Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Results -

Record F&I Results and Total Gross Profit

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – October 24, 2017Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2017.

Third Quarter 2017 Results

 

    EchoPark units retailed up 37.7% over the prior year quarter

 

    All-time record quarterly F&I gross profit and gross profit per retail unit of $92.9 million and $1,408, respectively

 

    Record Q3 total gross profit of $362.6 million, up 1.0% over the prior year quarter

 

    Repurchased 0.7 million Class A shares (approximately 1.5% of outstanding stock) for $11.4 million and declared $0.05/share dividend

 

    GAAP continuing operations net income of $19.7 million with EPS of $0.45 per diluted share

 

    Adjusted continuing operations net income of $17.4 million with adjusted EPS of $0.40 per diluted share

GAAP Basis

Net income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2017 was $19.7 million, or $0.45 per diluted share. These results include a gain related to the disposal of a franchise partially offset by charges related to fixed asset impairments, weather-related physical damage costs and legal matters.

Comparatively, net income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2016 was $19.0 million, or $0.42 per diluted share. These results include charges related to fixed asset impairments and legal matters which were partially offset by favorable weather-related physical damage accrual adjustments.

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 third quarter of 2017 was $17.4 million, or $0.40 per diluted share. The adjustments in the 2017 quarterly period relate to a gain related to the disposal of a franchise and charges related to fixed asset impairments, weather-related physical damage costs and legal matters. Adjusted net income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2016 was $21.2 million, or $0.47 per diluted share. The adjustments in the 2016 quarterly period relate to charges for fixed asset impairments and legal matters, which were partially offset by favorable weather-related physical damage accrual adjustments.

Commentary

B. Scott Smith, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, noted, “We would first like to thank all of the first responders and public officials that prepared people and their communities for the storms and then


have been tirelessly working to help those in need. We know all of the work is not close to being completed and the road to recovery will be challenging. We will continue working with those affected to help them put their lives back together.”

“The retail environment continues to be healthy with what we believe to be an adequate supply of credit and an ample supply of new and pre-owned inventory. We continue to see strong competition between dealers to acquire customers, which is putting pressure on margins notwithstanding the increase in incentives that we have seen in certain brands. Our build-out of EchoPark continues as planned and we anticipate opening in San Antonio, Texas in the first quarter and have an active schedule that will include the opening of approximately 10 additional EchoPark locations by the end of 2018.”

Jeff Dyke, Sonic’s EVP of Operations, stated, “The third quarter was similar to what we have seen for most of the year prior to the hurricanes in the Texas and Florida markets. Our Houston stores continued to struggle and BMW, which is about 30% of our profit structure, continues to be a major challenge. Hurricane Harvey closed all of our stores in the Houston market for about a week. Nearly 20% of our store count and 30% of our profit comes from the Houston market, which made the end of August a challenge. We were able to have the majority of our stores open within a few days, and by September 15, 2017, all of our stores were open and we began to help people replace and repair vehicles damaged by the hurricane. As a result of our national footprint and scale, we were able to ship in vehicles from around the country to ensure we had an adequate supply of inventory. Business was robust in Houston in the final half of September due to recovery efforts. We anticipate the retail activity in the Houston market in the fourth quarter of 2017 to continue to be favorable as those affected replace and repair vehicles.”

“Hurricane Irma’s effects on Sonic were less significant than those of Harvey, but still affected our operations from south Florida up into the Carolinas. We believe the threat of the storm kept customers away as they prepared for a storm that had an uncertain track as it approached and proceeded up the west coast of Florida. We did not see the level of sales activity rebound like we experienced in the Houston market as Irma’s flooding was not as significant. The loss of power affected our south Florida stores and west coast Florida stores from between seven to nine days, but all stores were back in business by September 15.”

“EchoPark continues its robust growth and our six stores combined were cash flow positive during the quarter. Our newest location in Colorado Springs was cash flow positive in its third month of operation, some six months ahead of the original EchoPark stores. We are very excited about the EchoPark brand and what we have been able to accomplish in the Colorado market.”

