Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Group 1 Automotive Reports Record Profits For First Quarter 2012

HOUSTON, April 26, 2012 — Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI), a Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today reported record first-quarter 2012 net income of $23.1 million, a 49.1 percent increase, and record first-quarter diluted earnings per common share of $0.97, a 51.6 percent increase, on a year-over-year comparable basis for the period ended March 31, 2012.

First-Quarter 2012 Highlights

• Total revenues of $1.66 billion were the best reported first quarter and second-best all-time quarter in the history of the company.

• Total gross margin was 15.6 percent, as gross profit grew 17.4 percent from the prior year to an all-time record of $260.4 million.

• New vehicle gross profit increased 23.5 percent on 16.3 percent higher revenues, as the company retailed 13.1 percent more units and the average selling price expanded 2.9 percent, to $32,674.

• Retail used vehicle unit sales surged 24.0 percent and the average selling price increased 3.4 percent, to $20,000, driving gross profit growth of 25.9 percent on 28.3 percent higher revenues.

• Parts and service revenues increased 9.3 percent from the prior year, reflecting continued growth in customer-pay, wholesale parts and collision businesses.

• Finance and insurance gross profit per retail unit of $1,175 was also a record first-quarter result.

• Further demonstrating the improving cost leverage, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of gross profit improved 280 basis points, to 76.5 percent, from the prior-year period.

• Operating margin expanded to 3.2 percent, a 40 basis-point improvement from the prior-year period.

“Group 1’s strong, first-quarter operating and financial results included record-setting revenues, gross profit and earnings for our shareholders,” said Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1’s president and chief executive officer. “In addition, I am delighted with our operating margin expansion, which reflects the improvements and efficiencies we have implemented during the last several years. Based on the first-quarter results, we now expect new vehicle industry sales of 14.5 million units in 2012.”

Corporate Development Recap

As previously announced during the first quarter, Group 1 added three franchises to its portfolio including Volkswagen, BMW and Hyundai franchises that are expected to add $143.5 million in annual 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: 1.877.317.6789

International: 1.412.317.6789

Conference ID: 10012655

A telephonic replay will be available following the call through May 11 at 9 a.m. ET by dialing:

Domestic: 1.877.344.7529

International: 1.412.317.0088

Conference ID: 10012655

About Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Group 1 owns and operates 112 automotive dealerships, 144 franchises, and 28 collision centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 31 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships, the company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing, service and insurance contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.

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

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, 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,” “should,” “foresee,” “may” or “will” and similar expressions. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. 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. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE: 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

V.P. Financial Services and Manufacturer Relations

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,
	2012			2011			% Change
REVENUES:
New vehicle retail sales	$	912,595		$	784,714			16.3
Used vehicle retail sales		414,974			323,447			28.3
Used vehicle wholesale sales		66,857			61,951			7.9
Parts and service		213,101			194,950			9.3
Finance and insurance		57,218			44,240			29.3
Total revenues		1,664,745			1,409,302			18.1
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle retail sales		859,775			741,942			15.9
Used vehicle retail sales		378,577			294,547			28.5
Used vehicle wholesale sales		64,153			59,457			7.9
Parts and service		101,816			91,581			11.2
Total cost of sales		1,404,321			1,187,527			18.3
GROSS PROFIT		260,424			221,775			17.4
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES		199,112			175,884			13.2
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE		7,236			6,455			12.1
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS		101			222			(54.5	)
OPERATING INCOME		53,975			39,214			37.6
OTHER EXPENSE:
Floorplan interest expense		(7,619	)		(6,760	)		12.7
Other interest expense, net		(9,040	)		(7,942	)		13.8
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		37,316			24,512			52.2
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		(14,199	)		(9,150	)		55.2
NET INCOME	$	23,117		$	15,362			50.5
DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE	$	0.97		$	0.64			51.6
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding		22,532			22,736			(0.9	)
Weighted average participating securities		1,209			1,450			(16.6	)
Total weighted average shares outstanding		23,741			24,186			(1.8	)

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands)

