Sonic Automotive (SAH) 10-K 19 Feb 25 2024 FY Annual report Financial data

Cover

Cover - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Jun. 30, 2024	Feb. 23, 2022
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2024
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-13395
Entity Registrant Name	SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001043509
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2024
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	56-2010790
Entity Address, Address Line One	4401 Colwick Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Charlotte
Entity Address, State or Province	NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	28211
City Area Code	704
Local Phone Number	566-2400
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	SAH
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float		$ 1,100
Documents Incorporated by Reference	DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registrant’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent described herein.
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Class A Common stock
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			21,692,669
Class B Common stock
Document and Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			12,029,375

Audit Information

Audit Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Auditor [Line Items]
Auditor Location	Charlotte, North Carolina
Auditor Name	Grant Thornton LLP
Auditor Firm ID	248

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 44,000	$ 28,900	$ 229,200
Receivables, net	495,900	528,100
Inventories	1,957,700	1,578,300
Other current assets	387,900	385,100
Total current assets	2,885,500	2,520,400
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	1,606,900	1,601,000
Goodwill	358,500	253,800	231,000
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	430,300	417,400
ROU assets	224,300	222,600
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	317,200	236,600
Other Assets	73,000	112,800
Total Assets	5,895,700	5,364,600
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable - floor plan - trade	165,600	152,100
Notes payable - floor plan - non-trade	1,773,700	1,520,600
Trade accounts payable	172,000	149,800
Operating Lease, Liability, Current	25,600	29,900
Finance Lease, Liability, Current	11,900	10,200
Other accrued liabilities	412,800	370,200
Current maturities of long-term debt	76,100	60,100
Total current liabilities	2,637,700	2,292,900
Long-Term Debt	1,511,900	1,616,500
Other Long-Term Liabilities	119,700	89,600
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	220,100	219,200
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	344,000	254,500
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity:
Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, none issued	0	0
Paid-in capital	884,600	855,400
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	1,412,000	1,238,600
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,800	1,600
Treasury stock, at cost; 33,476,159 Class A common stock shares held at December 31, 2018 and 32,290,493 Class A common stock shares held at December 31, 2017	(1,238,900)	(1,204,500)
Total Stockholders’ Equity	1,062,300	891,900	895,200
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	5,895,700	5,364,600
Dividends, Common Stock	27,600		27,500
Contracts in transit included in receivables, net	246,500	275,600
Manufacturer Receivables included in receivables, net	130,400	105,300
Other Receivables included in receivables, net	119,000	147,200
Retained Earnings
Stockholders’ Equity:
Total Stockholders’ Equity	1,412,000	1,238,600	$ 1,100,300
Class A common stock
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, value	$ 700	700
Dividends, Common Stock		$ 26,000
Dividends declared per common share	$ 1.25	$ 1.16	$ 1.03
Class A common stock | Retained Earnings
Stockholders’ Equity:
Dividends, Common Stock	$ 27,600	$ 26,000	$ 27,500
Class A common stock | Treasury Stock, Common
Stockholders’ Equity:
Total Stockholders’ Equity	(1,238,900)	(1,204,500)	(1,026,900)
Class B common stock
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, value	100	100
Dividends, Common Stock	$ 15,000	$ 13,900	$ 12,400
Dividends declared per common share	$ 1.25	$ 1.16	$ 1.03
Class B common stock | Retained Earnings
Stockholders’ Equity:
Dividends, Common Stock	$ 15,000	$ 13,900	$ 12,400

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Convertible preferred stock issued	0
Class A common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	69,396,726	68,618,393
Common stock, shares outstanding	22,084,634	21,931,785
Class B common stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	12,029,375

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 14,224,300,000	$ 14,372,400,000	$ 14,001,100,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(12,031,500,000)	(12,126,700,000)	(11,684,100,000)
Cost of Sales	12,031,500,000	12,126,700,000	11,684,100,000
Gross profit	2,192,800,000	2,245,700,000	2,317,000,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(1,577,000,000)	(1,600,500,000)	(1,555,100,000)
Impairment charges	3,900,000	79,300,000	320,400,000
Depreciation and amortization	(150,400,000)	(142,300,000)	(127,500,000)
Operating income	461,500,000	423,600,000	314,000,000
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, floor plan	(86,900,000)	(67,200,000)	(34,300,000)
Interest expense, other, net	(118,000,000)	(114,600,000)	(89,900,000)
Other income (expense), net	(500,000)	100,000	200,000
Total other income (expense)	(205,400,000)	(181,700,000)	(124,000,000)
Income before taxes	256,100,000	241,900,000	190,000,000
Provision for income taxes - benefit (expense)	(40,100,000)	(63,700,000)	(101,500,000)
Discontinued operations:
Net income	$ 216,000,000	$ 178,200,000	$ 88,500,000
Basic earnings per common share:
Earnings (loss) per common share (usd per share)	$ 6.34	$ 5.09	$ 2.29
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	34,100	35,000	38,700
Diluted earnings per common share:
Earnings (loss) per common share (usd per share)	$ 6.18	$ 4.97	$ 2.23
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	35,000	35,900	39,700
Franchised Dealership Impairment [Member]
Cost of Sales:
Impairment charges			$ 115,500,000
Total vehicles
Revenues:
Total revenues		$ 11,929,200,000	11,722,300,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	$ (11,113,900,000)	(11,241,200,000)	(10,876,900,000)
Cost of Sales	11,113,900,000	11,241,200,000	10,876,900,000
Used vehicles
Revenues:
Total revenues	4,780,100,000	5,213,600,000	5,515,400,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(4,609,400,000)	(5,062,400,000)	(5,334,600,000)
Cost of Sales	4,609,400,000	5,062,400,000	5,334,600,000
Wholesale vehicles
Revenues:
Total revenues	287,100,000	318,800,000	484,900,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(293,100,000)	(321,400,000)	(488,000,000)
Cost of Sales	293,100,000	321,400,000	488,000,000
Total new vehicles
Revenues:
Total revenues	6,602,800,000	6,396,800,000	5,722,000,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(6,211,400,000)	(5,857,400,000)	(5,054,300,000)
Cost of Sales	6,211,400,000	5,857,400,000	5,054,300,000
Fleet new vehicles
Revenues:
Total revenues	95,300,000	92,200,000	99,400,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(92,300,000)	(88,200,000)	(94,500,000)
Cost of Sales	92,300,000	88,200,000	94,500,000
Retail new vehicles
Revenues:
Total revenues	6,507,500,000	6,304,600,000	5,622,600,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(6,119,100,000)	(5,769,200,000)	(4,959,800,000)
Cost of Sales	6,119,100,000	5,769,200,000	4,959,800,000
Parts, service and collision repair
Revenues:
Total revenues	1,846,500,000	1,759,500,000	1,599,700,000
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(917,600,000)	(885,500,000)	(807,200,000)
Cost of Sales	917,600,000	885,500,000	807,200,000
Finance, insurance and other, net
Revenues:
Total revenues	707,800,000	$ 683,700,000	$ 679,100,000
Total_Vehicles [Member]
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 11,670,000,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 216,000	$ 178,200	$ 88,500
Other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:
Change in fair value and amortization of interest rate cap agreements	1,000	100	(500)
Pension actuarial income (loss)	2,000	(100)	4,600
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before taxes	3,000	0	4,100
Provision for income tax benefit (expense) related to    components of other comprehensive income (loss)	(800)	0	(1,200)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,200	0	2,900
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 218,200	$ 178,200	$ 91,400

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Class A common stock	Class A common stock Common stock	Class A common stock Retained Earnings	Class A common stock Treasury Stock, Common	Class B common stock	Class B common stock Common stock	Class B common stock Retained Earnings
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 1,076,400	$ 790,200	$ 1,051,700	$ (1,300)		$ 700		$ (765,000)		$ 100
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2021						66,500		37,800		12,000
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans	8,700	8,700				$ 0
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans, shares						1,100
Purchases of treasury stock	(261,900)							$ (261,900)
Purchases of treasury stock, shares								(5,600)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap and rate cap agreements net of tax expense	(400)			(400)
Pension accrual income, net of tax	3,300			3,300
Restricted stock amortization	20,500	20,500
Net income (loss)	88,500		88,500
Dividends declared	(27,500)						$ (27,500)		$ (12,400)		$ (12,400)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	895,200	819,400	1,100,300	1,600		$ 700		$ (1,026,900)		$ 100
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2022						67,600		43,400		12,000
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans	12,700	12,700				$ 0
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans, shares						1,000
Purchases of treasury stock	(177,600)							$ (177,600)
Purchases of treasury stock, shares								(3,300)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap and rate cap agreements net of tax expense	100			100
Pension accrual income, net of tax	(100)			(100)
Restricted stock amortization	23,300	23,300
Net income (loss)	178,200		178,200
Dividends declared					$ (26,000)		(26,000)		(13,900)		(13,900)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2023	891,900	855,400	1,238,600	1,600		$ 700		$ (1,204,500)		$ 100
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2023						68,600		46,700		12,000
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans	5,700	5,700				$ 0
Shares awarded under stock compensation plans, shares						800
Purchases of treasury stock	(34,400)							$ (34,400)
Purchases of treasury stock, shares								(600)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap and rate cap agreements net of tax expense	700			700
Pension accrual income, net of tax	1,500			1,500
Restricted stock amortization	23,500	23,500
Net income (loss)	216,000
Dividends declared	(27,600)						$ (27,600)		$ (15,000)		$ (15,000)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2024	$ 1,062,300	$ 884,600	$ 1,412,000	$ 3,800		$ 700		$ (1,238,900)		$ 100
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2024						69,400		47,300		12,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ST_2

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2022
Tax expense (benefit) associated with change in pension actuarial (income) loss	$ (600)	$ (1,300)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Tax effect on fair value of interest rate swap and rate cap agreements	(200)	100
Tax expense (benefit) associated with change in pension actuarial (income) loss	$ (600)	$ (1,300)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 216,000	$ 178,200	$ 88,500
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	130,400	124,200	113,900
Debt issuance cost amortization	5,800	6,500	5,200
Stock-based compensation expense	23,500	23,300	20,500
Deferred income taxes	(29,100)	(18,600)	(12,700)
Asset impairment charges	3,900	79,300	320,400
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain	(3,500)	0	0
Loss (gain) on exit of leased dealerships		(4,300)
Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets	(200)	600	1,500
LossGainOnDisposalOfFranchisesAndPropertyAndEquipment	600	(18,400)	(10,800)
Changes in assets and liabilities that relate to operations:
Receivables	42,600	(57,000)	(50,400)
Inventories	(358,300)	(375,200)	81,400
Other assets	47,000	4,000	(140,700)
Notes payable - floor plan - trade	11,500	37,200	25,100
Trade accounts payable and other liabilities	19,000	200	(35,800)
Total adjustments	(106,800)	(193,900)	317,600
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	109,200	(15,700)	406,100
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(54,800)	(75,100)	(102,300)
Total capital expenditures	(187,300)	(203,600)	(227,100)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	55,600	7,800	29,700
Proceeds from sales of dealerships	8,200	52,200	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(178,300)	(218,700)	(299,700)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net (repayments) borrowings on notes payable - floor plan - non-trade	258,100	334,900	(65,900)
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities	77,500	61,400	0
Repayments on revolving credit facilities	(77,500)	61,400	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	78,000	0	327,000
Debt issuance costs	(8,200)	(1,700)	(8,100)
Principal payments of long-term debt	(164,800)	(79,900)	(133,500)
Purchases of treasury stock	(34,400)	(177,600)	(261,900)
Issuance of shares under stock compensation plans	5,700	12,700	8,700
Dividends paid	(40,800)	(40,000)	(34,500)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	84,300	34,100	(176,600)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	15,100	(200,300)	(70,200)
Reduction of Finance Lease Liabilities	(9,300)	(14,300)	(8,400)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	28,900	229,200	299,400
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	44,000	28,900	229,200
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Change in fair value of interest rate swap and rate cap agreements (net of tax expense of $460, $2,351 and $2,178 in the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively)	700	100	(400)
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Income taxes	35,700	86,300	126,300
Interest, including amount capitalized	$ 199,200	$ 172,200	$ 116,900

Business Acquisitions and Dispo

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Acquisitions and Dispositions	During 2024, in an effort to expand and diversify our business, we acquired two businesses in our Franchised Dealerships Segment: North Point Volvo and Audi New Orleans. Additionally, we acquired one business (consisting of two locations) in our Powersports Segment: Motorcycles of Charlotte and Motorcycles of Greensboro. The preliminary aggregate gross purchase price of the businesses (including inventory acquired and subsequently funded by floor plan notes payable) was approximately $55.3 million. For North Point Volvo, we purchased the remaining 50% interest that was previously accounted for under the equity method. The purchase price of this acquisition was allocated based on information currently available to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed utilizing the stock acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition of the remaining 50% interest represented $21.1 million of the total aggregate gross purchase price and included inventory of approximately $10.7 million, property and equipment of approximately $0.2 million, goodwill of approximately $3.5 million, franchise assets of $6.0 million, real estate of approximately $12.4 million, other assets of approximately $1.7 million, and other liabilities of approximately $3.0 million. Due to the acquisition of the remaining 50% of interest, we have recognized a gain of $3.5 million on the initial investment recorded. The allocation of the remaining $34.2 million of the total aggregate gross purchase price of the two other businesses included inventory of approximately $17.2 million, right-of-use assets of $13.3 million, property and equipment of approximately $0.3 million, franchise assets of approximately $6.9 million, goodwill of approximately $7.8 million, real estate of approximately $5.2 million, other assets of approximately $0.1 million, lease liabilities of $13.3 million, and other liabilities of approximately $3.3 million. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations include revenue and earnings attributable to the businesses acquired during 2024 of approximately $19.6 million and $4.0 million, respectively. Acquisition costs recognized as an expense in the 2024 consolidated statements of operations related to these acquisitions were immaterial. Additionally, the total amount of goodwill from these acquisitions that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes related to these acquisitions is approximately $16.6 million. The following unaudited pro forma summary presents consolidated information as if the 2024 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2023: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 (In millions) Revenue $ 14,325.6 $ 14,537.6 Income before taxes $ 258.7 $ 242.3 During 2023, we acquired one business (consisting of five locations) in our Powersports Segment for an aggregate gross purchase price (including inventory acquired and subsequently funded by floor plan notes payable) of approximately $75.1 million. The allocation of the approximately $75.1 million aggregate gross purchase price included inventory of approximately $11.1 million, property and equipment of approximately $0.7 million, franchise assets of approximately $22.6 million, goodwill of approximately $11.9 million, real estate of approximately $29.0 million, other assets of approximately $0.1 million, and other liabilities of approximately $0.3 million. During 2022, we acquired two businesses in our Franchised Dealerships Segment and two businesses (consisting of eight locations) in our Powersports Segment for an aggregate gross purchase price (including inventory acquired and subsequently funded by floor plan notes payable) of approximately $102.3 million. During that period, we also recorded the impact of a $14.7 million post-close adjustment related to the acquisition of RFJ Auto Partners, Inc. and its subsidiaries completed in December 2021 (the “RFJ Acquisition”). The allocation of the approximately $87.6 million aggregate gross purchase price for the acquisitions completed during 2022 included inventory of approximately $31.0 million, property and equipment of approximately $0.5 million, franchise assets of approximately $33.2 million, goodwill of approximately $14.1 million, real estate of approximately $8.1 million, other assets of approximately $1.1 million, and liabilities of approximately $0.4 million. During 2023, we booked a post-close goodwill adjustment related to one business acquired in our Franchised Dealerships Segment and one business in our Powersports Segment for a decrease of $0.4 million and an increase of $2.9 million, respectively. Results of acquired dealerships are included in our accompanying consolidated statements of operations commencing on the date of acquisition. Our acquisitions are accounted for such that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recognized at their acquisition date fair values, with any excess of the consideration transferred over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is an asset representing operational synergies and future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. The fair value of our manufacturer franchise rights are determined as of the acquisition date, by discounting the projected cash flows specific to each franchise. This analysis includes projected revenue, projected operating margin, a discount rates (and estimates in the discount rate inputs) and residual growth rates.