Scott Smith continued, “We are dedicated to returning capital to our stockholders. We again declared a dividend of $0.05 per share in the quarter and repurchased approximately 667,000 shares of stock. Together, these two actions returned approximately $13.6 million to our stockholders.”

“As stated in a previous press release, we estimate the negative impact experienced in the third quarter of fiscal 2017 due to the storms to be offset by a lift of increased automotive retail sales and service activity in the fourth quarter. Accordingly, we expect fiscal 2017 GAAP earnings per share from continuing operations to be between $1.55 and $1.65 and expect fiscal 2017 adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations to be between $1.85 and $1.95. We can add more color on this during our call today.”


Dividend

Sonic’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share payable in cash for our stockholders of record on December 15, 2017. The dividend will be payable on January 12, 2018.

Third 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: (877) 450-3867

International: (706) 643-0958

Conference ID: 93768785

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

Domestic: (855) 859-2056

International: (404) 537-3406

Conference ID: 93768785

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, and the anticipated expansion of our EchoPark business. 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 September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2017     2016     2017     2016  
     (In thousands, except per share and unit data)  

Revenues:

        

New retail vehicles

   $ 1,344,941     $ 1,364,842     $ 3,739,640     $ 3,784,122  

Fleet vehicles

     17,360       10,302       69,662       42,056  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new vehicles

     1,362,301       1,375,144       3,809,302       3,826,178  

Used vehicles

     659,724       660,974       1,936,088       1,881,514  

Wholesale vehicles

     43,098       70,522       130,174       153,141  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total vehicles

     2,065,123       2,106,640       5,875,564       5,860,833  

Parts, service and collision repair

     347,717       361,709       1,060,873       1,059,093  

Finance, insurance and other, net

     92,861       89,579       262,832       254,940  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     2,505,701       2,557,928       7,199,269       7,174,866  

Gross profit

     362,622       359,085       1,073,586       1,057,540  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (283,974     (282,141     (870,139     (843,721

Impairment charges

     (200     (6,089     (3,315     (6,240

Depreciation and amortization

     (22,686     (19,928     (65,751     (57,302
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     55,762       50,927       134,381       150,277  

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense, floor plan

     (8,882     (6,672     (26,413     (19,797

Interest expense, other, net

     (13,028     (13,016     (39,200     (37,560

Other income (expense), net

     4       11       (14,490     120  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (21,906     (19,677     (80,103     (57,237
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes

     33,856       31,250       54,278       93,040  

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

     (14,126     (12,281     (22,254     (36,565
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     19,730       18,969       32,024       56,475  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (290     (858     (993     (918
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 19,440     $ 18,111     $ 31,031     $ 55,557  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

        

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.45     $ 0.42     $ 0.72     $ 1.22  

Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

     (0.01     (0.02     (0.02     (0.02
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share

   $ 0.44     $ 0.40     $ 0.70     $ 1.20  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     43,811       45,354       44,585       46,130  

Gross Margin Data (Continuing Operations):

        

New retail vehicles

     4.9%       4.6%       5.0%       4.9%  

Fleet vehicles

     (0.6%     0.3%       (1.6%     0.5%  

Total new vehicles

     4.9%       4.5%       4.9%       4.9%  

Used vehicles

     5.9%       6.0%       6.2%       6.2%  

Wholesale vehicles

     (7.6%     (3.6%     (4.9%     (3.5%

Parts, service and collision repair

     48.2%       47.0%       48.1%       47.6%  

Finance, insurance and other

     100.0%       100.0%       100.0%       100.0%  

Overall gross margin

     14.5%       14.0%       14.9%       14.7%  

SG&A Expenses (Continuing Operations):

        

Compensation

   $ 172,691     $ 171,287     $ 520,420     $ 506,894  

Advertising

     15,846       14,987       46,448       45,834  

Rent

     17,711       18,037       55,309       55,265  

Other

     77,726       77,830       247,962       235,728  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 283,974     $ 282,141     $ 870,139     $ 843,721  

