Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE REPORTS 49 PERCENT INCREASE IN FIRST-QUARTER PROFITS

PARTS AND SERVICE BUSINESS REMAINS STRONG

HOUSTON, April 26, 2011 — Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI), a Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today reported a first-quarter adjusted net income increase of 48.5 percent to $15.5 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, for the quarter ended March 31.

On a GAAP basis (see attached reconciliation for reported adjustments), including $0.1 million of net after-tax adjustments, first-quarter net income was $15.4 million, or $0.66 per diluted share.

Total company revenues for the quarter increased 18.3 percent to $1.4 billion, primarily driven by higher new vehicle sales. Gross profit grew 8.4 percent to $221.8 million, reflecting increases in all business segments. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense as a percent of gross profit improved 210 basis points to 79.3 percent, as the company continued to leverage its reduced cost structure.

First-Quarter Operating Highlights

•		New vehicle revenues increased 21.5 percent on a 19.7 percent increase in unit sales.
•		Used vehicle revenues were 19.6 percent higher.
•		Parts and service revenues increased 5.1 percent.
•		Retail new vehicle and used vehicle gross profit increased 8.6 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively.
•		Retail used vehicle gross margin expanded 70 basis points sequentially to 8.9 percent.
•		Finance and insurance gross profit per retail unit increased $16 to $1,068.
•		Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense as a percent of revenues improved 150 basis points, to 12.5 percent.

“These results demonstrate our continuing focus on growing top-line revenues in all business segments while leveraging our improved cost structure,” said Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1’s president and chief executive officer.

Japan Supply Update

“Everyone at Group 1 would like to extend our sympathies to the victims and their families of March’s earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan,” said Hesterberg. “Our thoughts are with those who suffered losses in this disaster.

“Group 1 anticipates some near-term impact to new car deliveries and sales in the coming months. Although the manufacturers are working diligently to assess the situation, it is still too early to determine the severity or length of the production disruptions. We do know that the major issues relate to Japanese brands and there is a probability of a 30 percent to 50 percent reduction of deliveries of some Japanese models this summer. Group 1 had adequate new vehicle inventory at March 31, with 51 days’ of total supply on hand and 50 days’ supply of our Japanese brands. If deliveries are reduced to the extent mentioned above, it is likely that inventory levels will constrain sales for the second quarter and possibly third quarter. Fortunately, we know how to manage the business in a low-inventory environment, particularly with the import brands, as those inventories have historically been in very short supply from time to time during the last 10 years. For stores that could be impacted by limited new vehicle inventory, we are adjusting advertising and other expenses, and expect to achieve higher new vehicle gross margins in the coming months. Although there have been a few replacement

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

parts where orders are being filled on a ‘need’ basis, there has not been an impact on our parts and service business. During the coming months, we will continue to monitor the situation and will shift more of our focus to our higher-margin used vehicle and parts-and-service businesses, which account for more than 65 percent of our total gross profit.”

Corporate Development Update

As previously announced, Group 1 has acquired Ford, Volkswagen, BMW and MINI franchises in 2011 that are expected to generate $150.0 million in total estimated annualized revenues.

First-Quarter Earnings Conference Call

Group 1’s senior management will host a conference call today at 10 a.m. ET to discuss the first-quarter financial results and the company’s outlook and strategy.

The conference call will be simulcast live on the Internet at www.group1auto.com, then click on ‘Investor Relations’ and then ‘Events’ or through this link: http://www.group1corp.com/news/events.aspx. A replay will be available for 30 days.

The conference call will also be available live by dialing in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call at:

Domestic: 888.329.8905
International: 719.325.2461
Participant Passcode: 3356291

A telephonic replay will be available following the call through May 3 by dialing:

Domestic: 888.203.1112
International: 719.457.0820
Replay Passcode: 3356291

About Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Group 1 owns and operates 103 automotive dealerships, 133 franchises, and 27 collision service centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 30 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships, the company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related financing, vehicle service and insurance contracts; provides maintenance and repair services; and sells replacement parts.

Group 1 Automotive can be reached on the Internet at www.group1auto.com.