Inventories and Related Notes P

Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan Inventories consist of the following: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) New vehicles $ 1,146.0 $ 799.6 Used vehicles 514.4 505.7 Service loaners (1) 184.9 172.7 Parts, accessories and other 112.4 100.3 Inventories $ 1,957.7 $ 1,578.3 (1) Service loaner inventory includes approximately $31.7 million and $22.7 million as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, related to vehicles that are leased directly from the manufacturer on a short-term basis. A corresponding liability is included within notes payable, floor plan - trade on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We finance all of our new and certain of our used vehicle inventory through standardized floor plan facilities with either: (1) certain manufacturer captive finance companies or (2) a syndicate of manufacturer-affiliated captive finance companies and commercial banks. We also use these floor plan facilities to finance the acquisition of new and certain used vehicle inventory as part of acquisitions of dealerships. These floor plan facilities are due on demand and currently bear interest at variable rates based on either one-month Term SOFR or prime plus an additional spread, depending on the lender arrangement. The weighted-average interest rate for our new vehicle floor plan facilities was 6.29%, 6.11% and 1.09% for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our floor plan interest expense related to the new vehicle floor plan arrangements is partially offset by amounts received from manufacturers in the form of floor plan assistance capitalized in inventory and charged against cost of sales when the associated inventory is sold. For 2024, 2023 and 2022, we recognized a reduction in cost of sales of approximately $64.2 million, $58.7 million and $51.5 million, respectively, related to manufacturer floor plan assistance. The weighted-average interest rate for our used vehicle floor plan facilities was 7.37%, 7.23% and 3.87% for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The new and used vehicle floor plan facilities are collateralized by vehicle inventory and other assets, excluding goodwill and other intangible assets, of the relevant dealership subsidiary. The new and used vehicle floor plan facilities contain a number of covenants, including, among others, covenants restricting us with respect to the creation of liens and changes in ownership, officers and key management personnel. We were in compliance with all of these restrictive covenants as of December 31, 2024. Sonic participates in a program with its syndicated floor plan lender wherein Sonic maintains a deposit balance with the lender that earns floor plan interest rebates based on an agreed upon rate. The deposit balance was $340.0 million and $345.0 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is included in other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The interest rebate as a result of this deposit balance is classified as a reduction in interest expense, floor plan in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. In 2024, 2023 and 2022, the reduction in interest expense, floor plan was approximately $23.7 million, $19.4 million and $4.1 million, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment, net consists of the following: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) Land $ 484.3 $ 493.0 Buildings and improvements 1,510.7 1,425.8 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 577.3 563.3 Construction in progress 61.6 61.4 Total, at cost 2,633.9 2,543.5 Less accumulated depreciation (1,003.6) (927.8) Subtotal 1,630.3 1,615.7 Less assets held for sale (1) (23.4) (14.7) Property and equipment, net $ 1,606.9 $ 1,601.0 (1) Classified in other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Interest capitalized in conjunction with construction projects and software development was approximately $2.6 million, $2.2 million and $1.6 million for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2024, commitments for facility construction projects totaled approximately $23.3 million. During 2024, 2023 and 2022, property and equipment impairment charges were recorded as noted in the following table: Franchised Dealerships Segment EchoPark Segment Consolidated Year Ended December 31, (In millions) 2024 $ 1.2 $ 2.7 $ 3.9 2023 $ 1.0 $ 41.7 $ 42.7 2022 $ 1.1 $ — $ 1.1 Property and equipment impairment charges in 2024 and 2023 were related to the closure of certain EchoPark and Northwest Motorsports stores, and the abandonment of certain construction projects in our Franchised Dealerships Segment. In 2022, property and equipment impairment charges were related to the abandonment of certain construction projects in our Franchised Dealerships Segment.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill	Goodwill and Intangible Assets In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” we test goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of April 30 of each year) or more frequently if indications of impairment exist. The ASC also states that if an entity determines, based on the 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. In performing a quantitative test for impairment of goodwill, we primarily use the income approach method of valuation that includes the DCF method that utilizes inputs, including projected revenues, margin, terminal growth rates, discount rates and a market capitalization reconciliation. We completed our annual impairment testing as of April 30, 2024 and determined there was no impairment of goodwill. In evaluating the recoverability of our indefinite lived franchise assets, we utilized a multi-period excess earnings method (“MPEEM”) model using unobservable inputs (Level 3) to estimate the fair value of the franchise assets for each of our franchises with recorded franchise assets. The significant assumptions in our MPEEM model include projected revenue, projected operating margins, a discount rate (and estimates in the discount rate inputs) and residual growth rates. We completed our annual impairment testing as of April 30, 2024 and determined there was no impairment of franchise assets. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for 2024 and 2023 were as follows: Franchised EchoPark Segment Powersports Segment Total (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2022 (1) $ 221.8 $ — $ 9.2 $ 231.0 Additions through current year acquisitions — — 11.9 11.9 Reductions from dispositions (1.8) — — (1.8) Prior year acquisition allocations 9.8 — 2.9 12.7 Balance at December 31, 2023 (1) $ 229.8 $ — $ 24.0 $ 253.8 Additions through current year acquisitions 8.1 — 3.3 11.4 Reductions from dispositions (0.2) — — (0.2) Prior year acquisition allocations 93.5 — — 93.5 Balance at December 31, 2024 (1) $ 331.2 $ — $ 27.3 $ 358.5 (1) Net of accumulated impairment losses of $1.1 billion and $202.9 million related to the Franchised Dealerships Segment and the EchoPark Segment, respectively. During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we identified an error related to the goodwill associated with the purchase of certain franchise assets in a business combination in the year ended December 31, 2021. As a result, we recorded a $93.5 million adjustment to goodwill to provide for deferred income tax liabilities. The changes in the carrying amount of franchise assets for 2024 and 2023 were as follows: Franchised Dealerships Segment EchoPark Segment Powersports Segment Total (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 371.7 $ 1.9 $ 23.1 $ 396.7 Additions through current year acquisitions — — 22.6 22.6 Reductions from dispositions — (1.9) — (1.9) Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 371.7 $ — $ 45.7 $ 417.4 Additions through current year acquisitions 10.9 — 2.0 12.9 Balance at December 31, 2024 $ 382.6 $ — $ 47.7 $ 430.3

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) Revolving Credit Facility (1) $ — $ — 4.625% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “4.625% Notes”) 650.0 650.0 4.875% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “4.875% Notes”) 500.0 500.0 Mortgage Facility (2) 366.8 311.0 Mortgage notes to finance companies - fixed rate, bearing interest from 2.05% to 4.69% 96.1 163.0 Mortgage notes to finance companies - variable rate — 75.6 Subtotal $ 1,612.9 $ 1,699.6 Debt issuance costs (24.9) (23.0) Total debt 1,588.0 1,676.6 Less current maturities (76.1) (60.1) Long-term debt $ 1,511.9 $ 1,616.5 (1) The interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) was 125 basis points above one-month Term SOFR (as defined in the Credit Facilities) at December 31, 2024 and 125 basis points above one-month SOFR at December 31, 2023. (2) The interest rate on the Mortgage Facility (as defined below) was 150 basis points above one-month Term SOFR (as defined in the Mortgage Facility) at December 31, 2024 and 150 basis points above one-month SOFR at December 31, 2023.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The provision for income taxes - benefit (expense) consists of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions) Current tax expense: Federal $ (52.7) $ (62.6) $ (93.8) State and local (16.5) (19.7) (20.4) Total current tax expense (69.2) (82.3) (114.2) Deferred tax benefit: Federal 23.1 17.1 10.0 State and local 6.0 1.5 2.7 Total deferred tax benefit 29.1 18.6 12.7 Total provision for income taxes - expense $ (40.1) $ (63.7) $ (101.5) The reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate with our federal and state overall effective income tax rate is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 U.S. statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % Effective state income tax rate 5.2 % 6.1 % 7.8 % Valuation allowance adjustments (0.1) % (0.3) % (0.8) % Uncertain tax positions 0.6 % 2.2 % (0.1) % Effect of goodwill impairment and indefinite lived intangible assets (12.1) % 0.0 % 24.9 % Non-deductible compensation 1.9 % 1.4 % 2.2 % Other (0.8) % (4.1) % (1.6) % Effective income tax rate 15.7 % 26.3 % 53.4 % Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) Deferred tax assets: Accruals and reserves $ 40.6 $ 40.1 State net operating loss carryforwards 6.6 6.7 Basis difference in liabilities related to right-of-use assets 147.7 84.6 Other 4.4 4.8 Total deferred tax assets 199.3 136.2 Deferred tax liabilities: Basis difference in property and equipment (3.8) (2.5) Basis difference in goodwill (79.7) (13.2) Basis difference in right-of-use assets (133.2) (71.3) Other (2.6) (2.3) Total deferred tax liabilities (219.3) (89.3) Valuation allowance (6.2) (6.3) Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ (26.2) $ 40.6 Net long-term deferred tax balances were approximately $26.2 million deferred tax liabilities and $40.6 million deferred tax assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and are recorded in other long-term liabilities and other assets, respectively, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We have approximately $150.8 million in gross state net operating loss carryforwards that will expire between 2025 and 2044. Management reviews these carryforward positions, the time remaining until expiration and other opportunities to realize these carryforwards in making an assessment as to whether it is more likely than not that these carryforwards will be realized. The results of future operations, regulatory framework of the taxing authorities and other related matters cannot be predicted with certainty and, therefore, differences from the assumptions used in the development of management’s judgment could occur. As of December 31, 2024, we had recorded a valuation allowance amount of approximately $6.2 million related to certain state net operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets as we determined that we would not be able to generate sufficient state taxable income in the related entities to realize the accumulated net operating loss carryforward balances. The decrease from the prior year is primarily due to the additional amount needed for EchoPark net operating losses. A summary of the changes in the liability related to our unrecognized tax benefits are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions) Unrecognized tax benefit liability, January 1 $ 9.3 $ 4.4 $ 4.5 Increases (decreases) from prior period positions (5.6) 5.5 0.5 Increases (decreases) from current period positions 1.2 (0.5) (0.4) Lapse of statute of limitations (0.4) (0.1) (0.2) Unrecognized tax benefit liability, December 31 $ 4.5 $ 9.3 $ 4.4 Unrecognized tax benefits and associated accrued interest and penalties are included in income tax provision. The liability recognized related to interest and penalties was $1.1 million and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Within the next 12 months, no material changes to our unrecognized tax benefits are expected for currently reserved positions. Sonic and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. Sonic’s 2021 through 2024 U.S. federal income tax returns remain open to examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Sonic’s and its subsidiaries’ state income tax returns remain open to examination by state taxing authorities for years ranging from 2021 to 2024.

Related Parties

Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Parties	Related Parties Certain of our dealerships purchase the zMAX micro-lubricant from Oil-Chem Research Corporation (“Oil-Chem”), a subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, LLC (“Speedway Motorsports”), for resale to Fixed Operations guests of our dealerships in the ordinary course of business. Marcus G. Smith, a director and a greater than 10% beneficial owner of Sonic, is a director and the Chief Executive Officer and President of Speedway Motorsports and a director and an officer of Sonic Financial Corporation (“SFC”), which is the largest stockholder of Sonic; B. Scott Smith, a director and a greater than 10% beneficial owner of Sonic, is a co-owner, director and an officer of both Speedway Motorsports and SFC; Michael Hodge, a director of Sonic, is the Chief Financial Officer of Speedway Motorsports and SFC; and William R. Brooks, a director of Sonic, is Vice Chairman of Speedway Motorsports and a director and an officer at SFC. Total purchases from Oil-Chem by our dealerships were approximately $0.4 million, $1.2 million and $1.1 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We also engaged in other transactions with various Speedway Motorsports subsidiaries, consisting primarily of: (1) merchandise and apparel purchases from SMISC Holdings, LLC (d/b/a SMI Properties) (“SMISC”) for approximately $0.8 million, $0.9 million and $0.8 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively; and (2) vehicle sales to various Speedway Motorsports subsidiaries which were approximately $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.0 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company entered into a Sponsorship Agreement between EchoPark Automotive, Inc., a subsidiary of Sonic (“EchoPark Automotive”), and SMISC pursuant to which EchoPark Automotive agreed to be an official sponsor of a NASCAR Cup Series race and related events scheduled to be held annually in Austin, Texas (the “NASCAR Event”). In exchange for the right to sponsor the NASCAR Event, EchoPark Automotive paid an annual sponsor fee of $2.5 million to SMISC in 2024, 2023 and 2022. We participate in various aircraft-related transactions with SFC, a privately held company controlled by David Bruton Smith, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Marcus G. Smith and B. Scott Smith, both directors of Sonic, and of which Michael Hodge and William R. Brooks, directors of Sonic, are officers. Such transactions include, but are not limited to, the use of aircraft owned by SFC for business-related travel by our executives, a management agreement with SFC for storage and maintenance of aircraft leased by us from unrelated third parties and the use of our aircraft for business-related travel by certain affiliates of SFC. We incurred net expenses of approximately $4.0 million, $1.6 million and $0.1 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, for transactions with SFC.

