SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC
8-K/A, 2000-01-18
AUTO DEALERS & GASOLINE STATIONS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                   FORM 8-K/A


                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



       Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): November 4, 1999



                             SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



           DELAWARE                        1-13395               56-201079
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Commission File Number)    (I.R.S Employer
incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)



      5401 E. Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, NC              28212
        (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)


       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (704) 532-3320


         (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
                               since last report)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

         This Amendment to Current Report on Form 8-K/A amends Sonic's current
report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November
19, 1999 (Date of Report: November 4, 1999).


ITEM 7:  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(A)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED. Beginning on page F-1 of
         this amendment to Sonic's report on Form 8-K filed November 19, 1999
         are the financial statements of Freeland Automotive and the Manhattan
         Automotive Group for the periods required pursuant to Rule 3-05 of
         Regulation S-X.

(B)      PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Beginning on page P-1 of this
         amendment to Sonic's report on Form 8-K filed November 19, 1999 are the
         unaudited pro forma financial statements reflecting the business
         combination of Sonic, Freeland Automotive and the Manhattan Automotive
         Group for the periods required pursuant to Article 11 of Regulation
         S-X.

(C)      EXHIBITS.


Exhibit
Number            Description of Exhibits
- ------            -----------------------

23.1              Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

99.1*             Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of
                  October 28, 1999 by and among Sonic, Freeland & Schuh, Inc.,
                  South Gate Motors, Inc., Freeland Holdings, Inc., George T.
                  Freeland, Bernard G. Freeland and Christopher G. Freeland
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Sonic's Current
                  Report of Form 8-K filed November 19, 1999)

99.2*             Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 6, 1999 by and
                  among Sonic, Manhattan Auto, Inc., Joseph Herson, Mollye
                  Mills, John Jaffe and Richard Mills (the "Manhattan Merger
                  Agreement") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to
                  Sonic's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
                  333-82615) (the "August 1999 Form S-3")).

99.3*             Letter Agreement dated as of August 3, 1999 regarding
                  amendment to the Manhattan Merger Agreement (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the August 1999 Form S-3).

99.4*             Asset Purchase Agreement dated April 6, 1999 by and among
                  Sonic, L.O.R., Inc., Waldorf Automotive, Inc., Manhattan
                  Imported Cars, Inc. and the stockholders of L.O.R., Waldorf
                  Automotive and Manhattan Imported Cars (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Sonic's Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999).



*  Filed Previously

                                       2
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


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

                                         SONIC AUTOMOTIVE, INC.



Date: January 18, 2000     By:  /s/            Theodore M. Wright
      ----------------         -------------------------------------------------
                                                 THEODORE M. WRIGHT
                                       VICE PRESIDENT-FINANCE, CHIEF FINANCIAL
                                          OFFICER, TREASURER AND SECRETARY
                                    (PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING OFFICER)

                                       3
<PAGE>

                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            PAGE
                                                                                           -----
<S>                                                                                        <C>
FREELAND AUTOMOTIVE
  Independent Auditors' Report ........................................................... F-2
  Balance Sheets at December 31, 1998 and unaudited at September 30, 1999 ................ F-3
  Statements of Income and Net Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 1998 and
    unaudited for the nine months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1999 ...................... F-4
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 1998 and unaudited for the
    nine months Ended September 30, 1998 and 1999 ........................................ F-5
  Notes to Financial Statements .......................................................... F-6

MANHATTAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
  Independent Auditors' Report ........................................................... F-12
  Combined Balance Sheets at December 31, 1998 and unaudited at June 30, 1999 ............ F-13
  Combined Statements of Income for the Year Ended December 31, 1998 and
    unaudited for the six months Ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 ............................ F-14
  Combined Statements of Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 1998 and unaudited for
    the six months Ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 .......................................... F-15
  Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 1998 and unaudited
    for the six months Ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 ...................................... F-16
  Notes to Combined Financial Statements ................................................. F-18

</TABLE>



                                      F-1
<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


To The Board of Directors of
Sonic Automotive, Inc.
Charlotte, North Carolina

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Freeland Automotive, a
business unit of South Gate Motors, Inc., as of December 31, 1998, and the
related statements of income and net equity and cash flows for the year then
ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the management of
South Gate Motors, Inc. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Freeland Automotive, a business unit of
South Gate Motors, Inc., as of December 31, 1998 and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared from the separate
records of Freeland Automotive, a business unit of South Gate Motors, Inc., and
may not necessarily be indicative of the conditions that would have existed or
the results of operations that would have occurred had Freeland Automotive been
operated as an unaffiliated company.



November 23, 1999



                                       F-2
<PAGE>


FREELAND AUTOMOTIVE
(A BUSINESS UNIT OF SOUTH GATE MOTORS, INC.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                 DECEMBER 31,        SEPTEMBER 30,
ASSETS                                                                               1998                 1999
                                                                                                      (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                             <C>                   <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents (Note 1)                                            $ 2,408,605           $ 2,155,473
  Accounts receivable (net of allowance of approximately $136,000
    and $81,000, respectively)                                                    2,016,048             1,011,582
  Inventories, net (Note 2)                                                      12,395,694            12,828,255
  Other current assets                                                              402,123               469,205
                                                                                -----------           -----------
           Total current assets                                                  17,222,470            16,464,515

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net (Note 3)                                              8,075,243             8,214,373

RECEIVABLES FROM RELATED PARTIES (Note 5)                                         2,089,612             2,697,207

OTHER ASSETS                                                                         86,796                60,226
                                                                                -----------           -----------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                                    $27,474,121           $27,436,321
                                                                                ===========           ===========

LIABILITIES AND NET EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Notes payable - floor plan (Note 2)                                           $13,453,935           $11,491,792
  Notes payable - related parties (Note 5)                                          378,333               378,333
  Trade accounts payable                                                          1,278,206             1,683,023
  Accrued payroll and bonuses (Note 5)                                            1,074,197             1,710,955
  Liability for finance chargebacks                                                 460,000               460,000
  Other accrued liabilities                                                         916,932               892,217
  Current maturities - long-term debt (Note 4)                                      361,592               341,095
  Current maturities - capital lease obligations (Note 4)                           128,492               130,000
                                                                                -----------           -----------
           Total current liabilities                                             18,051,687            17,087,415
                                                                                -----------           -----------

LONG-TERM DEBT (Note 4)                                                           6,865,789             6,615,068
                                                                                -----------           -----------

CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS (Note 4)                                                  223,023               212,779
                                                                                -----------           -----------

NOTES PAYABLE - Stockholder (Note 5)                                              1,617,241             1,464,069
                                                                                -----------           -----------

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 5 and 7)

NET EQUITY (Note 1)                                                                 716,381             2,056,990
                                                                                -----------           -----------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET EQUITY                                                $27,474,121           $27,436,321
                                                                                ===========           ===========
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.


                                      F-3
<PAGE>


FREELAND AUTOMOTIVE
(A BUSINESS UNIT OF SOUTH GATE MOTORS, INC.)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND NET EQUITY
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           DECEMBER 31,                  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                            ----------------------------------------
                                                               1998                1998                1999
                                                                                           (Unaudited)

REVENUES (Note 1):
<S>                                                      <C>                    <C>                    <C>
  Vehicle sales                                          $ 107,280,833          $  79,092,477          $  91,310,802
  Parts and service                                         12,528,222              9,235,536             10,485,012
  Finance and insurance                                      5,416,941              4,051,331              4,494,697
                                                         -------------          -------------          -------------

           Total revenues                                  125,225,996             92,379,344            106,290,511

COST OF SALES (Note 1)                                     108,740,505             79,851,509             92,160,535
                                                         -------------          -------------          -------------

GROSS PROFIT                                                16,485,491             12,527,835             14,129,976

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
  EXPENSES                                                  13,952,790             10,565,230             11,118,273

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION                                  330,151                225,248                265,808
                                                         -------------          -------------          -------------

OPERATING INCOME                                             2,202,550              1,737,357              2,745,895
                                                         -------------          -------------          -------------

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES:
  Interest expense - floor plan (Note 2)                     1,095,464                832,905                871,893
  Interest expense, net (Note 5)                               820,339                635,701                591,943
  Other expenses (income)                                        7,742                  3,098                (58,550)
                                                         -------------          -------------          -------------

           Total other expense                               1,923,545              1,471,704              1,405,286
                                                         -------------          -------------          -------------

NET INCOME                                                     279,005                265,653              1,340,609

NET EQUITY:
  Beginning of period                                          437,376                437,376                716,381
                                                         -------------          -------------          -------------

  End of period                                          $     716,381          $     703,029          $   2,056,990
                                                         =============          =============          =============

PRO FORMA PROVISION FOR INCOME
  TAXES (Unaudited) (Note 1)                             $     110,300          $     105,000          $     529,600
                                                         =============          =============          =============

PRO FORMA NET INCOME (Unaudited)
  (Note 1)                                               $     168,705          $     160,653          $     811,009
                                                         =============          =============          =============
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.


