8-K

UNITED STATES

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): July 23, 2013

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

1-13395	56-201079
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
4401 Colwick Road Charlotte, North Carolina	28211
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

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

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 23, 2013, we issued a press release announcing results for our fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2013.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. A copy of the earnings call presentation materials is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On July 23, 2013, we issued a press release announcing the approval of a quarterly cash dividend.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1	Press release of Sonic Automotive, Inc. dated July 23, 2013
99.2	Earnings call presentation materials
99.3	Press release of Sonic Automotive, Inc. dated July 23, 2013

2

SIGNATURES

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

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

Dated: July 23, 2013

3

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release of Sonic Automotive, Inc. dated July 23, 2013
99.2	Earnings call presentation materials
99.3	Press release of Sonic Automotive, Inc. dated July 23, 2013

4

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Adjusted Diluted EPS Up 11%

Reaffirms Full Year Guidance

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – July 23, 2013 – Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, today reported 2013 second quarter adjusted earnings from continuing operations of $26.4 million. Adjusted earnings from continuing operations per diluted share increased 11.1% to $0.50 compared to an adjusted $0.45 in the prior year quarter. Adjusted results in the second quarter of 2013 exclude a pre-tax charge of approximately $29.0 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, related to costs associated with retiring its outstanding 9.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 (the “9% Notes”). Adjusted results in the second quarter of 2012 exclude a pre-tax charge of approximately $2.6 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, related to a loss recorded on the repurchase of $20.2 million principal amount of Sonic’s 5% Convertible Senior Notes and the favorable effect of approximately $0.06 per fully diluted share related to the settlement of certain tax matters.

Q2 2013 Highlights

• New retail revenue up 5.1% over prior year quarter

• Pre-owned volume per store per month at 89 units, revenue up 0.8%

• Total revenue up 3.8% compared to the prior year quarter

• Fixed operations gross profit up $6.5 million, or 4.5%, compared to the prior year quarter

• Finance and insurance gross profit up 8.6% and profit per retail unit of $1,148

• SG&A to gross profit % was flat at 76.6% compared to prior year quarter

• Completed the retirement of 9% Notes through the issuance of 5%, 10-year notes

B. Scott Smith, the Company’s President, noted, “I’m pleased that we grew our earnings per share by more than 11% in the quarter despite our margin challenges associated with our True Price process execution. Our investment strategy remains the same. We continue to focus on investing in our base business, owning our real estate and strengthening our balance sheet.”

“In May, we announced the acquisition of Murray Mercedes Benz of Denver and Murray BMW of Denver which we expect to close in the third quarter. Both operations are brands that we operate very well and are in one of the best markets in the country.”

“In addition, during June we also executed the most successful bond offering in the Company’s history securing 5% financing on $300.0 million, moving our nearest maturity out to 2022.”

“I’m pleased to reiterate our earnings guidance that was originally given at the beginning of the year. We are targeting fully diluted earnings per share from continuing operations at $1.93-$2.03 for the full year 2013.”

The Company’s EVP of Operations, Jeff Dyke, commented, “Training on True Price and the development of our Customer Experience model and related technologies continued in the second quarter. We are learning a great deal. It’s been an amazing first six months of the year as we continue to evolve. We have stores within brand lines that are showing substantial growth over the prior year as the stores gain the experience needed to execute our True Price process. We are very excited about the progress and potential that we see in our stores and the feedback we are receiving from our customers as we work toward using technology, process and transparency to enhance trust and eliminate the wasteful time and energy it takes to buy a vehicle.”

“We are confident that over the next 18 months the rollout of these processes and the commitment we are making to a seamless, paperless transaction that includes our sales associates handling the entire Customer Experience transaction will provide us with infinite opportunities for growth and a significant competitive advantage. An example of the technologies we are developing for use on Apple’s iPhone and iPad products can be found on Apple’s website at either: http://www.apple.com/iphone/business/profiles/sonic-automotive/ or http://www.apple.com/ipad/business/profiles/sonic-automotive/ .”

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: 1.877.791.3416

International: 1.706.643.0958

Conference ID: 14097096

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: 14097096

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.