Capital Structure and Per Share

Capital Structure and Per Share Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Capital Structure and Per Share Data	Capital Structure and Per Share Data Preferred Stock - We have 3,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock authorized with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors has designated 300,000 shares of preferred stock as Class A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.10 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), which is divided into 100,000 shares of Series I Preferred Stock, 100,000 shares of Series II Preferred Stock and 100,000 shares of Series III Preferred Stock. There were no shares of Preferred Stock issued or outstanding at December 31, 2024 or 2023. Common Stock - We have two classes of common stock. We have authorized 100,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at a par value of $0.01 per share. Class A Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote per share. We have also authorized 30,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock at a par value of $0.01 per share. Class B Common Stock entitles its holder to 10 votes per share, except in certain circumstances. Each share of Class B Common Stock is convertible into one share of Class A Common Stock either upon voluntary conversion at the option of the holder, or automatically upon the occurrence of certain events, as provided in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The two classes of common stock share equally in dividends and in the event of liquidation. Share Repurchases - Prior to December 31, 2023, our Board of Directors had approved cumulative authorizations allowing us to expend up to $1.5 billion to repurchase shares of our Class A Common Stock. As of December 31, 2024, we had repurchased a total of approximately 47.3 million shares of Class A Common Stock at an average price per share of approximately $26.19. As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $252.3 million remaining under our Board’s share repurchase authorization. Prior to January 1, 2023, we redeemed and retired 13,802 shares of the Preferred Stock at an average price of $1,000 per share. Per Share Data - 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, if applicable.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans Substantially all of our employees are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan. Matching contributions by us to our 401(k) plans were approximately $13.1 million, $13.2 million and $12.1 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Stock Compensation Plans We currently have two active stock compensation plans: the Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) and the Sonic Automotive, Inc. 2012 Formula Restricted Stock and Deferral Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “2012 Formula Plan”). Collectively, these plans are referred to as the “Stock Plans.” During the second quarter of 2012, our stockholders voted to approve the 2012 Plan and the 2012 Formula Plan, with authorization for issuance of 2,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 300,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, respectively. Our stockholders have subsequently voted to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance periodically since the inception of the two active stock compensation plans, with current authorized balances as of December 31, 2024 at 8,000,000 shares and 600,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, respectively. The Stock Plans were adopted by our Board of Directors in order to attract and retain key personnel. Under the 2012 Plan, options to purchase shares of Class A Common Stock may be granted to key employees of Sonic and its subsidiaries and to officers, directors, consultants and other individuals providing services to us. The options are granted at the fair market value of our Class A Common Stock at the date of grant, typically vest over a period of three years, are exercisable upon vesting and typically expire 10 years from the date of grant. The 2012 Plan also authorizes the issuance of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. Restricted stock award and restricted stock unit grants under the 2012 Plan typically vest over a period ranging from one A summary of the status of the stock options related to the Stock Plans is presented below: Options Outstanding Exercise Price Per Share (Low - High) Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In millions, except per share data, term in years) Balance at December 31, 2023 0.5 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 6.3 $ 18.6 Exercised (0.4) $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 Balance at December 31, 2024 0.1 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 5.3 $ 6.1 Exercisable 0.1 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 5.3 $ 6.1 Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions, except per option amounts) Weighted-average grant date fair value per option $ 4.17 $ 4.17 $ 4.17 Intrinsic value of stock options exercised $ 14.7 $ 27.8 $ 18.0 A summary of the status of the non-vested restricted stock award and restricted stock unit grants related to the Stock Plans is presented below: Non-Vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share (In millions, except per share data) Balance at December 31, 2023 1.6 $ 39.72 Granted 0.4 $ 53.61 Forfeited (0.1) $ 56.73 Vested (0.4) $ 49.53 Balance at December 31, 2024 1.5 $ 40.17 During 2024, approximately 400,000 restricted stock units were awarded to our executive officers and other key associates under the 2012 Plan. Awards vest over three years. The majority of the restricted stock units awarded to executive officers and other key associates are subject to forfeiture, in whole or in part, based upon continuation of employment and compliance with any restrictive covenants contained in an agreement between us and the respective executive officer or other key associate. Also in 2024, approximately 32,000 restricted stock units were granted to our Board of Directors pursuant to the 2012 Formula Plan and vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the grant date or the day before the next annual meeting of our stockholders, except to the extent that such grant is considered an interim grant for a newly elected non-employee director, in which case, restrictions on those shares vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. We recognized compensation expense within selling, general and administrative expenses related to stock options, restricted stock units and restricted stock awards of approximately $23.5 million, $23.3 million and $20.5 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Tax benefits recognized related to restricted stock unit and restricted stock award compensation expense were approximately $6.8 million, $6.6 million and $5.6 million for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Total compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock units and restricted stock awards not yet recognized at December 31, 2024 was approximately $35.1 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.1 years. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan On December 7, 2009, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved and adopted the Sonic Automotive, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”) to be effective as of January 1, 2010. The SERP is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that is unfunded for federal tax purposes. The SERP includes 13 active or former members of senior management at December 31, 2024. The purpose of the SERP is to attract and retain key members of management by providing a retirement benefit in addition to the benefits provided by our tax-qualified and other non-qualified deferred compensation plans. The following table sets forth the status of the SERP: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 Change in projected benefit obligation: (In millions) Obligation at January 1 $ 22.3 $ 20.7 Service cost 1.0 1.1 Interest cost 1.1 1.0 Actuarial loss (gain) (2.2) (0.1) Benefits paid (0.4) (0.4) Obligation at December 31 (1) $ 21.8 $ 22.3 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 18.0 $ 17.8 (1) As of December 31, 2024, approximately $0.5 million was included in other accrued liabilities and approximately $21.3 million was included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $0.4 million was included in other accrued liabilities and approximately $21.9 million was included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date. Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 Change in fair value of plan assets: (In millions) Plan assets at January 1 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets — — Employer contributions 0.4 0.4 Benefits paid (0.4) (0.4) Plan assets at December 31 — — Funded status recognized $ (21.8) $ (22.3) The following table provides the cost components of the SERP: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 (In millions) Service cost $ 1.0 $ 1.1 Interest cost 1.1 1.0 Amortization of gain (loss) (0.2) (0.2) Net pension expense (benefit) $ 1.9 $ 1.9 The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net periodic benefit costs consist of: As of December 31, 2024 2023 Discount rate 5.43 % 4.76 % Rate of compensation increase 3.00 % 3.00 % The estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid for each of the next five years and the sum of the payments expected for the next five years thereafter are: Estimated Future Benefit Payments Year Ending December 31, (In millions) 2025 $ 0.5 2026 $ 0.5 2027 $ 0.5 2028 $ 0.5 2029 $ 0.6 2030 - 2034 $ 10.1 Multiemployer Benefit Plan Three of our dealership subsidiaries in northern California currently make fixed-dollar contributions to the Automotive Industries Pension Plan (the “AI Pension Plan”) pursuant to collective bargaining agreements between our subsidiaries and the International Association of Machinists (the “IAM”)). The AI Pension Plan is a “multiemployer plan” as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Three of our dealership subsidiaries actively contribute to the AI Pension Plan pursuant to collective bargaining agreements with the IAM. These subsidiaries employ approximately 160 individuals, which constitutes less than 1% of our total workforce. The risks of participating in this multiemployer pension plan are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects: • assets contributed to the multiemployer pension plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers; • if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers; and • if we choose to stop participating in the multiemployer pension plan, we may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. Our participation in the AI Pension Plan for 2024, 2023 and 2022 is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employee Identification Number (the “EIN”). Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”) zone status available in the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The zone status is based on information that we received from the AI Pension Plan. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded (“Critical Status”), plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status - Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a Financial Improvement Plan (“FIP”) or a Rehabilitation Plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration dates of the collective bargaining agreements to which the plan is subject. The number of employees covered by the AI Pension Plan increased 9.6% from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023 and decreased 1.3% from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, affecting the period-to-period comparability of the contributions for 2024, 2023 and 2022. Pension Protection Act Zone Status FIP/RP Status Sonic Contributions Surcharge Imposed Collective Bargaining Agreement Expiration Date Pension Fund EIN/Pension Plan Number 2024 2023 Pending /Implemented Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions) AI Pension Plan 94-1133245 Red Red RP Implemented $0.2 $0.2 $0.2 Yes Between Our participating dealership subsidiaries were not listed in the AI Pension Plan’s Form 5500 as providing more than 5% of the total contributions for the plan years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. In March 2008, the Board of Trustees of the AI Pension Plan notified participants, participating employers and local unions that the AI Pension Plan’s actuary had issued a certification that the AI Pension Plan was in critical status. In conjunction with the AI Pension Plan’s critical status, all participating employers were required to increase employer contributions to the AI Pension Plan for a seven-year period which commenced in 2013. As of April 2023, the AI Pension Plan’s actuary certified that the AI Pension Plan remained in Critical Status for the plan year commencing January 1, 2023, with the projected pension liability underfunded by approximately $1.0 billion and projected to become insolvent in the 2032 plan year. In July 2023, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the “PBGC”) approved an application by the AI Pension Plan for special financial assistance in the amount of approximately $1.1 billion to address the underfunded status of the plan.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Restructuring Costs	$ 75,200	$ 4,800	$ 75,200
Fair Value Measurements				Fair Value Measurements In determining fair value, Sonic uses various valuation approaches, including market, income and/or cost approaches. “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” in the ASC establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of Sonic. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect Sonic ’ s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows: Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that Sonic has the ability to access. Assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include marketable securities that are actively traded, including Sonic’s stock or public bonds. Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. Assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include cash flow swap instruments and deferred compensation plan balances. Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Asset and liability measurements utilizing Level 3 inputs include those used in estimating fair value of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities in purchase acquisitions, those used in assessing impairment of right-of-use assets (“ROU assets”), property, plant and equipment and other intangibles, and those used in the reporting unit valuation in the goodwill impairment evaluation. The availability of observable inputs can vary and is affected by a wide variety of factors. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment required by Sonic in determining fair value is greatest for assets and liabilities categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input (Level 3 being the lowest level) that is significant to the fair value measurement. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who holds the asset or owes the liability rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, Sonic ’ s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Sonic uses inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including during periods when the market may be abnormally high or abnormally low. Accordingly, fair value measurements can be volatile based on various factors that may or may not be within Sonic’s control. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows: Fair Value Based on Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) Assets: Cash surrender value of life insurance policies (1) $ 47.3 $ 42.9 Interest rate caps designated as hedges (2) — 1.0 Total assets $ 47.3 $ 43.9 (1) Included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. (2) Included in other current assets in the accompanying audited condensed balance sheets. In conjunction with the approximately $75.2 million charge recorded during the second quarter of 2023 and the subsequent $4.8 million charge recorded in the third quarter of 2023 related to our decisions to indefinitely suspend operations at certain EchoPark locations and to close certain Northwest Motorsport stores discussed above, Sonic was required to adjust certain real estate assets to fair value on a non-recurring basis. After $5.7 million of adjustments during the second quarter of 2023, the recorded balances were $55.5 million at June 30, 2023. The book value of such assets may be reevaluated as changes in circumstances require. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2023, we recorded $16.7 million of impairment charges, of which, $6.5 million was related to right-of-use assets and $10.2 million was related to fixed assets. Nonfinancial assets such as goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets held and used are measured at fair value when there is an indicator of impairment and recorded at fair value only when impairment is recognized or for a business combination. The fair values less costs to sell of long-lived assets or assets held for sale are assessed each reporting period they remain classified as held for sale. Subsequent changes in the held for sale long-lived assets or assets held for sale group’s fair value less cost to sell (increase or decrease) are reported as an adjustment to its carrying amount, except that the adjusted carrying amount cannot exceed the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or disposal group at the time it was initially classified as held for sale. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the fair values of Sonic’s 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. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the fair value and carrying value of Sonic ’ s significant fixed rate long-term debt were as follows: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value (In millions) 4.875% Notes (1) $ 447.5 $ 500.0 $ 447.5 $ 500.0 4.625% Notes (1) $ 594.8 $ 650.0 $ 591.5 $ 650.0 Mortgage Notes (2) $ 93.4 $ 96.1 $ 156.6 $ 163.0 (1) As determined by market quotations as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively (Level 2). (2) As determined by the DCF method (Level 2).
Other Real Estate, Valuation Adjustments	$ 5,700

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Guarantees and Indemnification Obligations In accordance with the terms of our operating lease agreements, our dealership subsidiaries, acting as lessees, generally agree to indemnify the lessor from certain exposure arising as a result of the use of the leased premises, including environmental exposure and repairs to leased property upon termination of the lease. In addition, we have generally agreed to indemnify the lessor in the event of a breach of the lease by the lessee. In connection with dealership dispositions and facility relocations, certain of our subsidiaries have assigned or sublet to the buyer their interests in real property leases associated with such dealerships. In general, the subsidiaries retain responsibility for the performance of certain obligations under such leases, including rent payments and repairs to leased property upon termination of the lease, to the extent that the assignee or the sublessee does not perform. In the event an assignee or a sublessee does not perform its obligations, Sonic remains liable for such obligations. In accordance with the terms of agreements entered into for the sales of our dealerships, we generally agree to indemnify the buyer from certain liabilities and costs arising subsequent to the date of sale, including environmental exposure and exposure resulting from the breach of representations or warranties made in accordance with the agreements. While our exposure with respect to environmental remediation is difficult to quantify, our maximum exposure associated with these general indemnifications was approximately $2.2 million as of December 31, 2024 and $8.0 million as of December 31, 2023. These indemnifications typically expire within a period of one Legal Matters Sonic is involved, and expects to continue to be involved, in various legal and administrative proceedings arising out of the conduct of its business, including regulatory investigations and private civil actions brought by plaintiffs purporting to represent a potential class or for which a class has been certified. Although Sonic vigorously defends itself in all legal and administrative proceedings, the outcomes of pending and future proceedings arising out of the conduct of Sonic’s business, including litigation with customers, employment-related lawsuits, contractual disputes, class actions, purported class actions and actions brought by governmental authorities, cannot be predicted with certainty. An unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on Sonic’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects. There were no significant liabilities related to legal matters as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows: Gains and (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Plan Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2021 $ (0.5) $ (0.8) $ (1.3) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (1) (0.4) 3.3 2.9 Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — — — Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) (0.4) 3.3 2.9 Balance at December 31, 2022 $ (0.9) $ 2.5 $ 1.6 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (2) 0.6 (0.1) 0.5 Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (0.5) — (0.5) Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 0.1 (0.1) — Balance at December 31, 2023 $ (0.8) $ 2.4 $ 1.6 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (3) 1.8 2.0 3.8 Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (4) (1.0) (0.6) (1.6) Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 0.8 1.4 2.2 Balance at December 31, 2024 $ — $ 3.8 $ 3.8 (1) Net of tax benefit of $0.1 million related to gains on cash flow hedges and tax expense of $1.3 million related to the defined benefit pension plan. (2) Net of tax expense of $0.2 million related to losses on cash flow hedges and no tax benefit related to the defined benefit pension plan. (3) Net of tax expense of $0.6 million related to losses on cash flow hedges and $0.6 million tax expense related to the defined benefit pension plan. (4) Net of tax benefit of $0.4 million related to gains on cash flow hedges. See the heading “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” in Note 6, “Long-Term Debt,” for further discussion of our cash flow hedges. For further discussion of our defined benefit pension plan, see Note 10, “Employee Benefit Plans.”

