Sonic Automotive Reports Record Third Quarter Revenues and Earnings Per Share

Fifth Consecutive Quarter of Record EchoPark Revenues, Up 72% Year-Over-Year

Pending Acquisition of RFJ Auto Expected to Add $3.2 Billion in Annualized Revenues

Recently Amended Credit Facilities and Senior Notes Issuance Extend Runway for Further Growth

Sonic Automotive, Inc. (“Sonic Automotive,” “Sonic” or the “Company”) (NYSE:SAH), one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers, today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2021.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211028005315/en/

Key Highlights

• Record third quarter revenues of $3.1 billion, up 20.6% year-over-year
• Record third quarter income from continuing operations before taxes of $112.2 million, up 39.1% year-over-year
• Record third quarter earnings from continuing operations of $84.7 million ($1.96 per diluted share)
• Record third quarter selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percentage of gross profit of 68.1% (60.1% on a Franchised Dealerships Segment basis, a decrease of 670 basis points year-over-year)
• All-time record quarterly total Finance & Insurance (“F&I”) gross profit per retail unit of $2,349, up 21.2% year-over-year
• All-time record quarterly EchoPark revenues of $663.3 million, up 72.3% year-over-year
• Sonic announced a definitive agreement to acquire RFJ Auto Partners, Inc. (“RFJ Auto”), a top-15 U.S. dealer group by total revenues, which is expected to add $3.2 billion in revenues on an annualized basis
• During the third quarter, Sonic repurchased 0.5 million shares of Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $24.8 million
• In October, the Company amended its credit facilities to increase revolver and floor plan commitments from $1.8 billion to $2.95 billion, in addition to completing an upsized offering of $1.15 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes due 2029 and 2031 at a blended rate of 4.73%, with expected use of net proceeds to fund the acquisition of RFJ Auto, the redemption of outstanding notes, and for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of debt

Commentary

David Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Sonic and EchoPark, commented, “I am extremely proud of our team for delivering continued year-over-year growth, in particular against a backdrop of industry-wide inventory headwinds and supply chain disruptions. Our results highlight the operating efficiency of our model, the unwavering dedication of our teammates, and our disciplined focus on driving growth across our franchised dealerships and EchoPark segments. After meeting with much of the RFJ Auto team in recent weeks, we are excited to welcome them into the Sonic family and are grateful for the support of our manufacturer and banking partners for their roles in facilitating this acquisition, which puts us on track to exceed our previously-stated goal of $25 billion in total revenues by 2025. Together, I’m confident that we will continue to strengthen the guest-centric culture that is essential to our brand and the success of our business.”

“I’d like to echo that sentiment by recognizing our manufacturer partners and the entire RFJ Auto team for creating the opportunity for this acquisition, which will launch us forward into the next phase of our company’s growth plan,” said Jeff Dyke, President of Sonic and EchoPark. “As we continue to expand our EchoPark distribution and digital network, adding six locations in four new states since the second quarter, we are well-positioned to achieve our goals of 25% U.S. population coverage by the end of 2021 and 90% U.S. population coverage by 2025. Further supporting our commitment to EchoPark, we recently announced the appointment of Dino Bernacchi as Chief Marketing Officer and Thien Truong as Chief Revenue Officer for EchoPark. With their extensive expertise and diverse backgrounds, they will be instrumental additions in executing the long-term EchoPark strategy.”

Heath Byrd, Chief Financial Officer of Sonic and EchoPark, added, “We recently announced an amendment to our credit facilities, increasing total capacity to $2.95 billion, and capitalized on favorable market conditions and an upgraded corporate credit rating by issuing $1.15 billion of unsecured senior notes. This extends our debt maturities, refinances existing debt at a lower cost of capital and provides funding for the pending acquisition of RFJ Auto. I’d like to thank our lender partners and bondholders for recognizing the strength of our balance sheet and favorable operating outlook, which position us to continue to opportunistically evaluate strategic acquisitions, allocate capital to our EchoPark expansion plans and return capital to stockholders through our dividend and share repurchase programs.”

