---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001043509-23-000004"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SAH"
cik: "0001043509"
company_name: "SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC"
filed_at: "2023-03-21T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-17T21:58:56.663468+00:00"
event_type: "regulatory"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.3
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Sonic Automotive dismisses KPMG, appoints Grant Thornton as auditor

## Summary
- Audit Committee dismissed KPMG as independent auditor effective March 17, 2023 after a competitive process.
- KPMG's reports for FY2021 and FY2022 were unqualified; no disagreements or reportable events.
- Previously disclosed material weakness in revenue recognition at a single dealership was remediated as of Dec 31, 2022.
- Grant Thornton appointed as new auditor for fiscal year ending Dec 31, 2023.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001043509-23-000004
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SAH
- cik: 0001043509
- company_name: SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC
- filed_at: 2023-03-21T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: regulatory
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.3
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 4.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1043509/000104350923000004/0001043509-23-000004-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1043509/000104350923000004/sah-20230317.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001043509-23-000004
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001043509-23-000004.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001043509-23-000004.txt

## Key facts
- Auditor Changes
  SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC engaged Grant Thornton LLP as its auditor.
  - Action: engagement
  - Auditor: Grant Thornton LLP
  source text: (b) As a result of the competitive process noted above, the Audit Committee has engaged Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm, effective as of March 21, 2023. Grant Thornton’s engagement will be for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 and related interim periods.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1043509/000104350923000004/0001043509-23-000004-index.htm
- Auditor Changes
  SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC dismissed KPMG LLP as its auditor.
  - Action: dismissal
  - Auditor: KPMG LLP
  - Successor: Grant Thornton LLP
  source text: on March 17, 2023, the Audit Committee approved the dismissal of KPMG as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, effective immediately
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1043509/000104350923000004/0001043509-23-000004-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.