8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 28, 2003

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

1-13395	56-201079
(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

5401 E. Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, North Carolina	28212
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (704) 566-2400

Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure

On October 28, 2003, we issued a press release announcing the approval of a quarterly cash dividend.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this current report on Form 8-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
By:	/s/ Stephen K. Coss
	Stephen K. Coss Vice President and General Counsel

Dated: October 28, 2003

2

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC. DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

CHARLOTTE, NC (October 28, 2003) – Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share for shareholders of record on December 15, 2003. The dividend will be payable January 15, 2004.

O. Bruton Smith, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “Sonic Automotive initiated the dividend program last quarter to redirect a portion of capital that was previously used for share repurchases. The dividend program was well received and we are pleased to announce this second quarterly payment.”

About Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 Company, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States operating 192 franchises and 42 collision repair centers. Sonic can be reached on the Web at www.sonicautomotive.com.

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to anticipated cash dividends to shareholders and share repurchase 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 Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 2, 2003. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information.

Contact:	E. Lee Wyatt, Chief Financial Officer of Sonic Automotive (704) 566-2415
	J. Todd Atenhan, Investor Relations of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (888) 766-4218
	Bill Steers, Media Relations of Sonic Automotive, Inc. (888) 766-4219