Segment Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information As of December 31, 2024, Sonic had three operating segments: (1) the Franchised Dealerships Segment; (2) the EchoPark Segment; and (3) the Powersports Segment. Refer to Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for additional discussion of our operating segments. Sonic has determined that its operating segments also represent its reportable segments. The reportable segments identified above are the business activities of Sonic for which discrete financial information is available and for which operating results are regularly reviewed by Sonic ’ s chief operating decision maker to assess operating performance and allocate resources. Sonic’s chief operating decision maker is a group of three individuals consisting of: (1) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer; (2) the Company’s President; and (3) the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. The chief operating decision makers evaluate segment performance and allocate resources using metrics such as segment gross profit and segment income. These segment profit metrics are consistent across all segments and align with the way we measure profit on a consolidated basis. The accounting policies applied to segments follow those for the Company as a whole. Reportable segment financial information for the three years ended December 31, 2024 were as follows: Franchised Dealerships Segment - Reported Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions) Revenues: Retail new vehicles $ 6,425.5 $ 6,215.0 $ 5,581.6 Fleet new vehicles 95.3 92.2 99.4 Used vehicles 2,919.8 3,050.3 3,391.5 Wholesale vehicles 188.9 204.5 314.0 Parts, service and collision repair 1,802.9 1,714.2 1,588.0 Finance, insurance and other, net 506.8 498.6 510.1 Cost of sales: Retail new vehicles (6,048.6) (5,696.3) (4,926.3) Fleet new vehicles (92.3) (88.2) (94.5) Used vehicles (2,769.6) (2,887.4) (3,217.1) Wholesale vehicles (193.5) (207.8) (320.3) Parts, service and collision repair (894.0) (861.5) (801.3) Segment gross profit $ 1,941.2 $ 2,033.6 $ 2,125.1 Selling, general and administrative expenses: Compensation (892.4) (856.6) (858.0) Advertising (55.1) (40.5) (36.9) Rent (39.2) (40.3) (42.4) Other (1) (388.7) (377.2) (335.7) Depreciation and amortization (124.4) (112.3) (101.8) Other income (expense): Interest expense, floor plan (70.6) (49.2) (23.6) Interest expense, other, net (112.7) (109.7) (85.0) Other income (expense), net (0.5) 0.2 (0.1) Segment income $ 257.6 $ 448.0 $ 641.6 (1) Other selling, general and administrative expenses include various fixed and variable expenses, including gain on disposal of franchises, certain customer-related costs such as gasoline and service loaners, and insurance, training, legal and information technology expenses. EchoPark Segment - Reported Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions) Revenues: Retail new vehicles $ — $ 1.0 $ 9.2 Used vehicles 1,838.0 2,143.8 2,116.8 Wholesale vehicles 95.8 111.7 170.6 Finance, insurance and other, net 194.0 177.9 166.4 Cost of Sales: Retail new vehicles — (0.9) (8.1) Used vehicles (1,822.8) (2,160.9) (2,112.4) Wholesale vehicles (97.1) (110.8) (167.4) Segment gross profit $ 207.9 $ 161.8 $ 175.1 Selling, general and administrative expenses: Compensation (95.8) (132.0) (148.0) Advertising (27.7) (49.9) (58.0) Rent 1.7 (6.3) (8.5) Other (1) (43.9) (58.8) (55.3) Depreciation and amortization (21.8) (26.6) (24.7) Other income (expense): Interest expense, floor plan (14.2) (17.4) (10.7) Interest expense, other, net (2.7) (3.2) (3.9) Other income (expense), net — (0.1) 0.1 Segment income (loss) $ 3.5 $ (132.5) $ (133.9) (1) Other selling, general and administrative expenses include various fixed and variable expenses, including gain on disposal of franchises, certain customer-related costs such as gasoline and service loaners, and insurance, training, legal and information technology expenses. Powersports Segment - Reported Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions) Revenues: Retail new vehicles $ 82.0 $ 88.6 $ 31.8 Used vehicles 22.3 19.5 7.1 Wholesale vehicles 2.3 2.6 0.3 Parts, service and collision repair 43.6 45.3 11.7 Finance, insurance and other, net 7.1 7.2 2.6 Cost of Sales: Retail new vehicles $ (70.5) $ (72.0) $ (25.4) Used vehicles (17.0) (14.1) (5.1) Wholesale vehicles (2.6) (2.8) (0.3) Parts, service and collision repair (23.5) (24.0) (5.9) Segment gross profit 43.7 50.3 16.8 Selling, general and administrative expenses: Compensation (25.7) (27.7) (8.9) Advertising (1.7) (1.8) (0.6) Rent 0.9 0.5 — Other (1) (9.4) (9.9) (2.8) Depreciation and amortization (4.2) (3.4) (1.0) Other income (expense): Interest expense, floor plan (2.1) (0.6) — Interest expense, other, net (2.6) (1.7) (1.0) Other income (expense), net — — 0.2 Segment income (loss) $ (1.1) $ 5.7 $ 2.7 (1) Other selling, general and administrative expenses include various fixed and variable expenses, including gain on disposal of franchises, certain customer-related costs such as gasoline and service loaners, and insurance, training, legal and information technology expenses. Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 Segment Income (Loss) (1): (In millions) Franchised Dealerships Segment (2) $ 257.6 $ 448.0 $ 641.6 EchoPark Segment (3) 3.5 (132.5) (133.9) Powersports Segment (4) (1.1) 5.7 2.7 Total segment income (loss) $ 260.0 $ 321.2 $ 510.4 Impairment charges (5) (3.9) (79.3) (320.4) Income (loss) before taxes $ 256.1 $ 241.9 $ 190.0 (1) Segment income (loss) for each segment is defined as income (loss) before taxes and impairment charges. (2) For 2024, amount includes approximately $13.0 million of pre-tax charges related to excess compensation as a result of the CDK outage, approximately $8.3 million of pre-tax charges related to storm damage, approximately $3.5 million of pre-tax gain related to the acquisition of the remaining equity interest in a joint venture, $10.0 million of pre-tax gain related to the CDK outage cyber claim payment, and approximately $2.2 million of pre-tax charges related to severance and long-term compensation expense. For 2023, amount includes approximately $20.9 million of pre-tax gain related to acquisitions and dispositions and approximately $1.9 million of pre-tax charges related to storm damage. (3) For 2024, amount includes approximately $3.0 million of pre-tax gain on exit of leased properties, approximately $2.9 million of pre-tax charges for severance and long-term compensation expense, approximately $2.1 million of pre-tax gain on real estate dispositions, approximately $2.1 million of pre-tax charges related to closed store accrued expenses related to the indefinite suspension of operations at certain EchoPark locations, and approximately $0.4 million of pre-tax charges related to excess compensation as a result of the CDK outage. For 2023, amount includes approximately $10.0 million of pre-tax charges related to used vehicle inventory valuation adjustments, $5.1 million of pre-tax charges for long-term compensation expense, approximately $4.3 million of pre-tax lease exit charges and approximately $0.3 million of pre-tax loss related to acquisitions and dispositions. (4) For 2024, amount includes approximately $0.5 million of pre-tax charges related to severance and long-term compensation expense. (5) For 2024, amount includes approximately $1.2 million of pre-tax property and equipment charges for the Franchised Dealerships Segment and approximately $2.7 million of pre-tax property and equipment charges for real estate held for sale in the EchoPark Segment. For 2023, amount includes approximately $1.0 million of pre-tax franchise asset and property and equipment impairment charges for the Franchised Dealerships Segment and approximately $78.3 million of pre-tax impairment charges related to fixed assets, lease right-of-use assets, and other contractual obligations related to abandoned property for the EchoPark Segment. For the year ended December 31, 2022, amount includes approximately $115.5 million of pre-tax franchise asset and property and equipment impairment charges for the Franchised Dealerships Segment and $204.9 million of pre-tax goodwill and franchise asset impairment charges for the EchoPark Segment. Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions) Capital expenditures: Franchised Dealerships Segment $ 182.4 $ 181.4 $ 130.3 EchoPark Segment 1.0 15.3 96.6 Powersports Segment 3.9 6.9 0.2 Total capital expenditures $ 187.3 $ 203.6 $ 227.1 December 31, 2024 2023 (In millions) Assets: Franchised Dealerships Segment $ 5,044.5 $ 4,455.8 EchoPark Segment 574.5 667.9 Powersports Segment 232.7 212.0 Corporate and other: Cash and cash equivalents 44.0 28.9 Total assets $ 5,895.7 $ 5,364.6

Leases, Codification Topic 842

Leases, Codification Topic 842	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Leases [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block]	15. Leases The majority of our leases are related to dealership properties that are subject to long-term lease arrangements. In addition, we have certain equipment leases and contracts containing embedded leased assets that have been evaluated and included in the recorded Right of Use assets (“ROU”) asset and lease liabilities as appropriate. The ROU asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred or previously recognized favorable lease assets, less any lease incentives received or previously recognized lease exit accruals. For operating leases, the ROU asset is subsequently measured throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of lease incentives received. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, the ROU asset is reduced using the straight-line method from the lease commencement date to the earlier of the end of its useful life or the end of the lease term unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to us or we are reasonably certain to exercise an option to purchase the underlying asset. In those cases, the ROU asset is reduced over the expected useful life of the underlying asset. Expense related to the reduction of the ROU asset is recognized and presented separately from interest expense on the lease liability. Variable lease payments associated with our leases are recognized when the event, activity or circumstance in the lease agreement on which those payments are assessed occurs. Variable lease payments are presented as operating expense in our consolidated statements of operations in the same line item as expense arising from fixed lease payments (operating leases) or expense related to the reduction of the ROU asset (finance leases). ROU assets for operating and finance leases are periodically reduced by impairment losses. We use the long-lived assets impairment guidance in ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” to determine whether the ROU asset is impaired and, if so, the amount of the impairment loss to recognize. We regularly monitor events or changes in circumstances that may require a reassessment of one of our leases. When a reassessment results in the remeasurement of a lease liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the corresponding ROU asset unless doing so would reduce the carrying amount of the ROU asset to an amount less than zero. In that case, the amount of the adjustment that would result in a negative ROU asset balance is recorded in profit or loss. Key estimates and judgments related to the measurement and recording of ROU assets and lease liabilities include how we determine: (1) the discount rate used to discount the unpaid lease payments to present value; and (2) the expected lease term, including any extension options. ASC Topic 842, “Leases,” requires a lessee to discount its unpaid lease payments using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, its incremental borrowing rate. Generally, we cannot determine the interest rate implicit in the lease because we do not have access to the lessor’s estimated residual value or the amount of the lessor’s deferred initial direct costs. Therefore, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for the lease. We determined the discount rate for our leases based on the risk-free rate as of the measurement date for varying maturities corresponding to the remaining lease term, adjusted for the risk-premium attributed to Sonic’s corporate credit rating for a secured or collateralized instrument. Many of our lease arrangements have one or more existing renewal options to extend the lease term (typically in five- to 10-year increments), which were considered in the calculation of the ROU assets and lease liabilities if we determined that it was reasonably certain that an extension option would be exercised. The lease term for all of the Company’s leases includes the non-cancelable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by our option to extend the lease that we are reasonably certain to exercise. We determine the probability of the exercise of a lease extension option based on our long-term strategic business outlook and the condition and remaining useful life of the fixed assets at the location subject to the lease agreement, among other factors. We have elected the practical expedient under ASC Topic 842 to not separate lease and non-lease components for the following classes of underlying assets: uniforms, computer equipment, shop equipment and marketing-related assets (e.g., signage). The majority of our lease agreements require fixed monthly payments (subject to either specific or index-based escalations in future periods) while other agreements require variable lease payments based on changes in SOFR or any replacement thereof. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the: (1) fixed lease payments, including in-substance fixed payments, owed over the lease term, which include termination penalties we would owe if the estimated lease term assumes that we would be likely to exercise a termination option prior to the earliest expiration date; (2) variable lease payments that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the lease commencement date; and (3) the exercise price of our option to purchase the underlying asset if we are reasonably certain to exercise the option. Our leases do not typically contain residual value guarantees. In certain situations, we have entered into sublease agreements whereby we sublease all or a portion of a leased real estate asset to a third party. To the extent that we have a sublease related to a lease agreement for an asset that we are no longer using in operations, we have reduced the ROU asset by any applicable net deficiency in expected cash flows from that sublease (either due to partial monthly sublease proceeds or a sublease term less than the remaining master lease term). ASC Topic 842 also provides practical expedients for ongoing accounting. We elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for our real estate and equipment leases, which means that for those leases that qualify, we do not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities and recognize the expense related to the short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term and any variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. We have also elected the practical expedient that allows us not to separate non-lease components of an agreement from lease components (for certain non-real estate assets). Following is information related to lease expenses and other lease-related information for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023: Year Ended December 31, 2024 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Lease Expense (In millions) Finance lease expense Reduction of right-of-use assets $ 20.0 $ 18.1 Interest on lease liabilities 22.4 18.4 Operating lease expense (1) 38.5 47.0 Short-term lease expense 1.1 0.9 Variable lease expense 14.2 12.8 Sublease income (9.0) (8.1) Total $ 87.2 $ 89.1 (1) Included in operating cash flows in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. Year Ended December 31, 2024 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Other Information (In millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Financing cash flows for finance leases $ 9.3 $ 14.3 Operating cash flows for finance leases $ 22.4 $ 18.4 Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 38.3 $ 48.2 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities Finance leases $ 86.8 $ 49.3 Operating leases (1) $ 44.1 $ 17.0 (1) Includes the impact of reclassification of ROU assets from operating leases to finance leases due to remeasurement. December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Other Information Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) Finance leases 13.3 12.3 Operating leases 10.4 10.6 Weighted-average discount rate Finance leases 7.10 % 7.59 % Operating leases 6.94 % 7.02 % Undiscounted Lease Cash Flows Under ASC Topic 842 as of December 31, 2024 Finance Leases Operating Leases Receipts from Subleases Year Ending December 31, (In millions) 2025 $ 34.0 $ 41.0 $ 6.3 2026 40.3 38.6 5.7 2027 79.7 36.1 5.5 2028 33.3 34.2 3.7 2029 33.6 32.5 3.6 Thereafter 333.9 176.3 2.3 Total $ 554.8 $ 358.7 $ 27.1 Less: Present value discount (198.9) (113.0) Lease liabilities $ 355.9 $ 245.7

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net income (loss)	$ 216,000	$ 216,000	$ 178,200	$ 88,500

Insider Trading Arrangements

Insider Trading Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	true
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	true

Cybersecurity Risk Management a

Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy Disclosure	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, and Governance [Line Items]
Cybersecurity Risk Management Processes for Assessing, Identifying, and Managing Threats [Text Block]	We leverage technology for our business advantage and have invested in internal and external business applications. Our regular operations involve handling sensitive data, including proprietary business information, intellectual property, and personally identifiable information of our customers, suppliers, and employees. To ensure the safety of this data, the Vice President of Information Security provides oversight and establishes central, standardized frameworks for identifying and tracking cyber-related business and compliance risks across the Company. Any risks from cybersecurity threats to our products and services are communicated to our general counsel and senior management and if deemed material, are further reviewed by the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. We also periodically engage third-party consultants to help us assess, enhance, implement and monitor our cybersecurity risk management programs and respond to any incidents. We have experienced, and may in the future experience, whether directly or through our supply chain or other channels, cybersecurity incidents. Specifically, on June 19, 2024, CDK, a third-party provider of certain information systems, notified us that CDK had suspended certain systems used by us in response to a cybersecurity incident impacting CDK. As a result, we experienced disruptions to our dealer management system (the “DMS”), our customer relationship management system (the “CRM”) and other systems that support sales, inventory and accounting functions (collectively with the DMS and CRM the “Affected Systems”). On June 26, 2024, CDK began restoring access to certain of the Affected Systems. We performed internal risk assessments and data validation procedures on the Affected Systems, and beginning June 30, 2024, we resumed processing transactions in the DMS. As of July 31, 2024, we regained access to all of the Affected Systems, including the CRM and inventory management applications. As a result of the CDK outage, our business and results of operations during the second and third fiscal quarters of 2024 were adversely affected. Although we have been working with CDK and other information technology vendors and taking steps to strengthen our systems infrastructure, and our processes are designed to help prevent, detect, respond to, and mitigate the impact of such incidents, there is no guarantee that another cyber incident would not materially affect our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. See “General Risk Factors” in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Cybersecurity Risk Management Processes Integrated [Text Block]	Risk Management and Strategy Our cybersecurity strategy prioritizes detection, analysis and response to known, anticipated or unexpected threats; effective management of security risks; and resiliency against incidents. Our cybersecurity risk management processes include technical security controls, policy enforcement mechanisms, monitoring systems, employee training, tools and related services from third-party providers, and management oversight to assess, identify and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats. We implement risk-based controls to protect our information, the information of our customers, suppliers and other third parties, our information systems, our business operations, and our products and related services. We have adopted security-control principles based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (the “NIST”) Cybersecurity Framework. The Information Security team has adopted the NIST Cybersecurity Framework as a reference to manage cybersecurity risks. This framework enables the team to implement a comprehensive statement of activities and responsibilities that cover data, information architecture, risk communications, emerging technology, third-party risk, IT operations, and regulation. By following industry best practices, the team has established a recognized baseline for engaging external firms to audit and test the resiliency of the cybersecurity program.
Cybersecurity Risk Third Party Oversight and Identification Processes [Flag]	true
Cybersecurity Risk Management Positions or Committees Responsible [Text Block]	Governance Our Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing enterprise risk and has delegated the responsibility for the oversight of cybersecurity and information technology risks, and the Company’s preparedness for these risks, to the Audit Committee. Our Vice President of Information Security provides periodic updates to the Audit Committee in order to assist the Audit Committee in understanding the implications of cybersecurity risks. The Audit Committee meets regularly to ensure a shared understanding of cybersecurity risks, to review new regulations or laws, and to provide guidance on complex risk issues. Our Information Security team has gained their expertise in information technology (“IT”) and cybersecurity through a combination of education, relevant degrees, certifications and prior work experience. As part of the cybersecurity process, their respective teams inform them about the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents.
Cybersecurity Risk Management Positions or Committees Responsible Report to Board [Flag]	true