SG&A expenses as % of gross profit

     78.3%       78.6%       81.0%       79.8%  

Operating Margin %

     2.2%       2.0%       1.9%       2.1%  

Unit Data (Continuing Operations):

        

New retail units

     35,117       35,715       97,453       99,100  

Fleet units

     372       339       1,679       1,341  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total new units

     35,489       36,054       99,132       100,441  

Used units

     30,841       30,933       91,749       89,553  

Wholesale units

     7,832       10,377       23,922       26,012  

 


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Per Share Data

 

     Three Months Ended September 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

     43,496      $ 19,730       $ (290     $ 19,440    

Effect of participating securities:

               

Non-vested restricted stock

        (18       —           (18  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     43,496      $ 19,712     $ 0.45     $ (290   $ —       $ 19,422     $ 0.45  

Effect of dilutive securities:

               

Stock compensation plans

     315               
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     43,811      $ 19,712     $ 0.45     $ (290   $ (0.01   $ 19,422     $ 0.44  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

               

Impairment charges

      $ 198       $ —         $ 198    

Storm damage

        2,971         —           2,971    

Legal and other accruals

        959         —           959    

Gain on disposal

        (8,489       —           (8,489  
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        (4,361       —           (4,361  

Income tax effect of adjustments

        2,065         —           2,065    
     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

      $ (2,296   $ (0.05   $ —       $ —       $ (2,296   $ (0.05

Adjusted:

               

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

      $ 17,434     $ 0.40     $ (290   $ (0.01   $ 17,144     $ 0.39  
       

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(1) Net loss attributable to Pre-Owned Stores operations was $0.07 per fully diluted share in the three months ended September 30, 2017.

 

     Three Months Ended September 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

     45,118      $ 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 (2)

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

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

                

Impairment charges

      $ 6,089        $ —         $ 6,089    

Storm damage

        (2,341        1,000         (1,341  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        3,748          1,000         4,748    

Income tax effect of 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 (2)

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

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(2) Net loss attributable to Pre-Owned Stores operations was $0.06 per fully diluted share in the three months ended September 30, 2016.


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Per Share Data

 

     Nine Months Ended September 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

     44,281      $ 32,024        $ (993     $ 31,031    

Effect of participating securities:

                

Non-vested restricted stock

        (28        —           (28  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) and shares

     44,281      $ 31,996     $ 0.72      $ (993   $ (0.02   $ 31,003     $ 0.70  

Effect of dilutive securities:

                

Stock compensation plans

     304                
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings (loss) and shares

     44,585      $ 31,996     $ 0.72      $ (993   $ (0.02   $ 31,003     $ 0.70  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments:

                

Impairment charges

      $ 3,313        $ —         $ 3,313    

Storm damage

        9,971          —           9,971    

Legal and other accruals

        810          —           810    

Lease exit adjustments

        992          —           992    

Gain on disposal

        (8,489        —           (8,489  

Loss on debt extinguishment

        15,268          —           15,268    
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        21,865          —           21,865    

Income tax effect of adjustments

        (8,229        —           (8,229  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Effect of adjustments, net of income taxes

      $ 13,636     $ 0.30      $ —       $ —       $ 13,636     $ 0.30  
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Adjusted:

                
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

      $ 45,660     $ 1.02      $ (993   $ (0.02   $ 44,667     $ 1.00  
       

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(3) Net loss attributable to Pre-Owned Stores operations was $0.21 per fully diluted share in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 

     Nine Months Ended September 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

     45,930      $ 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

        3,702          477         4,179    
     

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total adjustments before taxes

        9,791          477         10,268    

Income tax effect of 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 (4)

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

 

 

      

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(4) Net loss attributable to Pre-Owned Stores operations was $0.15 per fully diluted share in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

New Vehicles

 

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

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,362,301      $ 1,375,144      $ (12,843     (0.9 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 66,238      $ 62,388      $ 3,850       6.2