                                      F-4
<PAGE>
FREELAND AUTOMOTIVE
(A BUSINESS UNIT OF SOUTH GATE MOTORS, INC.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                      DECEMBER 31,           SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                                    -------------------------------
                                                                         1998            1998               1999
                                                                                              (Unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                                    <C>            <C>            <C>
  Net income                                                           $   279,005    $   265,653    $ 1,340,609
                                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
    provided by (used in) operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                          330,151        225,248        265,808
    Loss on disposal of property and equipment                              20,154         20,154
    Changes in assets and liabilities that relate to operations:
      Decrease in accounts receivable                                      236,562      1,452,483        878,292
      Increase in inventories                                             (452,796)      (590,762)      (432,561)
      (Increase) decrease in other current assets                           11,010          9,143        (67,082)
      (Increase) decrease in other assets                                   20,299        (13,559)         1,178
      Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable and
        accrued liabilities                                               (846,427)      (353,969)     1,143,034
                                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
           Total adjustments                                              (681,047)       748,738      1,788,669
                                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
           Net cash provided by (used in) operating
             activities                                                   (402,042)     1,014,391      3,129,278
                                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of property and equipment                                     (526,171)      (350,683)      (379,546)
  Receivables from related parties                                        (523,197)    (1,394,235)      (607,595)
                                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
           Net cash used in investing activities                        (1,049,368)    (1,744,918)      (987,141)
                                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Increase (decrease) in notes payable - floor plan                        857,274       (765,472)    (1,962,143)
  Proceeds from long-term debt                                             300,000        300,000            -
  Payments on long-term debt                                              (307,718)      (245,714)      (271,218)
  Payments on capital lease obligations                                    (36,015)           -           (8,736)
  Payments received from (advanced to) stockholder
    of South Gate Motors, Inc.                                              98,816        257,656       (153,172)
                                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
           Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities             912,357       (453,530)    (2,395,269)
                                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH
  EQUIVALENTS                                                             (539,053)    (1,184,057)      (253,132)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
  Beginning of period                                                    2,947,658      2,947,658      2,408,605
                                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------

  End of period                                                        $ 2,408,605    $ 1,763,601    $ 2,155,473
                                                                       ===========    ===========    ===========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH
  FLOW INFORMATION - Cash paid during the
  period for interest                                                  $ 1,982,457    $ 1,479,382    $ 1,440,238
                                                                       ===========    ===========    ===========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH FINANCING INFORMATION -
  Assets acquired under capital lease obligations                      $   387,530    $         -    $         -
                                                                       ===========    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>

See notes to financial statements.
                                      F-5
<PAGE>

FREELAND AUTOMOTIVE
(A BUSINESS UNIT OF SOUTH GATE MOTORS, INC.)


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



1.    DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

      ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS - Freeland Automotive ("Freeland") is a business
      unit of South Gate Motors, Inc. Freeland operates five automobile
      franchises in the Fort Myers, Florida area. Freeland sells new and used
      cars and light trucks, sells replacement parts, provides maintenance,
      warranty services, and arranges related financing and insurance.
      Freeland's five dealership franchises sells new vehicles manufactured by
      Mercedes, BMW, Honda, Volkswagon and Nissan. The accompanying financial
      statements include the historical cost basis assets and related operations
      of the business unit. Accordingly, the balance sheets contained with the
      financial statements presents the net equity of the business unit.

      The accompanying financial statements have been prepared from the separate
      records of Freeland Automotive, a business unit of South Gate Motors,
      Inc., and may not necessarily be indicative of the conditions that would
      have existed or the results of operations that would have occurred had
      Freeland Automotive been operated as an unaffiliated company.

      REVENUE RECOGNITION - Freeland records revenue when vehicles are delivered
      to customers, and when vehicle service work is performed. Finance and
      insurance commission revenue is recognized principally at the time the
      contract is placed with the financial institution.

      Freeland arranges financing for customers through various financial
      institutions and receives a commission from the lender equal to the
      difference between the interest rates charged to customers over the
      predetermined interest rates set by the financing institution. Freeland
      also receives commissions from the sale of credit life, accident, health
      and disability insurance and extended service contracts to customers.
      Freeland may be assessed a chargeback fee in the event of early
      cancellation of a loan, insurance contract or service contract by the
      customer. Finance and insurance commission revenue is recorded net of
      estimated chargebacks at the time the related contract is placed with the
      financial institution.

      Commission expense related to finance and insurance commission revenue is
      charged to cost of sales upon recognition of such revenue, net of
      estimated chargebacks. Estimated commission expense charged to cost of
      sales was approximately $614,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998.

      DEALER AGREEMENTS - Freeland purchases substantially all of its new
      vehicles from the manufacturers at the prevailing prices charged by each
      manufacturer to their franchised dealers. Freeland's sales could be
      unfavorably impacted by each manufacturers' unwillingness or inability to
      supply the dealerships with an adequate supply of new vehicle inventory.

      Freeland operates under dealer agreements with each manufacturer.
      Freeland's dealer agreements give it the exclusive right to sell each
      manufacturers' product within a given geographic area. Freeland could be
      materially adversely affected if each manufacturer awards franchises to
      others in the same market where Freeland is operating. A similar adverse
      effect could occur if existing competing franchised dealers increase their
      market share in Freeland's market.

      CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Freeland considers contracts in transit and
      all highly liquid debt instruments with an initial maturity of three
      months or less to be cash equivalents. Contracts in transit represent cash
      in transit to Freeland from finance companies related to vehicle purchases
      and was approximately $2,401,000 at December 31, 1998.

                                      F-6
<PAGE>

      INVENTORIES - Inventories of new and used vehicles, including
      demonstrators, and parts and accessories are valued at the lower of
      specific cost or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out
      method ("LIFO") for new and used vehicles, and the first-in, first-out
      method ("FIFO") for parts and accessories.

      PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Property and equipment are stated at cost.
      Depreciation and amortization is computed principally using the
      straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The
      range of estimated useful lives (in years) is as follows:

                                                                        Useful
                                                                         Lives

          Buildings and improvements                                     5-40
          Leasehold improvements                                         5-40
          Office equipment and fixtures                                   5-7
          Parts and service equipment                                     5-7
          Service units                                                     5

      Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
      Significant betterments are capitalized.

      INCOME TAXES - South Gate Motors, Inc. is organized as an S Corporation
      for federal and state income tax purposes. As such, South Gate Motors,
      Inc.'s taxable income is included in the stockholder's personal income tax
      return. Accordingly, no provision for federal or state income taxes has
      been included in Freeland's statement of income and net equity.

      The unaudited pro forma provision for income taxes and the unaudited pro
      forma net income for the year ended December 31, 1998 reflect amounts that
      would have been recorded had Freeland's income been taxed for federal and
      state purposes as if it was a C Corporation.

      ADVERTISING COSTS - Freeland expenses advertising costs in the period
      incurred. Advertising expenses for the year ended December 31, 1998 were
      approximately $2,382,000.

      CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK - Financial instruments which potentially
      subject Freeland to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of
      cash on deposit with financial institutions and accounts receivable. At
      times, amounts invested with financial institutions may exceed FDIC
      insurance limits. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to
      receivables are limited primarily to automobile manufacturers and
      financial institutions. Credit risk arising from trade receivables from
      commercial customers is mitigated by the large number of customers
      comprising the trade receivables balances. Trade receivables are
      concentrated in Freeland's market area of Fort Myers, Florida.

      FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - As of December 31, 1998 the fair
      values of Freeland's financial instruments, including accounts receivable,
      receivables from related parties, trade accounts payable, notes payable -
      floor plan, notes payable - related parties, long-term debt, and notes
      payable - stockholder, approximate their carrying values due to either
      their short terms to maturity or the existence of interest rates that
      approximate prevailing market rates.

      USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity
      with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
      estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
      liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
      date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
      expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
      those estimates.

                                      F-7
<PAGE>
1.    DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES -
      Continued

      INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION - The accompanying unaudited financial
      information for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1999 has been
      prepared on substantially the same basis as the audited financial
      statements, and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal
      recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial
      information set forth therein. The results for interim periods are not
      necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal
      year.

2.    INVENTORIES AND RELATED NOTES PAYABLE - FLOOR PLAN

      Inventories consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31,       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                            1998                 1999
                                                                             (Unaudited)
          <S>                                           <C>                  <C>
          New and demonstrator vehicles                 $ 10,254,720         $  9,846,899
          Used vehicles                                    3,444,780            4,212,418
          Parts and accessories                              679,299              752,043
                                                        ------------         ------------
                                                          14,378,799           14,811,360
          LIFO reserve                                    (1,983,105)          (1,983,105)
                                                        ------------         ------------

          Inventories, net                              $ 12,395,694         $ 12,828,255
                                                        ============         ============
</TABLE>
      Had Freeland used the first-in, first-out method of valuing new and used
      vehicles, net income would have been approximately $424,000 during the
      year ended December 31, 1998.

      All new and certain used vehicles are pledged to collateralize floor plan
      notes payable to financial institutions in the amount of $13,453,935 at
      December 31, 1998. The floor plan notes bear interest, payable monthly on
      the outstanding balances at the prime rate (7.75% at December 31, 1998)
      plus 1%. Total floor plan interest expense was $1,095,464 in 1998. The
      notes payable are due when the related vehicle is sold. As such, these
      floor plan notes payable are shown as a current liability in the
      accompanying balance sheets.