Description of Business and Sum

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
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 reported total revenue). As a result of the way we manage our business, we had three reportable segments as of December 31, 2024: (1) the Franchised Dealerships Segment; (2) the EchoPark Segment; and (3) the Powersports 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, 2024, we operated 108 stores in the Franchised Dealerships Segment, 18 stores in the EchoPark Segment and 15 stores in the Powersports Segment. The Franchised Dealerships Segment consists of 133 new vehicle franchises (representing 25 different brands of cars and light trucks) and 16 collision repair centers in 18 states. The EchoPark Segment consists of 18 stores operating in 10 states. The Powersports Segment consists of 11 franchises and four authorized retail outlets in three states. The Franchised Dealerships Segment provides comprehensive sales and 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 third-party financing, extended warranties, service contracts, insurance and other aftermarket products (collectively, “F&I”) for our guests. The EchoPark Segment sells used cars and light trucks and arranges third-party F&I product sales for our guests in pre-owned vehicle specialty retail locations, and does not offer customer-facing Fixed Operations services. The Powersports Segment offers guests: (1) sales of both new and used powersports vehicles (such as motorcycles, personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles); (2) Fixed Operations activities; and (3) third party F&I services. All three segments generally operate independently of one another, with the exception of certain shared back-office functions and corporate overhead costs.
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 as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2023. The remaining 50% of this dealership was purchased in the fourth quarter of 2024 and its balance sheet is fully consolidated as of December 31, 2024 and its operating results are included in the consolidated statement of operations from the acquisition date through December 31, 2024. 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 -
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 third-party vehicle financing and the sale of third-party service, warranty and other insurance contracts; and (5) the performance of vehicle maintenance and repair services and the sale of related parts and accessories. The transaction price for a retail vehicle sale is specified in the contract with the customer and encompasses both cash and non-cash considerations. In the context of a retail vehicle sale, customers frequently trade in their existing vehicles. The value of this trade-in is determined based on its stand-alone selling price as specified in the contract, utilizing various third-party pricing sources. There are no other non-cash forms of consideration associated with retail sales, and sales are reported net of sales tax and other similar assets. 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, 2024 and 2023 include approximately $8.0 million and $12.0 million, respectively, related to contract assets from F&I retro revenues recognition, which are recorded in receivables, net. In addition, we recorded approximately $13.2 million and $19.8 million related to contract assets from F&I retro revenues recognition in other assets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Changes in contract assets from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 were primarily due to ordinary business activity, including the receipt of cash for amounts earned and recognized in prior periods. Out-of-Period Adjustment for Correction of Errors — In the third quarter of 2024, Sonic identified errors in its previously issued financial statements. These errors have been corrected in the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, through a cumulative out-of-period adjustment. Sonic has determined that these errors are not material to the previously issued financial statements, and the cumulative out-of-period adjustment for the correction of these errors is also not material to the financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2024. Below is a summary of the corrected errors and their cumulative impact. In 2022 when the Company completed its purchase accounting for the 2021 stock acquisition of RFJ Auto Partners, Inc., the Company failed to recognize deferred income tax liabilities associated with franchise assets recorded in purchase accounting. According to ASC 805-740-23-3, a deferred tax liability or asset should be recognized for an acquired entity’s taxable or deductible temporary difference, except for differences relating to the portion of goodwill for which amortization is not deductible for tax purposes. This understated goodwill and deferred income tax liabilities by $93.5 million. In addition, due to the absence of deferred income tax liabilities related to these franchise assets, the 2022 impairment of certain of these franchise assets did not include a reduction in the related deferred income tax liabilities leading to an overstatement of income tax expense by $31.0 million. Sonic corrected these errors in the third quarter of 2024 by recording an increase in goodwill of $93.5 million, increasing deferred income tax liabilities by $62.5 million and recording a benefit to deferred income tax expense of $31.0 million.
Floor Plan Assistance	Floor Plan Assistance - We receive floor plan assistance in the form of direct payments or credits 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 associated inventory is sold. Amounts recognized as a reduction of cost of sales were approximately $64.2 million, $58.7 million and $51.5 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, 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 $246.5 million and $275.6 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, 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, 2024 and 2023. Receivables, net consist of the following: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) Contracts in transit $ 246.5 $ 275.6 Manufacturer and warranty receivables 130.4 105.3 Other receivables 119.0 147.2 Receivables, net $ 495.9 $ 528.1
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: Buildings and leasehold and land improvements 10-40 years Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3-10 years 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. Fixed asset impairments for the year ended December 31, 2024 were approximately $3.9 million, which was related to the sale of real estate and capitalized IT project write-off costs and property associated with our decision to close the remaining Northwest Motorsport stores in January 2024. Fixed asset impairments for the year ended December 31, 2023 were approximately $42.7 million, the majority of which related to our decisions to indefinitely suspend operations at certain locations with our EchoPark Segment and to close certain Northwest Motorsport stores. Fixed asset impairments for the year ended December 31, 2022 were approximately $1.1 million, related primarily to the abandonment of certain construction projects in our Franchised Dealerships Segment. See Note 4, “Property and Equipment,” for further discussion of impairment charges.
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, 2024, we utilized interest rate cap agreements to limit our exposure to increases in one-month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) 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 April 30 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. For purposes of goodwill impairment testing, we have three reporting units, which consist of: (1) our traditional franchised dealerships, (2) our EchoPark stores and (3) our powersports stores. In evaluating goodwill for impairment, if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the difference would represent the amount of the required goodwill impairment. We utilized the DCF method to estimate the enterprise value of each reporting unit. The significant assumptions in our DCF model include projected revenues, margin, terminal growth rate, discount rates and a market capitalization reconciliation. As a result of our April 30, 2024 annual test, we determined it was more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit was greater than its carrying value. We were not required to record goodwill impairment for any of our reporting units during 2024. As a result of our April 30, 2023 annual test, we determined it was more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit was greater than its carrying value, therefore, we were not required to record goodwill impairment for any of our reporting units during 2023. As a result of our October 1, 2022 annual test, we determined that the carrying value of the EchoPark reporting unit exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit. We determined that the franchised dealership reporting unit passed by a significant margin, but the EchoPark reporting unit was impaired. Based on this assessment, we determined that the EchoPark reporting unit goodwill amount of $202.9 million was fully impaired and recorded such impairment in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations during the fourth quarter of 2022. We determined that no impairment existed for either the franchised dealerships or powersports reporting units as of October 1, 2022. See Note 5, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets,” for further discussion of goodwill.
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. 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. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” we evaluate other intangible assets for impairment annually (as of April 30 of each year) or more frequently if indications of impairment exist. We utilized a multi-period excess earnings method (“MPEEM”) model to estimate the fair value of the franchise assets for each of our franchises with recorded franchise assets. The significant assumptions in our MPEEM 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. As a result of our impairment testing as of April 30, 2024, we determined the fair value of the franchise assets for each of our franchises exceeded the carrying value of the franchise assets for all of our franchises, resulting in no franchise asset impairment charges during 2024. As of a result of our impairment testing as of April 30, 2023, we determined the fair value of the franchise assets for each of our franchises exceeded the carrying value of the franchise assets for all of our franchises, resulting in no franchise asset impairment charges during 2023. As a result of our impairment testing as of October 1, 2022, we determined that several of our recently acquired franchise assets’ fair values did not exceed the carrying values, resulting in $116.4 million in franchise asset impairment charges recorded in the consolidated statements of operations during the fourth quarter of 2022. After the effect of impairment charges, the carrying value of our franchise assets totaled approximately $396.7 million at December 31, 2022, and is included in other intangible assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date. See Note 5, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets,” for further discussion of franchise and dealer agreements.
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 or expense 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.
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 $130.4 million and $105.3 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and receivables from financial institutions (which include manufacturer-affiliated captive finance companies and commercial banks) and third-party warranty and insurance product providers, totaling approximately $279.6 million and $317.9 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We work with a single third-party provider for the majority of our extended warranties, service contracts and other aftermarket products. 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. BMW accounted for 20% of our total retail automotive dealership revenues as of all three years ending December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, and Mercedes franchises accounted for 11%, 11%, and 10% of our total retail automotive dealership revenues as of December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. 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 captive 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 or stores 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.
Financial Instruments and Market Risks	Financial Instruments and Market Risks - As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, 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. We manage interest rate risk by entering into interest rate cap agreements. 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.”
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 $84.5 million, $92.2 million and $95.4 million for 2024, 2023 and 2022, 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 $34.7 million, $34.7 million and $30.8 million for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Segment Information	Segment Information - For purposes of reporting financial condition and results of operations, we have determined that we have three reportable segments: (1) the Franchised Dealerships Segment; (2) the EchoPark Segment; and (3) the Powersports Segment. The Franchised Dealerships Segment provides comprehensive sales and services, including: (1) sales of both new and used cars and light trucks; (2) Fixed Operations activities; and (3) F&I services for our guests. The EchoPark Segment sells used cars and light trucks and arranges third-party F&I product sales for our guests in pre-owned vehicle specialty retail locations, and does not offer customer-facing Fixed Operations services. The Powersports Segment offers guests: (1) sales of both new and used powersports vehicles (such as motorcycles, personal watercraft and all-terrain vehicles); (2) Fixed Operations activities; and (3) F&I services. All three segments generally operate independently of one another, with the exception of certain shared back-office functions and corporate overhead costs. Earnings Per Share - The calculation of diluted earnings per share considers the potential dilutive effect of outstanding 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). The total dilutive effect of these outstanding equity awards was 0.9 million shares, 0.9 million shares and 1.0 million shares for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
COVID19 Description [Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements - In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (ASC Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures.” The amendments require the disclosure of significant segment expenses as well as expanded interim disclosures, along with other changes to segment disclosure requirements. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2024. We have implemented the provisions of the ASU 2023-07. See Note 14, “Segment Information,” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for the expanded disclosures required by ASC Topic 280. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (ASC Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The amendments require the disclosure of a reconciliation between income tax expense from continuing operations and the amount computed by multiplying income from continuing operations before income taxes by the applicable statutory rate as well as an annual disaggregation of the income tax rate reconciliation between certain specified categories by both percentage and reported amounts, along with other changes to income tax disclosure requirements. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40)”. The amendments require the disclosure of specified information about certain costs and expenses including purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, intangible asset amortization, and depreciation, depletion, and amortization recognized as part of oil and gas producing activities. It also requires the disclosure of a qualitative description of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively as well as the total amount of selling expenses and, in annual reporting periods, an entity’s definition of selling expenses. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the provisions of the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Description of Business and S_2

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Range of Estimated Useful Lives	The range of estimated useful lives is as follows: Buildings and leasehold and land improvements 10-40 years Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3-10 years

Business Acquisitions and Dis_2

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables) - store	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Number of Powersports Stores Acquired	1	1	2

Inventories and Related Notes_2

Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Inventories	Inventories consist of the following: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) New vehicles $ 1,146.0 $ 799.6 Used vehicles 514.4 505.7 Service loaners (1) 184.9 172.7 Parts, accessories and other 112.4 100.3 Inventories $ 1,957.7 $ 1,578.3

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Components of Property and Equipment, Net	Property and equipment, net consists of the following: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) Land $ 484.3 $ 493.0 Buildings and improvements 1,510.7 1,425.8 Furniture, fixtures and equipment 577.3 563.3 Construction in progress 61.6 61.4 Total, at cost 2,633.9 2,543.5 Less accumulated depreciation (1,003.6) (927.8) Subtotal 1,630.3 1,615.7 Less assets held for sale (1) (23.4) (14.7) Property and equipment, net $ 1,606.9 $ 1,601.0 (1) Classified in other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Franchise Assets and Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of franchise assets for 2024 and 2023 were as follows: Franchised Dealerships Segment EchoPark Segment Powersports Segment Total (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 371.7 $ 1.9 $ 23.1 $ 396.7 Additions through current year acquisitions — — 22.6 22.6 Reductions from dispositions — (1.9) — (1.9) Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 371.7 $ — $ 45.7 $ 417.4 Additions through current year acquisitions 10.9 — 2.0 12.9 Balance at December 31, 2024 $ 382.6 $ — $ 47.7 $ 430.3

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Future Maturities of Long-Term Debt	Future maturities of long-term debt are as follows: Principal Year Ending December 31, (In millions) 2025 $ 76.1 2026 52.1 2027 318.1 2028 14.2 2029 651.0 Thereafter 501.4 Total $ 1,612.9
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Financial Covenants Include Required Specified Ratios	We were in compliance with the financial covenants under the Credit Facilities and Mortgage Facilities as of December 31, 2024, which include the following: Covenant Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio Required Ratio ≥1.20 ≤5.75 Ratio as of December 31, 2024 2.15 3.07
Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) Revolving Credit Facility (1) $ — $ — 4.625% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “4.625% Notes”) 650.0 650.0 4.875% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “4.875% Notes”) 500.0 500.0 Mortgage Facility (2) 366.8 311.0 Mortgage notes to finance companies - fixed rate, bearing interest from 2.05% to 4.69% 96.1 163.0 Mortgage notes to finance companies - variable rate — 75.6 Subtotal $ 1,612.9 $ 1,699.6 Debt issuance costs (24.9) (23.0) Total debt 1,588.0 1,676.6 Less current maturities (76.1) (60.1) Long-term debt $ 1,511.9 $ 1,616.5 (1) The interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) was 125 basis points above one-month Term SOFR (as defined in the Credit Facilities) at December 31, 2024 and 125 basis points above one-month SOFR at December 31, 2023. (2) The interest rate on the Mortgage Facility (as defined below) was 150 basis points above one-month Term SOFR (as defined in the Mortgage Facility) at December 31, 2024 and 150 basis points above one-month SOFR at December 31, 2023.

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes for Continuing Operations - Benefit (Expense)	The provision for income taxes - benefit (expense) consists of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions) Current tax expense: Federal $ (52.7) $ (62.6) $ (93.8) State and local (16.5) (19.7) (20.4) Total current tax expense (69.2) (82.3) (114.2) Deferred tax benefit: Federal 23.1 17.1 10.0 State and local 6.0 1.5 2.7 Total deferred tax benefit 29.1 18.6 12.7 Total provision for income taxes - expense $ (40.1) $ (63.7) $ (101.5)
Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate with Federal and State Overall Effective Income Tax Rate from Continuing Operations	The reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate with our federal and state overall effective income tax rate is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 U.S. statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % Effective state income tax rate 5.2 % 6.1 % 7.8 % Valuation allowance adjustments (0.1) % (0.3) % (0.8) % Uncertain tax positions 0.6 % 2.2 % (0.1) % Effect of goodwill impairment and indefinite lived intangible assets (12.1) % 0.0 % 24.9 % Non-deductible compensation 1.9 % 1.4 % 2.2 % Other (0.8) % (4.1) % (1.6) % Effective income tax rate 15.7 % 26.3 % 53.4 %
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) Deferred tax assets: Accruals and reserves $ 40.6 $ 40.1 State net operating loss carryforwards 6.6 6.7 Basis difference in liabilities related to right-of-use assets 147.7 84.6 Other 4.4 4.8 Total deferred tax assets 199.3 136.2 Deferred tax liabilities: Basis difference in property and equipment (3.8) (2.5) Basis difference in goodwill (79.7) (13.2) Basis difference in right-of-use assets (133.2) (71.3) Other (2.6) (2.3) Total deferred tax liabilities (219.3) (89.3) Valuation allowance (6.2) (6.3) Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ (26.2) $ 40.6

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Status of Stock Options Related to Stock Plans	A summary of the status of the stock options related to the Stock Plans is presented below: Options Outstanding Exercise Price Per Share (Low - High) Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In millions, except per share data, term in years) Balance at December 31, 2023 0.5 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 6.3 $ 18.6 Exercised (0.4) $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 Balance at December 31, 2024 0.1 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 5.3 $ 6.1 Exercisable 0.1 $ 16.76 - 16.76 $ 16.76 5.3 $ 6.1
Schedule Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised	Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions, except per option amounts) Weighted-average grant date fair value per option $ 4.17 $ 4.17 $ 4.17 Intrinsic value of stock options exercised $ 14.7 $ 27.8 $ 18.0
Status of Non-Vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Grants Related to Stock Plans	A summary of the status of the non-vested restricted stock award and restricted stock unit grants related to the Stock Plans is presented below: Non-Vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share (In millions, except per share data) Balance at December 31, 2023 1.6 $ 39.72 Granted 0.4 $ 53.61 Forfeited (0.1) $ 56.73 Vested (0.4) $ 49.53 Balance at December 31, 2024 1.5 $ 40.17
Status of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan	The following table sets forth the status of the SERP: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 Change in projected benefit obligation: (In millions) Obligation at January 1 $ 22.3 $ 20.7 Service cost 1.0 1.1 Interest cost 1.1 1.0 Actuarial loss (gain) (2.2) (0.1) Benefits paid (0.4) (0.4) Obligation at December 31 (1) $ 21.8 $ 22.3 Accumulated benefit obligation $ 18.0 $ 17.8 (1) As of December 31, 2024, approximately $0.5 million was included in other accrued liabilities and approximately $21.3 million was included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $0.4 million was included in other accrued liabilities and approximately $21.9 million was included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of such date.
Schedule of Funded Status	Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 Change in fair value of plan assets: (In millions) Plan assets at January 1 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets — — Employer contributions 0.4 0.4 Benefits paid (0.4) (0.4) Plan assets at December 31 — — Funded status recognized $ (21.8) $ (22.3)
Cost Components of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan	The following table provides the cost components of the SERP: Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 (In millions) Service cost $ 1.0 $ 1.1 Interest cost 1.1 1.0 Amortization of gain (loss) (0.2) (0.2) Net pension expense (benefit) $ 1.9 $ 1.9
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligation and Net Periodic Benefit Costs	The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation and net periodic benefit costs consist of: As of December 31, 2024 2023 Discount rate 5.43 % 4.76 % Rate of compensation increase 3.00 % 3.00 %
Estimated Future Benefit Payments	The estimated future benefit payments expected to be paid for each of the next five years and the sum of the payments expected for the next five years thereafter are: Estimated Future Benefit Payments Year Ending December 31, (In millions) 2025 $ 0.5 2026 $ 0.5 2027 $ 0.5 2028 $ 0.5 2029 $ 0.6 2030 - 2034 $ 10.1
Schedule of Multiemployer Pension Plans Affecting Period-to-Period Comparability of Contributions	Our participation in the AI Pension Plan for 2024, 2023 and 2022 is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employee Identification Number (the “EIN”). Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”) zone status available in the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 is for the plan’s year-end at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The zone status is based on information that we received from the AI Pension Plan. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded (“Critical Status”), plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded and plans in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status - Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a Financial Improvement Plan (“FIP”) or a Rehabilitation Plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration dates of the collective bargaining agreements to which the plan is subject. The number of employees covered by the AI Pension Plan increased 9.6% from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023 and decreased 1.3% from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, affecting the period-to-period comparability of the contributions for 2024, 2023 and 2022. Pension Protection Act Zone Status FIP/RP Status Sonic Contributions Surcharge Imposed Collective Bargaining Agreement Expiration Date Pension Fund EIN/Pension Plan Number 2024 2023 Pending /Implemented Year Ended December 31, 2024 2023 2022 (In millions) AI Pension Plan 94-1133245 Red Red RP Implemented $0.2 $0.2 $0.2 Yes Between