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with respect to anticipated growth in used vehicle sales, and future success and impacts from the implementation of our strategic initiatives. 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 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 ending December 31, 2012 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2013. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Results of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures (the “Adjusted” columns) as defined under SEC rules, such as, but not limited to, adjusted income from continuing operations and related earnings per share data. The Company has reconciled these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures (the “Reported” columns) in the release. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company’s disclosure by providing period-to-period comparability of the Company’s results from operations.

	Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2013									Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2012
	Reported			Adjustments			Adjusted			Reported			Adjustments			Adjusted
Revenues:
New retail vehicles	$	1,199,709		$	—		$	1,199,709		$	1,141,729		$	—		$	1,141,729
Fleet vehicles		47,452			—			47,452			43,925			—			43,925
Total new vehicles		1,247,161			—			1,247,161			1,185,654			—			1,185,654
Used vehicles		538,977			—			538,977			534,637			—			534,637
Wholesale vehicles		40,032			—			40,032			42,552			—			42,552
Total vehicles		1,826,170			—			1,826,170			1,762,843			—			1,762,843
Parts, service and collision repair		307,046			—			307,046			295,340			—			295,340
Finance, insurance and other		69,220			—			69,220			63,763			—			63,763
Total revenues		2,202,436			—			2,202,436			2,121,946			—			2,121,946
Gross profit		323,806			—			323,806			312,852			—			312,852
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(248,090	)		—			(248,090	)		(239,751	)		—			(239,751	)
Impairment charges		(36	)		—			(36	)		(33	)		—			(33	)
Depreciation and amortization		(13,144	)		—			(13,144	)		(11,210	)		—			(11,210	)
Operating income (loss)		62,536			—			62,536			61,858			—			61,858
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, floor plan		(5,591	)		—			(5,591	)		(4,857	)		—			(4,857	)
Interest expense, other, net		(14,390	)		788	(1)		(13,602	)		(13,835	)		—			(13,835	)
Other income (expense), net		(28,265	)		28,235	(2)		(30	)		(2,553	)		2,578	(3)		25
Total other income (expense)		(48,246	)		29,023			(19,223	)		(21,245	)		2,578			(18,667	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes		14,290			29,023			43,313			40,613			2,578			43,191
Provision for income taxes - benefit (expense)		(5,573	)		(11,319	)		(16,892	)		(11,615	)		(4,574	) (4)		(16,189	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		8,717			17,704			26,421			28,998			(1,996	)		27,002
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		199			—			199			(819	)					(819	)
Net income (loss)	$	8,916		$	17,704		$	26,620		$	28,179		$	(1,996	)	$	26,183
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$	0.16		$	0.34		$	0.50		$	0.48		$	(0.03	)	$	0.45
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations		0.01			(0.01	)		—			(0.01	)		—			(0.01	)
Earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.17		$	0.33		$	0.50		$	0.47		$	(0.03	)	$	0.44
Weighted average common shares outstanding		52,942						52,942			63,506						63,506
Gross Margin Data (Continuing Operations):
New retail vehicles		5.5	%					5.5	%		6.0	%					6.0	%
Fleet vehicles		2.6	%					2.6	%		2.8	%					2.8	%
Total new vehicles		5.4	%					5.4	%		5.9	%					5.9	%
Used vehicles		7.0	%					7.0	%		6.7	%					6.7	%
Wholesale vehicles		(4.9	%)					(4.9	%)		(2.9	%)					(2.9	%)
Parts, service and collision repair		49.2	%					49.2	%		49.0	%					49.0	%
Finance, insurance and other		100.0	%					100.0	%		100.0	%					100.0	%
Overall gross margin		14.7	%					14.7	%		14.7	%					14.7	%
SG&A Expenses (Continuing Operations):
Compensation	$	149,528								$	143,508
Advertising		13,718									12,554
Rent and rent related		25,927									26,707
Other		58,917									56,982
Total SG&A expenses	$	248,090		$	—		$	248,090		$	239,751		$	—		$	239,751
SG&A expenses as % of gross profit		76.6	%					76.6	%		76.6	%					76.6	%
Operating Margin %		2.8	%					2.8	%		2.9	%					2.9	%
Unit Data (Continuing Operations):
New retail units		33,685									33,115
Fleet units		1,717									1,608
Total new units		35,402									34,723
Used units		26,599									26,525
Wholesale units		7,257									7,630

(1) Represents double-carry interest on 9.0% Notes.

(2) Represents loss on extinguishment of 9.0% Notes.