	March 31, 2012			December 31, 2011			% Change
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS:
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,316		$	14,895			43.1
Contracts in transit and vehicle receivables, net		149,606			167,507			(10.7	)
Accounts and notes receivable, net		85,724			92,775			(7.6	)
Inventories, net		966,209			867,470			11.4
Deferred income taxes		18,275			16,012			14.1
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		10,112			16,925			(40.3	)
Total current assets		1,251,242			1,175,584			6.4
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net		604,831			585,633			3.3
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS		729,116			702,145			3.8
OTHER ASSETS		14,635			12,981			12.7
Total assets	$	2,599,824		$	2,476,343			5.0
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floorplan notes payable - credit facility	$	800,976		$	718,945			11.4
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility		(110,998	)		(109,207	)		1.6
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates		154,580			155,980			(0.9	)
Current maturities of long-term debt		15,616			14,663			6.5
Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities		4,719			7,273			(35.1	)
Accounts payable		144,128			148,048			(2.6	)
Accrued expenses		113,060			109,245			3.5
Total current liabilities		1,122,081			1,044,947			7.4
2.25% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES (aggregate principal of $182,753 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)		146,777			144,985			1.2
3.00% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES (aggregate principal of $115,000 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011)		78,201			77,401			1.0
MORTGAGE FACILITY, net of current maturities		42,140			38,873			8.4
OTHER REAL ESTATE RELATED AND LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities		191,096			184,237			3.7
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO REAL ESTATE, net of current maturities		36,531			37,105			(1.5	)
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES		83,465			78,459			6.4
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES		27,075			26,766			1.2
OTHER LIABILITIES		38,613			36,470			5.9
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
TEMPORARY EQUITY - REDEEMABLE EQUITY PORTION OF THE 3.00% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES		34,880			—			100.0
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock		261			260			0.4
Additional paid-in capital		330,533			363,375			(9.0	)
Retained earnings		610,986			591,037			3.4
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(26,436	)		(29,236	)		(9.6	)
Treasury stock		(116,379	)		(118,336	)		(1.7	)
Total stockholders’ equity		798,965			807,100			(1.0	)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,599,824		$	2,476,343			5.0

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Adjusted Cash Flows from Operating Activities

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011			% Change
Net income	$	23,117		$	15,362			50.5
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Asset impairments		101			222			(54.5	)
Depreciation and amortization		7,236			6,455			12.1
Deferred income taxes		3,063			7,048			(56.5	)
Gain on disposition of assets and franchise		(8	)		—			100.0
Stock-based compensation		2,894			2,744			5.5
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs		3,170			2,878			10.1
Other		(71	)		(173	)		(59.0	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		7,838			10,436			(24.9	)
Accounts and notes receivable		7,139			7,278			(1.9	)
Inventories		(84,600	)		5,736			(1,574.9	)
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables		18,046			(3,623	)		598.1
Prepaid expenses and other assets		4,452			1,397			218.7
Floorplan notes payable - credit facility (1)		72,363			(3,564	)		2,130.4
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates (2)		(1,654	)		(4,962	)		(66.7	)
Deferred revenues		(173	)		(501	)		(65.5	)
Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities	$	62,913		$	46,733			34.6

⁽¹⁾  Excludes net acquisition/(disposition) related activity of $9,669 for the three months ended March 31, 2012, and $2,550 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

⁽²⁾  Excludes net acquisition/(disposition) related activity of $4,158 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Additional Information - Consolidated

(Unaudited)

			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2012 (%)		2011 (%)
NEW VEHICLE UNIT SALES GEOGRAPHIC MIX:
	Region	Geographic Market
	East	Massachusetts		10.6		12.9
		New Jersey		5.1		5.9
		New York		3.4		3.3
		Georgia		3.4		4.0
		New Hampshire		2.8		3.4
		Louisiana		2.8		3.1
		Mississippi		2.2		2.1
		South Carolina		1.7		1.6
		Alabama		1.1		1.2
		Maryland		0.7		0.7
		Florida		0.7		0.6
				34.5		38.8
	West	Texas		38.0		31.8
		California		14.6		15.3
		Oklahoma		7.7		8.1
		Kansas		1.1		0.9
				61.4		56.1
	International	United Kingdom		4.1		5.1
				100.0		100.0
NEW VEHICLE UNIT SALES BRAND MIX:
	Toyota/Scion/Lexus			30.7		34.5
	Nissan/Infiniti			13.1		14.1
	Honda/Acura			10.9		12.8
	BMW/MINI			10.8		11.7
	Ford			10.3		7.1
	GM			6.2		4.7
	Daimler			4.7		5.3
	Chrysler			4.5		3.6
	Volkswagen/Audi/Porsche			4.0		1.7
	Other			4.8		4.5
				100.0		100.0
NEW VEHICLE UNIT SALES OTHER MIX:
	Import			55.8		58.5
	Luxury			24.1		26.2
	Domestic			20.1		15.3
				100.0		100.0
	Car			55.9		56.1
	Truck			44.1		43.9
				100.0		100.0