3.    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

      Property and equipment consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          DECEMBER 31,       SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                              1998               1999
                                                                             (Unaudited)
          <S>                                            <C>                <C>
          Land                                           $  4,159,309       $  4,159,309
          Buildings and improvements                        3,401,919          3,970,589
          Leasehold improvements                              187,572            187,572
          Office equipment and fixtures                     1,169,965          1,234,830
          Parts and service equipment                         338,897            460,067
          Service units                                         6,790              6,790
          Construction in progress                            387,280                -
                                                         ------------       ------------
                                                            9,651,732         10,019,157
          Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   (1,576,489)        (1,804,784)
                                                         ------------       ------------

          Property and equipment, net                    $  8,075,243       $  8,214,373
                                                         ============       ============
</TABLE>
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
4.    FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

      Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             DECEMBER 31,    September 30,
                                                                                                1998             1999
                                                                                                              (unaudited)
       <S>                                                                                     <C>
       Note payable to PRIMUS Automotive Financial Services, Inc., payable in
         monthly installments of $46,363 including interest at the prime rate
         (7.75 at December 31, 1998) plus .75%; with remaining principal plus
         accrued interest due November 2001, collateralized by substantially all
         assets.                                                                               $4,176,087      4,042,630

       Note payable to PRIMUS Automotive Financial Services, Inc., payable in
         monthly installments of $29,923 including interest at the prime rate
         plus .75%; with remaining principal plus accrued interest due February
         2002, collateralized by substantially all assets.                                      2,726,036      2,642,630

       Construction note payable to PRIMUS Automotive Financial Services, Inc.,
         payable in monthly installments of $5,000 plus interest at prime rate
         plus 1.5%, due June 2003, collateralized by accounts receivable,
         inventories, and property and equipment of Freeland and the assets of a
         related entity.                                                                          275,000        230,000

       Other long-term debt                                                                        50,258         40,903
                                                                                               ----------     ----------
                                                                                                7,227,381      6,956,163
       Less current maturities                                                                   (361,592)      (341,095)
                                                                                               ----------     ----------
       Long-term debt                                                                          $6,865,789     $6,615,068
                                                                                               ----------     ----------


      Future maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 1998 are as follows:

        Year ending December 31:
         1999                                                                                      $   361,592
         2000                                                                                          390,669
         2001                                                                                        4,011,626
         2002                                                                                        2,428,494
         2003                                                                                           35,000
                                                                                                   -----------
        Total                                                                                       $7,227,381
                                                                                                   ===========
</TABLE>


      Freeland leases certain office equipment under agreements accounted for as
      capital leases. Assets under capital leases amounted to approximately
      $388,000 with accumulated depreciation of approximately $39,000 at
      December 31, 1998.


                                      F-9
<PAGE>
      The future minimum lease payments under such capital leases at December
      31, 1998 are as follows:

        Year ending December 31:
          1999                                       $ 139,492
          2000                                         152,298
          2001                                          79,261
          2002                                           6,710
          2003                                           2,092
                                                     ---------
              Total minimum lease payments             379,853
        Less amount representing interest              (28,338)
                                                     ---------
              Present value of minimum lease payments  351,515
        Less current maturities                       (128,492)
                                                     ---------

        Total                                        $ 223,023
                                                     =========



5.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

      Receivables from related parties includes various notes due from other
      entities related by common ownership. The notes are classified as
      noncurrent based on the expected repayment date. The majority of the
      receivables due from related parties are unsecured and consist of the
      following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                               1998
       <S>                                                                                 <C>
       Moss Marine (a business unit of South Gate Motors, Inc.)                            $  733,206
       Freeland and Moore, Inc. d/b/a Harbor Nissan                                           212,719
       Rodgers Cars, Inc. d/b/a Mazda of Ft. Myers                                            627,611
       Other                                                                                  109,788
                                                                                           ----------

       Total                                                                               $1,683,324
                                                                                           ==========
</TABLE>

      In addition, receivables from related parties includes a secured note
      receivable due from Omni Imports of Southwest Florida, Ltd. totaling
      $406,288 at December 31, 1998. Interest is accrued monthly at 8.5%.
      Interest income on this note amounted to approximately $28,000 for the
      year ended December 31, 1998.

      Notes payable to related parties consists primarily of unsecured demand
      notes payable to Trinity Insurance Company, Ltd. totaling $335,313 at
      December 31, 1998. Interest is accrued monthly at rates ranging from 6% -
      7%. Interest expense on this note amounted to approximately $25,000 for
      the year ended December 31, 1998. In addition, notes payable to related
      parties includes a demand note payable of $43,020. Interest is accrued
      monthly at the prime rate.

      Notes payable to the stockholder of $1,617,241 at December 31, 1998
      represents secured loans payable with interest accrued at the prime rate.
      The notes are due on demand, however, the notes are subordinate to the
      PRIMUS Automotive Financial Services, Inc. ("PRIMUS") long-term debt (see
      Note 4) and cannot be repaid while the debt to PRIMUS is outstanding.
      Interest expense amounted to approximately $174,000 for the year ended
      December 31, 1998.

      Included in accrued payroll and bonuses on the accompanying balance sheets
      is an accrued bonus to the stockholder of $853,363 at December 31, 1998.
      The bonus is subordinate to the PRIMUS debt and approval must be obtained
      prior to payment. The bonus is classified as a current liability based on
      the expected repayment date.

                                      F-10
<PAGE>

      Freeland leases certain operating facilities directly from its stockholder
      under an agreement accounted for as an operating lease. The lease expires
      in October 2005. In addition, Freeland leases certain operating facilities
      on a month-to-month basis from an entity related via common ownership.

      Future minimum rental payments required under noncancelable operating
      leases at December 31, 1998 are as follows:

          Year ending December 31:
             1999                                                   $ 95,400
             2000                                                     95,400
             2001                                                     95,400
             2002                                                     95,400
             2003                                                     95,400
             Thereafter                                              174,900
                                                                     -------

          Total                                                     $651,900
                                                                    ========

      Rent expense under the above operating leases was approximately $151,000
      during the year ended December 31, 1998. In addition, Freeland paid real
      estate taxes of approximately $104,000 on the above leases during the year
      ended December 31, 1998.


6.    EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

      Freeland has a qualified 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the "Plan"), whereby
      substantially all of the employees of Freeland meeting certain service
      requirements are eligible to participate. Freeland's contributions to the
      Plan were approximately $27,000 during the year ended December 31, 1998.


7.    CONTINGENCIES

      Freeland is exposed to unasserted claims encountered in the normal course
      of business. In the opinion of management, on the advice of legal counsel,
      the resolution of these matters will not have a materially adverse effect
      on Freeland's financial position or future results of operations and cash
      flows.


8.    SUBSEQUENT EVENT (UNAUDITED)

      Effective November 4, 1999, South Gate Motors, Inc. sold substantially
      all of the operating assets of Freeland to Sonic Automotive, Inc. for a
      total purchase price of approximately $25 million, paid in cash, plus the
      assumption of certain liabilities. No effects of the asset sale are
      reflected in the accompanying financial statements.


                                    ********



                                      F-11


<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


To The Board of Directors of
  Sonic Automotive, Inc.
Charlotte, North Carolina

We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheet of Manhattan Automotive
Group (the "Company"), which is under common ownership and management, as of
December 31, 1998, and the related combined statements of income, equity, and
cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the combined financial position of the Company as of December 31, 1998
and the combined results of its operations and its combined cash flows for the
year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.



August 13, 1999



                                      F-12
<PAGE>



MANHATTAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND JUNE 30, 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                       DECEMBER 31,          JUNE 30,
                                                                                           1998                1999
                                                                                                            (UNAUDITED)
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
<S>                                                                                     <C>                <C>
  Cash and cash equivalents (Note 1)                                                    $ 7,987,140        $ 6,590,534
  Accounts receivable (net of allowance of approximately $7,000)                          3,139,088          3,444,428
  Inventories, net (Note 2)                                                              11,454,990         11,886,336
  Other current assets                                                                      552,101             58,687
                                                                                            --------           -------
           Total current assets                                                          23,133,319         21,979,985

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net (Note 3)                                                        661,792            657,197

NOTES RECEIVABLE FROM AFFILIATES (Note 5)                                                 2,131,204          2,131,011

OTHER ASSETS (Note 7)                                                                       880,765            890,765
                                                                                            --------           -------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                                            $26,807,080       $ 25,658,958
                                                                                        ============      ============

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Notes payable - floor plan (Note 2)                                                    $ 8,923,882        $ 7,642,106
  Notes payable to related parties (Note 5)                                                  378,975             28,090
  Trade accounts payable                                                                   1,531,810            739,481
  Accrued payroll and bonuses                                                              1,207,205            167,299
  Dividends payable                                                                                -          3,400,000
  Liability for finance chargebacks                                                          203,400            203,400
  Other accrued liabilities                                                                  373,577            935,084
                                                                                            --------            -------
           Total current liabilities                                                      12,618,849         13,115,460
                                                                                         -----------         ----------

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 5 and 8)

EQUITY (Note 4):
  Net assets of business unit                                                                566,847            872,254
  Common stock of combined companies                                                          33,560             33,560
  Paid-in capital                                                                          1,720,264          1,720,264
  Retained earnings                                                                       11,867,560          9,917,421
                                                                                         -----------        ----------
           Total equity                                                                   14,188,231         12,543,498
                                                                                         -----------        ----------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                                                             $26,807,080       $ 25,658,958
                                                                                        ============       ============


See notes to combined financial statements.

