EchoPark Automotive Expands Houston Southwest Freeway Experience Center

Rhea-AI Summary

Sonic Automotive (NYSE: SAH) has announced the relocation of its EchoPark Automotive Houston Southwest Freeway to a new, larger facility in Stafford, Texas. The new 16,825-square-foot experience center, which opened on December 2, 2024, offers an expanded inventory of pre-owned vehicles and enhanced shopping experience.

The facility, located at 12057 Southwest Freeway, replaces the original Houston location that opened in 2020. As part of the grand opening celebration, EchoPark is offering no payments for 90 days on select inventory until December 31, 2024. The company highlights that 50% of its inventory is priced under $25,000.

Positive

• Expansion to larger 16,825-square-foot facility
• Increased inventory capacity
• 50% of inventory priced under $25,000, indicating competitive pricing strategy

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The relocation and expansion of EchoPark's Houston Southwest Freeway Experience Center represents an operational scaling that could positively impact Sonic Automotive's market presence. The new 16,825-square-foot facility indicates significant investment in physical infrastructure, while the location in Stafford, Texas, provides strategic positioning in the Houston metropolitan area.

The 50% of inventory under $25,000 price point is particularly noteworthy given current market conditions where affordable used vehicles are in high demand. The 90-day payment deferral promotion could drive short-term sales growth, though its impact may be by the year-end deadline and credit requirements.

However, while this expansion shows operational progress, the immediate financial impact is likely to be modest relative to Sonic's overall operations. The facility upgrade represents a continuation of existing business rather than a transformative expansion into new markets.

Relocation to Stafford, Texas, offers more inventory and an enhanced shopping experience

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sonic Automotive, Inc. (“Sonic’’ or the “Company”) (NYSE: SAH), a Fortune 500 Company and one of the nation’s largest automotive and powersports retailers, today announced the relocation of EchoPark Automotive Houston Southwest Freeway to a new, larger state-of-the-art experience center at 12057 Southwest Freeway in Stafford, Texas.

EchoPark Automotive Houston Southwest Freeway (Photo: Business Wire)

EchoPark Automotive, a subsidiary of Sonic Automotive, opened the original Houston Southwest Freeway location in 2020 and quickly became a leading provider of quality, pre-owned vehicles in the Houston market. The new 16,825-square-foot Houston Southwest Freeway experience center officially opened on December 2, 2024, and offers Houston-area residents an opportunity to explore and test drive more vehicle options than the previous location.

“We are pleased to announce the new location of our EchoPark Automotive Houston Southwest Freeway experience center,” said David B. Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sonic Automotive. “Our teammates are excited to continue serving residents in Houston and the surrounding area from this new location, providing a wide selection of high-quality pre-owned vehicles supported by our world-class guest experience.”

As part of the grand opening celebration, EchoPark is offering guests no payments for 90 days on select inventory.¹ This offer is good until the end of the year. Guests are invited to shop online and in person. With 50% of EchoPark’s inventory under $25,000, there’s a wide range of affordable inventory ready to test drive. EchoPark is proud to be Houston’s number one used-car-buying experience and is excited to welcome guests to the new, expanded Stafford location.

¹Well-qualified guests who purchase a 2021 or newer car with less than 60K miles between November 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024 and finance through a preferred finance company have the option to defer monthly payments for 90 days from contract date. Ask your Experience Guide for more information on participating lenders. Finance charges begin to accrue on the date guest signs the Retail Installment Sale Contract at the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) disclosed in the contract. May not be combined with other financing offers. 72 months maximum term limit. Equal monthly payments only. Not available to Pennsylvania residents; see your dealer for details. Must take retail delivery by December 31, 2024.​​

About EchoPark Automotive:

EchoPark Automotive is one of the most comprehensive retailers of nearly new pre-owned vehicles in America today. Our unique business model offers a best-in-class shopping experience and utilizes one of the most innovative technology-enabled sales strategies in our industry. Our approach provides a personalized and proven guest-centric buying process that consistently delivers award-winning guest experiences and superior value to car buyers nationwide, with savings of up to $3,000 versus the competition. Consumers have responded by putting EchoPark among the top national pre-owned vehicle retailers in products, sales, and service, while receiving the 2023 Consumer Satisfaction Award from DealerRater. EchoPark’s mission is in the name: Every Car, Happy Owner. This drives the experience for guests and differentiates EchoPark from the competition. More information about EchoPark Automotive can be found at www.echopark.com.

About Sonic Automotive:

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

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241205819808/en/

Sonic Automotive Investor Inquiries

Heath Byrd, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Danny Wieland, Vice President, Investor Relations

ir@sonicautomotive.com

Sonic Automotive Press Inquiries

Sonic Automotive Media Relations

media.relations@sonicautomotive.com

Source: Sonic Automotive, Inc.

FAQ

When did EchoPark Automotive's new Houston Southwest Freeway location open?

The new EchoPark Automotive Houston Southwest Freeway location opened on December 2, 2024, in Stafford, Texas.

What special financing offer is EchoPark providing for its new Stafford, TX location?

EchoPark is offering no payments for 90 days on select inventory until December 31, 2024, for qualified buyers purchasing 2021 or newer vehicles with less than 60K miles.

What is the size of the new EchoPark Automotive facility in Stafford, TX?

The new EchoPark Automotive experience center in Stafford is 16,825 square feet.

What percentage of EchoPark's inventory is priced under $25,000?

50% of EchoPark's inventory is priced under $25,000.