Exhibit 99.1

                       [Sonic Automotive, Inc. Letterhead]

                           SONIC AUTOMOTIVE ANNOUNCES
                           PROPOSED PRIVATE PLACEMENT



                                                     CONTACT: Theodore M. Wright
                                                              (704) 532-3320
                                                     -- For Immediate Release


CHARLOTTE, NC (July 9, 1998) -- Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH) announced that
it intends to offer approximately $125 million of its Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2008. The offering will be made by means of an offering memorandum to
qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is expected to close in late July. Sonic
Automotive will use the net proceeds from the offering to pay all indebtedness
outstanding under its existing revolving credit facility and certain
indebtedness under its floor plan facility and to finance certain acquisitions.
Amounts repaid under the revolving credit facility and the floor plan facility
may be reborrowed for general corporate purposes. The securities to be offered
in the private placement will not be registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or
sold absent registration under the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws or applicable exemptions from registration requirements.



              [Stamp stating "SAH Listed NYSE" at bottom of page.]




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