(3) Represents loss on repurchase of a portion of the 5.0% Convertible Notes.

(4) Includes tax adjustments related to the settlement of certain tax matters.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Results of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013									Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
	Reported			Adjustments			Adjusted			Reported			Adjustments			Adjusted
Revenues:
New retail vehicles	$	2,300,818		$	—		$	2,300,818		$	2,127,761		$	—		$	2,127,761
Fleet vehicles		89,399			—			89,399			89,283			—			89,283
Total new vehicles		2,390,217			—			2,390,217			2,217,044			—			2,217,044
Used vehicles		1,065,158			—			1,065,158			1,036,501			—			1,036,501
Wholesale vehicles		91,825			—			91,825			86,225			—			86,225
Total vehicles		3,547,200			—			3,547,200			3,339,770			—			3,339,770
Parts, service and collision repair		603,689			—			603,689			587,895			—			587,895
Finance, insurance and other		134,714			—			134,714			121,347			—			121,347
Total revenues		4,285,603			—			4,285,603			4,049,012			—			4,049,012
Gross profit		636,826			—			636,826			616,606			—			616,606
Selling, general and administrative expenses		(493,914	)		—			(493,914	)		(476,900	)		—			(476,900	)
Impairment charges		(51	)		—			(51	)		(34	)		—			(34	)
Depreciation and amortization		(25,278	)		—			(25,278	)		(22,105	)		—			(22,105	)
Operating income (loss)		117,583			—			117,583			117,567			—			117,567
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, floor plan		(10,804	)		—			(10,804	)		(9,120	)		—			(9,120	)
Interest expense, other, net		(28,749	)		788	(1)		(27,961	)		(30,244	)		—			(30,244	)
Other income (expense), net		(28,170	)		28,235	(2)		65			(2,533	)		2,578	(3)		45
Total other income (expense)		(67,723	)		29,023			(38,700	)		(41,897	)		2,578			(39,319	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes		49,860			29,023			78,883			75,670			2,578			78,248
Provision for income taxes - benefit (expense)		(19,445	)		(11,319	)		(30,764	)		(25,527	)		(4,574	) (4)		(30,101	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations		30,415			17,704			48,119			50,143			(1,996	)		48,147
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		(208	)		—			(208	)		(1,466	)		—			(1,466	)
Net income (loss)	$	30,207		$	17,704		$	47,911		$	48,677		$	(1,996	)	$	46,681
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$	0.57		$	0.33		$	0.90		$	0.83		$	(0.03	)	$	0.80
Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations		—			—			—			(0.02	)		—			(0.02	)
Earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.57		$	0.33		$	0.90		$	0.81		$	(0.03	)	$	0.78
Weighted average common shares outstanding		52,937						52,937			63,963						63,963
Gross Margin Data (Continuing Operations):
New retail vehicles		5.7	%					5.7	%		6.2	%					6.2	%
Fleet vehicles		2.8	%					2.8	%		3.1	%					3.1	%
Total new vehicles		5.6	%					5.6	%		6.0	%					6.0	%
Used vehicles		7.1	%					7.1	%		7.2	%					7.2	%
Wholesale vehicles		(3.4	%)					(3.4	%)		(1.2	%)					(1.2	%)
Parts, service and collision repair		48.9	%					48.9	%		48.9	%					48.9	%
Finance, insurance and other		100.0	%					100.0	%		100.0	%					100.0	%
Overall gross margin		14.9	%					14.9	%		15.2	%					15.2	%
SG&A Expenses (Continuing Operations):
Compensation	$	298,108								$	285,692
Advertising		27,150									24,609
Rent and rent related		52,324									53,493
Other		116,332									113,106
Total SG&A expenses	$	493,914		$	—		$	493,914		$	476,900		$	—		$	476,900
SG&A expenses as % of gross profit		77.6	%					77.6	%		77.3	%					77.3	%
Operating Margin %		2.7	%					2.7	%		2.9	%					2.9	%
Unit Data (Continuing Operations):
New retail units		64,275									61,605
Fleet units		3,210									3,291
Total new units		67,485									64,896
Used units		53,068									52,003
Wholesale units		15,650									14,805

(1) Represents double-carry interest on 9.0% Notes.

(2) Represents loss on extinguishment of 9.0% Notes.

(3) Represents loss on repurchase of a portion of the 5.0% Convertible Notes.