This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” which are statements related to future, not past, events and are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. In this context, the forward-looking statements often include statements regarding our goals, plans, projections and guidance regarding our financial position, results of operations, market position, pending and potential future acquisitions and business strategy, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “may” or “will” and similar expressions. Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, (a) general economic and business conditions, (b) the level of manufacturer incentives, (c) the future regulatory environment, (d) our ability to obtain an inventory of desirable new and used vehicles, (e) our relationship with our automobile manufacturers and the willingness of manufacturers to approve future acquisitions, (f) our cost of financing and the availability of credit for consumers, (g) our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions and the risks associated therewith, (h) foreign exchange controls and currency fluctuations, and (i) our ability to retain key personnel. These factors, as well as additional factors that could affect our forward-looking statements, are described in our Form 10-K under the headings “Business—Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We urge you to carefully consider this information. We undertake no duty to update our forward-looking statements, including our earnings outlook, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

FINANCIAL TABLES TO FOLLOW

SOURCE: Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Investor contacts:
Kim Paper Canning
Manager, Investor Relations
Group 1 Automotive Inc.
713-647-5741 | kpaper@group1auto.com

Media contacts:
Pete DeLongchamps
VP, Manufacturer Relations and
Public Affairs
Group 1 Automotive Inc.
713-647-5770 | pdelongchamps@group1auto.com
or
Clint Woods
Pierpont Communications, Inc.
713-627-2223 | cwoods@piercom.com

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2011				2010				% Change
REVENUES:
New vehicle retail sales		$	784,714			$	646,121				21.5	%
Used vehicle retail sales			323,447				279,609				15.7
Used vehicle wholesale sales			61,951				42,512				45.7
Parts and service			194,950				185,435				5.1
Finance and insurance			44,240				37,476				18.0
Total revenues			1,409,302				1,191,153				18.3
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle retail sales			741,942				606,747				22.3
Used vehicle retail sales			294,547				253,172				16.3
Used vehicle wholesale sales			59,457				40,849				45.6
Parts and service			91,581				85,864				6.7
Total cost of sales			1,187,527				986,632				20.4
GROSS PROFIT			221,775				204,521				8.4
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES			175,884				166,406				5.7
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE			6,455				6,485				(0.5	)
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS			222				—				100.0
OPERATING INCOME			39,214				31,630				24.0
OTHER EXPENSE:
Floorplan interest expense			(6,760	)			(7,566	)			(10.7	)
Other interest expense, net			(7,942	)			(7,104	)			11.8
Loss on redemption of long-term debt			—				(3,872	)			(100.0	)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			24,512				13,088				87.3
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES			(9,150	)			(5,107	)			79.2
NET INCOME		$	15,362			$	7,981				92.5	%
DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE		$	0.66			$	0.34				94.1	%
Weighted average dilutive shares outstanding			23,264				23,688				(1.8)	%

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)

		March 31,				December 31,
		2011				2010				% Change
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS:
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	44,804			$	19,843				125.8	%
Contracts in transit and vehicle receivables, net			117,593				113,846				3.3
Accounts and notes receivable, net			68,428				75,623				(9.5	)
Inventories			784,142				777,771				0.8
Deferred income taxes			15,517				14,819				4.7
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			10,541				17,332				(39.2	)
Total current assets			1,041,025				1,019,234				2.1
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net			539,922				506,288				6.6
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS			669,120				666,656				0.4
OTHER ASSETS			9,843				9,786				0.6
Total assets		$	2,259,910			$	2,201,964				2.6	%
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility		$	689,037			$	690,051				(0.1)	%
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable — credit facility			(107,718	)			(129,211	)			(16.6	)
Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates			102,810				103,345				(0.5	)
Current maturities of mortgage facility			42,600				42,600				—
Current maturities of long-term debt			10,482				10,589				(1.0	)
Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities			709				1,098				(35.4	)
Accounts payable			99,752				92,799				7.5
Accrued expenses			87,668				83,663				4.8
Total current liabilities			925,340				894,934				3.4
2.25% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES (aggregate principal of $182,753 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010)			139,814				138,155				1.2
3.00% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES (aggregate principal of $115,000 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010)			75,099				74,365				1.0
OTHER REAL ESTATE RELATED AND LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities			160,175				161,611				(0.9	)
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO REAL ESTATE, net of current maturities			38,442				38,819				(1.0	)
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES			67,661				58,970				14.7
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES			14,630				16,426				(10.9	)
OTHER LIABILITIES			32,274				31,036				4.0
DEFERRED REVENUES			2,779				3,280				(15.3	)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock			263				261				0.8
Additional paid-in capital			365,294				363,966				0.4
Retained earnings			532,586				519,843				2.5
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(15,618	)			(18,755	)			(16.7	)
Treasury stock			(78,829	)			(80,947	)			(2.6	)
Total stockholders’ equity			803,696				784,368				2.5
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	2,259,910			$	2,201,964				2.6	%

