Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2021 |
Dec. 31, 2020 |
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Organization and Business |
Organization and Business - Sonic Automotive, Inc. (“Sonic,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States (“U.S.”) (as measured by total revenue). As a result of the way we manage our business, we had two reportable segments as of December 31, 2021: (1) the Franchised Dealerships Segment and (2) the EchoPark Segment. For management and operational reporting purposes, we group certain businesses together that share management and inventory (principally used vehicles) into “stores.” As of December 31, 2021, we operated 110 stores in the Franchised Dealerships Segment and 46 stores in the EchoPark Segment. The Franchised Dealerships Segment consists of 140 new vehicle franchises (representing 28 different brands of cars and light trucks) and 17 collision repair centers in 17 states.
The Franchised Dealerships Segment provides comprehensive services, including (1) sales of both new and used cars and light trucks; (2) sales of replacement parts and performance of vehicle maintenance, manufacturer warranty repairs, and paint and collision repair services (collectively, “Fixed Operations”); and (3) arrangement of extended warranties, service contracts, financing, insurance and other aftermarket products (collectively, “finance and insurance” or “F&I”) for our guests. The EchoPark Segment sells used cars and light trucks and arranges F&I product sales for our guests in pre-owned vehicle specialty retail locations. Our EchoPark business generally operates independently from our franchised dealerships business (except for certain shared back-office functions and corporate overhead costs).
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| Principles of Consolidation | Principles of Consolidation - All of our dealership and non-dealership subsidiaries are wholly owned and consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements except for one 50%-owned dealership that is accounted for under the equity method. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires Sonic’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates, particularly related to intangible asset values, deferred tax asset values and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits, reserves for legal matters, insurance reserves, reserves for future commission revenue to be returned to the third-party provider for early termination of finance and insurance contracts (“chargebacks”), and estimates of certain retrospective finance and insurance revenue. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents - We classify cash and all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase, including short-term time deposits and government agency and corporate obligations, as cash and cash equivalents. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue Recognition |
Revenue Recognition - Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and in an amount that reflects the consideration that the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We do not include the cost of obtaining contracts within the related revenue streams since we elected the practical expedient to expense the costs to obtain a contract when incurred.
Management has evaluated our established business processes, revenue transaction streams and accounting policies, and identified our material revenue streams to be: (1) the sale of new vehicles; (2) the sale of used vehicles to retail customers; (3) the sale of wholesale used vehicles at third-party auctions; (4) the arrangement of vehicle financing and the sale of service, warranty and other insurance contracts; and (5) the performance of vehicle maintenance and repair services and the sale of related parts and accessories. Generally, performance obligations are satisfied when the associated vehicle is either delivered to a customer and customer acceptance has occurred, over time as the maintenance and repair services are performed, or at the time of wholesale and retail parts sales. We do not have any revenue streams with significant financing components as payments are typically received within a short period of time following completion of the performance obligation(s).
Retrospective finance and insurance revenues (“F&I retro revenues”) are recognized when the product contract has been executed with the end customer and the transaction price is estimated each reporting period based on the expected value method using historical and projected data. F&I retro revenues can vary based on a variety of factors, including number of contracts and history of cancellations and claims. Accordingly, we utilize this historical and projected data to constrain the consideration to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.
We record revenue when vehicles are delivered to customers, as vehicle service work is performed and when parts are delivered. Conditions for completing a sale include having an agreement with the customer, including pricing, and it being probable that the proceeds from the sale will be collected.
The accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 include approximately $34.9 million and $21.7 million recorded in receivables, net, respectively, related to contract assets from F&I retro revenues recognition. Changes in contract assets from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021 were primarily due to ordinary business activity, including the receipt of cash for amounts earned and recognized in prior periods.