</TABLE>


                                      F-13
<PAGE>


MANHATTAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>                     <C>                       <C>

                                                                   DECEMBER 31,                         JUNE 30,
                                                                                           --------------------------------
                                                                       1998                   1998                1999
                                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
REVENUES (Note 1):
  Vehicle sales                                                       $ 135,037,497        $ 62,107,706        $ 74,334,313
  Parts, service and collision repair                                    18,793,794           9,193,264           9,575,791
  Finance and insurance                                                     989,792             600,323             635,992
                                                                      -------------        ------------        ------------

           Total revenues                                               154,821,083          71,901,293          84,546,096

COST OF SALES (Note 1)                                                  133,975,188          62,050,946          73,948,994
                                                                      -------------        ------------        ------------

GROSS PROFIT                                                             20,845,895           9,850,347          10,597,102

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
  EXPENSES                                                               14,530,114           7,354,280           6,402,117

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION                                               174,835              79,448              78,006
                                                                      -------------        ------------        ------------

OPERATING INCOME                                                          6,140,946           2,416,619           4,116,979
                                                                      -------------        ------------        ------------

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Interest expense - floor plan (Note 2)                                   (513,786)           (247,968)           (315,593)
  Interest income, net (Note 5)                                             236,820             104,981              67,367
  Other income, net                                                         119,301              26,175              67,814
                                                                      -------------        ------------        ------------

           Total other expense                                             (157,665)           (116,812)           (180,412)
                                                                      -------------        ------------        ------------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                                5,983,281           2,299,807           3,936,567

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (Notes 1 and 7)                                  527,000              53,800             604,300
                                                                      -------------        ------------        ------------

NET INCOME                                                              $ 5,456,281         $ 2,246,007         $ 3,332,267
                                                                      =============        ============        ============


PRO FORMA PROVISION FOR ADDITIONAL INCOME
  TAXES (Unaudited) (Note 1)                                            $ 1,819,000         $   848,000         $   939,300
                                                                      =============        ============        ============

PRO FORMA NET INCOME (Unaudited) (Note 1)                               $ 3,637,281         $ 1,398,007        $  2,392,967
                                                                      =============        ============        ============
</TABLE>


See notes to combined financial statements.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>


MANHATTAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (NOTE 4)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>              <C>              <C>                <C>                 <C>

                                                        Common
                                      Net Assets        Stock of        Additional
                                      of Business       Combined         Paid-in           Retained            Total
                                         Unit           Companies        Capital           Earnings            Equity

BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 1998             $117,981         $33,560         $1,720,264        $ 7,649,145        $ 9,520,950
  Dividends declared                          -               -                  -           (789,000)          (789,000)
  Net income                            448,866               -                  -          5,007,415          5,456,281
                                       --------         -------         ----------        -----------        ------------

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998           $566,847         $33,560         $1,720,264        $11,867,560        $14,188,231
  Dividends declared (unaudited)              -               -                  -         (4,977,000)        (4,977,000)
  Net income (unaudited)                305,407               -                  -        $ 3,026,860        $ 3,332,267
                                       --------         -------         ----------        -----------        ------------

BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 1999 (unaudited)   $872,254         $33,560         $1,720,264        $ 9,917,421        $12,543,498
                                       =========        =======        ===========        ============       ============


</TABLE>

See notes to combined financial statements.

                                      F-15
<PAGE>

MANHATTAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>

                                                                      DECEMBER 31,                    JUNE 30,
                                                                                         ------------------------------
                                                                          1998               1998               1999
                                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income                                                          $ 5,456,281        $ 2,246,007        $ 3,332,267
                                                                      -----------        -----------        -----------
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
    by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                         174,835             79,448             78,006
    Deferred income taxes                                                 (10,000)           (10,000)           (10,000)
    Changes in assets and liabilities that relate to operations:
      Increase in accounts receivable                                  (1,018,388)          (770,788)          (305,340)
      Increase (decrease) in inventories                                 (640,714)           977,490           (431,346)
      Increase in other current assets                                   (351,447)          (196,173)           493,414
      Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable and                   922,866            850,559         (1,270,728)
       accrued liabilities                                            ------------       -----------        -----------
           Total adjustments                                             (922,848)           930,536         (1,445,994)
                                                                      ------------       -----------        -----------
           Net cash provided by operating activities                    4,533,433          3,176,543          1,886,273
                                                                      ------------       -----------        -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of property and equipment                                    (196,663)           (76,470)           (73,411)
  Notes receivable from affiliates, net                                (1,704,695)          (982,796)               193
                                                                      ------------       -----------        -----------
           Net cash used in investing activities                       (1,901,358)        (1,059,266)           (73,218)
                                                                      ------------       -----------        -----------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Increase (decrease) in notes payable - floor plan                     2,507,260           (809,129)        (1,281,776)
  Payments on notes payable to related parties                           (215,231)           (18,486)          (350,885)
  Dividends to stockholders                                              (789,000)          (456,000)        (1,577,000)
                                                                      ------------       -----------        -----------
           Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities          1,503,029         (1,283,615)        (3,209,661)
                                                                      ------------       -----------        -----------

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                               4,135,104            833,662         (1,396,606)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
  Beginning of period                                                   3,852,036          3,852,036          7,987,140
                                                                      ------------       -----------        -----------

  End of period                                                       $ 7,987,140       $  4,685,698        $ 6,590,534
                                                                      ===========       ============        ===========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW
  INFORMATION:
    Cash paid during the period for:
      Interest                                                        $   533,860       $    260,474        $   317,659
                                                                      ===========       ============        ===========
      Income taxes                                                    $   886,000       $    258,000        $   515,000
                                                                      ===========       ============        ===========

</TABLE>

See notes to combined financial statements.

                                      F-16
<PAGE>



MANHATTAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                                    <C>               <C>
                                                       DECEMBER 31,              JUNE 30,
                                                                         ------------------------
                                                           1998           1998           1999
                                                                               (UNAUDITED)

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH
  FINANCING INFORMATION:
    Dividends declared                                $ -             $ -        $ 3,400,000
                                                      ====            ====       ===========
</TABLE>


See notes to combined financial statements.

                                      F-17
<PAGE>


MANHATTAN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



1.    DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

      ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS - Manhattan Automotive Group (the "Company")
      operates four automobile dealerships in the Washington, D.C. area. The
      Company sells new and used cars and light trucks, sells replacement parts,
      provides maintenance, warranty services, paint and repair services and
      arranges related financing and insurance. The Company's four vehicle
      dealership locations sell new vehicles manufactured by Lexus, BMW, Porche,
      Audi, Nissan and Jeep.

      The accompanying combined financial statements include the accounts of the
      following businesses:

        <S>                                              <C>                  <C>                  <C>
                          NAME                            LOCATION           STRUCTURE            YEAR END
        L.O.R., Inc (DBA: Lexus of Rockville)            Rockville, MD        S Corporation        December 31
        Rockville Porsche/Audi (A business unit of       Rockville, MD             N/A             December 31
        Manhattan Imported Cars, Inc.)
        Manhattan Auto, Inc. (DBA: BMW of Fairfax)       Fairfax, VA          C Corporation        November 30
        Waldorf Automotive, Inc. (DBA: Nissan-Jeep of    Waldorf, MD          S Corporation        December 31
        Waldorf)
</TABLE>

      The combined financial statements have been prepared in connection with
      the acquisition of the above businesses by Sonic Automotive, Inc. (see
      Note 9). The accompanying combined financial statements reflect the
      financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of each of the
      above listed businesses. The combination of these businesses has been
      accounted for at historical cost in a manner similar to a
      pooling-of-interests because the businesses are under common management
      and control. Rockville Porsche/Audi is not organized as a separate legal
      entity. Accordingly, the accompanying combined balance sheet present only
      the net equity of the business unit. All material intercompany
      transactions have been eliminated.

      REVENUE RECOGNITION - The Company records revenue when vehicles are
      delivered to customers, and when vehicle service work is performed.
      Finance and insurance commission revenue is recognized principally at the
      time the contract is placed with the financial institution.

      The Company arranges financing for customers through various financial
      institutions and receives a commission from the lender equal to the
      difference between the interest rates charged to customers over the
      predetermined interest rates set by the financing institution. The Company
      also receives commissions from the sale of credit life, accident, health
      and disability insurance and extended service contracts to customers. The
      Company may be assessed a chargeback fee in the event of early
      cancellation of a loan, insurance contract or service contract by the
      customer. Finance and insurance commission revenue is recorded net of
      estimated chargebacks at the time the related contract is placed with the
      financial institution.

                                      F-18
<PAGE>

      Commission expense related to finance and insurance commission revenue is
      charged to cost of sales upon recognition of such revenue, net of
      estimated chargebacks. Estimated commission expense charged to cost of
      sales was approximately $477,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998.

      DEALER AGREEMENTS - The Company purchases substantially all of its new
      vehicles from the manufacturers at the prevailing prices charged by each
      manufacturer to their franchised dealers. The Company's sales could be
      unfavorably impacted by each manufacturers' unwillingness or inability to
      supply the dealerships with an adequate supply of new vehicle inventory.

      The Company operates under dealer agreements with each manufacturer. The
      Company's dealer agreements give it the exclusive right to sell each
      manufacturers' product within a given geographic area. The Company could
      be materially adversely affected if other manufacturers award franchises
      to dealers in the same market where the Company is operating. A similar
      adverse effect could occur if existing competing franchised dealers
      increase their market share in the Company's market.

      CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - The Company considers contracts in transit and
      all highly liquid debt instruments with an initial maturity of three
      months or less to be cash equivalents. Contracts in transit represent cash
      in transit to the Company from finance companies related to vehicle
      purchases and was approximately $1,150,000 at December 31, 1998.

      INVENTORIES - Inventories of new and used vehicles, including
      demonstrators, and parts and accessories are valued at the lower of cost
      or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out method ("LIFO")
      for new vehicles, the specific identification method for used vehicles,
      and the first-in, first-out method ("FIFO") for all other inventories.

      PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - Property and equipment are stated at cost.
      Depreciation and amortization is computed principally using the straight-
      line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The range of
      estimated useful lives (in years) is as follows:



                                                                 USEFUL
                                                                  LIVES

          Buildings and improvements                              20-40
          Office equipment and fixtures                            7-10
          Parts and service equipment                              7-15
          Company vehicles                                          3-5


      Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
      Significant betterments are capitalized.

      INCOME TAXES - Manhattan Auto, Inc. is organized as a C Corporation
      subject to both federal and state income taxes. Rockville Porsche/Audi is
      included in the federal and state income tax returns of Manhattan Imported
      Cars, Inc. Current income taxes are allocated to Rockville Porshe/Audi
      based on the business unit's taxable income to the total taxable income of
      Manhattan Imported Cars, Inc. L.O.R., Inc. and Waldorf Automotive, Inc.
      are organized as S Corporations for federal and state income tax purposes.
      As such, the provision for income taxes in the accompanying combined
      financial statements only includes federal and state income taxes for
      Manhattan Auto, Inc. and Rockville Porsche/Audi.

      Deferred taxes are determined using an asset and liability approach. This
      method gives consideration to the future tax consequences associated with
      differences between financial accounting and tax basis of assets and
      liabilities. This method gives immediate effect to changes in income tax
      laws upon enactment. A valuation allowance is established when necessary
      to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts that are expected to be realized.

                                      F-19
<PAGE>
      The unaudited pro forma provision for additional income taxes and the
      unaudited pro forma net income for the year ended December 31, 1998
      reflect estimated amounts that would have been recorded had L.O.R., Inc.
      and Waldorf Automotive, Inc.'s income been taxed for federal and state
      purposes as if they were C Corporations.

      ADVERTISING COSTS - The Company expenses advertising costs in the period
      incurred. Advertising expenses for the year ended December 31, 1998 were
      approximately $573,000.

      CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK - Financial instruments which potentially
      subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally
      of cash on deposit with financial institutions and accounts receivable. At
      times, amounts invested with financial institutions may exceed FDIC
      insurance limits. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to
      receivables are limited primarily to automobile manufacturers and
      financial institutions. Credit risk arising from trade receivables from
      commercial customers is mitigated by the large number of customers
      comprising the trade receivables balances. Trade receivables are
      concentrated in the Company's market areas in Northern Virginia and
      Maryland.

      FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - As of December 31, 1998 the fair
      values of the Company's financial instruments including accounts
      receivable, notes receivable from affiliates, notes payable - floor plan,
      trade accounts payable and notes payable to related parties, approximate
      their carrying values due to either their short-term maturity or the
      existence of interest rates that approximate prevailing market rates.

      USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity
      with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
      estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
      liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
      date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
      expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
      those estimates.

      INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION - The accompanying unaudited combined
      financial information for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999 has
      been prepared on substantially the same basis as the audited combined
      financial statements, and include all adjustments, consisting only of
      normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the
      financial information set forth therein. The results for interim periods
      are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
      entire fiscal year.

2.    INVENTORIES AND RELATED NOTES PAYABLE - FLOOR PLAN

      Inventories consist of the following:

                                                  DECEMBER 31,        JUNE 30,
                                                     1998              1999
                                                                    (unaudited)

          New and demonstrator vehicles           $ 8,774,340      $ 9,120,343
          Used vehicles                             3,026,537        3,360,588
          Parts and accessories                     1,778,300        1,529,592
                                                ---------------  --------------
                                                   13,579,177       14,010,523
          LIFO reserve                             (2,124,187)      (2,124,187)
                                                ---------------  --------------

          Inventories, net                        $11,454,990      $11,886,336
                                                ===============  ==============

      During the year ended December 31, 1998, new vehicle inventory quantities
      were reduced, resulting in a liquidation of LIFO inventory values. The
      liquidation increased pre-tax income by approximately $239,000. Had the
      Company used the first-in, first-out method of valuing new vehicles and
      certain parts and accessories, pretax income would have been approximately
      $5,744,000 in 1998.


                                      F-20
<PAGE>


      All new and certain used vehicles are pledged to collateralize floor plan
      notes payable to financial institutions totaling $8,923,882 at December
      31, 1998. The floor plan notes bear interest, payable monthly on the
      outstanding balances at rates ranging from prime minus .25% to LIBOR plus
      2% (prime rate was 7.75% at December 31, 1998 and LIBOR was 5.62% at
      December 31, 1998). Total floor plan interest expense was $513,786 in
      1998. The notes payable are due when the related vehicle is sold. As such,
      these floor plan notes payable are shown as a current liability in the
      accompanying combined balance sheets.


3.    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

      Property and equipment consists of the following:


                                                     DECEMBER 31,      JUNE 30,
                                                         1998            1999
                                                                     (unaudited)

          Buildings and improvements                 $ 630,209        $ 669,327
          Office equipment and fixtures                340,607          346,253
          Parts and service equipment                  660,322          664,267
          Company vehicles                             386,108          414,108
          Construction in process                       13,647           13,647
                                                  -------------    ------------
                                                     2,030,893        2,107,602
          Less accumulated depreciation
            and amortization                        (1,369,101)      (1,450,405)
                                                  -------------    ------------
          Property and equipment, net                $ 661,792        $ 657,197
                                                  =============    ============



4.    COMBINED EQUITY

      The capital structure of the businesses included in the combined financial
      statements of the Company at December 31, 1998 and June 30 1999 is as
      follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          DECEMBER 31, 1998
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   COMMON STOCK
                                             ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 SHARES                  ADDITIONAL
                                                     PAR           SHARES      ISSUED AND                   PAID-IN        RETAINED
                                                    VALUE       AUTHORIZED     OUTSTANDING     AMOUNT       CAPITAL        EARNINGS


          <S>                                 <C>                  <C>            <C>      <C>            <C>            <C>
          L.O.R., Inc.                               $  1          1,000          1,000    $     1,000    $   599,000    $ 4,997,310
          Manhattan Auto, Inc.                        100            500            316         31,560        122,264      5,423,892
          Waldorf Automotive, Inc.                      1          1,000          1,000          1,000        999,000      1,446,358
          Rockville Porsche/Audi (Note 1)               -              -              -              -              -              -
                                                                                           -----------    -----------    -----------
          Total                                                                            $    33,560    $ 1,720,264    $11,867,560
                                                                                           ===========    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>

                                      F-21
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              30-JUN-99 (unaudited)
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              COMMON STOCK
                                             ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                             SHARES                     ADDITIONAL      RETAINED
                                                  PAR         SHARES       ISSUED AND                    PAID-IN        EARNINGS
                                                 VALUE     AUTHORIZED      OUTSTANDING       AMOUNT      CAPITAL        (DEFICIT)


          <S>                                  <C>              <C>            <C>      <C>            <C>            <C>
          L.O.R., Inc.                            $  1          1,000          1,000    $     1,000    $   599,000    $ 3,669,066
          Manhattan Auto, Inc.                     100            500            316         31,560        122,264      6,964,981
          Waldorf Automotive, Inc.                   1          1,000          1,000          1,000        999,000       (112,327)
          Rockville Porsche/Audi (Note 1)            -              -              -              -              -              -
                                                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------

          Total                                                                             $33,560    $ 1,720,264    $10,521,720
                                                                                        ===========    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>

5.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

      The Company has notes receivable from various affiliated entities
      amounting to $2,131,204 at December 31, 1998. The notes bear interest at
      rates ranging from 6% - 7%. The notes are uncollateralized and are
      classified as noncurrent based on the expected repayment date. Interest
      income from these notes was approximately $125,000 for the year ended
      December 31, 1998.

                                      F-22
<PAGE>
      In addition, the Company has notes payable to related parties of $378,975
      at December 31, 1998. The notes bear interest at 7%. The notes are
      unsecured and are classified as noncurrent based on the expected repayment
      date. Interest expense on these notes was approximately $25,000 for the
      year ended December 31, 1998.

      The Company leases certain operating facilities directly from stockholders
      of the combining companies or from entities which are owned by those
      stockholders. The leases expire at various dates through August 2002. Rent
      expense under these related party leases was approximately $575,000 during
      the year ended December 31, 1998.

      In addition, the Company has other facilities and equipment with leases
      expiring at various dates through September 2003. Future minimum rental
      payments required under noncancelable operating leases at December 31,
      1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              Related
                                                                               Party            Other             Total
          Year ending December 31:
            <S>                                                             <C>               <C>              <C>
            1999                                                            $  758,988        $ 590,466        $1,349,454
            2000                                                               758,998          620,466         1,379,464
            2001                                                               661,992          429,359         1,091,351
            2002                                                               252,000            7,022           259,022
            2003                                                                     -            5,266             5,266
                                                                            ----------       ----------       -----------

          Total                                                             $2,431,978       $1,652,579        $4,084,557
                                                                            ==========      ===========        ==========
</TABLE>


      Rent expense under all operating leases was approximately $1,300,000
      during the year ended December 31, 1998.


6.    EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

      The combining companies each have a qualified 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
      (the "Plan"), whereby substantially all of the employees meeting certain
      service requirements are eligible to participate. The combined
      contributions to the plans were approximately $148,000 during the year
      ended December 31, 1998.