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Adjusted Cash Flows from Operating Activities
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2011				2010				% Change
Net income		$	15,362			$	7,981				92.5	%
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Asset impairments			222				—				100.0
Depreciation and amortization			6,455				6,485				(0.5	)
Deferred income taxes			7,048				4,330				62.8
Loss on redemption of long-term debt			—				3,872				(100.0	)
Stock-based compensation			2,744				2,697				1.7
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs			2,878				1,635				76.0
Other			(173	)			349				(149.6	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			10,436				22,960				(54.5	)
Accounts and notes receivable			7,278				(3,091	)			335.5
Inventories			5,736				(48,234	)			111.9
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables			(3,623	)			(19,097	)			(81.0	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			1,397				1,622				(13.9	)
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility			(1,014	)			67,547				(101.5	)
Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates			(804	)			(693	)			16.0
Deferred revenues			(501	)			(898	)			(44.2	)
Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities		$	53,441			$	47,465				12.6	%

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Additional Information — Consolidated
(Unaudited)

						Three Months Ended
						March 31,
						2011				2010
NEW VEHICLE UNIT SALES GEOGRAPHIC MIX:
Region		Geographic Market
Eastern		Massachusetts					12.9	%			15.3	%
		New Jersey					5.9				6.5
		Georgia					4.0				3.7
		New Hampshire					3.4				4.6
		New York					3.3				3.7
		Louisiana					3.1				2.9
		Mississippi					2.1				1.9
		South Carolina					1.6				0.3
		Alabama					1.2				1.4
		Maryland					0.7				0.7
		Florida					0.6				1.9
							38.8				42.9
Central		Texas					31.8				30.9
		Oklahoma					8.1				7.7
		Kansas					0.9				0.9
							40.8				39.5
Western		California					15.3				13.8
International		United Kingdom					5.1				3.8
							100.0	%			100.0	%
NEW VEHICLE UNIT SALES BRAND MIX:
Toyota/Scion/Lexus							34.5	%			34.8	%
Nissan/Infiniti							14.1				15.8
Honda/Acura							12.8				12.6
BMW/Mini							11.7				10.4
Ford							7.1				8.6
Mercedes-Benz							5.3				5.6
GM							4.7				3.6
Chrysler							3.6				2.8
Other							6.2				5.8
							100.0	%			100.0	%
NEW VEHICLE UNIT SALES OTHER MIX:
Import							58.6	%			58.5	%
Luxury							26.1				26.9
Domestic							15.3				14.6
							100.0	%			100.0	%
Car							56.1	%			57.7	%
Truck							43.9				42.3
							100.0	%			100.0	%

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Additional Information — Consolidated
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2011				2010				% Change
REVENUES:
New vehicle retail sales		$	784,714			$	646,121				21.5	%
Used vehicle retail sales			323,447				279,609				15.7
Used vehicle wholesale sales			61,951				42,512				45.7
Total used			385,398				322,121				19.6
Parts and service			194,950				185,435				5.1
Finance and insurance			44,240				37,476				18.0
Total		$	1,409,302			$	1,191,153				18.3	%
GROSS MARGIN:
New vehicle retail sales			5.5	%			6.1	%
Used vehicle retail sales			8.9				9.5
Used vehicle wholesale sales			4.0				3.9
Total used			8.1				8.7
Parts and service			53.0				53.7
Finance and insurance			100.0				100.0
Total			15.7	%			17.2	%
GROSS PROFIT:
New vehicle retail sales		$	42,772			$	39,374				8.6	%
Used vehicle retail sales			28,900				26,437				9.3
Used vehicle wholesale sales			2,494				1,663				50.0
Total used			31,394				28,100				11.7
Parts and service			103,369				99,571				3.8
Finance and insurance			44,240				37,476				18.0
Total		$	221,775			$	204,521				8.4	%
UNITS SOLD:
Retail new vehicles sold			24,704				20,631				19.7	%
Retail used vehicles sold			16,730				14,993				11.6
Wholesale used vehicles sold			9,055				6,716				34.8
Total used			25,785				21,709				18.8	%
GROSS PROFIT PER UNIT SOLD:
New vehicle retail sales		$	1,731			$	1,908				(9.3)	%
Used vehicle retail sales			1,727				1,763				(2.0	)
Used vehicle wholesale sales			275				248				10.9
Total used			1,218				1,294				(5.9	)
Finance and insurance (per retail unit)		$	1,068			$	1,052				1.5	%
OTHER:
SG&A expenses		$	175,884			$	166,406				5.7	%
SG&A as % revenues			12.5	%			14.0	%
SG&A as % gross profit			79.3	%			81.4	%
Operating margin (1)			2.8	%			2.7	%
Pretax margin (1)			1.8	%			1.4	%
FLOORPLAN EXPENSE:
Floorplan interest		$	(6,760	)		$	(7,566	)			(10.7)	%
Floorplan assistance			6,210				5,235				18.6
Net floorplan expense		$	(550	)		$	(2,331	)			(76.4)	%

