Exhibit 99.1

        Group 1 Automotive Mourns Loss of Operations Executive

    HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2003--Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
(NYSE:GPI), a Fortune 500 specialty retailer, today announced that
John S. Bishop, senior vice president, operations died in a boating
accident over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
    Bishop, 56, joined Group 1 in September 1998 after a distinguished
25-year career in the automobile industry working with manufacturers
and distributors. Before joining Group 1, he spent 17 years in a
variety of management positions with Houston-based Gulf States Toyota,
an independent distributor of Toyota vehicles, parts and accessories.
Previously, he spent a combined eight years with Ford Motor Company
and Chrysler Corporation.
    B.B. Hollingsworth Jr., Group 1's chairman, president and chief
executive officer, said, "John was a man of impeccable integrity and
an important member of our management team. His experience and
reputation in our industry were well-known and his contributions to
Group 1 were considerable. Our thoughts and prayers are with his
family."
    John Bishop is survived by Charlotte, his wife of 26 years, sons,
Jamie and Hunter, and a daughter, Lauren.
    A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003
at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Freeway in Houston.

    About Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

    Group 1 currently owns 74 automotive dealerships comprised of 116
franchises, 30 brands, and 27 collision service centers located in
California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New
Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Through its dealerships and Internet
sites, 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

    CONTACT: At Group 1:
             B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr., 713-647-5700
             or
             Scott L. Thompson, 713-647-5700
             or
             Kim Paper, 713-647-5700
             or
             At Fleishman-Hillard:
             Investors/Media
             Russell A. Johnson, 713-513-9515