7.    INCOME TAXES

      The provision for income taxes consists of the following components for
      the year ended December 31, 1998:

          Current:
            Federal                                              $451,000
            State                                                  86,000
                                                                 --------
                                                                  537,000

          Deferred:
            Federal                                                (8,800)
            State                                                  (1,200)
                                                                 --------
                                                                  (10,000)
                                                                 --------
          Total                                                  $527,000
                                                                 ========


                                      F-23
<PAGE>


      The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate with the
      Company's federal and state overall effective income tax rate is as
      follows for the year ending December 31, 1998:

          Statutory federal rate                                 34.00%
          State income taxes                                      3.41
          Miscellaneous                                           1.77
                                                                 -----

          Effective income tax rate                              39.18%
                                                                 =====

      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.

      A net deferred income tax asset totaling $70,000, included in "other
      assets" on the accompanying balance sheet at December 31, 1998, relates
      primarily to depreciation and deferred extended warranty costs.


8.    CONTINGENCIES

      The Company is involved in various legal proceedings incurred in the
      normal course of business. Management, on the advice of legal counsel,
      believes that the outcome of such proceedings will not have a materially
      adverse effect on the Company's financial position or future results of
      operations and cash flows.


9.    SALE AGREEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

      Effective August 3, 1999, Sonic Automotive, Inc. ("Sonic") purchased
      substantially all of the operating assets of L.O.R., Inc., Rockville
      Porsche/Audi (a business unit of Manhattan Imported Cars, Inc.), and
      Waldorf Automotive, Inc. for a total combined purchase price of $23.7
      million, payable in cash and common stock, plus the assumption of certain
      liabilities.

      In addition, Sonic purchased the outstanding common stock of Manhattan
      Auto, Inc. for $10.5 million plus the net book value of the purchased
      assets and assumed liabilities. The total purchase price is payable in
      common stock with an aggregate market price of $18 million at the date of
      closing.



                                    ********


                                      F-24

<PAGE>

                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income for the year
ended December 31, 1998 and the nine months ended September 30, 1999 reflect the
historical accounts of Sonic for those periods, adjusted giving effect to the
following events as if those events had occurred on January 1, 1998:

o    the following acquisitions completed by Sonic:

     ACQUISITION                                                  DATE
     -----------                                                  ----
     Casa Ford of Houston, Inc.............................    May 1998
     Hatfield Automotive Group.............................    July 1998
     Higginbotham Automotive Group.........................    August 1998
     Williams Automotive Group.............................    January 1999
     Global Imports........................................    February 1999
     Economy Honda Cars....................................    February 1999
     Lloyd Automotive Group................................    May 1999
     Newsome Automotive Group..............................    May 1999
     Lute Riley Motors, Inc................................    July 1999
     Manhattan Automotive Group............................    August 1999
     Freeland Automotive...................................    November 1999

o    Sonic's underwritten offering of its senior subordinated notes in July 1998
     and the application of the net offering proceeds and

o    Sonic's underwritten offering of Class A common stock in May 1999 and the
     application of the net offering proceeds.

     The following unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of
September 30, 1999 reflects the historical accounts of Sonic as of that date as
adjusted to give pro forma effect to the acquisition of Freeland Automotive in
November 1999 as if the acquisition were completed on September 30, 1999.


     The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data and accompanying notes
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the
Manhattan Automotive Group and Freeland Automotive, which are included in this
filing, as well as the consolidated financial statements of Sonic, Casa Ford of
Houston, Inc., Hatfield Automotive Group, Higginbotham Automotive Group,
Williams Automotive Group, Economy Honda Cars, Inc., Global Imports, Inc.,
Newsome Automotive Group, Lloyd Automotive Group, Lute Riley Motors, Inc., all
of which have been included in previous filings by Sonic. The unaudited pro
forma consolidated financial data and accompanying notes do not give effect to
the sale of Cleveland Village Honda nor the following completed acquisitions, or
the financing of those acquisitions, because these transactions are not required
to be presented in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules:

                                      P-1
<PAGE>


     ACQUISITION                                                    DATE
     -----------                                                    ----
     Century BMW...........................................    April 1998
     Heritage Lincoln-Mercury..............................    April 1998
     Capitol Chevrolet and Imports, Inc. ..................    April 1998
     Ron Craft Chevrolet-Cadillac-Oldsmobille..............    November 1998
     Ron Craft Chrysler Plymouth Jeep......................    November 1998
     Tampa Volvo...........................................    December 1998
     Infiniti of Charlotte.................................    January 1999
     Rally Mitsubishi......................................    February 1999
     Bondeson Chevrolet Oldsmobile Cadillac................    April 1999
     Sam White Motor City..................................    April 1999
     Fitzgerald Chevrolet..................................    May 1999
     Superior Oldsmobile-Cadillac-GMC......................    June 1999
     Classic Dodge.........................................    July 1999
     Southlake Volvo.......................................    July 1999
     Ben Reading Buick.....................................    August 1999
     Charleston Lincoln-Mercury............................    August 1999
     Shottenkirk Honda.....................................    August 1999
     Altman Dodge..........................................    October 1999
     Joe Camp Ford.........................................    October 1999
     Integrity Dodge.......................................    October 1999
     Village Volvo.........................................    November 1999

     Sonic believes that the assumptions used in the following statements
provide a reasonable basis on which to present the unaudited pro forma financial
data. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data are provided for
informational purposes only and should not be construed to be indicative of
Sonic's financial condition, results of operations or covenant compliance had
the transactions and events described above been consummated on the dates
assumed, and are not intended to project Sonic's financial condition on any
future date or its results of operation for any future period.


                                      P-2
<PAGE>

              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       Pro Forma
                                                                                                      Adjustments
                                                                                                        for the
                                                Sonic           Sonic      Manhattan                 Acquisitions        Combined
                                              Historical     Acquisitions  Automotive     Freeland   and the Notes          Pro
                                                 (a)             (b)         Group       Automotive     Offering           Forma
                                            -------------    ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------       -------------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>            <C>          <C>                <C>          <C>
Revenues:
     Vehicle sales.......................... $ 1,407,030     $ 792,024      $ 135,037    $ 106,629          $ -          $ 2,440,720
     Parts, service, and collision repair...     162,660       119,369         18,794       12,270            -              313,093
     Finance and insurance..................      34,011        19,399            990        5,402         (240)  (c)         59,586
                                                                                                             24   (d)
                                            -------------    ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------       -------------
          Total Revenues....................   1,603,701       930,792        154,821      124,301         (216)           2,813,399
Cost of Sales...............................   1,396,259       810,481        133,975      107,991         (382)  (e)      2,448,324
                                            -------------    ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------       -------------
Gross Profit................................     207,442       120,311         20,846       16,310          166              365,075
Selling, general & administrative expenses..     150,130        91,819         14,530       13,760          (82)  (c)        266,134
                                                                                                         (8,923)  (f)
                                                                                                          4,900   (g)
Management bonus............................           -         3,181              -            -       (3,181)  (f)              -
Depreciation and amortization...............       4,607         3,579            175          297       (1,173)  (g)         12,697
                                                                                                           (139)  (h)
                                                                                                          5,351   (i)
                                            -------------    ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------       -------------
Operating income............................      52,705        21,732          6,141        2,253        3,413               86,244
Interest expense, floorplan.................      14,096         5,927            514        1,073         (994)  (j)         20,616
Interest expense, other.....................       9,395           797           (237)         820         (981)  (g)         22,713
                                                                                                           (967)  (k)
                                                                                                         13,886   (l)
Other income................................         426           602            119            6            -                1,153
                                            -------------    ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------       -------------
Income before income taxes..................      29,640        15,610          5,983          366       (7,531)              44,068
Provision for income taxes..................      11,083         1,508            527            -       (3,072)  (m)         16,345
                                                                                                          6,299   (n)
                                            -------------    ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------       -------------
Net Income..................................    $ 18,557      $ 14,102        $ 5,456        $ 366    $ (10,758)            $ 27,723
                                            =============    ==========     ==========   ==========   ==========       =============
Basic net income per share..................      $ 0.81                                                                      $ 0.89
                                            =============                                                              =============
Weighted average common shares
     outstanding - basic (o)................      22,852                                                                      31,188
                                            =============                                                              =============
Diluted net income per share................      $ 0.74                                                                      $ 0.74
                                            =============                                                              =============
Weighted average common shares
     outstanding - diluted (o)(p)...........      24,970                                                                      37,675
                                            =============                                                              =============
</TABLE>


                                      P-3
<PAGE>
              UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                      NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                Sonic           Sonic       Manhattan                                    Combined
                                              Historical     Acquisitions  Automotive     Freeland     Pro Forma           Pro
                                                 (a)             (b)         Group       Automotive   Adjustments         Forma
                                            -------------    ----------     ----------   ----------   ----------      -------------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>            <C>          <C>                <C>          <C>
Revenues:
     Vehicle sales..........................$ 1,904,602       $ 152,670    $ 90,121       $ 91,311          $ -       $ 2,238,704
     Parts, service, and collision repair...    230,249          28,333      11,532         10,485            -           280,599
     Finance and insurance..................     52,095           5,691         748          4,495         (291) (c)       62,738
                                            ------------      ----------   ---------      ---------   ----------      ------------
          Total Revenues....................  2,186,946         186,694     102,401        106,291         (291)        2,582,041
Cost of Sales...............................  1,897,956         161,370      89,664         92,161            -   -     2,241,151
                                            ------------      ----------   ---------      ---------   ----------      ------------
Gross Profit................................    288,990          25,324      12,737         14,130         (291)          340,890
Selling, general & administrative expenses..    207,293          18,052      13,079         11,118         (142) (c)      242,831
                                                                                                         (8,529) (f)
                                                                                                          1,960  (g)