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows: Fair Value Based on Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 (In millions) Assets: Cash surrender value of life insurance policies (1) $ 47.3 $ 42.9 Interest rate caps designated as hedges (2) — 1.0 Total assets $ 47.3 $ 43.9 (1) Included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. (2)
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis	Nonfinancial assets such as goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets held and used are measured at fair value when there is an indicator of impairment and recorded at fair value only when impairment is recognized or for a business combination. The fair values less costs to sell of long-lived assets or assets held for sale are assessed each reporting period they remain classified as held for sale. Subsequent changes in the held for sale long-lived assets or assets held for sale group’s fair value less cost to sell (increase or decrease) are reported as an adjustment to its carrying amount, except that the adjusted carrying amount cannot exceed the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or disposal group at the time it was initially classified as held for sale. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the fair values of Sonic’s 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.
Fair Value and Carrying Value of Fixed Rate Long-Term Debt	At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the fair value and carrying value of Sonic ’ s significant fixed rate long-term debt were as follows: December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value (In millions) 4.875% Notes (1) $ 447.5 $ 500.0 $ 447.5 $ 500.0 4.625% Notes (1) $ 594.8 $ 650.0 $ 591.5 $ 650.0 Mortgage Notes (2) $ 93.4 $ 96.1 $ 156.6 $ 163.0 (1) As determined by market quotations as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively (Level 2). (2) As determined by the DCF method (Level 2).

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows: Gains and (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges Defined Benefit Pension Plan Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (In millions) Balance at December 31, 2021 $ (0.5) $ (0.8) $ (1.3) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (1) (0.4) 3.3 2.9 Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — — — Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) (0.4) 3.3 2.9 Balance at December 31, 2022 $ (0.9) $ 2.5 $ 1.6 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (2) 0.6 (0.1) 0.5 Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (0.5) — (0.5) Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 0.1 (0.1) — Balance at December 31, 2023 $ (0.8) $ 2.4 $ 1.6 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (3) 1.8 2.0 3.8 Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (4) (1.0) (0.6) (1.6) Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 0.8 1.4 2.2 Balance at December 31, 2024 $ — $ 3.8 $ 3.8 (1) Net of tax benefit of $0.1 million related to gains on cash flow hedges and tax expense of $1.3 million related to the defined benefit pension plan. (2) Net of tax expense of $0.2 million related to losses on cash flow hedges and no tax benefit related to the defined benefit pension plan. (3) Net of tax expense of $0.6 million related to losses on cash flow hedges and $0.6 million tax expense related to the defined benefit pension plan. (4) Net of tax benefit of $0.4 million related to gains on cash flow hedges.

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total capital expenditures	$ (187,300,000)	$ (203,600,000)	$ (227,100,000)
EchoPark Capital Expenditures	1,000,000	15,300,000	96,600,000
Franchised Dealerships Capital Expenditures	182,400,000	181,400,000	130,300,000
EchoPark Interest Expense, Other, Net	(2,700,000)	(3,200,000)	(3,900,000)
Franchised Segment Interest Expense, Other, Net	(112,700,000)	(109,700,000)	(85,000,000)
Gain on Franchise Disposal		(20,900,000)
EchoPark Segment Assets	574,500,000	667,900,000
Franchised Dealerships Segment Assets	5,044,500,000	4,455,800,000
EchoPark Depreciation and Amortization	(21,800,000)	(26,600,000)	(24,700,000)
Franchised Dealerships Depreciation and Amortization	(124,400,000)	(112,300,000)	(101,800,000)
EchoPark Floorplan Exp	(14,200,000)	(17,400,000)	(10,700,000)
Franchised Dealerships Floorplan Exp	(70,600,000)	(49,200,000)	(23,600,000)
Segment Income	260,000,000	321,200,000	510,400,000
EchoPark Segment Income	3,500,000	(132,500,000)	(133,900,000)
Franchised Dealerships Segment Income	257,600,000	448,000,000	641,600,000
EchoPark F&I Revenue	194,000,000	177,900,000	166,400,000
EchoPark Wholesale Revenue	95,800,000	111,700,000	170,600,000
EchoPark Used Vehicle Revenue	1,838,000,000	2,143,800,000	2,116,800,000
Franchised Dealerships F&I Revenue	506,800,000	498,600,000	510,100,000
Franchised Dealerships Fixed Ops Revenue	1,802,900,000	1,714,200,000	1,588,000,000
Franchised Dealerships Used Vehicle Revenue	2,919,800,000	3,050,300,000	3,391,500,000
Franchised Dealerships Wholesale Revenue	$ 188,900,000	$ 204,500,000	$ 314,000,000

Leases, Codification Topic 842

Leases, Codification Topic 842 (Tables) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Lease Cash [Abstract]
Finance Lease, Principal Payments	$ 9,300,000	$ 14,300,000
Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability	22,400,000	18,400,000
Operating Lease, Payments	38,300,000	48,200,000
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability	86,800,000	49,300,000
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability	$ 44,100,000	$ 17,000,000
Lease Other Information [Abstract]
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	13 years 3 months 18 days	12 years 3 months 18 days
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	10 years 4 months 24 days	10 years 7 months 6 days
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	7.10%	7.59%
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	6.94%	7.02%
Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract]
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months	$ 34,000,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two	40,300,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three	79,700,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four	33,300,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five	33,600,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five	333,900,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due	554,800,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount	198,900,000
Finance Lease, Liability, Current	11,900,000	$ 10,200,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months	41,000,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two	38,600,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three	36,100,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four	34,200,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five	32,500,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due after Year Five	176,300,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due	358,700,000
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount	113,000,000
Operating lease liabilities	245,700,000
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Next Twelve Months	(6,300,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Two Years	(5,700,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Three Years	(5,500,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Four Years	(3,700,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Five Years	(3,600,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Thereafter	(2,300,000)
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received	(27,100,000)
Lease, Cost [Abstract]
Finance Lease, ROU Asset, Amortization	20,000,000	18,100,000
Finance Lease, Interest Expense	22,400,000	18,400,000
Operating Lease, Cost	38,500,000	47,000,000
Short-term Lease, Cost	1,100,000	900,000
Variable Lease, Cost	14,200,000	12,800,000
Sublease Income	9,000,000	8,100,000
Lease, Cost	$ 87,200,000	$ 89,100,000

Description of Business and S_3

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) Segment reporting_unit shares	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2024 Store	Dec. 31, 2024 store	Dec. 31, 2024 Dealerships	Dec. 31, 2024 Brand	Dec. 31, 2024 Collision	Dec. 31, 2024 State	Dec. 31, 2024
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of operating segments | Segment	3
Number of new vehicle dealerships | Dealerships						133
Number of states | State									18
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks | Brand							25
Number of collision repair centers | Collision								16
Operating lease liabilities	$ 245,700
ROU assets	224,300	$ 222,600
Revenue allowances for commission reserves	62,900	57,500
Amount recognized for floor plan assistance	$ 64,200	58,700	$ 51,500
Term for funding of finance contracts	10 days
Contracts in transit included in receivables, net	$ 246,500	275,600
Receivables, net	$ 495,900	528,100
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit	3
Goodwill	$ 358,500	253,800	231,000
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to receivables from automobile manufacturers	130,400	105,300
Advertising expense	84,500	92,200	95,400
Cooperative manufacturer credits advertising expenses	$ 34,700	34,700	30,800
Number of reportable Segment | Segment	3
Manufacturer Receivables included in receivables, net	$ 130,400	105,300
Other Receivables included in receivables, net	119,000	147,200
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0		202,900
Property and equipment impairment charges	$ 3,900	$ 42,700	$ 1,100
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Adjustment | shares	900	900	1,000
Number of retail stores | store					4
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	$ 93,500
Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits	31,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Goodwill	79,700	$ 13,200
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Goodwill	$ 62,500
BMW [Domain]
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	20%
Mercedes [Domain]
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	11%	11%	10%
Financial institutions
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to receivables from financial institutions	$ 279,600	$ 317,900
Franchise assets
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Franchise asset impairment charge	0
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	430,300	$ 417,400	$ 396,700
Continuing operations | Franchise assets
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Franchise asset impairment charge	116,400		$ 116,400
Dealership
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of dealership that is accounted for under the equity method										50%
Franchised Dealerships [Member]
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Stores | Store				108
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	331,200
Echo Park [Member]
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Stores | Store				18
Number of states | store					10
Powersports Dealerships
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of Stores				11	15
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 27,300
Powrsports
Description Of Business And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of states | store					3

Description of Business and S_4

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cumulative Effect of Adjustments for Adoption of ASC 606 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 14,224,300	$ 14,372,400	$ 14,001,100
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(12,031,500)	(12,126,700)	(11,684,100)
Operating income (loss)	461,500	423,600	314,000
Assets:
Receivables, net	495,900	528,100
Liabilities:
Other accrued liabilities	412,800	370,200
Stockholders’ Equity:
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	1,412,000	1,238,600
Parts, service and collision repair
Revenues:
Total revenues	1,846,500	1,759,500	1,599,700
Cost of Sales:
Total cost of sales	(917,600)	(885,500)	(807,200)
Finance, insurance and other, net
Revenues:
Total revenues	707,800	683,700	$ 679,100
Assets:
Contract with Customer, Asset, Net, Current	8,000	12,000
Contract with Customer, Asset, Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent	$ 13,200	$ 19,800

Description of Business and S_5

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Range of Estimated Useful Lives (Details)	Dec. 31, 2024
Leasehold and Land Improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Leasehold and Land Improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Furniture Fixtures and Equipment [Member] | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Furniture Fixtures and Equipment [Member] | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years

Business Acquisitions and Dis_3

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) Store	Jun. 30, 2024 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) Store store	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) store retailUnits	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) store	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2024 store	Dec. 31, 2024 Brand	Dec. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Luxury Franchise [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of franchises disposed | store						2	1
Northwest Motorsport
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Preowned Stores Closed			7			3
Number of Preowned Stores Closed			7			3
Echo Park [Member]
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges			$ 16,700,000
Asset impairment charges			16,700,000
Mid-line import franchise
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of franchises disposed | store						2	1
EchoPark Delivery/Buy Centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Preowned Stores Closed							14
Number of Preowned Stores Closed							14
Domestic Franchise
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of franchises disposed | store							1
EchoPark Stores [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of terminated stores | store						7
Number of Preowned Stores Closed							8
Number of Preowned Stores Closed							8
Number of franchise dealerships opened | store						2		2
Business acquisition, consideration amount								$ 87,600,000
Number of franchises disposed | store								0
Cash generated from disposition						$ 8,200,000	$ 52,200,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross						$ (55,300,000)	$ (75,100,000)	$ (102,300,000)
Number of Powersports Stores Acquired | store						1	1	2
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks | Brand											25
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable								$ 400,000	$ 3,300,000
Number of Powersports Stores Acquired | store						1	1	2
Restructuring Costs		$ 75,200,000		$ 4,800,000	$ 75,200,000
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks | Brand											25
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Land			29,000,000				$ 29,000,000	$ 8,100,000	5,200,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory			11,100,000				11,100,000	31,000,000	17,200,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other			100,000				100,000	1,100,000	100,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment			700,000				700,000	500,000	300,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net			11,900,000				11,900,000	14,100,000	7,800,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill			22,600,000				22,600,000	33,200,000	6,900,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities			$ (300,000)				(300,000)
PY Acq Goodwill Allocations Fdealer							(400,000)
PY Acq Goodwill Allocations Powersports							2,900,000
Restructuring Costs		$ 75,200,000		4,800,000	75,200,000
Asset impairment charges						$ 3,900,000	79,300,000	320,400,000
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain						(3,500,000)	0	0
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Asset Acquired and Liability Assumed, Lease Right-of-use Asset						13,300,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Asset Acquired and Liability Assumed, Lease Obligation									(13,300,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable								(400,000)	(3,300,000)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross						(55,300,000)	(75,100,000)	(102,300,000)
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue						14,325,600,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings						258,700,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual						19,600,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual						4,000,000
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Consideration Transferred								14,700,000
Severance Costs				900,000	2,200,000
Asset impairment charges						3,900,000	79,300,000	320,400,000
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain						(3,500,000)	0	$ 0
Equity Ownership, Excluding Consolidated Entity and Equity Method Investee, Percentage												50%
Business Acquisition, Earnings Reported by Acquired Entity for Last Annual Period							242,300,000
Business Acquisition, Revenue Reported by Acquired Entity for Last Annual Period							14,537,600,000
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs									0
Business Acquisition, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount									16,600,000
North Point Volvo [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross						(21,100,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable									(3,000,000)
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory									10,700,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other									1,700,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment									200,000				$ 12,400,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net									3,500,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill									6,000,000
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain						3,500,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable									$ 3,000,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross						(21,100,000)
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain						$ 3,500,000
Inventories
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs					10,000,000
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs					10,000,000
Echo Park [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Stores | Store	18					18
Number of Stores | Store	18					18
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges							78,300,000
Asset impairment charges							78,300,000
Franchised Dealerships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Stores | Store	108					108
Number of Stores | Store	108					108
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges							1,000,000
Asset impairment charges							$ 1,000,000
Powersports Dealerships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | store						2	5	8
Number of Stores	11					11				15
Number of Stores	11					11				15
Number of Businesses Acquired | store						2	5	8
Powersports Dealerships | Powersports Dealerships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | retailUnits							1
Number of Businesses Acquired | retailUnits							1
Contract Termination
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs				3,900,000	400,000
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs				$ 3,900,000	400,000
Contract Termination
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs					14,100,000
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs					14,100,000
Property, Plant and Equipment | Echo Park [Member]
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	$ 10,200,000
Asset impairment charges	10,200,000
Property, Plant and Equipment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs					32,500,000
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs					32,500,000
Property, Plant and Equipment | Echo Park [Member]
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges						$ 2,700,000
Asset impairment charges						2,700,000
ROU Asset
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs					16,000,000
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Restructuring Costs					$ 16,000,000
Asset impairment charges	6,500,000
Asset impairment charges	6,500,000
Total PP&E Impairment
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	16,700,000
Asset impairment charges	$ 16,700,000
Franchised Dealerships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross						(34,200,000)
Asset Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross						$ (34,200,000)
Franchised [Domain] | Franchised [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | retailUnits							1
Number of Businesses Acquired | retailUnits							1

Business Acquisitions and Dis_4

Business Acquisitions and Dispositions - Revenues and Other Activities Associated with Disposed Dealerships That Remain in Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Disposed dealerships that remain in continuing operations
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal Group Not Discontinued Operation Income Loss Before Income Tax	$ (8,000)	$ (24,000)	$ (125,100)