(4) Includes tax adjustments related to the settlement of certain tax matters.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. Results of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2013
			Income (Loss)					Income (Loss)
			From Continuing					From Discontinued
			Operations					Operations					Net Income (Loss)
	Weighted					Per				Per						Per
	Average					Share				Share						Share
	Shares		Amount			Amount		Amount		Amount			Amount			Amount
Reported:
Earnings (loss) and shares		52,597	$	8,717				$	199				$	8,916
Effect of participating securities:
Non-vested restricted stock and stock units				(71	)				—					(71	)
Basic earnings (loss) and shares		52,597	$	8,646		$	0.16	$	199	$	0.01		$	8,845		$	0.17
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock compensation plans		345
Diluted earnings (loss) and shares		52,942	$	8,646		$	0.16	$	199	$	0.01		$	8,845		$	0.17
Adjustments (net of tax):
Double-carry Interest			$	481		$	0.01	$	—	$	—		$	481		$	0.01
Debt Extinguishment Charges				17,223			0.33		—		—			17,223			0.33
Effect of Two-class Method & Rounding				—			—		—		(0.01	)		—			(0.01	)
Total adjustments			$	17,704		$	0.34	$	—	$	(0.01	)	$	17,704		$	0.33
Adjusted:
Diluted earnings (loss) per share						$	0.50			$	—					$	0.50

	Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2012
			Income (Loss)						Income (Loss)
			From Continuing						From Discontinued
			Operations						Operations						Net Income (Loss)
	Weighted					Per						Per						Per
	Average					Share						Share						Share
	Shares		Amount			Amount			Amount			Amount			Amount			Amount
Reported:
Earnings (loss) and shares		52,593	$	28,998					$	(819	)				$	28,179
Effect of participating securities:
Non-vested restricted stock and stock units				(452	)					—						(452	)
Basic earnings (loss) and shares		52,593	$	28,546		$	0.54		$	(819	)	$	(0.01	)	$	27,727		$	0.53
Effect of dilutive securities:
Contingently convertible debt (5.0% Convertible Notes)		10,535		1,856						33						1,889
Stock compensation plans		378
Diluted earnings (loss) and shares		63,506	$	30,402		$	0.48		$	(786	)	$	(0.01	)	$	29,616		$	0.47
Adjustments (net of tax):
Debt Extinguishment Charges			$	1,572		$	0.03		$	—		$	—		$	1,572		$	0.03
Settlement of Tax Matters				(3,568	)		(0.06	)		—			—			(3,568	)		(0.06	)
Total adjustments			$	(1,996	)	$	(0.03	)	$	—		$	—		$	(1,996	)	$	(0.03	)
Adjusted:
Diluted earnings (loss) per share						$	0.45					$	(0.01	)				$	0.44

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
			Income (Loss)						Income (Loss)
			From Continuing						From Discontinued
			Operations						Operations					Net Income (Loss)
	Weighted					Per						Per					Per
	Average					Share						Share					Share
	Shares		Amount			Amount			Amount			Amount		Amount			Amount
Reported:
Earnings (loss) and shares		52,591	$	30,415					$	(208	)			$	30,207
Effect of participating securities:
Non-vested restricted stock and stock units				(237	)					—					(237	)
Basic earnings (loss) and shares		52,591	$	30,178		$	0.57		$	(208	)	$	—	$	29,970		$	0.57
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock compensation plans		346
Diluted earnings (loss) and shares		52,937	$	30,178		$	0.57		$	(208	)	$	—	$	29,970		$	0.57
Adjustments (net of tax):
Double-carry Interest			$	481		$	0.01		$	—		$	—	$	481		$	0.01
Debt Extinguishment Charges				17,223			0.33			—			—		17,223			0.33
Effect of Two-class Method & Rounding				—			(0.01	)		—			—		—			(0.01	)
Total adjustments			$	17,704		$	0.33		$	—		$	—	$	17,704		$	0.33
Adjusted:
Diluted earnings (loss) per share						$	0.90					$	—				$	0.90

