Sonic Automotive
Sonic Automotive Headquarters Address
4401 Colwick Rd.
Charlotte NC, United States 28212
(view in map)
Sonic Automotive Photos
About Sonic Automotive
No stranger to speed, O. Bruton Smith has raced Sonic Automotive to the front of the pack of US auto dealers behind larger rivals, such as AutoNation and Penske Automotive. Founded with five dealerships in 1997, Sonic today owns about 120 new- and used-vehicle dealerships and about 25 collision repair centers in major markets in 15 states, including Texas, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Georgia. The company sells some 30 brands of cars and light trucks and offers vehicle financing. Chairman Smith, who runs Sonic Automotive with his son Scott, is also the majority owner of Speedway Motorsports, which operates more than half a dozen NASCAR auto racetracks.
Financial Analysis
Overall, the company's revenues in 2011 accounted for some $7.8 billion versus around $3.6 billion in 2010. Net income came in at $77.6 million in 2011 compared to $95.9 million in 2010, a 15% decrease. In 2011 the impact of earthquakes and the tsunami that struck Japan disrupted the company's Japanese supply chain and vehicle production. Sonic's new vehicle revenues and gross margins were impacted, thus affecting net income. Sonics' new vehicle sales generated around $4.3 million (about 55% of revenues) in revenues in 2011; used vehicle sales accounted for some $2 million (around 25% of revenues), and the company's parts, service and collision segment accounted for around $1.2 million (some 15% of revenues) in revenues.
Operations
In 2011 the company sold approximately 12.7 million new vehicles compared to 11.6 million vehicles sold in 2010, a year-over-year increase of some 10%. The company sells new vehicles, including luxury (BMW, Lexus, Land Rover, and Volvo), mid-line import (Honda, Nissan, and Toyota), and domestic brands (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors). Its luxury brands generated some 50% of revenues in 2011; while the company's mid-line and domestic brands accounted for about 35% and 15%, respectively.
Strategy
As part of the company's strategic plans, Sonic is primarily focused in growing its operations in metropolitan markets in the Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, and the West (California). The company's long-term growth strategy is to target luxury or mid-line import brands.
Ownership
The Smiths control the company through their ownership of about 75% of Sonic Automotive's voting stock.
Our StoryFinancial Analysis
Overall, the company's revenues in 2011 accounted for some $7.8 billion versus around $3.6 billion in 2010. Net income came in at $77.6 million in 2011 compared to $95.9 million in 2010, a 15% decrease. In 2011 the impact of earthquakes and the tsunami that struck Japan disrupted the company's Japanese supply chain and vehicle production. Sonic's new vehicle revenues and gross margins were impacted, thus affecting net income. Sonics' new vehicle sales generated around $4.3 million (about 55% of revenues) in revenues in 2011; used vehicle sales accounted for some $2 million (around 25% of revenues), and the company's parts, service and collision segment accounted for around $1.2 million (some 15% of revenues) in revenues.
Operations
In 2011 the company sold approximately 12.7 million new vehicles compared to 11.6 million vehicles sold in 2010, a year-over-year increase of some 10%. The company sells new vehicles, including luxury (BMW, Lexus, Land Rover, and Volvo), mid-line import (Honda, Nissan, and Toyota), and domestic brands (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors). Its luxury brands generated some 50% of revenues in 2011; while the company's mid-line and domestic brands accounted for about 35% and 15%, respectively.
Strategy
As part of the company's strategic plans, Sonic is primarily focused in growing its operations in metropolitan markets in the Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, and the West (California). The company's long-term growth strategy is to target luxury or mid-line import brands.
Ownership
The Smiths control the company through their ownership of about 75% of Sonic Automotive's voting stock.
Sonic Automotive operates franchised dealerships and EchoPark pre-owned dealerships coast-to-coast. We also represent over 20 different automotive brands with the majority of our dealerships being luxury and import brands. We are an industry-leading automotive retailer committed to providing our guests and teammates with an experience unmatched by our competitors.
We're proud of what we're doing here.Our Teammates are happy to work here because:
We have beautiful facilities designed to provide our team and guests with a welcoming and comfortable environment.
Our Talent Acquisition and Talent Management Teams have won multiple Brandon Hall Awards, including Gold Awards.
We are committed to developing and promoting within the company.
We use technology to provide a transparent and seamless process for our teammates and guests - most jobs use iPads or iPhones that we provide.
Our Benefits are extremely competitive with Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, a 401k match and competitive vacation.
We encourage teamwork, cross-funtional interaction and recognition on an on-going basis.
If you want to find out more about the types of jobs we have here, we've highlighted a few.
We're proud of what we're doing here. Come and join us!
BenefitsWe have beautiful facilities designed to provide our team and guests with a welcoming and comfortable environment.
Our Talent Acquisition and Talent Management Teams have won multiple Brandon Hall Awards, including Gold Awards.
We are committed to developing and promoting within the company.
We use technology to provide a transparent and seamless process for our teammates and guests - most jobs use iPads or iPhones that we provide.
Our Benefits are extremely competitive with Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, a 401k match and competitive vacation.
We encourage teamwork, cross-funtional interaction and recognition on an on-going basis.
If you want to find out more about the types of jobs we have here, we've highlighted a few.
We're proud of what we're doing here. Come and join us!
Sonic Automotive provides outstanding benefit options to Associates and their families, including:
Our "Hybrid" Medical plan provides associates with a cost-sharing medical/pharmacy plan along with the ability to set aside money through retirement tax-free in a Health Savings Account.