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

The financial measures discussed below are results for the third quarter of 2021 with comparisons made to the third quarter of 2020, unless otherwise noted. Certain metrics are also compared to the third quarter of 2019 to exclude the effects of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on comparative results.

• Record third quarter revenues of $3.1 billion, up 20.6% year-over-year (up 13.7% compared to the third quarter of 2019), and record third quarter income from continuing operations before taxes of $112.2 million, up 39.1% year-over-year (up 176.9% compared to the third quarter of 2019)
• Record third quarter earnings from continuing operations of $84.7 million ($1.96 per diluted share), compared to third quarter 2020 reported earnings from continuing operations of $60.0 million ($1.35 per diluted share) and adjusted earnings from continuing operations* of $57.7 million ($1.29 per diluted share)
• Record third quarter SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit of 68.1%, a 20 basis point decrease from 68.3% in the third quarter of 2020 (a 100 basis point decrease from adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit* of 69.1% in the third quarter of 2020, which excludes a $3.2 million gain on disposal of franchises and real estate)
• All-time record quarterly total F&I gross profit per retail unit of $2.349, up 21.2% year-over-year
• Franchised Dealerships Segment operating results include:
  • Same store revenues up 11.3%, gross profit up 27.2% (up 5.19% and 30.0%, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2019)
  • Same store new vehicle unit sales volume down 5.1% (down 19.0% compared to the third quarter of 2019); same store new vehicle gross profit per unit up 93.2%, to $5,051 (up 168.4% compared to the third quarter of 2019)
  • Same store retail used vehicle unit sales volume down 0.3% (down 11.4% compared to the third quarter of 2019); same store retail used vehicle gross profit per unit up 31.9%, to $1,835 (up 45.8% compared to the third quarter of 2019)
  • Same store parts, service and collision repair gross profit up 9.0% (up 4.5% compared to the third quarter of 2019); same store customer pay gross profit up 21.3% (up 19.9% compared to the third quarter of 2019); same store gross margin down 40 basis points, to 50.2% (up 110 basis points compared to the third quarter of 2019)
  • Same store F&I gross profit up 20.8% (up 19.1% compared to the third quarter of 2019); all-time record reported Franchised Dealerships Segment F&I gross profit per retail unit of $2,303, up 27.2% (up 39.9% compared to the third quarter of 2019)
  • Record third quarter Franchised Dealerships Segment SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit of 60.1%, a 670 basis point decrease from 66.8% in the third quarter of 2020 (a decrease of 1,680 basis points from 76.9% in the third quarter of 2019)
  • Franchised dealerships new vehicle inventory of approximately 2,400 units, or 10 days’ supply, and used vehicle inventory of approximately 8,200 units, or 27 days’ supply

• EchoPark Segment operating results include:
  • All-time record quarterly EchoPark revenues of $663.3 million, up 72.3% year-over-year (up 112.5% compared to the third quarter of 2019)
  • Record third quarter EchoPark retail used vehicle unit sales volume of 21,255, up 40.5% year-over-year (up 60.9% compared to the third quarter of 2019)
  • EchoPark market share increase of 110 basis points, to 3.7% of the 1-4-year old vehicle segment in our current markets
  • EchoPark pre-tax loss of $32.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA* loss of $28.5 million (including market expansion-related losses of $18.0 million and $16.8 million, respectively)
  • EchoPark loss reflects expansion-related losses and the effect of strategic price management to grow top line sales and market share amidst temporary used market pricing inversion
  • EchoPark used vehicle inventory of approximately 9,800 units, or 41 days’ supply

* Please refer to discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures below.

Acquisition of RFJ Auto

The Company recently announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire RFJ Auto. With 33 locations in seven states and a portfolio of 16 automotive brands, the transaction will add six incremental states to Sonic’s geographic coverage and five additional brands to its portfolio, including the highest volume Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM dealer in the world in Dave Smith Motors. RFJ Auto generated $2.8 billion in annual revenues in 2020, making it a top-15 U.S. dealer group by total revenues. This acquisition, which is anticipated to close in December 2021, represents one of the largest transactions in automotive retail history and is expected to propel Sonic Automotive into the top-five largest dealer groups in the U.S. as measured by total revenues. The transaction is expected to add $3.2 billion in annualized revenues, representing incremental revenues above the Company’s previously stated target of $25 billion in total revenues by 2025.