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
			Income (Loss)						Income (Loss)
			From Continuing						From Discontinued
			Operations						Operations						Net Income (Loss)
	Weighted					Per						Per						Per
	Average					Share						Share						Share
	Shares		Amount			Amount			Amount			Amount			Amount			Amount
Reported:
Earnings (loss) and shares		52,409	$	50,143					$	(1,466	)				$	48,677
Effect of participating securities:
Non-vested restricted stock and stock units				(777	)					—						(777	)
Basic earnings (loss) and shares		52,409	$	49,366		$	0.94		$	(1,466	)	$	(0.03	)	$	47,900		$	0.91
Effect of dilutive securities:
Contingently convertible debt (5.0% Convertible Notes)		11,106		3,981						80						4,061
Stock compensation plans		448
Diluted earnings (loss) and shares		63,963	$	53,347		$	0.83		$	(1,386	)	$	(0.02	)	$	51,961		$	0.81
Adjustments (net of tax):
Debt Extinguishment Charges			$	1,572		$	0.03		$	—		$	—		$	1,572		$	0.03
Settlement of Tax Matters				(3,568	)		(0.06	)		—			—			(3,568	)		(0.06	)
Total adjustments			$	(1,996	)	$	(0.03	)	$	—		$	—		$	(1,996	)	$	(0.03	)
Adjusted:
Diluted earnings (loss) per share						$	0.80					$	(0.02	)				$	0.78

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

Exhibit 99.2

Q2 2013 Earnings Review July 23, 2013

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 1

Forward-Looking Statements

This presentation contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events, are not historical facts and are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. These statements can generally be identified by lead-in words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “foresee”, “may” ,“will” and other similar words. Statements that describe our Company’s objectives, plans or goals are also forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking information we may be discussing in this presentation include, without limitation, further implementation of our operational strategies and playbooks, future debt retirement, capital expenditures, operating margins and revenues, inventory levels and new vehicle industry sales volume.

You are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, involve risks and uncertainties and actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, (a) economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, (b) the success of our operational strategies, (c) our relationships with the automobile manufacturers and (d) new and pre-owned vehicle sales volume. These risks and uncertainties, as well as additional factors that could affect our forward-looking statements, are described in our Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2012.

These forward-looking statements, risks, uncertainties and additional factors speak only as of the date of this presentation. We undertake no obligation to update any such statements.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2

Contents

Quarter in Review

Financial Results

Operations Recap

Summary and Outlook

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 3

Overall Results

Revenue Growth – Up 3.8%

New retail revenue up 5.1%—volume up 1.7%

Used unit volume up 0.3%

F&I revenue up 8.6%

Fixed operations revenue up 4.5%

SG&A at 76.6%—flat compared to the prior year

Adjusted income from continuing operations of $26.4 million

Q2 2013 adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations(1) was $0.50 per share vs. an adjusted(1) $0.45 per share in the prior year period – up 11.1%

(1) – See appendix for reconciliation to reported GAAP amounts.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 4

Q2 2013 Adjusted Results

B/(W) than Q2 2012

(amounts in millions, except per share data) Q2 2013 $%

Revenue $ 2,202 $ 80 4%

Gross Profit $ 324 $ 11 4%

Operating Profit $ 63 $ 1 1%

Interest & Other (1) ($ 19) ($ 1) (3%)

Continuing Ops:

Profit (after tax) (1) $ 26 ($ 1) (2%)

Diluted EPS (1) $ 0.50 $ 0.05 11%

SG&A as % of Gross 76.6% 0 bps

Discontinued Ops Profit (after tax) $0 $ 1

(1) Adjusted to exclude a $29M pre-tax charge ($17.7M after tax) related to the extinguishment of the 9.0% Notes, worth $0.34 per share. See Appendix for reconciliation to reported GAAP amounts.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 5

SG&A to Gross

76.6% 76.6%

Q1 2012

Q1 2013

Targeting Below 77% for the Full Year

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

Capital Spending

Estimated

(amounts in millions) YTD 2013 2013 (1)

Real Estate Acquisitions $ 32.7 $ 66.5

All Other Cap Ex 56.4 105.1

Subtotal $ 89.1 $ 171.6

Less: Mortgage Funding (25.8) (56.9)

Total Cash Used – Cap Ex $ 63.3 $ 114.7

(1) – Excludes the effect of any pending franchise acquisitions

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 7

Public Debt Maturities

$300

$210 $200 5%

Notes

9%

Notes 7%

Notes

No Near Term Maturities

$0 $0 $0

2013 2014 2015 2018 2022 2023

(amounts in millions)

