $ 165,318      $ 164,736      $ 582        0.4

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,372      $ 1,350      $ 22        1.6


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017     2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

         

Compensation

   $ 171,182     $ 166,560      $ (4,622     (2.8 %) 

Advertising

     15,344       15,499        155       1.0

Rent

     19,110       18,508        (602     (3.3 %) 

Other

     88,295       76,637        (11,658     (15.2 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 293,931     $ 277,204      $ (16,727     (6.0 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Adjustments:

         

Storm damage

   $ (4,618   $ —         

Legal accruals and settlements

     (1,000     —         

Lease exit adjustments

     (992     —         
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total SG&A adjustments

   $ (6,610   $ —         

Adjusted:

         
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total adjusted SG&A expenses

   $ 287,321     $ 277,204      $ (10,117     (3.6 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Reported:

         

SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

         

Compensation

     47.5%       47.1%        (40 ) bps   

Advertising

     4.3%       4.4%        10   bps   

Rent

     5.3%       5.2%        (10 ) bps   

Other

     24.4%       21.8%        (260 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

     81.5%       78.5%        (300 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Adjustments:

         

Storm damage

     (1.2%     0.0%       

Legal accruals and settlements

     (0.3%     0.0%       

Lease exit adjustments

     (0.3%     0.0%       
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total effect of adjustments

     (1.8%     0.0%       

Adjusted:

         
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total adjusted SG&A as a % of gross profit

     79.7%       78.5%        (120 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses        
     Six Months Ended June 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

        

Compensation

   $ 347,729     $ 335,601     $ (12,128     (3.6 %) 

Advertising

     30,602       30,847       245       0.8

Rent

     37,598       37,228       (370     (1.0 %) 

Other

     170,236       157,904       (12,332     (7.8 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 586,165     $ 561,580     $ (24,585     (4.4 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

Storm damage

   $ (7,000   $ (6,043    

Legal accruals and settlements

     149       —        

Lease exit adjustments

     (992     —        
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total SG&A adjustments

   $ (7,843   $ (6,043    

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total adjusted SG&A expenses

   $ 578,322     $ 555,537     $ (22,785     (4.1 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Reported:

        

SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

        

Compensation

     48.9%       48.0%       (90 ) bps   

Advertising

     4.3%       4.4%       10   bps   

Rent

     5.3%       5.3%       0   bps   

Other

     23.9%       22.7%       (120 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

     82.4%       80.4%       (200 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

Storm damage

     (1.0%     (0.9%    

Legal accruals and settlements

     0.1%       0.0%      

Lease exit adjustments

     (0.2%     0.0%      
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total effect of adjustments

     (1.1%     (0.9%    

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total adjusted SG&A as a % of gross profit

     81.3%       79.5%       (180 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

###

 

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