Depreciation and amortization...............      7,143             803          92            266         (297) (g)        9,944
                                                                                                          1,937  (i)
                                            ------------      ----------   ---------      ---------   ----------      ------------
Operating income (loss).....................     74,554           6,469        (434)         2,746        4,780            88,115
Interest expense, floorplan.................     15,118             828         349            872         (417) (j)       16,750
Interest expense, other.....................     12,177             229        (147)           592         (546) (g)       15,257
                                                                                                           (292) (k)
                                                                                                          3,244  (l)
Other income................................        362           2,838          71             59       (2,658) (g)          672
                                            ------------      ----------   ---------      ---------   ----------      ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes...........     47,621           8,250        (565)         1,341          133            56,780
Provision for income taxes..................     18,250           1,111      (1,091)             -           43  (m)       21,696
                                                                                                          3,383  (n)
                                            ------------      ----------   ---------      ---------   ----------      ------------
Net Income..................................   $ 29,371         $ 7,139       $ 526        $ 1,341     $ (3,293)         $ 35,084
                                            ============      ==========   =========      =========   ==========      ============
Basic net income per share..................     $ 0.98                                                                    $ 1.03
                                            ============                                                              ============
Weighted average common shares
     outstanding - basic (o)................     29,948                                                                    33,916
                                            ============                                                              ============
Diluted net income per share................     $ 0.88                                                                    $ 0.90
                                            ============                                                              ============
Weighted average common shares
     outstanding - diluted (o)(p)...........     33,489                                                                    38,836
                                            ============                                                              ============
</TABLE>

                                      P-4
<PAGE>


(a)  The historical consolidated statement of income data for Sonic for the year
     ended December 31, 1998 includes the results of operations of the following
     dealerships and dealership groups acquired during the year ended December
     31, 1998 from their respective dates of acquisition:

     ACQUISITION                                                    DATE
     -----------                                                    ----
     Casa Ford of Houston, Inc.............................    May 1, 1998
     Capitol Chevrolet and Imports, Inc....................    April 1, 1998
     Century BMW...........................................    April 1, 1998
     Heritage Lincoln-Mercury..............................    April 1, 1998
     Hatfield Automotive Group.............................    July 1, 1998
     Higginbotham Automotive Group.........................    August 1, 1998
     Ron Craft Chevrolet-Cadillac-Oldsmobile...............    November 1, 1998
     Ron Craft Chrysler Plymouth Jeep......................    November 1, 1998
     Tampa Volvo...........................................    December 1, 1998

(b)  Reflects the results of operations of the following acquisitions completed
     during 1998 and 1999 through their respective dates of acquisition:

     ACQUISITION                                                    DATE
     -----------                                                    ----
     Casa Ford of Houston, Inc.............................    May 1998
     Hatfield Automotive Group.............................    July 1998
     Higginbotham Automotive Group.........................    August 1998
     Williams Automotive Group.............................    January 1999
     Global Imports, Inc...................................    February 1999
     Economy Honda Cars, Inc...............................    February 1999
     Lloyd Automotive Group................................    May 1999
     Newsome Automotive Group..............................    May 1999
     Lute Riley Motors, Inc................................    July 1999

(c)  Reflects the decrease in finance and insurance revenues and selling,
     general and administrative expenses included in the results of operations
     of Newsome Automotive Group resulting from transactions with affiliates of
     Newsome Automotive Group not acquired by Sonic.

(d)  Reflects finance and insurance revenues generated by the Higginbotham
     Automotive Group for the year ended December 31, 1998, that was paid
     directly to the dealership owner and excluded from revenue in the
     historical financial statements of the acquired dealerships. No adjustment
     has been made to reflect such amounts for the other acquisitions included
     within these pro forma statements, as the amounts could not be reasonably
     ascertained.

(e)  Reflects the conversion from the "last-in, first-out" method of inventory
     accounting to the specific identification method of inventory accounting
     for Sonic's acquisitions to conform to Sonic's method of accounting for
     vehicle inventories.

(f)  Reflects the net decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses
     related to the net reduction in salaries and bonuses of owners and officers
     of the acquired dealerships who have become or will become employees,
     consistent with reduced salaries pursuant to employment agreements with
     Sonic, or whose positions have been or will be eliminated as part of the
     acquisitions which are included in these pro forma financial statements.

(g)  Reflects the increase in rent expense related to lease agreements entered
     into with the sellers of certain acquired dealerships for the dealerships'
     real property that will not be acquired by Sonic, and the decreases in
     depreciation expense and interest expense related to mortgage indebtedness
     encumbering such property. Reduction of interest expense for the year ended
     December 31, 1998 is calculated based on average mortgage indebtedness of
     approximately $11.6 million at interest rates ranging from 7.00% to 9.11%.
     Reduction of interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 1999
     is calculated based on average mortgage indebtedness of approximately $9.8
     million at interest rates ranging from 7.75% to 8.62%. Additional
     adjustment for the nine months ended September 30, 1999 reflects the
     elimination of approximately $2.7 million of other income at one of the
     acquired dealerships representing a gain on sale of real estate immediately
     prior to the consummation of the acquisition.

(h)  Reflects the elimination of amortization expense related to goodwill that
     arose in previous acquisitions in certain of the acquired dealerships from
     the effective date of the acquisitions.

(i)  Reflects the amortization over an assumed useful life of 40 years of
     goodwill resulting from Sonic's acquisitions which are included in these
     pro forma financial statements, which were assumed to occur on January 1,
     1998. Certain of these acquisitions have purchase agreements which require
     Sonic to pay additional amounts in cash or preferred stock based on future
     operating results. Amount does not include amortization of the additional
     goodwill associated with the contingent purchase prices related to such
     acquisitions. The maximum amount of estimated additional amortization would
     not exceed $100,000.

                                      P-5
<PAGE>

(j)  Reflects the net decrease in interest expense, floor plan resulting from
     the refinancing of the notes payable, floor plan of the dealerships being
     acquired under Sonic's floor plan facility with Ford Motor Credit Company
     (the "Floor Plan Facility") as if such refinancing had occurred at the
     beginning of the period presented. The average outstanding balance of notes
     payable, floor plan arrangements of the dealerships being acquired was
     $116.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 and $45.9 million for
     the nine months ended September 30, 1999. The average interest rate under
     the Floor Plan Facility for the year ended December 31, 1998 was
     approximately 7.06% compared to historical interest rates ranging from
     7.55% to 9.50%. The average interest rate under the Floor Plan Facility for
     the nine months ended September 30, 1999 was approximately 6.57% compared
     to historical interest rates ranging from 6.99% to 8.87%.

(k)  Reflects the decrease in interest expense related to debt, other than
     mortgage indebtedness, which has not or will not be assumed. Reduction of
     interest expense for the year ended December 31, 1998 is calculated based
     on average indebtedness of approximately $12.9 million at interest rates
     ranging from 5.43% to 10.20%. Reduction of interest expense for the nine
     months ended September 30, 1999 is calculated based on average indebtedness
     of approximately $6.5 million at interest rates ranging from 5.43% to
     8.75%.

(l)  Adjustment reflects the incremental increase in interest expense, other
     resulting from (1) the issuance of $125 million in senior subordinated
     notes in July 1998 (the "Notes Offering") used to finance acquisitions, (2)
     borrowings under Sonic's revolving credit facility with Ford Motor Credit
     Company (the "Revolving Facility") in the amount of $98.4 million used to
     finance acquisitions, and (3) the repayment of amounts previously borrowed
     under the Revolving Facility with proceeds received from the Notes Offering
     and with proceeds received from the issuance of 6,067,230 shares of Class A
     common stock on May 5, 1999. Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Facility
     which were repaid had an average balance of $27.8 million for the year
     ended December 31, 1998 and $28.2 million for the nine months ended
     September 30, 1999.

(m)  Reflects the net increase in provision for income taxes resulting from pro
     forma adjustments, computed using statutory income tax rates ranging from
     35.0% to 40.7%

(n)  Certain of the acquired dealerships were not subject to federal and state
     income taxes because they were either S corporations, partnerships, or
     limited liability companies during the period indicated. Upon completion of
     these acquisitions, these dealerships became subject to federal and state
     income tax as C corporations. This adjustment reflects the resulting
     increase in the federal and state income tax provision as if these entities
     had been taxable at statutory income tax rates ranging from 35.0% to 40.7%

(o)  All earnings per share information reflects Sonic's 2-for-1 common stock
     split effective January 25, 1999. Pro forma basic and diluted net income
     per share and the related weighted average shares outstanding for the year
     ended December 31, 1998 and the nine months ended September 30, 1999 have
     been adjusted to reflect the following transactions as if such transactions
     had occurred on January 1, 1998:

     1.   The issuance of 970,588 shares of Class A common stock on September
          18, 1999 in connection with the acquisition of Higginbotham Automotive
          Group;

     2.   The issuance of 6,067,230 shares of Class A common stock on May 5,
          1999 in connection with Sonic's equity offering;

     3.   The issuance of 176,030 shares of Class A common stock on May 17, 1999
          in connection with the acquisition of Newsome Automotive Group;

     4.   The issuance of 1,398,902 shares of Class A common stock on August 3,
          1999 in connection with the acquisition of Manhattan Automotive Group;
          and

     In addition to the items above, pro forma diluted net income per share and
     the related weighted average shares outstanding for the year ended December
     31, 1998 and the nine months ended September 30, 1999 have been adjusted to
     include the dilutive effect of the issuance of 16,338 shares of preferred
     stock in connection with the 1998 acquisitions and 50,533 shares of
     preferred stock in connection with the 1999 acquisitions.