Weighted Average Coupon Rate Down From 8.0% to 5.8% Cash Interest Savings of $3.9M Per Year

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 8

Debt Covenants

Actual Q2

Covenant 2013

Liquidity Ratio >= 1.05 1.17

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio >= 1.20 1.71

Total Lease Adjusted Leverage <= 5.50 4.07

Ratio

Compliant with all Covenants

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

9

Share Repurchases

Average

(shares in thousands) Shares Price

YTD Q2 2013 Activity 627 $22.59

Unused authorization of approximately $135.4 million

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

10

New Retail Vehicles

Q2 2013 Q2 2012 B/(W)

Volume 33,685 33,115 2%

Selling Price $ 35,616 $ 34,478 3%

Gross Margin % 5.5% 6.0% (50 bps)

GPU $ 1,976 $ 2,075 ($ 99)

SAAR (includes fleet) 15.3 million 14.1 million 9%

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

11

Used Retail Vehicles

Q2 2013 Q2 2012 B/(W)

Retail Volume 26,599 26,525 0%

Used Retail GPU $ 1,414 $ 1,347 $ 67

Used Related Retail Gross* $ 83 million $ 80 million $ 3 million

Used to New 0.79 : 1 0.80 : 1 (.01)

Vehicles / store / month 89 88 1

*—Includes front-end gross plus F&I related gross and fixed operations related gross

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

12

Fixed Operations

B/(W) than Q2

2012

(amounts in millions) Q2 2013 $%

Revenue $ 307 $ 12 4.0%

Gross Profit $ 151 $ 6 4.5%

QTD YOY Gross Profit Change Breakdown:

Customer Pay Up 3%

Whsl. Parts Up 3%

Internal & Sublet flat

Warranty Up 19%

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

13

Summary

Improved EPS consistently from quarter to quarter Double digit continuing operations EPS growth of 11.1%

True Price affected performance, but we see the long-term benefit Refinancing of the 9% Notes with 5% Notes a home run Inventory in good shape Mercedes and BMW acquisitions to close in Q3 Reiterate annual guidance for diluted EPS from continuing operations of $1.93 to $2.03

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

14

Appendix

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

15

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures (the “Adjusted” columns) as defined under SEC rules, such as, but not limited to, adjusted income from continuing operations and

related earnings per share data. The Company has reconciled these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures (the “Reported” columns) in the release. The Company believes that

these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company’s disclosure by providing period-to-period comparability of the Company’s results from operations.

Second Quarter Ended June 30, Adjusted 2013 B/(W)

2013 2012 than Adjusted 2012

($ in millions, shares in As As As As

thousands, except per share data) Reported Adjustments Adjusted Reported Adjustments Adjusted $ %

Revenues $ 2,202.4 $ — $ 2,202.4 $ 2,121.9 $ — $ 2,121.9 $ 80.5 3.8%

Gross profit 323.8 — 323.8 312.9 — 312.9 11.0 3.5%

Gross margin 14.7% 14.7% 14.7% 14.7% 0 bps

SG&A (248.1) — (248.1) (239.8) — (239.8) (8.3) (3.5% )

SG&A as % of gross profit 76.6% 75.4% 76.6% 75.3% (10) bps

Impairment charges (0.0) — (0.0) (0.0) — (0.0) (0.0) (9.1% )

Depreciation and amortization (13.1) — (13.1) (11.2) — (11.2) (1.9) (17.3% )

Operating income 62.5 — 62.5 61.9 — 61.9 0.7 1.1%

Operating margin 2.8% 3.0% 2.9% 3.1% (10) bps

Interest expense, floor plan (5.6) — (5.6) (4.9) — (4.9) (0.7) (15.1% )

Interest expense, other, net (14.4) 0.8 (1) (13.6) (13.8) — (13.8) 0.2 1.7%

Other income (expense), net (28.3) 28.2 (2) (0.0) (2.6) 2.6 (3) 0.0 (0.1) 220.0%

Income (loss) from continuing operations 8.7 17.7 26.4 29.0 (2.0) (4) 27.0 (0.6) (2.2% )

Income (loss) from discontinued operations 0.2 — 0.2 (0.8) — (0.8) 1.0 124.3%

Net income (loss) $ 8.9 $ 17.7 $ 26.6 $ 28.2 $ (2.0) $ 26.2 $ 0.4 1.7%

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

Earnings (loss) per share

from continuing operations $ 0.16 $ 0.34 $ 0.50 $ 0.48 $ (0.03) $ 0.45 $ 0.05 11.1%

Earnings (loss) per share from

discontinued operations 0.01 (0.01) — (0.01) — (0.01) 0.01 100.0%

Earnings (loss) per common share $ 0.17 $ 0.33 $ 0.50 $ 0.47 $ (0.03) $ 0.44 $ 0.06 13.6%

Weighted average shares outstanding 52,942 52,942 63,506 63,506

(1) Represents double-carry interest on 9.0% Notes .