Unit sales

     35,489        36,054        (565     (1.6 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,387      $ 38,141      $ 246       0.6

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,866      $ 1,730      $ 136       7.9

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.9%        4.5%        40  bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 3,809,302      $ 3,826,178      $ (16,876     (0.4 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 187,038      $ 186,678      $ 360       0.2

Unit sales

     99,132        100,441        (1,309     (1.3 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,427      $ 38,094      $ 333       0.9

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,887      $ 1,859      $ 28       1.5

Gross profit as a % of revenue

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

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,348,084      $ 1,365,641      $ (17,557     (1.3 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 64,316      $ 62,202      $ 2,114       3.4

Unit sales

     35,063        35,639        (576     (1.6 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,447      $ 38,319      $ 128       0.3

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,834      $ 1,745      $ 89       5.1

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.8%        4.6%        20  bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 3,749,137      $ 3,799,558      $ (50,421     (1.3 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 183,239      $ 186,356      $ (3,117     (1.7 %) 

Unit sales

     97,348        99,275        (1,927     (1.9 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 38,513      $ 38,273      $ 240       0.6

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,882      $ 1,877      $ 5       0.3

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     4.9%        4.9%         bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Used Vehicles

 

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

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 659,724      $ 660,974      $ (1,250     (0.2 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 39,145      $ 39,622      $ (477     (1.2 %) 

Unit sales

     30,841        30,933        (92     (0.3 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,391      $ 21,368      $ 23       0.1

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,269      $ 1,281      $ (12     (0.9 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     5.9%        6.0%        (10 ) bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,936,088      $ 1,881,514      $ 54,574       2.9

Gross profit

   $ 120,012      $ 117,121      $ 2,891       2.5

Unit sales

     91,749        89,553        2,196       2.5

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,102      $ 21,010      $ 92       0.4

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,308      $ 1,308      $ —         0.0

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.2%        6.2%        0  bps   
     Three Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 640,993      $ 654,938      $ (13,945     (2.1 %) 

Gross profit

   $ 36,541      $ 37,841      $ (1,300     (3.4 %) 

Unit sales

     29,854        30,554        (700     (2.3 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,471      $ 21,435      $ 36       0.2

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,224      $ 1,238      $ (14     (1.1 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     5.7%        5.8%        (10 ) bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

   $ 1,867,337      $ 1,867,041      $ 296       0.0

Gross profit

   $ 111,547      $ 112,153      $ (606     (0.5 %) 

Unit sales

     88,211        88,592        (381     (0.4 %) 

Revenue per unit

   $ 21,169      $ 21,075      $ 94       0.4

Gross profit per unit

   $ 1,265      $ 1,266      $ (1     (0.1 %) 

Gross profit as a % of revenue

     6.0%        6.0%        0  bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

Wholesale Vehicles

 

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

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 43,098     $ 70,522     $ (27,424     (38.9%

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (3,292   $ (2,507   $ (785     (31.3%

Unit sales

     7,832       10,377       (2,545     (24.5%

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,503     $ 6,796     $ (1,293     (19.0%

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (420   $ (242   $ (178     (73.6%

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (7.6%     (3.6%     (400 ) bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Reported:

        

Revenue

   $ 130,174     $ 153,141     $ (22,967     (15.0%

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (6,381   $ (5,425   $ (956     (17.6%

Unit sales

     23,922       26,012       (2,090     (8.0%

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,442     $ 5,887     $ (445     (7.6%

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (267   $ (209   $ (58     (27.8%

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (4.9%     (3.5%     (140 ) bps   
     Three Months Ended September 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 41,946     $ 69,898     $ (27,952     (40.0%

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (3,069   $ (2,382   $ (687     (28.8%

Unit sales

     7,572       10,240       (2,668     (26.1%

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,540     $ 6,826     $ (1,286     (18.8%

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (405   $ (233   $ (172     (73.8%

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (7.3%     (3.4%     (390 ) bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands, except units and per unit data)  

Same Store:

        

Revenue

   $ 126,330     $ 152,022     $ (25,692     (16.9%

Gross profit (loss)

   $ (6,042   $ (5,222   $ (820     (15.7%

Unit sales

     23,111       25,671       (2,560     (10.0%

Revenue per unit

   $ 5,466     $ 5,922     $ (456     (7.7%

Gross profit (loss) per unit

   $ (261   $ (203   $ (58     (28.6%

Gross profit (loss) as a % of revenue

     (4.8%     (3.4%     (140 ) bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

Reported:

  

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 137,850      $ 146,365      $ (8,515     (5.8 %) 

Warranty

     70,575        60,388        10,187       16.9

Wholesale parts

     40,927        44,202        (3,275     (7.4 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     98,365        110,754        (12,389     (11.2 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 347,717      $ 361,709      $ (13,992     (3.9 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 74,302      $ 79,153      $ (4,851     (6.1 %) 

Warranty

     38,821        32,176        6,645       20.7

Wholesale parts

     6,958        7,566        (608     (8.0 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     47,589        51,108        (3,519     (6.9 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 167,670      $ 170,003      $ (2,333     (1.4 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     53.9%        54.1%        (20 )  bps   

Warranty

     55.0%        53.3%        170    bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.0%        17.1%        (10 )  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     48.4%        46.1%        230    bps   

Total

     48.2%        47.0%        120    bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

  

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 415,179      $ 443,007      $ (27,828     (6.3 %) 

Warranty

     213,155        172,759        40,396       23.4

Wholesale parts

     127,014        133,533        (6,519     (4.9 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     305,525        309,794        (4,269     (1.4 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 1,060,873      $ 1,059,093      $ 1,780       0.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 222,086      $ 240,833      $ (18,747     (7.8 %) 

Warranty

     117,809        92,951        24,858       26.7

Wholesale parts

     21,839        23,305        (1,466     (6.3 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     148,351        147,137        1,214       0.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 510,085      $ 504,226      $ 5,859       1.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     53.5%        54.4%        (90 )  bps   

Warranty

     55.3%        53.8%        150    bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.2%        17.5%        (30 )  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     48.6%        47.5%        110    bps   

Total

     48.1%        47.6%        50    bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

Same Store:

          

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 136,879      $ 145,282      $ (8,403     (5.8 %) 

Warranty

     69,959        59,924        10,035       16.7

Wholesale parts

     40,790        43,950        (3,160     (7.2 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     96,716        109,740        (13,024     (11.9 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 344,344      $ 358,896      $ (14,552     (4.1 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 73,781      $ 78,528      $ (4,747     (6.0 %) 

Warranty

     38,508        31,893        6,615       20.7

Wholesale parts

     6,935        7,525        (590     (7.8 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     46,632        50,388        (3,756     (7.5 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 165,856      $ 168,334      $ (2,478     (1.5 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     53.9%        54.1%        (20 )  bps   

Warranty

     55.0%        53.2%        180    bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.0%        17.1%        (10 )  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     48.2%        45.9%        230    bps   

Total

     48.2%        46.9%        130    bps   
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Same Store:

          

Revenue

          

Customer pay

   $ 411,036      $ 439,677      $ (28,641     (6.5 %) 

Warranty

     210,795        171,379        39,416       23.0

Wholesale parts

     126,069        132,758        (6,689     (5.0 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     297,807        307,475        (9,668     (3.1 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 1,045,707      $ 1,051,289      $ (5,582     (0.5 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit

          

Customer pay

   $ 219,890      $ 238,929      $ (19,039     (8.0 %) 

Warranty

     116,493        92,221        24,272       26.3

Wholesale parts

     21,638        23,181        (1,543     (6.7 %) 

Internal, sublet and other

     144,116        145,196        (1,080     (0.7 %) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

   $ 502,137      $ 499,527      $ 2,610       0.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Gross profit as a % of revenue

          

