Sonic might drive into ‘Motor Mile’ in Waco

​​​WACO - North Carolina-based Sonic Automotive, which has become one of the largest car companies in the nation, will place one of its EchoPark used-car stores in Waco, according to a trade magazine that cites the company’s interest in Waco.

Sonic reportedly has acquired a ten-acre site near West Loop 340 on the stretch known as Waco’s “Motor Mile” because of the number of car dealerships there. 

Sonic hopes to build an EchoPark used-car superstore on that site as it proceeds with its surge into Texas that may include five to seven stores in Dallas, one or two in Austin and four to six in San Antonio.

Local spending on new and used cars continues to soar, with sales through May totaling $244 million, a 14 percent increase over the $214 million during the first five months of last year, according to Amarillo-based economist Karr Ingham, who prepares a monthly snapshot of local trends.