(2) Represents loss on extinguishment of 9.0% Notes.

(3) Represents loss on repurchase of a portion of the 5.0% Convertible Notes.

(4) Includes $3.6 million of tax benefit related to settlement of certain tax matters.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 16

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2013

Continuing Operations Discontinued Operations Total Operations

Net Income Share Net Income Share Net Income Share

($ in millions, shares in (Loss): Count: Diluted (Loss): Count: Diluted (Loss): Count: Diluted

thousands, except per share data) Numerator Denominator EPS Numerator Denominator EPS Numerator Denominator EPS

Reported basic $ 8.7 52,597 $ 0.2 52,597 $ 8.9 52,597

Effect of dilutive securities:

Two class method (0.1) — —— (0.1) —

Stock compensation plans — 345 — 345 — 345

Reported diluted 8.6 52,942 $ 0.16 0.2 52,942 $ 0.01 8.8 52,942 $ 0.17

Adjustments (tax-effected):

Double-carry interest 0.5 — 0.0 — 0.5 —

Debt extinguishment charges 17.2 — (0.0) — 17.2 —

Adjusted diluted $ 26.4 52,942 $ 0.50 $ 0.2 52,942 $— $ 26.5 52,942 $ 0.50

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2012

Continuing Operations Discontinued Operations Total Operations

Net Income Share Net Income Share Net Income Share

($ in millions, shares in (Loss): Count: Diluted (Loss): Count: Diluted (Loss): Count: Diluted

thousands, except per share data) Numerator Denominator EPS Numerator Denominator EPS Numerator Denominator EPS

Reported basic $ 29.0 52,593 $ (0.8) 52,593 $ 28.2 52,593

Effect of dilutive securities:

Two class method (0.5) — —— (0.5) —

Contingently convertible debt 1.9 10,535 0.0 10,535 1.9 10,535

Stock compensation plans — 378 — 378 — 378

Reported diluted 30.4 63,506 $ 0.48 (0.8) 63,506 $ (0.01) 29.6 63,506 $ 0.47

Adjustments (tax-effected):

Debt extinguishment charges 1.6 — —— 1.6 —

Settlement of tax matters (3.6) — —— (3.6) —

Adjusted diluted $ 28.4 63,506 $ 0.45 $ (0.8) 63,506 $ (0.01) $ 27.6 63,506 $ 0.44

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

17

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures (the “Adjusted” columns) as defined under SEC rules, such as, but not limited to, adjusted income from continuing operations and

related earnings per share data. The Company has reconciled these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures (the “Reported” columns) in the release. The Company believes that

these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company’s disclosure by providing period-to-period comparability of the Company’s results from operations.

Six Months Ended June 30, Adjusted 2013 B/(W)

2013 2012 than Adjusted 2012

($ in millions, shares in As As As As

thousands, except per share data) Reported Adjustments Adjusted Reported Adjustments Adjusted $ %

Revenues $ 4,285.6 $ — $ 4,285.6 $ 4,049.0 $ — $ 4,049.0 $ 236.6 5.8%

Gross profit 636.8 — 636.8 616.6 — 616.6 20.2 3.3%

Gross margin 14.9% 14.9% 15.2% 15.2% (30) bps

SG&A (493.9) — (493.9) (476.9) — (476.9) (17.0) (3.6% )

SG&A as % of gross profit 76.6% 76.6% 77.3% 77.3% 70 bps

Impairment charges (0.1) — (0.1) (0.0) — (0.0) (0.0) (50.0% )

Depreciation and amortization (25.3) — (25.3) (22.1) — (22.1) (3.2) (14.4% )