Inventories and Related Notes_3

Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan - Components of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
New vehicles	$ 1,146,000	$ 799,600
Used vehicles	514,400	505,700
Service loaners (1)	184,900	172,700
Parts, accessories and other	112,400	100,300
Inventories	$ 1,957,700	$ 1,578,300

Inventories and Related Notes_4

Inventories and Related Notes Payable - Floor Plan - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Average interest rate for new vehicle floor plan facilities	6.29%	6.11%	1.09%
Amount recognized for floor plan assistance	$ 64,200	$ 58,700	$ 51,500
Average interest rate for used vehicle floor plan facilities	7.37%	7.23%	3.87%
Floor Plan Deposit Balance	$ 340,000	$ 345,000
Reduction in Interest Expense, Floor Plan	23,700	19,400	$ 4,100
Service loaners (1)	184,900	172,700
Service Loaner Inventory (Directly Leased from Manufacturer) [Member]	$ 31,700	$ 22,700

Property and Equipment - Compon

Property and Equipment - Components of Property and Equipment, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Less accumulated depreciation	$ (1,003,600)	$ (927,800)
Subtotal	1,630,300	1,615,700
Less assets held for sale	(23,400)	(14,700)
Property and equipment, net	1,606,900	1,601,000
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, at cost	484,300	493,000
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, at cost	1,510,700	1,425,800
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, at cost	577,300	563,300
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, at cost	61,600	61,400
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Excluding Capital Leased Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total, at cost	$ 2,633,900	$ 2,543,500

Property and Equipment - Additi

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Interest capitalized in conjunction with construction projects and software development	$ 2.6	$ 2.2	$ 1.6
Commitments for facility construction projects	$ 23.3

Property and Equipment - Impair

Property and Equipment - Impairment Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Franchise PPE Impair	$ 1,200	$ 1,000	$ 1,100
EchoPark PPE Impair	2,700	41,700	0
Property and equipment impairment charges	3,900	42,700	1,100
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Property and equipment impairment charges	$ 3,900	$ 42,700	$ 1,100

Intangible Assets and Goodwil_2

Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Changes in Carrying Amount of Franchise Assets and Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Total
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	$ 93,500
Franchise Assets - Assets Acquired Franchised	10,900	$ 0
Intangible Assets - Assets Acquired Powersports	2,000	22,600
Intangible Assets - Assets Acquired Preowned	0	0
Franchise Assets - reductions from disp/impair fdealer		0
Intangible Assets - Reductions from dispositions powersports		0
Intangible Assets - reduction from dispositions preowned		(1,900)
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	(200)	(1,800)
Net Goodwill
Beginning balance	253,800	231,000
Prior year acquisition allocations	0		$ (202,900)
Ending balance	358,500	253,800	231,000
Net of accumulated impairment losses	202,900	1,100,000
Intangible Assets Preowned	0	0	1,900
Intangible Assets - Powersports	47,700	45,700	23,100
Franchise Assets - Franchised	382,600	371,700	371,700
Net of accumulated impairment losses	202,900	1,100,000
Franchise assets
Total
Beginning balance	417,400	396,700
Additions through current year acquisitions	12,900	22,600
Reductions from impairment		(1,900)
Reductions from impairment	0
Ending balance	430,300	$ 417,400	396,700
Continuing operations | Franchise assets
Total
Reductions from impairment	$ (116,400)		$ (116,400)

Intangible Assets and Goodwil_3

Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment	$ 0		$ 202,900
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	40,100	$ 63,700	101,500
Goodwill	358,500	253,800	231,000
Goodwill - Franchise Segment	331,200	229,800	221,800
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Acquired Fdealer	8,100	0
GW Asset Impairment Fdealer	(200)	(1,800)
PY Acq GW Allocations Fdealer	93,500	9,800
Goodwill - Preowned Segment	0	0	0
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Acquired Preowned	0	0
GW Asset Impairment Preowned	0	0
PY Acq GW Allocations Preowned	0	0
Goodwill - Powersports Segment	27,300	24,000	9,200
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Acquired Powersports	3,300	11,900
GW Asset Impairment Powersports	0	0
PY Acq GW Allocations Powersports	0	2,900
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Acquired	11,400	11,900
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment	(200)	(1,800)
PY Acq GW Allocations	93,500	$ 12,700
Franchise assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite life Intangible asset, impairment charge	0
Franchise assets | Continuing operations
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite life Intangible asset, impairment charge	$ 116,400		$ 116,400

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Lo

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Mortgage notes to finance companies - fixed rate, bearing interest from 2.05% to 4.69%	$ 1,612,900	$ 1,699,600
Debt issuance costs	(24,900)	(23,000)
Total debt	1,588,000	1,676,600
Less current maturities	(76,100)	(60,100)
Long-Term Debt	1,511,900	1,616,500
Mortgage notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Amount	96,100	163,000
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Amount	0	75,600
Mortgage notes to finance companies - fixed rate, bearing interest from 2.05% to 4.69%	96,100
2019 Mortgage Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Amount	366,800	311,000
Mortgage Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	96,100	163,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	93,400	156,600
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2016 Revolving Credit Facility	$ 0	0
2019 Mortgage Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	1.875%
2019 Mortgage Facility Outstanding	$ 366,800
Long Term Debt Prepayment	500
4.625 Percent Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Subordinated Notes	650,000	650,000
Total debt	$ 650,000	650,000
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	4.625%
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 594,800	591,500
4.875 Percent Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Subordinated Notes	500,000	500,000
Total debt	$ 500,000	500,000
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	4.875%
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 447,500	$ 447,500

Long-Term Debt - Future Maturit

Long-Term Debt - Future Maturities of Long-Term Debt (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2019	$ 76,100
2020	52,100
2021	318,100
2022	14,200
2023	651,000
Thereafter	501,400
Total	$ 1,612,900

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt -

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt - 2021 Credit Facilities (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum Borrowing 2019 Mortgage Facility	$ 500,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	450,000,000
2016 Revolving Credit Facility	0	$ 0
Vehicle Floor Plan Facilities
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	2,400,000,000
TwoThousandTwentyRevolvingCreditFacility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
LineofCreditFacilityMinimumCommitment	50,000,000
Used Vehicle Floor Plan Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	700,000,000
New Vehicle Floor Plan Facilities
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	1,350,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | TwoThousandTwentyRevolvingCreditFacility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	350,000,000
Borrowing base	350,000,000
2016 Revolving Credit Facility	0
Letters of credit outstanding amount	11,500,000
Borrowing availability amount	$ 338,500,000
Allocation of credit facility increase, percentage	40%
DividendRestrictionMaximumAmountPerShare	$ 0.18	$ 0.12

Long-Term Debt - Notes Narrativ

Long-Term Debt - Notes Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding mortgage principal balance	$ 1,612,900,000	$ 1,699,600,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 1,612,900,000	$ 1,699,600,000
Mortgage notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt weighted average interest rate on note	3.70%
Outstanding mortgage principal balance	$ 96,100,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 96,100,000
2019 Mortgage Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	1.875%
DividendRestrictionMaximumAmountPerShare	$ 0.18
Term Loan, Principal Amount	$ 320,000,000
Delayed Draw-Term Loan, Aggregate Principal	85,000,000
Revolving Loan, Aggregate Principal	95,000,000
Outstanding Balance, Delayed Draw Credit Facility	$ 78,000,000		$ 7,000,000
4.625 Percent Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	4.625%
Principal amount	$ 650,000,000
4.625 Percent Note [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption Price	102.313%
4.625 Percent Note [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Four
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption Price	101.156%
4.625 Percent Note [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption Price	100%
4.875 Percent Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate on debt agreement	4.875%
Principal amount	$ 500,000,000
Early Redemption Price	104.875%
Debt Instrument Percentage Of Outstanding Principal Amount Redeemable Upon Event Of Early Redemption	35%
4.875 Percent Note [Member] | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption Price	102.438%
Sidecar Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term Loan, Principal Amount	$ 149,100,000
Revolving Loan, Aggregate Principal	$ 44,100,000

Long-Term Debt - Redemption Pri

Long-Term Debt - Redemption Price, Percentage (Details) - 4.875 Percent Note [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Redemption Price	102.438%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period 5 [Domain]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Redemption Price	101.625%
Debt Redemption Period Seven
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Redemption Price	100.813%
Debt Redemption Period Eight
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Redemption Price	100%

Long-Term Debt - Financial Cove

Long-Term Debt - Financial Covenants Include Required Specified Ratios (Details)	Dec. 31, 2024
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio	215%
Maximum Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio	307%
Required ratio
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio	120%
Maximum Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio	575%

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt_2

Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt - Covenants (Details)	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($)
2016 Credit facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum EBTDAR to rent ratio	1,288%
2016 Credit facility | Required ratio
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Minimum EBTDAR to rent ratio	150%
2019 Mortgage Facility [Member] | Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Net income and retained earnings free of restrictions	$ 340,900,000

Long-Term Debt - Derivative Ins

Long-Term Debt - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Unamortized premium	$ 100,000	$ 2,100,000
Incremental interest expense	1,400,000	700,000	$ 700,000
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	$ 0	$ 1,000,000

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Int

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Interest Received and Paid under Term of Cash Flow Swap (Details)	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Payment of interest rate	$ 0
One-month LIBOR rate	4.332%
Cash Flow Swap D
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 500,000,000
Pay Rate	5%

Income Taxes - Provision for In

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes for Continuing Operations - Benefit (Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Current tax expense:
Federal	$ (52,700)	$ (62,600)	$ (93,800)
State and local	(16,500)	(19,700)	(20,400)
Total current tax expense	(69,200)	(82,300)	(114,200)
Deferred tax benefit:	(29,100)	(18,600)	(12,700)
Total provision for income taxes - expense	(40,100)	(63,700)	(101,500)
Deferred Income Taxes and Tax Credits
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	23,100	17,100	10,000
Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	6,000	1,500	2,700
Deferred income taxes	(29,100)	(18,600)	(12,700)
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations	29,100	18,600	12,700
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	23,100	17,100	10,000
Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	6,000	1,500	2,700
Deferred income taxes	$ (29,100)	$ (18,600)	$ (12,700)

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net long-term deferred tax asset	$ (26,200)	$ 40,600
Gross deferred tax assets related to state net operating loss carryforwards	150,800
Liabilities related to interest and penalties	$ 1,100	$ 1,400

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate with Federal and State Overall Effective Income Tax Rate from Continuing Operations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate	21%	21%	21%
Effective state income tax rate	5.20%	6.10%	7.80%
Valuation allowance adjustments	(0.10%)	(0.30%)	(0.80%)
Uncertain tax positions	0.60%	2.20%	(0.10%)
Effect of goodwill impairment and indefinite lived intangible assets	(12.10%)	0%	24.90%
Non-deductible compensation	1.90%	1.40%	2.20%
Other	(0.80%)	(4.10%)	(1.60%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent, Total	15.70%	26.30%	53.40%

Income Taxes - Components of De

Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Deferred tax assets:
Accruals and reserves	$ 40,600	$ 40,100
State net operating loss carryforwards	6,600	6,700
Deferred Tax Assets Basis Difference Related to ROU Assets	147,700	84,600
Other	4,400	4,800
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Total	199,300	136,200
Deferred tax liabilities:
Basis difference in property and equipment	(3,800)	(2,500)
Basis difference in goodwill	(79,700)	(13,200)
Deferred Tax Liability Basis Difference in ROU Assets	(133,200)	(71,300)
Other	(2,600)	(2,300)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(219,300)	(89,300)
Valuation allowance	(6,200)	(6,300)
Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$ 26,200	$ 40,600

Income Taxes - Summary of Chang

Income Taxes - Summary of Changes in Liability Related to Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefit liability, Beginning Balance	$ 9,300	$ 4,400	$ 4,500
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Prior Period Position [Abstract]
Increases	(5,600)	5,500	500
Increases from current period positions	1,200	(500)	(400)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	(400)	(100)	(200)
Unrecognized tax benefit liability, Ending Balance	$ 4,500	$ 9,300	$ 4,400

Related Parties - Additional In

Related Parties - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Costs and Expenses, Related Party	$ 2,500
SFC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate annual rent for leased aircraft usage	4,000	$ 1,600	$ 100
Oil-Chem
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase from related party	400	1,200	1,100
SMISC Holdings, Inc.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchase from related party	800	900	$ 800
SMI subsidiaries
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 200	$ 200
Minimum | Mr. Marcus G. Smith | SFC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	10%

Capital Structure and Per Sha_2

Capital Structure and Per Share Data - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) Vote Class $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) shares
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Preferred stock shares authorized	3,000,000
Preferred stock, issued	0
Number of classes of common stock | Class	2
Class A convertible preferred stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Preferred stock shares authorized	300,000
Preferred Stock par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.10
Preferred stock shares redeemed	13,802
Preferred stock redemption price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1,000
Series I Preferred Stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	100,000
Series II Preferred Stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	100,000
Series III Preferred Stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	100,000
Class A common stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.01
Common stock, number of votes per share | Vote	1
Number of shares of class A common stock issuable against each share of class B common stock	1
Authorized amount expend on repurchase of shares | $		$ 1,500,000,000
Common stock class A, share repurchase price per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 26.19
Remaining authorized amount | $	$ 252,300,000
Treasury Stock, Common, Shares	47,312,092	46,686,608
Class B common stock
Capital Structure And Per Share Data [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.01
Common stock, number of votes per share | Vote	10

Capital Structure and Per Sha_3

Capital Structure and Per Share Data - Dilutive Effect on Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted Average Shares (in shares)		34,100	35,000	38,700
Weighted Average Shares, Diluted (in shares)		35,000	35,900	39,700
Net Income (Loss), Amount	$ 216,000	$ 216,000	$ 178,200	$ 88,500
Earnings (loss) per common share (usd per share)		$ 6.34	$ 5.09	$ 2.29
Earnings (loss) per common share (usd per share)		$ 6.18	$ 4.97	$ 2.23

Employee Benefit Plans - Additi

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) Members Plans Employer shares	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2024 shares	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of active stock compensation plans | Plans	2
Restricted stock shares | shares	400,000
Number of employers obligated to make contribution under multiemployer plan | Employer	160
Number of employee increase / (decrease) under multiemployer benefit percentage	1.30%	9.60%
Total contributions of multi employer Plan		5%
Multiemployer Plan, Increase in Employer Contribution, Business Combination, Percentage	1%
AI Pension Plan projected pension liability						$ 1,000,000
AI Pension Plan special financial assistance				$ 1,100,000
SERP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Members of senior management | Members	13
Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Tax benefit recognized	$ 6,800	$ 6,600	$ 5,600
Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards | Selling, general and administrative expenses
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	23,500	23,300	20,500
Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense not yet recognized	$ 35,100
Total compensation cost related to non-vested options expected to be recognized over weighted average period	2 years 1 month 6 days
401(k) plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employer contribution	$ 13,100	$ 13,200	$ 12,100
2012 Formula Plan | Class A common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized | shares					600,000		300,000
2012 Plan | Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock award vesting period	3 years
2012 Plan | Restricted stock units | Executive officers and other key associates
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock shares | shares	400,000
2012 Plan | Restricted stock awards | Board of Directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock shares | shares	32,000
2012 Plan | Class A common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized | shares					8,000,000		2,000,000
2012 Formula Plan and 2004 Plan | Class A common stock | Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option expiration period	10 years
2012 Formula Plan and 2004 Plan | Class A common stock | Options | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock award vesting period	3 years
2012 Formula Plan and 2004 Plan | Class A common stock | Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock award vesting period	1 year
2012 Formula Plan and 2004 Plan | Class A common stock | Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock award vesting period	3 years

Employee Benefit Plans - Status

Employee Benefit Plans - Status of Stock Options Related to Stock Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Outstanding Beginning Balance	500,000
Options Outstanding Exercisable	100,000
Options Outstanding Ending Balance	100,000	500,000
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	$ (400,000)
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 16.76	$ 16.76
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	5 years 3 months 18 days	6 years 3 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Beginning Balance	$ 6,100	$ 18,600
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	6,100
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$ 14,700	$ 27,800	$ 18,000
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Granted	400,000
Executive officers and other key associates | Restricted stock units | 2012 Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Granted	400,000
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 16.76	$ 16.76
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable	$ 16.76	$ 16.76