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| Floor Plan Assistance | Floor Plan Assistance - We receive floor plan assistance payments from certain manufacturers. This assistance reduces the carrying value of our new vehicle inventory and is recognized as a reduction of cost of sales at the time the vehicle is sold. Amounts recognized as a reduction of cost of sales were approximately $46.5 million, $40.6 million and $41.5 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contracts in Transit | Contracts in Transit - Contracts in transit represent finance contracts evidencing loans or lease agreements between us, as creditor, and the guest, as borrower, to acquire or lease a vehicle in situations where a third-party finance source has given us initial, non-binding approval to assume our position as creditor. Funding and final approval from the finance source is provided upon the finance source’s review of the loan or lease agreement and related documentation executed by the guest at the dealership. These finance contracts are typically funded within 10 days of the initial approval of the finance transaction given by the third-party finance source. The finance source is not contractually obligated to make the loan or lease to the guest until it gives its final approval and funds the transaction, and until such final approval is given, the contracts in transit represent amounts due from the guest to us. Contracts in transit are included in receivables, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and totaled approximately $143.0 million and $179.7 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts Receivable |
Accounts Receivable - In addition to contracts in transit, our accounts receivable primarily consists of amounts due from automobile manufacturers for repair services performed on vehicles with a remaining factory warranty and amounts due from third parties from the sale of parts. We evaluate receivables for collectability based on the age of the receivable, the credit history of the third party, past collection experience, current economic conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future conditions. The recorded allowance for doubtful accounts receivable was not significant at December 31, 2021 and 2020.
Accounts Receivables, net consist of the following:
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| Inventories | Inventories - Inventories of new vehicles, recorded net of manufacturer credits, and used vehicles, including demonstrators, are stated at the lower of specific cost or net realizable value. Inventories of parts and accessories are accounted for using the “first-in, first-out” (“FIFO”) method of inventory accounting and are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or net realizable value. Other inventories are primarily service loaner vehicles and, to a lesser extent, vehicle chassis, other supplies and capitalized customer work-in-progress (open customer vehicle repair orders). Other inventories are stated at the lower of specific cost (depreciated cost for service loaner vehicles) or net realizable value. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and Equipment |
Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We amortize leasehold improvements over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the remaining available lease term. The available lease term includes renewal options if the exercise of a renewal option has been determined to be reasonably assured.
The range of estimated useful lives is as follows:
We review the carrying value of property and equipment and other long-lived assets (including related right-of-use assets for leased properties, but excluding goodwill and other intangible assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If such an indication is present, we compare the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated undiscounted cash flows related to that asset. We conclude that an asset is impaired if the sum of such expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the related asset. If we determine an asset is impaired, the impairment loss would be the amount by which the carrying amount of the related asset exceeds its fair value. The fair value of the asset would be determined based on the quoted market prices, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, we determine fair value by using a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model. See Note 4, “Property and Equipment,” for a discussion of impairment charges.
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| Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities | Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - We utilize derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging the risks of certain identifiable and anticipated transactions. Commonly, the types of risks being hedged are those relating to the variability of cash flows caused by fluctuations in interest rates. We document our risk management strategy and hedge effectiveness at the inception of and during the term of each hedge. As of December 31, 2021, we utilized interest rate cap agreements to limit our exposure to increases in LIBOR rates above certain levels. See Note 6, “Long-Term Debt,” for further discussion of derivative instruments and hedging activities. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill |
Goodwill - Goodwill is recognized to the extent that the purchase price of the acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including other identifiable intangible assets. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” we test goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of October 1 of each year) or more frequently if indications of impairment exist. The ASC also states that if an entity determines, based on an assessment of certain qualitative factors, that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then a quantitative goodwill impairment test is unnecessary. Pursuant to the applicable accounting pronouncements, we were required to evaluate the recoverability of our indefinite lived intangible assets during the first quarter of 2020 as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations and market value. Based on this evaluation, we determined the carrying value of the goodwill related to our franchised dealership reporting unit was greater than the fair value of the reporting unit. Accordingly, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $268.0 million to reduce the carrying value to fair value as of March 31, 2020. We utilized the DCF method, using unobservable inputs (Level 3) to estimate Sonic’s enterprise value as of March 31, 2020 and reconciled the discounted cash flows to Sonic’s market capitalization, using quoted market price inputs (Level 1). The significant assumptions in our DCF model include projected earnings, a discount rate (and estimates in the discount rate inputs), control premium factors and residual growth rates. Based on the improvement in our business operations and market value during the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, our future forecast expectations, and the results of our qualitative test, it was determined to be more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units exceeded the carrying value.
For purposes of goodwill impairment testing, we have two reporting units, which consist of: (1) our traditional franchised dealerships and (2) our EchoPark stores. The carrying value of our goodwill totaled approximately $416.4 million at December 31, 2021, $251.2 million of which was related to our franchised dealership reporting unit and $165.2 million of which was related to our EchoPark reporting unit. Based on the results of our qualitative goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2021, we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each of the reporting units was greater than its carrying amount.