Operating income 117.6 — 117.6 117.6 — 117.6 0.0 0.0%

Operating margin 2.7% 2.7% 2.9% 2.9% (20) bps

Interest expense, floor plan (10.8) — (10.8) (9.1) — (9.1) (1.7) (18.5% )

Interest expense, other, net (28.7) 0.8 (1) (28.0) (30.2) — (30.2) 2.3 7.5%

Other income (expense), net (28.2) 28.2 (2) 0.1 (2.5) 2.6 (3) 0.0 0.0 (44.4% )

Income (loss) from continuing operations 30.4 17.7 48.1 50.1 (2.0) (4) 48.1 (0.0) (0.1% )

Income (loss) from discontinued operations (0.2) — (0.2) (1.5) — (1.5) 1.3 85.8%

Net income (loss) $ 30.2 $ 17.7 $ 47.9 $ 48.7 $ (2.0) $ 46.7 $ 1.2 2.6%

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

Earnings (loss) per share

from continuing operations $ 0.57 $ 0.33 $ 0.90 $ 0.83 $ (0.03) $ 0.80 $ 0.10 12.5%

Earnings (loss) per share from

discontinued operations — — — (0.02) — (0.02) 0.02 100.0%

Earnings (loss) per common share $ 0.57 $ 0.33 $ 0.90 $ 0.81 $ (0.03) $ 0.78 $ 0.12 15.4%

Weighted average shares outstanding 52,937 52,937 63,963 63,963

-

(2) Represents loss on extinguishment of 9.0% Notes.

(3) Represents loss on repurchase of a portion of the 5.0% Convertible Notes.

(4) Includes $3.6 million of tax benefit related to settlement of certain tax matters.

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 18

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information

Six Months ended June 30, 2013

Continuing Operations Discontinued Operations Total Operations

Net Income Share Net Income Share Net Income Share

($ in millions, shares in (Loss): Count: Diluted (Loss): Count: Diluted (Loss): Count: Diluted

thousands, except per share data) Numerator Denominator EPS Numerator Denominator EPS Numerator Denominator EPS

Reported basic $ 30.4 52,591 $ (0.2) 52,591 $ 30.2 52,591

Effect of dilutive securities:

Two class method (0.2) — —— (0.2) —

Contingently convertible debt —— —— ——

Stock compensation plans — 346 — 346 — 346

Reported diluted 30.2 52,937 $ 0.57 (0.2) 52,937 $ — 30.0 52,937 $ 0.57

Adjustments (tax-effected):

Double-carry interest 0.5 — —— 0.5 —

Debt extinguishment charges 17.2 — —— 17.2 —

Adjusted diluted $ 47.9 52,937 $ 0.90 $ (0.2) 52,937 $ — $ 47.7 52,937 $ 0.90

Six Months ended June 30, 2012

Continuing Operations Discontinued Operations Total Operations

Net Income Share Net Income Share Net Income Share

($ in millions, shares in (Loss): Count: Diluted (Loss): Count: Diluted (Loss): Count: Diluted

thousands, except per share data) Numerator Denominator EPS Numerator Denominator EPS Numerator Denominator EPS

Reported basic $ 50.1 52,409 $ (1.5) 52,409 $ 48.7 52,409

Effect of dilutive securities:

Two class method (0.8) — —— (0.8) —

Contingently convertible debt 4.0 11,106 — 11,106 4.0 11,106

Stock compensation plans — 448 — 448 — 448

Reported diluted 53.3 63,963 $ 0.83 (1.5) 63,963 $ (0.02) 51.9 63,963 $ 0.81

Adjustments (tax-effected):

Debt extinguishment charges 1.6 — —— 1.6 —

Settlement of tax matters (3.6) — —— (3.6) —

Adjusted diluted $ 51.4 63,963 $ 0.80 $ (1.5) 63,963 $ (0.02) $ 49.9 63,963 $ 0.78

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 19

Sonic Automotive, Inc. 20

EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC. DECLARES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – July 23, 2013 – Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH), a leader in automotive retailing, today announced that its Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share payable in cash for stockholders of record on September 13, 2013. The dividend will be payable on October 15, 2013.

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.

Included herein is a forward-looking statement pertaining to an anticipated cash dividend to shareholders. 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 in the markets in which we operate, new and used vehicle sales volume, the success of our operational strategies, the rate and timing of overall economic recovery and the risk factors described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2012. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information.