Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Second Quarter Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 29 -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. , a leader in automotive retailing, today announced that second quarter 2008 earnings from continuing operations were $20.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, compared to $28.8 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, in the prior year period.

"This quarter's results are in line with our revised earnings target," said President and Chief Strategic Officer B. Scott Smith. "We have seen some improvement in our July business compared to the relatively weak industry experience the entire sector saw in June but the overall market remains challenged. We continue to see the benefit of the automotive retailing model and believe the changes we are making in light of the current economic environment will benefit our Company well into the future."

Presentation materials for the Company's earnings conference call at 11:00 A.M. (Eastern) on July 29, 2008 can be accessed on the Company's website at www.sonicautomotive.com by clicking on the "For Investors" tab and choosing "Webcasts & Presentations" on the right side of the screen.

To access the live broadcast of the conference call over the Internet go to: www.sonicautomotive.com

A live audio of the conference call will be accessible to the public by calling (877) 791-3416. International callers dial (706) 643-0958. Callers should dial in approximately 10 minutes before the call begins.

A conference call replay will be available one hour following the call for seven days and can be accessed by calling: (800) 642-1687 (domestic) or (706) 645-9291 (international), conference call ID #55356748.

About Sonic Automotive

Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company based in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States operating 166 franchises. Sonic can be reached on the Web at www.sonicautomotive.com

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to July business activity. There are many factors that affect management's views about future events and trends of the Company's business. These factors involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results or trends to differ materially from management's view, including without limitation, economic conditions, risks associated with acquisitions and the risk factors described in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information.