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| Other Intangible Assets |
Other Intangible Assets - The principal identifiable intangible assets other than goodwill acquired in an acquisition are rights under franchise or dealer agreements with manufacturers. As of December 31, 2021, we had 47 stores with franchise rights totaling $480.2 million. We classify franchise and dealer agreements as indefinite lived intangible assets as it has been our experience that renewals have occurred without substantial cost or material modifications to the underlying agreements. As such, we believe that our franchise and dealer agreements will contribute to cash flows for an indefinite period, therefore the carrying amount of franchise rights is not amortized. Franchise and dealer agreements acquired on or after July 1, 2001 have been included in other intangible assets, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Prior to July 1, 2001, franchise and dealer agreements were recorded and amortized as part of goodwill and remain as part of goodwill on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” we evaluate other intangible assets for impairment annually (as of October 1 each year) or more frequently if indications of impairment exist.
We utilized a multi-period excess earnings model to estimate the fair value of the franchise assets for each of our franchises with recorded franchise assets. The significant assumptions in our DCF model include projected revenue, projected operating margins, a discount rate (and estimates in the discount rate inputs) and residual growth rates. Our estimate of future revenue growth is in part driven by our estimates of new vehicle industry sales volume in future periods. While not completely correlated, we believe the historic and projected industry sales volume is a good general indicator of growth or contraction in the retail automotive industry.
Based on the October 1, 2021 annual impairment test, we determined that the fair value of the franchise assets exceeded the carrying value of the franchise assets for all of our franchises, resulting in no franchise asset impairment charges during 2021. See Note 5, “Intangible Assets and Goodwill,” for further discussion of franchise and dealer agreements.
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| Insurance Reserves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income Taxes |
Income Taxes - Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes. Deferred taxes are provided at enacted tax rates for the tax effects of carryforward items and temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts. As a matter of course, the Company is regularly audited by various taxing authorities and, from time to time, these audits result in proposed assessments where the ultimate resolution may result in the Company owing additional taxes. Management believes that the Company’s tax positions comply, in all material respects, with applicable tax law and that the Company has adequately provided for any reasonably foreseeable outcome related to these matters.
From time to time, we engage in transactions in which the tax consequences may be subject to uncertainty. Significant judgment is required in assessing and estimating the tax consequences of these transactions. We determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we presume that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. We adjust our estimates periodically because of ongoing examinations by and settlements with the various taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent. See Note 7, “Income Taxes,” for further discussion of our uncertain tax positions.
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| Concentrations of Credit and Business Risk |
Concentrations of Credit and Business Risk - Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash on deposit with financial institutions, which may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to receivables from automobile manufacturers, totaling approximately $69.6 million and $80.2 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and receivables from financial institutions (which include manufacturer-affiliated finance companies and commercial banks), totaling approximately $175.2 million and $208.8 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Credit risk arising from trade receivables from commercial customers is reduced by the large number of customers comprising the trade receivables balances.
We are subject to a concentration of risk in the event of financial distress or other adverse events related to any of the automobile manufacturers whose franchised dealerships are included in our brand portfolio. We purchase our new vehicle inventory from various automobile manufacturers at the prevailing prices available to all franchised dealerships. In addition, we finance a portion of our new and used vehicle inventory with manufacturer-affiliated finance companies. Our results of operations could be adversely affected by the manufacturers’ inability to supply our dealerships with an adequate supply of new vehicle inventory and related floor plan financing. We also have concentrations of risk related to the geographic markets in which our dealerships operate. Changes in overall economic, retail automotive or regulatory environments in one or more of these markets could adversely impact the results of our operations.
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| Financial Instruments and Market Risks |
Financial Instruments and Market Risks - As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the fair values of our financial instruments including receivables, notes receivable from finance contracts, notes payable - floor plan, trade accounts payable, borrowings under the revolving credit facilities and certain mortgage notes approximated their carrying values due either to length of maturity or existence of variable interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates. See Note 11, “Fair Value Measurements,” for further discussion of the fair value and carrying value of our fixed rate long-term debt and other financial instruments.
We have variable rate notes payable - floor plan, revolving credit facilities, a mortgage facility and other variable rate notes that expose us to risks caused by fluctuations in the underlying interest rates. The counterparties to our interest rate cap agreements are large financial institutions, however, we could be exposed to loss in the event of non-performance by any of these counterparties. See further discussion in Note 6, “Long-Term Debt.”