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Additional Information - Consolidated

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011			% Change
REVENUES:
New vehicle retail sales	$	912,595		$	784,714			16.3
Used vehicle retail sales		414,974			323,447			28.3
Used vehicle wholesale sales		66,857			61,951			7.9
Total used		481,831			385,398			25.0
Parts and service		213,101			194,950			9.3
Finance and insurance		57,218			44,240			29.3
Total	$	1,664,745		$	1,409,302			18.1
GROSS MARGIN %:
New vehicle retail sales		5.8			5.5
Used vehicle retail sales		8.8			8.9
Used vehicle wholesale sales		4.0			4.0
Total used		8.1			8.1
Parts and service		52.2			53.0
Finance and insurance		100.0			100.0
Total		15.6			15.7
GROSS PROFIT:
New vehicle retail sales	$	52,820		$	42,772			23.5
Used vehicle retail sales		36,397			28,900			25.9
Used vehicle wholesale sales		2,704			2,494			8.4
Total used		39,101			31,394			24.5
Parts and service		111,285			103,369			7.7
Finance and insurance		57,218			44,240			29.3
Total	$	260,424		$	221,775			17.4
UNITS SOLD:
Retail new vehicles sold		27,930			24,704			13.1
Retail used vehicles sold		20,749			16,730			24.0
Wholesale used vehicles sold		9,994			9,055			10.4
Total used		30,743			25,785			19.2
AVERAGE RETAIL SALES PRICE:
New vehicle retail	$	32,674		$	31,764			2.9
Used vehicle retail	$	20,000		$	19,334			3.4
GROSS PROFIT PER UNIT SOLD:
New vehicle retail sales	$	1,891		$	1,731			9.2
Used vehicle retail sales		1,754			1,727			1.6
Used vehicle wholesale sales		271			275			(1.5	)
Total used		1,272			1,218			4.4
Finance and insurance (per retail unit)	$	1,175		$	1,068			10.0
OTHER:
SG&A expenses	$	199,112		$	175,884			13.2
SG&A as % revenues		12.0			12.5
SG&A as % gross profit		76.5			79.3
Operating margin % (1)		3.2			2.8
Pretax margin % (1)		2.2			1.8
FLOORPLAN EXPENSE:
Floorplan interest	$	(7,619	)	$	(6,760	)		12.7
Floorplan assistance		7,414			6,210			19.4
Net floorplan expense	$	(205	)	$	(550	)		(62.7	)

⁽¹⁾  These amounts have been adjusted to exclude the impact of certain items to provide additional information regarding the performance of our operations and improve period-to-period comparability. Refer to our Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures for a description of the aforementioned adjustments.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Additional Information - Same Store⁽¹⁾