EchoPark Strategic Alternatives Review

As previously announced, Sonic’s Board of Directors, working together with Lazard and Kirkland & Ellis LLP as financial and legal advisors, respectively, is conducting a review to evaluate potential strategic alternatives for its EchoPark business. The Company is considering a full range of potential alternatives with respect to its EchoPark business. No timetable has been established for the completion of the review, and the review may not result in any transaction. The Company does not intend to disclose further developments with respect to its review process unless and until its Board approves a specific action or otherwise concludes the review.

Dividend

Sonic’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share payable on January 14, 2022 to all stockholders of record on December 15, 2021.

Third Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call

Senior management will hold a conference call today at 11:00 A.M. (Eastern).

Investor presentation and earnings press release materials will be accessible beginning prior to the conference call on the Company’s website at ir.sonicautomotive.com.

To access the live webcast of the conference call, please go to ir.sonicautomotive.com.

For telephone access to this conference call, please register in advance using this link:

https://www.incommglobalevents.com/registration/q4inc/8939/sonic-automotive-inc-q3-2021-earnings-conference-call/

After registering, you will receive a confirmation that includes dial-in numbers and a unique conference call access code and PIN for entry. Registration remains available through the live call, however, to ensure you are connected for the full call we suggest registering at least 10 minutes before the start of the call.

A conference call replay will be available beginning two hours following the call for 14 days at ir.sonicautomotive.com.

About Sonic Automotive

Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 500 company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is on a quest to become the most valuable automotive retailer and service brand in America. Our Company culture thrives on creating, innovating, and providing industry-leading guest experiences, driven by strategic investments in technology, teammates, and ideas that ultimately fulfill ownership dreams, enrich lives, and deliver happiness to our guests and teammates. As one of the largest automotive retailers in America, we are committed to delivering on this goal while pursuing expansive growth and taking progressive measures to be the leader in this category. Our new platforms, programs, and people are set to drive the next generation of automotive experiences. More information about Sonic Automotive can be found at www.sonicautomotive.com and ir.sonicautomotive.com.

About EchoPark Automotive

EchoPark Automotive is one of the fastest growing and most comprehensive retailers of nearly new pre-owned vehicles in America today. Our rapid growth plan is expected to bring our unique business model to 90% of the U.S. population by 2025, utilizing one of the most innovative technology-enabled sales strategies in our industry. Our approach provides a personalized and proven guest-centric buying process that consistently delivers award winning guest experiences and superior value to car buyers nationwide, with savings of up to $3,000 versus the competition. We believe EchoPark is on pace to become the #1 retailer in the nearly new pre-owned vehicle market by 2025, and is already making its mark by earning the 2021 Consumer Satisfaction Award from DealerRater, expanding its Owner Experience Centers, developing an all-new digital ecommerce platform and focusing on growing its brand nationwide. EchoPark’s mission is in its name: Every Car deserves a Happy Owner. This drives the car buying experience for guests and differentiates EchoPark from the competition. More information about EchoPark Automotive can be found at www.echopark.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding anticipated acquisitions, expected future revenue from acquisitions, future revenue levels, future profitability, the opening of additional EchoPark markets, and future population coverage. There are many factors that affect management’s views about future events and trends of the Company’s business. These factors involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or trends to differ materially from management’s views, including, without limitation, economic conditions in the markets in which we operate, new and used vehicle industry sales volume, anticipated future growth in our EchoPark Segment, the success of our operational strategies, the rate and timing of overall economic expansion or contraction, the closing and integration of the RFJ Auto acquisition, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government-imposed restrictions on operations, and the risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and other reports and information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release and the attached financial tables contain certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined under SEC rules, such as adjusted earnings from continuing operations, adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations, adjusted SG&A expenses as a percentage of gross profit, and Adjusted EBITDA. As required by SEC rules, the Company has provided reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the schedules included in this press release. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures improve the transparency of the Company’s disclosures and provide a meaningful presentation of the Company’s results.