Employee Benefit Plans - Stat_2

Employee Benefit Plans - Status of Non-Vested Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Grants Related to Stock Plans (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Beginning Balance	1,600
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Granted	400
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Forfeited	(100)
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Vested	(400)
Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units, Ending Balance	1,500
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Beginning Balance	$ 39.72
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Granted	53.61
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Forfeited	56.73
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Vested	49.53
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Ending Balance	40.17
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Option, Nonvested, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 4.17	$ 4.17	$ 4.17

Employee Benefit Plans - Stat_3

Employee Benefit Plans - Status of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Plan assets at January 1	$ 0
Actual return on plan assets	0	$ 0
Plan assets at December 31		0
Other Long-Term Liabilities	119,700	89,600
Other accrued liabilities	412,800	370,200
SERP
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Obligation at beginning of year	22,300	20,700
Service cost	1,000	1,100
Interest cost	1,100	1,000
Actuarial loss (gain)	(2,200)	(100)
Benefits paid	(400)	(400)
Obligation at end of year	21,800	22,300
Accumulated benefit obligation	18,000	17,800
Change in fair value of plan assets:
Plan assets at January 1	0	0
Employer contributions	400	400
Benefits paid	(400)	(400)
Plan assets at December 31	0	0
Funded status recognized	(21,800)	(22,300)
Other Long-Term Liabilities	21,300	21,900
Other accrued liabilities	$ 500	$ 400

Employee Benefit Plans - Cost C

Employee Benefit Plans - Cost Components of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (Details) - SERP - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 1,000	$ 1,100
Interest cost	1,100	1,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss)	(200)	(200)
Net pension expense (benefit)	$ 1,900	$ 1,900

Employee Benefit Plans - Weight

Employee Benefit Plans - Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligation and Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Discount rate	5.43%	4.76%
Rate of compensation increase	3%	3%

Employee Benefit Plans - Estima

Employee Benefit Plans - Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
2019	$ 500
2020	500
2021	500
2022	500
2023	600
2030 - 2034	$ 10,100

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedu

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Multi-Employer Pension Plans Affecting Period-to-Period Comparability of Contributions (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) store	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Pension Fund	AI Pension Plan
Entity Tax Identification Number	56-2010790
Multiemployer Plan, Pension, Insignificant, Certified Zone Status [Fixed List]	Red	Red
Sonic Contributions | $	$ 200	$ 200	$ 200
Surcharge Imposed	Yes
Collective-Bargaining Agreement Expiration Date	BetweenNovember 2024and January 2025
Number of stores contributing to pension plan | store	3

Fair Value Measurements - Asset

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges		$ 3,900	$ 79,300	$ 320,400
Other Real Estate, Valuation Adjustments	$ 5,700
Fair Value Based on Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies		47,300	42,900
Cash flow swaps and interest rate caps designated as hedges		0	1,000
Total assets		$ 47,300	$ 43,900

Fair Value Measurements - Ass_2

Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total Gain (loss) on long-lived assets held and used	$ (3,900)	$ (42,700)	$ (1,100)
Total Gain (loss) on goodwill	$ 0		$ (202,900)

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value and Carrying Value of Fixed Rate Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Carrying Value	$ 1,588,000	$ 1,676,600
Mortgage Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	93,400	156,600
Long-term Debt, Carrying Value	$ 96,100	$ 163,000

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Maximum exposure associated with general indemnifications	$ 2,200	$ 8,000
Contingent liability reserve balance after reduction	0
Other accrued liabilities
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Amount reserved for pending proceedings	400	1,500
Other long-term liabilities
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Amount reserved for pending proceedings	$ 300	$ 300
Dealership
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage	50%
Minimum
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
General indemnifications expiration period	1 year
Maximum
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items]
General indemnifications expiration period	3 years

Commitments and Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Financial Covenants Related to Amended Subordination and Guaranty Agreement (Details)	Dec. 31, 2024
Subordination Agreement And Additional Financial Covenant [Line Items]
Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio	215%
Maximum Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio	307%
Required ratio
Subordination Agreement And Additional Financial Covenant [Line Items]
Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio	120%
Maximum Consolidated Total Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio	575%

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 891,900	$ 895,200	$ 1,076,400
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3,800	500	2,900
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,600)	(500)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,200	0	2,900
Ending Balance	1,062,300	891,900	895,200
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, tax expense	600	200	(100)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), tax expense	(400)		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, tax expense	600	200	(100)
Tax benefit associated with change in pension actuarial loss	600	0	1,300
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), tax expense	(400)		0
Gains and (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(800)	(900)	(500)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,800	600	(400)
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,000)	(500)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	800	100	(400)
Ending Balance	0	(800)	(900)
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	2,400	2,500	(800)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,000	(100)	3,300
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	600	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,400	(100)	3,300
Ending Balance	3,800	2,400	2,500
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	1,600	1,600	(1,300)
Ending Balance	3,800	$ 1,600	1,600
Tax benefit associated with change in pension actuarial loss	$ 600		$ 1,300

Segment Information - Additiona

Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments | Segment	3
Gain on Franchise Disposal		$ (20,900,000)
EchoPark Depreciation and Amortization	$ (21,800,000)	(26,600,000)	$ (24,700,000)
EchoPark Interest Expense, Other, Net	(2,700,000)	(3,200,000)	(3,900,000)
EchoPark Other income (expense), net	0	(100,000)	100,000
EchoPark Floorplan Exp	(14,200,000)	(17,400,000)	(10,700,000)
EchoPark Segment Income	3,500,000	(132,500,000)	$ (133,900,000)
Storm-related physical damage and legal costs	8,300,000	1,900,000
Gain Loss On Exit Of Leased Dealerships		$ 4,300,000
Insurance Settlement
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Other Nonrecurring Gain	$ 10,000,000

Segment Information - Summary o

Segment Information - Summary of Reportable Operating Segment (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)			$ 461,500,000	$ 423,600,000	$ 314,000,000
Interest expense, other, net			(118,000,000)	(114,600,000)	(89,900,000)
Other income (expense), net			(500,000)	100,000	200,000
Income before taxes			256,100,000	241,900,000	190,000,000
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges			3,900,000	79,300,000	320,400,000
Storm-related physical damage and legal costs			8,300,000	1,900,000
Total floor plan interest expense			86,900,000	67,200,000	34,300,000
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction			150,400,000	142,300,000	127,500,000
Total assets	$ 5,895,700,000	$ 5,364,600,000	5,895,700,000	5,364,600,000
Cash and cash equivalents	44,000,000	28,900,000	44,000,000	28,900,000	229,200,000	$ 299,400,000
Goodwill	358,500,000	253,800,000	358,500,000	253,800,000	231,000,000
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	430,300,000	417,400,000	$ 430,300,000	417,400,000
Number of operating segments | Segment			3
Segment Income			$ 260,000,000	321,200,000	510,400,000
EchoPark Segment Income			3,500,000	(132,500,000)	(133,900,000)
Powersports Segment Segment Income			(1,100,000)	5,700,000	2,700,000
Segment Retail Units Sold
Franchised Dealerships Used Vehicle Revenue			2,919,800,000	3,050,300,000	3,391,500,000
Franchised Dealerships Wholesale Revenue			188,900,000	204,500,000	314,000,000
Franchised Dealerships Fixed Ops Revenue			1,802,900,000	1,714,200,000	1,588,000,000
Franchised Dealerships F&I Revenue			506,800,000	498,600,000	510,100,000
Franchised New Vehicles Cost of Sales			(6,048,600,000)	(5,696,300,000)	(4,926,300,000)
Franchised Fleet New Vehicle Cost of Sales			(92,300,000)	(88,200,000)	(94,500,000)
Franchised Used Vehicles Cost of Sales			(2,769,600,000)	(2,887,400,000)	(3,217,100,000)
EchoPark New Vehicle Revenue			0	1,000,000	9,200,000
EchoPark Used Vehicle Revenue			1,838,000,000	2,143,800,000	2,116,800,000
EchoPark Wholesale Revenue			95,800,000	111,700,000	170,600,000
EchoPark F&I Revenue			194,000,000	177,900,000	166,400,000
Powersports Used Vehicle Revenue			22,300,000	19,500,000	7,100,000
Powersports Wholesale Vehicle Revenue			2,300,000	2,600,000	300,000
Powersports Fixed Ops Revenue			43,600,000	45,300,000	11,700,000
Powersports F&I Revenue			7,100,000	7,200,000	2,600,000
Powersports Retail New Vehicles Cost of Sales			(70,500,000)	(72,000,000)	(25,400,000)
Powersports Used vehicles Cost of Sales			(17,000,000)	(14,100,000)	(5,100,000)
Powersports Wholesale vehicles Cost of Sales			(2,600,000)	(2,800,000)	(300,000)
Powersports Parts, service and collision repair Cost of Sales			(23,500,000)	(24,000,000)	(5,900,000)
Powersports Segment gross profit			43,700,000	50,300,000	16,800,000
Powersports SG&A Expense - Compensation			(25,700,000)	(27,700,000)	(8,900,000)
Powersports SG&A Expense - Advertising			(1,700,000)	(1,800,000)	(600,000)
Powersports SG&A Expense - Rent			900,000	500,000	0
Total revenues			14,224,300,000	14,372,400,000	14,001,100,000
EchoPark Segment Assets	574,500,000	667,900,000	574,500,000	667,900,000
PowerSport Segment Assets [Domain]	232,700,000	212,000,000	232,700,000	212,000,000
Powersport Interest Expense, Other, Net			(2,600,000)	(1,700,000)	(1,000,000)
Powersports Other income (expense), net			0	0	200,000
Powersports Floorplan Exp			(2,100,000)	(600,000)	0
Powersports Depreciation and Amortization			(4,200,000)	(3,400,000)	(1,000,000)
Powersports Capital Expenditures			3,900,000	6,900,000	200,000
EchoPark New Vehicle Cost of Sales				(900,000)	(8,100,000)
EchoPark Used Vehicle Cost of Sales			(1,822,800,000)	(2,160,900,000)	(2,112,400,000)
EchoPark Wholesale Cost of Sales			(97,100,000)	(110,800,000)	(167,400,000)
EchoPark Segment Gross Profit			207,900,000	161,800,000	175,100,000
EchoPark SG&A Expense - Compensation			(95,800,000)	(132,000,000)	(148,000,000)
EchoPark SG&A Expense - Advertising			(27,700,000)	(49,900,000)	(58,000,000)
EchoPark SG&A Expense - Rent			1,700,000	(6,300,000)	(8,500,000)
EchoPark SG&A Expense - Other			(43,900,000)	(58,800,000)	(55,300,000)
Franchised Wholesale Vehicles Cost of Sales			(193,500,000)	(207,800,000)	(320,300,000)
Franchised Parts, service and collision repair Cost of Sales			(894,000,000)	(861,500,000)	(801,300,000)
Franchised Segment Gross Profit			1,941,200,000	2,033,600,000	2,125,100,000
Franchised SG&A expense - Compensation			(892,400,000)	(856,600,000)	(858,000,000)
Franchised SG&A Expense - Advertising			(55,100,000)	(40,500,000)	(36,900,000)
Franchised SG&A Expense - Rent			(39,200,000)	(40,300,000)	(42,400,000)
Franchised SG&A Expense - Other			(388,700,000)	(377,200,000)	(335,700,000)
Franchised Dealerships Depreciation and Amortization			(124,400,000)	(112,300,000)	(101,800,000)
Franchised Dealerships Floorplan Exp			(70,600,000)	(49,200,000)	(23,600,000)
Franchised Segment Interest Expense, Other, Net			(112,700,000)	(109,700,000)	(85,000,000)
Franchised Other income (expense), net			(500,000)	200,000	(100,000)
Franchised Dealerships Segment Income			257,600,000	448,000,000	641,600,000
Powersports SG&A Expense - Other			(9,400,000)	(9,900,000)	(2,800,000)
Echo Park [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal			0
Asset impairment charges		$ 16,700,000
Property, Plant and Equipment | Echo Park [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges	$ 10,200,000
Fleet new vehicles
Segment Retail Units Sold
Total revenues			95,300,000	92,200,000	99,400,000
Total new vehicles
Segment Retail Units Sold
Total revenues			6,602,800,000	6,396,800,000	5,722,000,000
Retail new vehicles
Segment Retail Units Sold
Powersports New Vehicle Revenue			82,000,000	88,600,000	31,800,000
Total revenues			6,507,500,000	6,304,600,000	5,622,600,000
Echo Park [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges				78,300,000
Nonrecurring Compensation Expense			2,900,000	5,100,000
Segment Retail Units Sold
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs				300,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment			(2,100,000)
Echo Park [Member] | Property, Plant and Equipment
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges			2,700,000
Echo Park [Member] | CDK Outage Impact
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Nonrecurring Compensation Expense			400,000
Franchised Dealership Impairment [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges					115,500,000
Franchised Dealership Impairment [Member] | Property, Plant and Equipment
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges			1,200,000
FranchisedDealershipMember [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Nonrecurring Compensation Expense			2,200,000
FranchisedDealershipMember [Member] | Fleet new vehicles
Segment Retail Units Sold
Total revenues			95,300,000	92,200,000	99,400,000
FranchisedDealershipMember [Member] | Retail new vehicles
Segment Retail Units Sold
Total revenues			6,425,500,000	6,215,000,000	5,581,600,000
FranchisedDealershipMember [Member] | CDK Outage Impact
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Nonrecurring Compensation Expense			13,000,000
Franchised Dealerships [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges				$ 1,000,000
PreOwnedStoreMember [Member]
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Asset impairment charges					$ 204,900,000
Powersports Dealerships
Segment Schedule Footnotes
Nonrecurring Compensation Expense			$ 500,000

Summary of Quarterly Financial

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Consolidated Statements of Income by Quarter (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross profit		$ 2,192,800	$ 2,245,700	$ 2,317,000
Net income (loss)	$ 216,000	$ 216,000	$ 178,200	$ 88,500
Earnings (loss) per common share - Basic (usd per share)		$ 6.34	$ 5.09	$ 2.29
Earnings (loss) per common share - Diluted (usd per share)		$ 6.18	$ 4.97	$ 2.23

Summary of Quarterly Financia_2

Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Condensed Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	$ 3,900,000	$ 79,300,000	$ 320,400,000
Storm-related physical damage and legal costs	$ 8,300,000	1,900,000
Franchised dealerships
Condensed Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges		$ 1,000,000

Leases, Codification Topic 84_2

Leases, Codification Topic 842 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease liabilities	$ 245,700
Finance Lease, Liability	355,900
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Finance Lease, Principal Payments	9,300	$ 14,300
Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability	22,400	18,400
Operating Lease, Payments	38,300	48,200
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability	86,800	49,300
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability	$ 44,100	$ 17,000
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	13 years 3 months 18 days	12 years 3 months 18 days
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	10 years 4 months 24 days	10 years 7 months 6 days
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	7.10%	7.59%
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	6.94%	7.02%

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2022 store	Jan. 01, 2022 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of franchises disposed | store			0
Cash generated from disposition	$ 8,200	$ 52,200
Subsequent Class A Common Stock Repurchase | shares				0
Subsequent Class A Common Stock Repurchase Ave Price | $ / shares				$ 0
Subsequent Class A Common Stock Repurchase Amount				$ 0

Uncategorized Items - sah-20241

Label	Element	Value
FranchisedDealershipMember [Member]
Gain on Acquisition of Remaining Equity Interest in Joint Venture	sah_GainOnAcquisitionOfRemainingEquityInterestInJointVenture	$ 3,500,000
Echo Park [Member]
Real Estate, Fair Value	sah_RealEstateFairValue	55,500,000
Gain (Loss) on Termination of Lease	us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease	(3,000,000)
Closed Store Accrued Expenses	sah_ClosedStoreAccruedExpenses	2,100,000
Vehicle Inventory Valuation Adjustments	sah_VehicleInventoryValuationAdjustments	10,000,000
Retained Earnings [Member]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 216,000,000