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011			% Change
REVENUES:
New vehicle retail sales	$	840,731		$	783,652			7.3
Used vehicle retail sales		385,501			323,044			19.3
Used vehicle wholesale sales		61,215			61,936			(1.2	)
Total used		446,716			384,980			16.0
Parts and service		198,536			194,075			2.3
Finance and insurance		53,212			44,193			20.4
Total	$	1,539,195		$	1,406,900			9.4
GROSS MARGIN %:
New vehicle retail sales		5.8			5.4
Used vehicle retail sales		8.7			8.9
Used vehicle wholesale sales		4.1			4.0
Total used		8.0			8.1
Parts and service		52.6			53.1
Finance and insurance		100.0			100.0
Total		15.7			15.7
GROSS PROFIT:
New vehicle retail sales	$	48,765		$	42,682			14.3
Used vehicle retail sales		33,405			28,853			15.8
Used vehicle wholesale sales		2,485			2,491			(0.2	)
Total used		35,890			31,344			14.5
Parts and service		104,350			103,099			1.2
Finance and insurance		53,212			44,193			20.4
Total	$	242,217		$	221,318			9.4
UNITS SOLD:
Retail new vehicles sold		25,792			24,660			4.6
Retail used vehicles sold		19,280			16,705			15.4
Wholesale used vehicles sold		9,213			9,051			1.8
Total used		28,493			25,756			10.6
AVERAGE RETAIL SALES PRICE:
New vehicle retail	$	32,597		$	31,779			2.6
Used vehicle retail	$	19,995		$	19,338			3.4
GROSS PROFIT PER UNIT SOLD:
New vehicle retail sales	$	1,891		$	1,731			9.2
Used vehicle retail sales		1,733			1,727			0.3
Used vehicle wholesale sales		270			275			(1.8	)
Total used		1,260			1,217			3.5
Finance and insurance (per retail unit)	$	1,181		$	1,068			10.6
OTHER:
SG&A expenses	$	185,277		$	175,511			5.6
SG&A as % revenues		12.0			12.5
SG&A as % gross profit		76.5			79.3
Operating margin % (2)		3.2			2.8
FLOORPLAN EXPENSE:
Floorplan interest	$	(7,002	)	$	(6,751	)		3.7
Floorplan assistance		6,646			6,200			7.2
Net floorplan expense	$	(356	)	$	(551	)		(35.4	)

⁽¹⁾  Same store amounts include the results for the identical months in each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the first full month we owned the dealership and, in the case of dispositions, ending with the last full month we owned it. Same store results also include the activities of our corporate office.

⁽²⁾  These amounts have been adjusted to exclude the impact of certain items to provide additional information regarding the performance of our operations and improve period-to-period comparability. Refer to our Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures for a description of the aforementioned adjustments.

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011			% Change
NET INCOME RECONCILIATION:
As reported	$	23,117		$	15,362			50.5
After-tax Adjustments:
Non-cash asset impairment charges (2)		—			140
Adjusted net income (1)	$	23,117		$	15,502			49.1
ADJUSTED NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO DILUTED COMMON SHARES RECONCILIATION:
Adjusted net income	$	23,117		$	15,502			49.1
Less: Adjusted earnings allocated to participating securities		1,165			920			26.6
Adjusted net income available to diluted common shares	$	21,952		$	14,582			50.5
DILUTED INCOME PER COMMON SHARE RECONCILIATION:
As reported	$	0.97		$	0.64			51.6
After-tax Adjustments:
Non-cash asset impairment charges		—			—
Adjusted diluted income per share (1)	$	0.97		$	0.64			51.6
OPERATING MARGIN %:
Unadjusted		3.2			2.8
Adjusted (1), (3)		3.2			2.8
PRETAX MARGIN %:
Unadjusted		2.2			1.7
Adjusted (1), (3)		2.2			1.8
SAME STORE OPERATING MARGIN %:
Unadjusted		3.2			2.8
Adjusted (1), (4)		3.2			2.8
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2012			2011			% Change
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
RECONCILIATION:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(9,450	)	$	54,455			(117.4	)
Change in floorplan notes payable-credit facility, excluding floorplan offset account and net acquisition and disposition related activity		72,363			(3,564	)
Change in floorplan notes payable-manufacturer affiliates associated with net acquisition and disposition related activity		—			(4,158	)
Adjusted net cash provided by operating activities (1)	$	62,913		$	46,733			34.6

⁽¹⁾  We believe that these adjusted financial measures are relevant and useful to investors because they provide additional information regarding the performance of our operations and improve period-to-period comparability. These measures are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. Accordingly, they should not be considered as substitutes for their unadjusted counterparts, which are prepared in accordance with GAAP. Although we find these non-GAAP results useful in evaluating the performance of our business, our reliance on these measures is limited because the adjustments often have a material impact on our financial statements calculated in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, we typically use these adjusted numbers in conjunction with our GAAP results to address these limitations.

⁽²⁾  Adjustment is net of tax benefit of $82 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and is calculated utilizing the applicable federal and state tax rates for the adjustment.

⁽³⁾  Excludes the impact of non-cash asset impairment charges.

⁽⁴⁾  Excludes the impact of Same Store non-cash asset impairment charges of $178 for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Adjusted Same Store operating income was $39,387 for the three months ended March 31, 2011.