Group 1 Automotive Elects Board Members

                  Adams, Bidwell to Serve Additional Terms;
                   Watson, Whalen Elected as New Directors

    HOUSTON, May 23 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. , a
Fortune 500 company in the automotive retailing industry, announced it has
expanded its board of directors to eight members, electing two existing and
two new directors.  The election was held at the company's annual
stockholders' meeting today.
    John L. Adams, 56, has served as a director of Group 1 since November 1999
and has been re-elected to a three-year term.  He is currently executive vice
president of Trinity Industries, Inc., one of North America's largest
manufacturers of transportation, construction and industrial products.  Before
joining Trinity Industries, Adams spent 25 years with Chase Texas and its
predecessor, Chase Bank of Texas, National Association, where he held various
notable positions including chairman, president and chief executive officer.
    Bennett E. Bidwell, 73, was elected a director of Group 1 in June 1997 and
has been re-elected to a two-year term.  He joined Chrysler Motors Corporation
in 1983, where he held various senior positions and served on the board of
directors.  Bidwell retired as Chrysler's chairman in 1990.  Prior to joining
Chrysler, he spent 27 years with Ford Motor Company, and was president and
chief operating officer of The Hertz Corporation.
    Max P. Watson, Jr., 55, is a new member of Group 1's board.  He is
currently an advisor of BMC Software, Inc., one of the world's largest
independent software vendors, having served as the chairman, president and
chief executive officer in addition to other roles during his tenure.  Prior
to joining BMC Software in 1985, Watson held various positions at Wang
Laboratories and IBM.
    Kevin H. Whalen, 42, is also a new director.  He was a founding member of
Group 1 and is president/chief operating officer for the McCall Auto Group,
one of Group 1's largest dealership operations.  The Houston-based McCall Auto
Group includes the nation's second-largest Toyota dealership.
    Both Watson and Whalen will serve three-year terms as directors.
    "I am very pleased that Ben and John have been re-elected to the board and
on behalf of Group 1, I welcome Max and Kevin as new directors," stated B.B.
Hollingsworth Jr., Group 1's chairman, president and chief executive officer.
"Their experience and demonstrated capabilities will make significant
contributions to our continued success in creating the future of automotive
retailing."

    Group 1, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading operator in the automotive
retailing industry.  The company has revenues of $3.6 billion, and owns 59
dealerships comprised of 101 franchises, 30 different brands, and 22 collision
service centers located in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, New Mexico, Colorado,
Georgia, Louisiana and Massachusetts.  Through its dealerships and Internet
sites, the company sells new and used cars and light trucks, provides
maintenance and repair services, sells replacement parts and arranges related
financing, vehicle service and insurance contracts.

    For additional information regarding Group 1 Automotive free of charge via
fax, dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and use the company's stock symbol, "GPI."
    Group 1 Automotive, Inc. can be reached on the Internet at
http://www.group1auto.com .

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