Sonic Automotive buys Audi store in Maryland from AutoNation

Sonic Automotive Inc. made its first franchised dealership acquisition since January with the purchase of a Maryland Audi store from fellow public retailer AutoNation Inc.

Sonic said Monday it bought Audi Owings Mills, northwest of Baltimore.

Terms were not disclosed, but the dealership's name remains the same.

"We are excited to once again expand our national franchise sales and service network," Sonic President Jeff Dyke said in a statement. "The acquisition of Audi Owings Mills allows us to continue delivering on the Audi brand promise and provide our guests with even more choices in the Maryland market."

Sonic bought a Volkswagen dealership in Fallston, Md., in November, and it has two standalone EchoPark used-vehicle locations in the state.

The Audi Owings Mills acquisition follows Sonic's January purchase of Sun Chevrolet in Chittenango, N.Y. Sonic now has 112 franchised dealerships, including eight Audi stores in its portfolio, the company confirmed.

Sonic, of Charlotte, N.C., ranked No. 7 on Automotive News' list of the top 150 dealership groups based in the U.S., with retail sales of 103,486 new vehicles in 2021.

AutoNation's ownership of the Audi store lasted a little over nine months. AutoNation bought Audi Owings Mills and eight other luxury stores when it acquired Priority 1 Automotive Group in November.

AutoNation didn't respond to a request for comment from Automotive News on the sale to Sonic.

AutoNation, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., ranked No. 1 on Automotive News' list, retailing 262,403 new vehicles in 2021.