When enrolled in the Health Savings Account, you'll have early access to the future contributions through our "HSA on Demand" feature.
A company contribution is also made to your HSA every pay period!
A choice of 3 dental plans,a vision plan, flexible spending account for a tax-free way to pay for dependent day care, short and long-term disability, life insurance (company-paid, as well as supplemental), legal plan, critical illness, accident and hospitalization plans, home and auto insurance at special group rates and payroll deduction, pet insurance and available $0 health plan premiums for Technicians based on tenure
And Sonic Perks!
Special associate vehicle and service pricing, wireless phone discounts with all major carriers, travel and entertainment discounts and rebates, exclusive Apple product discounts, fitness program discounts and much more!
Your Future Looks BrightOur "Hybrid" Medical plan provides associates with a cost-sharing medical/pharmacy plan along with the ability to set aside money through retirement tax-free in a Health Savings Account.
When enrolled in the Health Savings Account, you'll have early access to the future contributions through our "HSA on Demand" feature.
A company contribution is also made to your HSA every pay period!
A choice of 3 dental plans,a vision plan, flexible spending account for a tax-free way to pay for dependent day care, short and long-term disability, life insurance (company-paid, as well as supplemental), legal plan, critical illness, accident and hospitalization plans, home and auto insurance at special group rates and payroll deduction, pet insurance and available $0 health plan premiums for Technicians based on tenure
And Sonic Perks!
Special associate vehicle and service pricing, wireless phone discounts with all major carriers, travel and entertainment discounts and rebates, exclusive Apple product discounts, fitness program discounts and much more!
We want to help you grow.
Your development continues through your career with us. We provide you with opportunities to take on special assignment as a way to build your experience and grow your skills.
Learn:
Continuous learning is just a way of life here and we believe learning should not be bound by a classroom. We believe learning takes place on the job, in our communities and by sharing knowledge with your team members. We also have extensive online learning opportunities where you have instant access to an in-depth catalog of learning programs which can be taken virtually, anytime, anywhere.
Develop:
Our goal is to help you be confident and successful in your current job and help you develop with an eye towards the future. We believe every Teammate has something to teach an even more to learn. Simply put, we want you to come grow with us.
Our JobsYour development continues through your career with us. We provide you with opportunities to take on special assignment as a way to build your experience and grow your skills.
Learn:
Continuous learning is just a way of life here and we believe learning should not be bound by a classroom. We believe learning takes place on the job, in our communities and by sharing knowledge with your team members. We also have extensive online learning opportunities where you have instant access to an in-depth catalog of learning programs which can be taken virtually, anytime, anywhere.
Develop:
Our goal is to help you be confident and successful in your current job and help you develop with an eye towards the future. We believe every Teammate has something to teach an even more to learn. Simply put, we want you to come grow with us.
We want to be one of America's greatest places to work at and shop, and that requires we treat each other with respect and give our guests an unbelievable buying experience.
This is not difficult to do but it takes all of us working in a very different way from how most companies do things. Here is an in depth look at the types of jobs Sonic Automotive offers.
Our Vision: To Open Roads
Our Values: Agile & Responsive; Honest & Transparent; Respectful; Selfless & Communal
Technicians This is not difficult to do but it takes all of us working in a very different way from how most companies do things. Here is an in depth look at the types of jobs Sonic Automotive offers.
Our Vision: To Open Roads
Our Values: Agile & Responsive; Honest & Transparent; Respectful; Selfless & Communal
What our Technicians do differently is listen better than people working at other automotive retailers. Next, they focus on treating the guest with respect by acknowledging their intelligence and being mindful of their time. Lastly, our Technicians share our guest's passion for cars and trucks and love helping our guests get exactly what they want time after time.
Sales ConsultantsWhat our Sales Consultants do differently is listen better than sales people working at other automotive retailers. Next, they focus on treating the guest with respect by acknowledging their intelligence and being mindful of their time.
Lastly, our Sales Consultants share our guest's passion for cars and trucks and love helping our guests get exactly what they want time after time. Our Sales Consultants are also incentivized on overall guest delight and store performance.
Does this sound like something you're excited about?Lastly, our Sales Consultants share our guest's passion for cars and trucks and love helping our guests get exactly what they want time after time. Our Sales Consultants are also incentivized on overall guest delight and store performance.
Then this is the right team for you.
Make People Happy
We're looking for friendly, confident, knowledgeable folks who can focus on helping our Guests meet their service needs and find the car that will put a big grin on their faces.
Transform an Industry
We're not looking for traditional salespeople - we're looking to build a team of consultants who love cars and who get a kick out of sharing their knowledge to help people through the process of becoming a happy owner.
Inspire Change
You'll have the opportunity to help us cut through the jargon and take the stress out of the car buying and servicing process. To make Guests feel that it's almost as fun to buy a car as it is to drive it.
Make People Happy
We're looking for friendly, confident, knowledgeable folks who can focus on helping our Guests meet their service needs and find the car that will put a big grin on their faces.
Transform an Industry
We're not looking for traditional salespeople - we're looking to build a team of consultants who love cars and who get a kick out of sharing their knowledge to help people through the process of becoming a happy owner.
Inspire Change
You'll have the opportunity to help us cut through the jargon and take the stress out of the car buying and servicing process. To make Guests feel that it's almost as fun to buy a car as it is to drive it.
Number of Employees in Sonic Automotive
5,001 to 10,000
Sonic Automotive Revenue
$5B to $10B (USD)
Industry
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