Cost Cutting, 'Clunkers' Help Auto Retailers Avoid Losses
October 27 2009 - 2:45PM
Dow Jones News
Two of the nation's largest auto-dealer networks delivered
third-quarter profits on Tuesday as deep cost cutting and debt
restructuring helped offset weak sales.
Better-than-expected financial results by Group 1 Auto Inc.
(GPI) and Sonic Automotive Inc. (SAH) come as auto manufacturers
and individual car dealers struggle with the worst sales
environment since World War II.
Auto Nation Inc. (AN), the nation's largest dealer chain,
reports earnings results on Thursday. The company, which was
profitable in the second quarter, is expected by analysts to again
make money. A profitable quarter also is anticipated from Penske
Automotive Group, Inc. (PAG), which reports Friday.
Dealership chains are racing to slash costs, reduce inventory
and restructure debt. Unlike auto manufacturers, retailers have the
advantage of used-vehicle sales and profitable parts and service
departments, which continue to perform when the new vehicle market
slumps.
Group 1 reported third-quarter earnings of $18.3 million,
compared with a prior-year loss of $21.8 million. Sonic reported a
$15.6 million profit compared to a $27 million year-ago loss.
Both companies also benefited from the federal government's
"Cash for Clunkers" program and from tax gains that compared
favorably from a year ago. "We're starting to run a much leaner
operation," said Group 1 Chief Executive Earl Hesterberg. "With the
cost reductions, any sales increase has an immediate and noticeable
benefit."
Group 1, the nation's fourth-largest retailer by revenue, saw
revenue fall 13% from a year ago.
The loss was offset by cost reductions - $113 million fewer
expenses from the year-ago quarter - and debt restructuring that
reduced non-floorplan debt by $112 million. The retailer sold 4,874
under the Clunkers program, which offered buyers cash to trade in
old vehicles for newer, more fuel-efficient ones.
Sonic, meantime, avoided losses despite a 6% decline in sales
revenue driven by a 12% decline in new vehicle sales. The retailer
cut said it remains on track to reducing fixed costs by $85 million
and overall annual expenditures by $135 million.
Executives at both Sonic and Group 1 said they expect to see
some recovery of the U.S. auto market but likely not until 2010.
U.S. auto sales tumbled 23% in September from a year ago and are
down 27% year-to-date.
Auto makers are scheduled to release October sales results on
Nov. 3.
Auto-retailer shares were down in recent trading. Group 1 slid
11% to $29.43, Sonic was down 14% to $10.71. Auto Nation slid 5% to
$18.97 and Penske was down 8% to $16.64.
-By Sharon Terlep, Dow Jones Newswires; 248-204-5532;
sharon.terlep@dowjones.com.