     The following is a reconciliation of the pro forma weighted average shares
     for the year ended December 31, 1998 and the nine months ended September
     30, 1999:

                                      P-6
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               YEAR ENDED        NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                           DECEMBER 31, 1998    SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
                                                                           ------------------   ------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                     <C>
Weighted Average Shares -- Basic (actual)..................................     22,852                  29,948
Issuance of Common Stock in connection with Sonic's equity offering........      6,067                   2,778
Issuance of Common Stock in connection with the following acquisitions:
      Higginbotham Automotive Group........................................        694                       -
      Newsome Automotive Group.............................................        176                      88
      Manhattan Automotive Group...........................................      1,399                   1,102
                                                                               --------                --------
Weighted Average Shares -- Basic (pro forma)...............................     31,188                  33,916
                                                                               ========                ========

Weighted Average Shares -- Diluted (actual)................................     24,970                  33,489
Issuance of Common Stock in connection with Sonic's equity offering........      6,067                   2,778
Issuance of Common Stock in connection with the following acquisitions:
      Higginbotham Automotive Group........................................        694                       -
      Newsome Automotive Group.............................................        176                      88
      Manhattan Automotive Group...........................................      1,399                   1,102
Class A Convertible Preferred Stock........................................      4,369                   1,379
                                                                               --------                --------
Weighted Average Shares -- Diluted (pro forma).............................     37,675                  38,836
                                                                               ========                ========
</TABLE>

(p)  For purposes of computing the dilutive effect of convertible preferred
     stock issued in connection with the acquisitions to include in the pro
     forma diluted weighted average shares outstanding, the actual number of
     Class A common shares issued upon conversion were used for convertible
     preferred stock that has already been converted. For all other convertible
     preferred stock issued in connection with the acquisitions, a Class A
     common stock price of $12.09 per share was assumed as the conversion price
     (the average of the daily closing prices for the Class A common stock on
     the NYSE for the 20 consecutive trading days ending September 30, 1999).
     Certain of the shares of convertible preferred stock are subject to
     conversion adjustments limiting increases and decreases in the number of
     shares of Class A common stock received upon conversion. A 10% increase or
     decrease in the price per share used in the conversion of these convertible
     preferred shares would not result in a material change (less than $0.01) in
     the diluted net income per share for either the twelve months ended
     December 31, 1998 or the nine months ended September 30, 1999.


                                      P-7
<PAGE>

    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET - AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1999

                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      FREELAND                PRO FORMA
                                             SONIC HISTORICAL(e)     AUTOMOTIVE              ADJUSTMENTS              PRO FORMA
                                            -------------------- -------------------    -------------------      -------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                    <C>                        <C>                 <C>
Assets
Current Assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents..............          $ 69,865               $ 2,155                    $ -                 $ 69,865
                                                             -                     -                 (2,155) (b)
     Marketable Equity Securities...........                 -                     -                      -                        -
     Receivables............................            54,831                 1,012                 (1,012) (b)              54,831
     Inventories............................           362,645                12,829                 (2,669) (b)             374,788
                                                             -                     -                  1,983  (c)
     Deferred income taxes..................             1,762                     -                      -                    1,762
     Due from affiliates....................             4,932                     -                      -                    4,932
     Other current assets...................             5,894                   469                   (469) (b)               5,894
                                            ------------------   -------------------    -------------------      -------------------
          Total current assets..............           499,929                16,465                 (4,322)                 512,072
Property and equipment, net.................            42,315                 8,214                      -                   43,046
                                                             -                     -                 (7,483) (d)
Due from Affiliates.........................                 -                 2,697                 (2,697) (b)                   -
Goodwill, net...............................           360,421                     -                 23,250  (a)             383,671
                                                             -                     -                      -
Other assets................................             7,485                    60                    (60) (b)               7,485
                                            ------------------   -------------------    -------------------      -------------------
          Total assets......................         $ 910,150              $ 27,436                $ 8,688                $ 946,274
                                            ==================   ===================    ===================      ===================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
     Notes payable - floor plan.............         $ 276,915              $ 11,492               $ (1,277) (b)           $ 287,130
     Notes payable - FMCC...................                 -                     -                      -                        -
     Notes payable - other..................                 -                   378                      -                        -
                                                             -                     -                   (378) (b)
     Trade accounts payable.................            22,215                 1,683                 (1,683) (b)              22,215
     Accrued interest.......................             4,469                   141                   (141) (b)               4,469
     Other accrued liabilities..............            39,900                 2,922                 (2,922) (b)              39,900
     Payable for Acquisitions...............               275                     -                      -                      275
     Current maturities of long-term debt...             1,176                   471                   (130) (b)               1,176
                                                             -                     -                   (341) (d)
                                            ------------------   -------------------    -------------------      -------------------
          Total current liabilities.........           344,950                17,087                 (6,872)                 355,165
Long-term debt..............................           214,235                 6,828                 25,909  (a)             240,144
                                                             -                     -                   (258) (b)
                                                             -                     -                 (6,570)
Notes Payable TCW...........................                 -                     -                      -                        -
Payable for acquisitions....................               275                     -                      -                      275
Payable to the Company's Chairman...........             5,500                     -                      -                    5,500
Payable to affiliates.......................               766                     -                      -                      766
Deferred income taxes.......................             6,653                     -                      -                    6,653
Income tax payable..........................             3,906                     -                      -                    3,906
Other liabilities...........................                 -                 1,464                 (1,464) (b)                   -
Deferred Revenue............................                 -                     -                      -                        -
Stockholders' equity
     Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock..                 -                     -                      -                        -
     Redeemable Preferred Stock.............                 -                     -                      -                        -
     Preferred Stock........................            27,254                     -                      -                   27,254
     Class A Common Stock...................               237                     -                      -                      237
     Class B Common Stock...................               123                     -                      -                      123
     Paid-in capital........................           242,137                    30                    (30) (a)             242,137
     Retained earnings......................            64,114                 2,027                 (2,629) (a)              64,114
                                                             -                     -                   (809) (b)
                                                             -                     -                  1,983  (c)
                                                             -                     -                   (572) (d)
                                            ------------------   -------------------    -------------------      -------------------
          Total stockholders' equity........           333,865                 2,057                 (2,057)                 333,865
                                            ------------------   -------------------    -------------------      -------------------
                                                             -                     -                      -                        -
                                            ------------------   -------------------    -------------------      -------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity..         $ 910,150              $ 27,436                $ 8,688                $ 946,274
                                            ==================   ===================    ===================      ===================
</TABLE>


                                      P-8
<PAGE>

(a)  Reflects the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price of the
     acquisition of Freeland Automotive based on the estimated fair value of the
     net assets acquired. Because the carrying amount of the net assets
     acquired, which primarily consist of accounts receivable, inventory,
     equipment, and floor plan indebtedness, approximates their fair value,
     management believes the application of purchase accounting will not result
     in a significant adjustment to the carrying amount of those net assets. The
     amount of goodwill and the corresponding amortization actually recorded may
     ultimately be different from amounts estimated here, depending on the
     actual fair value of tangible net assets acquired at closing. The estimated
     purchase price allocation consists of the following:


 Estimated total consideration (in thousands):

 Debt.....................................................    $ 25,909
 Less:  Estimated fair value of tangible net
     assets acquired......................................      (2,659)
                                                            -----------
 Excess of purchase price over fair value of
     net tangible assets acquired.........................    $ 23,250
                                                            ===========

(b)  Reflects the elimination of certain assets and liabilities other than real
     property that will not be acquired.

(c)  Reflects the conversion from the "last-in, first-out" method of inventory
     accounting to the specific identification method of inventory accounting at
     the Freeland Automotive acquisition.

(d)  Reflects the elimination of the real property and the related mortgage
     indebtedness encumbering such property that will not be acquired.

(e)  The balance sheet accounts of Manhattan Automotive Group as of September
     30, 1999 are included in the historical accounts of Sonic as of that date
     since the acquisition of Manhattan Automotive Group was consummated in
     August 1999.

                                      P-9

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Sonic Automotive, Inc.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration
Statements of Sonic Automotive, Inc:
         Registration Statement No. 333-82615 on Form S-3;
         Registration Statement No. 333-81059 on Form S-8;
         Registration Statement No. 333-81053 on Form S-8;
         Registration Statement No. 333-71803 on Form S-3;
         Registration Statement No. 333-69907 on Form S-8;
         Registration Statement No. 333-69901 on Form S-8;
         Registration Statement No. 333-69899 on Form S-8;
         Registration Statement No. 333-68183 on Form S-3;
         Registration Statement No. 333-65447 on Form S-8;
         Registration Statement No. 333-49113 on Form S-8,
of our report dated November 23, 1999 on the financial statements of Freeland
Automotive, a business unit of South Gate Motors, Inc., as of and for the year
ended December 31, 1998 and our report dated August 13, 1999 on the combined
financial statements of Manhattan Automotive Group as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1998, both appearing in this Amendment No. 1 to the Current Report
on Form 8-K of Sonic Automotive, Inc.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina

January 18, 2000





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