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Additional Information — Same Store⁽¹⁾
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2011				2010				% Change
REVENUES:
New vehicle retail sales		$	762,565			$	634,385				20.2	%
Used vehicle retail sales			310,963				276,489				12.5
Used vehicle wholesale sales			59,167				41,827				41.5
Total used			370,130				318,316				16.3
Parts and service			188,777				181,087				4.2
Finance and insurance			43,503				36,873				18.0
Total		$	1,364,975			$	1,170,661				16.6	%
GROSS MARGIN:
New vehicle retail sales			5.5	%			6.1	%
Used vehicle retail sales			9.0				9.5
Used vehicle wholesale sales			4.2				4.0
Total used			8.3				8.8
Parts and service			53.4				53.9
Finance and insurance			100.0				100.0
Total			15.9	%			17.2	%
GROSS PROFIT:
New vehicle retail sales		$	41,667			$	38,644				7.8	%
Used vehicle retail sales			28,083				26,202				7.2
Used vehicle wholesale sales			2,478				1,653				49.9
Total used			30,561				27,855				9.7
Parts and service			100,724				97,531				3.3
Finance and insurance			43,503				36,873				18.0
Total		$	216,455			$	200,903				7.7	%
UNITS SOLD:
Retail new vehicles sold			23,968				20,285				18.2	%
Retail used vehicles sold			16,154				14,796				9.2
Wholesale used vehicles sold			8,685				6,619				31.2
Total used			24,839				21,415				16.0	%
GROSS PROFIT PER UNIT SOLD:
New vehicle retail sales		$	1,738			$	1,905				(8.8)	%
Used vehicle retail sales			1,738				1,771				(1.9	)
Used vehicle wholesale sales			285				250				14.0
Total used			1,230				1,301				(5.5	)
Finance and insurance (per retail unit)		$	1,084			$	1,051				3.1	%
OTHER:
SG&A expenses		$	170,416			$	161,861				5.3	%
SG&A as % revenues			12.5	%			13.8	%
SG&A as % gross profit			78.7	%			80.6	%
Operating margin			2.9	%			2.8	%
FLOORPLAN EXPENSE:
Floorplan interest		$	(6,626	)		$	(7,428	)			(10.8)	%
Floorplan assistance			6,142				5,096				20.5
Net floorplan expense		$	(484	)		$	(2,332	)			(79.2)	%

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2011				2010				% Change
NET INCOME RECONCILIATION:
As reported		$	15,362			$	7,981				92.5	%
After-tax Adjustments:
Non-Cash asset impairment charges (2)			140				—
Loss on debt redemption (3)			—				2,458
Adjusted net income (1)		$	15,502			$	10,439				48.5	%
DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE RECONCILIATION:
As reported		$	0.66			$	0.34				94.1	%
After-tax Adjustments:
Non-Cash asset impairment charges			0.01				—
Loss on debt redemption			—				0.10
Adjusted diluted income per share (1)		$	0.67			$	0.44				52.3	%
OPERATING MARGIN:
Unadjusted			2.8	%			2.7	%
Adjusted (1), (4)			2.8	%			2.7	%
PRETAX MARGIN:
Unadjusted			1.7	%			1.1	%
Adjusted (1), (5)			1.8	%			1.4	%

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2011				2010				% Change
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES RECONCILIATION:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	54,455			$	(20,082	)			371.2	%
Change in floorplan notes payable-credit facility, excluding floorplan offset account			(1,014	)			67,547
Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities (1)		$	53,441			$	47,465				12.6	%