[SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC LOGO]


                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                        5401 East Independence Boulevard
                        Charlotte, North Carolina 28212
                                 (704) 532-3320
                               Fax (704) 536-5116


        Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Five Dealerships

CHARLOTTE, NC (July 9, 1998) - Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE:SAH) announced today
that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire the Higginbotham
Dealership Group with dealerships in Daytona Beach, Florida and New Smyrna
Beach, Florida; Casa Ford in Houston, Texas; and Economy Honda Cars in
Chattanooga, Tennessee. These dealerships have combined 1997 revenues of
approximately $220 million. Included in these transactions are Acura, Chevrolet,
Ford, Honda, Mercedes, Mercury and Oldsmobile franchises.

These transactions are valued at approximately $46 million. Convertible
Preferred Stock will be issued for approximately 33% of the purchase price and
the remainder will be payable in cash. Sonic Automotive will finance the cash
portion of the purchase price for these dealerships with proceeds from long-term
debt borrowings. The Higginbotham Dealership Group, Casa Ford and Economy Honda
Cars acquisitions are expected to close in the third quarter of 1998.

B. Scott Smith, the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, stated
"Sonic continues to execute its disciplined acquisition strategy. We're entering
attractive new markets and building market share in our existing markets. We
have increased our brand diversity and expanded our luxury lines by adding
Mercedes and Acura to our brand portfolio."

HIGGINBOTHAM DEALERSHIP GROUP
The Higginbotham Dealership Group includes Higginbotham Chevrolet-Oldsmobile,
Inc.; Halifax Ford-Mercury, Inc.; and Higginbotham Automobiles, Inc.
(Mercedes-Acura) which includes Sonic's first Mercedes franchise.

Mr. Higginbotham will join Sonic Automotive as President of Retail Operations,
responsible for the day-to-day management and supervision of all Company-owned
dealerships. Mr. Higginbotham has been a dealer/operator for 22 years. Prior to
acquiring his first dealership, he spent 12 years with General Motors and left
General Motors as the Assistant National Distribution Manager.

Halifax Ford-Mercury and Higginbotham Automobiles (Mercedes) received the
highest CSI award from the respective manufacturers for the most recent fiscal
year. Dennis also brings additional acquisition integration experience. Over the
course of his career, Dennis has experience with many of the domestic and import
brands, including Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mercedes and Toyota.

"I am pleased to join Sonic Automotive," stated Mr. Higginbotham. "I believe
public auto retailers led by experienced dealership managers will be successful.
Sonic has the right strategy and experienced management to lead the auto
retailing sector."





O. Bruton Smith, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated "We
are thrilled to attract an excellent operator like Dennis to our organization.
Dennis Higginbotham's experience will support our acquisition growth and
operations. "

CASA FORD
Sonic Automotive's acquisition of Casa Ford will further expand its operations
in Houston, Texas. This acquisition will give Sonic broad geographic coverage of
the Houston area when combined with the presence of Lone Star Ford, one of
Sonic's original Ford dealerships.

Under the leadership of Mr. Al Paret, principal owner, Casa Ford developed a
successful "one price" or "no haggle" sales process in a highly competitive
market. Scott Smith stated, "We're excited about the opportunity to learn from
Al Paret, a strong operator with high CSI and consistent profitability. We're
particularly excited to learn about a successful application of one price
selling." Al Paret stated, "I'm looking forward to working with Sonic Automotive
and believe I can help Sonic improve its selling processes and profit margins."

ECONOMY HONDA CARS
The acquisition of Economy Honda gives Sonic a Honda franchise and will
strengthen its presence in the Chattanooga, Tennessee market. With this
acquisition, Sonic will increase its operations to eight dealerships with twelve
franchises in this southeastern market. "The Economy Honda transaction is a
perfect example of an "add-on" transaction to improve our market share and brand
diversity in an existing market," stated Scott Smith.

HATFIELD ACQUISITION
The Company completed its previously announced acquisition of the Hatfield
Automotive Group on July 9, 1998.

Upon completion of these acquisitions, Sonic Automotive will operate 36
dealerships representing 24 different brands and 13 collision repair centers.
Sonic Automotive's 1997 proforma revenues including closed and announced 1998
acquisitions will be approximately $1.8 billion.

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements with
respect to anticipated revenue growth. There are many factors which affect
management's views about future events and trends of the Company's business.
These factors involve risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results or
trends to differ materially from management's view, including without limitation
economic conditions, risks associated with acquisitions and the risk factors set
forth from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.


Contact:  Theodore M. Wright, Chief Financial Officer of Sonic Automotive, Inc.,
            (704) 532-3347.
          Todd Atenhan, Investor Relations of Sonic Automotive, Inc.,
             (888) 766-4218.