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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2006.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>______________________</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>______________________</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">Group 1 Automotive, Inc.</FONT></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>76-0506313</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction <BR>
of incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification Number)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>950 Echo Lane<BR>
Suite&nbsp;100<BR>
Houston, Texas 77024</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>______________________</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Group 1 Automotive, Inc.<BR>
1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Jeffrey M. Cameron<BR>
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.<BR>
950 Echo Lane<BR>
Suite&nbsp;100<BR>
Houston, Texas 77024</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>(713)&nbsp;647-5700</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><I>Copies to:</I>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">Douglas E. McWilliams<BR>
Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P.<BR>
1001 Fannin Street, Suite&nbsp;2300<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002<BR>
(713)&nbsp;758-3613
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="margin-top: 0pt">
<TABLE style="margin-top: 0pt; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1pt">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>offering price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>aggregate offering</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>registration</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>registered(1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>per share</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock (par
value $0.01 per share)
</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">500,000&nbsp;shares
</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$45.17(2)
</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$22,585,000
</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$2,417</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="15" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;)
this registration statement also covers any additional shares of common stock which become
issuable under the antidilution provision of the plans being registered pursuant to this
registration statement by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any
other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration, which results in an
increase in the number of the registrant&#146;s outstanding shares of common stock.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant
to Rule 457(c) and (h)&nbsp;under the Securities Act. The offering price per share and aggregate
offering price for the unissued stock options and common stock are based upon the average of
the high and low prices of registrant&#146;s common stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange on August 30, 2006.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">








<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) has previously filed registration statements on Form
S-8 (the &#147;Prior Registration Statements&#148;) relating to the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 1998 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, (the &#147;Plan&#148;) with the following file numbers: File No.&nbsp;333-42165; File No.
333-70043; File No.&nbsp;333-75754; and File No.&nbsp;106486. On May&nbsp;25, 2006, the stockholders of the
Company approved an amendment to the Plan that, among other things, increased the number of shares
of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (&#147;Common Stock&#148;) available under the
Plan from 2,000,000 to 2,500,000. Accordingly, this registration statement is being filed to
register the additional 500,000 shares of Common Stock. Pursuant to General Instruction E. to Form
S-8, the contents of the Prior Registration Statements, including each of the documents filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated (or deemed to be incorporated) by reference
therein and each of the documents filed as exhibits thereto, are incorporated by reference herein.
In addition, all exhibits required by General Instruction E. to Form S-8 are filed as exhibits
hereto.
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on
the 31st day of August,
2006.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Earl J. Hesterberg
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Earl J. Hesterberg&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">President and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
31st day of August, 2006.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Earl J. Hesterberg
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Earl J. Hesterberg
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John C. Rickel
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John C. Rickel
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ John L. Adams
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John L. Adams
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chairman of the Board</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Robert E. Howard
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Robert E. Howard
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Louis E. Lataif
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Louis E. Lataif
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Stephen D. Quinn
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Stephen D. Quinn
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Terry Strange
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Terry Strange
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Max P. Watson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Max P. Watson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">INDEX TO EXHIBITS
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Sixth Amendment to Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Seventh Amendment to Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>


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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC", "cik": "0001031203", "assigned-sic": "5500", "irs-number": "760506313", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-137081", "film-number": "061072067"}, "business-address": {"street1": "950 ECHO LANE", "street2": "STE 100", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77024", "phone": "7134676268"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "950 ECHO LANE", "street2": "STE 100", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77024"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31, 2006.
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
______________________
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
76-0506313
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
950 Echo Lane
Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77024
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
______________________
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Jeffrey M. Cameron
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
950 Echo Lane
Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77024
(Name and address of agent for service)
(713) 647-5700
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Douglas E. McWilliams
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2300
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 758-3613
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount of
Title of securities
Amount to be
offering price
aggregate offering
registration
to be registered
registered(1)
per share
price
fee
Common Stock (par
value $0.01 per share)
500,000 shares
$45.17(2)
$22,585,000
$2,417
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")
this registration statement also covers any additional shares of common stock which become
issuable under the antidilution provision of the plans being registered pursuant to this
registration statement by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any
other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration, which results in an
increase in the number of the registrant's outstanding shares of common stock.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant
to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act. The offering price per share and aggregate
offering price for the unissued stock options and common stock are based upon the average of
the high and low prices of registrant's common stock as reported on the New York Stock
Exchange on August 30, 2006.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (the "Company") has previously filed registration statements on Form
S-8 (the "Prior Registration Statements") relating to the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 1998 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, (the "Plan") with the following file numbers: File No. 333-42165; File No.
333-70043; File No. 333-75754; and File No. 106486. On May 25, 2006, the stockholders of the
Company approved an amendment to the Plan that, among other things, increased the number of shares
of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company ("Common Stock") available under the
Plan from 2,000,000 to 2,500,000. Accordingly, this registration statement is being filed to
register the additional 500,000 shares of Common Stock. Pursuant to General Instruction E. to Form
S-8, the contents of the Prior Registration Statements, including each of the documents filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated (or deemed to be incorporated) by reference
therein and each of the documents filed as exhibits thereto, are incorporated by reference herein.
In addition, all exhibits required by General Instruction E. to Form S-8 are filed as exhibits
hereto.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on
the 31st day of August,
2006.
GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
By:
/s/ Earl J. Hesterberg
Earl J. Hesterberg
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
31st day of August, 2006.
Signature
Title
/s/ Earl J. Hesterberg
Earl J. Hesterberg
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ John C. Rickel
John C. Rickel
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ John L. Adams
John L. Adams
Chairman of the Board
/s/ Robert E. Howard
Robert E. Howard
Director
/s/ Louis E. Lataif
Louis E. Lataif
Director
/s/ Stephen D. Quinn
Stephen D. Quinn
Director
/s/ Terry Strange
Terry Strange
Director
/s/ Max P. Watson
Max P. Watson
Director
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
4.1
Sixth Amendment to Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
4.2
Seventh Amendment to Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
5.1
Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
23.2
Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1)