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| Advertising |
Advertising - We expense advertising costs in the period incurred, net of earned cooperative manufacturer credits that represent reimbursements for specific, identifiable and incremental advertising costs. Advertising expense amounted to approximately $61.6 million, $42.2 million and $60.8 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
We have cooperative advertising reimbursement agreements with certain automobile manufacturers we represent. These agreements require us to provide the manufacturer with support for qualified, actual advertising expenditures in order to receive reimbursement under the agreements. It is uncertain whether or not we would maintain the same level of advertising expenditures if these manufacturers discontinued their cooperative programs. Cooperative manufacturer credits classified as an offset to advertising expenses were approximately $22.1 million, $19.2 million and $25.3 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
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| Segment Information |
Segment Information - We have determined we have two reportable segments: (1) the Franchised Dealerships Segment and (2) the EchoPark Segment, for purposes of reporting financial condition and results of operations. The Franchised Dealerships Segment is comprised of retail automotive franchises that sell new vehicles and buy and sell used vehicles, sell replacement parts, perform vehicle maintenance, warranty and repair services, and arrange finance and insurance products. The EchoPark Segment is comprised of pre-owned vehicle specialty retail locations that provide guests an opportunity to search our nationwide inventory, purchase a pre-owned vehicle, select finance and insurance products and sell their current vehicle to us.
Earnings Per Share - The calculation of diluted earnings per share considers the potential dilutive effect of restricted stock units, restricted stock awards and stock options granted under Sonic’s stock compensation plans (and any non-forfeitable dividends paid on such awards), in addition to Class A Common Stock purchase warrants.
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| COVID19 Description [Text Block] |
COVID 19 - The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the global economy beginning in the first quarter of 2020 and continued to affect the global economy and supply chain through 2021. The impact on the economy initially affected both consumer demand and supply of manufactured goods as many countries around the world and states and municipalities in the U.S. mandated restrictions on citizen movements (i.e., shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders) or on in-person retail trade or manufacturing activities at physical locations. As a result, many businesses curtailed operations and furloughed or terminated employees. In the U.S., the federal government passed several relief measures, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, in an attempt to provide short-term relief to families and businesses as a result of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This broader economic backdrop resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact our business and operations in 2021. As a result of the pandemic and related shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders, we transitioned many of our teammates to remote work arrangements. In situations where a teammate’s role did not permit remote work (e.g., service repair technicians), we implemented staggered work hours, social distancing and other safety measures to promote the health and safety of our teammates and guests. As a result of the systems and infrastructure we had in place prior to the pandemic, we were largely able to maintain our back-office operations, financial reporting and internal control processes with minimal disruption or changes in the effectiveness of such processes.
All of our store operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to varying degrees. Due to the critical nature of automotive repair, our Fixed Operations were deemed “essential” by governmental agencies and have largely been able to continue to conduct business while adjusting operations to comply with state and local standards for safety and social distancing to promote the health and safety of our teammates and guests. As of December 31, 2021, our stores remain subject to both external and self-imposed health and safety policies and practices that may affect the way we sell vehicles and interact with our guests in the future. State and local governmental restrictions on consumer and business activity may be tightened again if conditions related to the pandemic worsen as a result of future coronavirus variants.
The global automotive supply chain has been significantly disrupted during the pandemic, primarily related to the production of semiconductors that are used in many components of modern automobiles, in addition to workforce-related production delays and stoppages. As a result, automobile manufacturing is operating at lower than usual production levels, reducing the amount of new vehicle and certain parts inventory available to our dealerships. These inventory constraints, coupled with strong consumer demand and record levels of consumer savings, have led to a low new and used vehicle inventory and a high new and used vehicle pricing environment, which drove lower than expected retail new vehicle unit sales volume in 2021.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential accounting impact associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, such as the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The amendments in this ASU apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 could be adopted beginning January 1, 2020 and are effective through December 31, 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01 which clarifies that certain optional expedients and
exceptions in ASC Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. We do not currently have any contracts that have been modified, amended or renegotiated to accommodate a transition to a new reference rate, but we will continue to evaluate any such modifications or amendments to our contracts to determine the applicability of this standard on our consolidated financial statements and related financial statement disclosures.
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| Income Tax Benefit Goodwill Impairment | $ 51,300 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||