Customer pay

     53.5%        54.3%        (80 )  bps   

Warranty

     55.3%        53.8%        150    bps   

Wholesale parts

     17.2%        17.5%        (30 )  bps   

Internal, sublet and other

     48.4%        47.2%        120    bps   

Total

     48.0%        47.5%        50    bps   


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

Reported:

           

Revenue

   $ 92,861      $ 89,579      $ 3,282        3.7

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,408      $ 1,344      $ 64        4.8
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Reported:

           

Revenue

   $ 262,832      $ 254,940      $ 7,892        3.1

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,389      $ 1,351      $ 38        2.8
     Three Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Same Store:

           

Revenue

   $ 90,602      $ 88,254      $ 2,348        2.7

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,404      $ 1,340      $ 64        4.8
     Nine Months Ended September 30,      Better / (Worse)  
     2017      2016      Change      % Change  
     (In thousands, except per unit data)  

Same Store:

           

Revenue

   $ 253,957      $ 251,204      $ 2,753        1.1

Gross profit per retail unit (excludes fleet)

   $ 1,381      $ 1,346      $ 35        2.6


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

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

Reported:

         

Compensation

   $ 172,691     $ 171,287      $ (1,404     (0.8 %) 

Advertising

     15,846       14,987        (859     (5.7 %) 

Rent

     17,711       18,037        326       1.8

Other

     77,726       77,830        104       0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 283,974     $ 282,141      $ (1,833     (0.6 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Adjustments:

         

Storm damage

   $ (2,971   $ 2,341       

Legal and other accruals

     (959     —         

Gain on disposal

     8,489       —         
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total SG&A adjustments

   $ 4,559     $ 2,341       

Adjusted:

         
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total adjusted SG&A expenses

   $ 288,533     $ 284,482      $ (4,051     (1.4 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Reported:

         

SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

         

Compensation

     47.6%       47.7%        10   bps   

Advertising

     4.4%       4.2%        (20 ) bps   

Rent

     4.9%       5.0%        10   bps   

Other

     21.4%       21.7%        30   bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

     78.3%       78.6%        30   bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Adjustments:

         

Storm damage

     (0.8%     0.6%       

Legal and other accruals

     (0.3%     0.0%       

Gain on disposal

     2.4%       0.0%       
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total effect of adjustments

     1.3%       0.6%       

Adjusted:

         
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total adjusted SG&A as a % of gross profit

     79.6%       79.2%        (40 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      


Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Results of Operations (Unaudited)

 

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

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,     Better / (Worse)  
     2017     2016     Change     % Change  
     (In thousands)  

Reported:

        

Compensation

   $ 520,420     $ 506,894     $ (13,526     (2.7%

Advertising

     46,448       45,834       (614     (1.3%

Rent

     55,309       55,265       (44     (0.1%

Other

     247,962       235,728       (12,234     (5.2%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses

   $ 870,139     $ 843,721     $ (26,418     (3.1%
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

Storm damage

   $ (9,971   $ (3,702    

Legal and other accruals

     (810     —        

Gain on disposal

     8,489       —        

Lease exit adjustments

     (992     —        
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total SG&A adjustments

   $ (3,284   $ (3,702    

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total adjusted SG&A expenses

   $ 866,855     $ 840,019     $ (26,836     (3.2%
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Reported:

        

SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

        

Compensation

     48.5%       47.9%       (60 ) bps   

Advertising

     4.3%       4.3%       0   bps   

Rent

     5.2%       5.2%       0   bps   

Other

     23.0%       22.4%       (60 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total SG&A expenses as a % of gross profit

     81.0%       79.8%       (120 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjustments:

        

Storm damage

     (0.9%     (0.4%    

Legal and other accruals

     (0.1%     0.0%      

Gain on disposal

     0.8%       0.0%      

Lease exit adjustments

     (0.1%     0.0%      
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total effect of adjustments

     (0.3%     (0.4%    

Adjusted:

        
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total adjusted SG&A as a % of gross profit

     80.7%       79.4%       (130 ) bps   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

###

 

Contact:   

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

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