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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 2pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;28, 2010
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 1pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-
</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: 6pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
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: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 10pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 10pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.</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" style="font-size: 6pt">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of <BR>
incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>76-0506313</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>800 Gessner, Suite&nbsp;500<BR>
Houston, Texas 77024</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 10pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 2007 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Darryl M. Burman<BR>
Vice President, General Counsel &#038; Corporate Secretary<BR>
800 Gessner, Suite&nbsp;500<BR>
Houston, Texas 77024</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><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: 10pt"><I>Copies to:</I><BR>
Gillian A. Hobson<BR>
Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P.<BR>
2500 First City Tower, 1001 Fannin<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002-6760<BR>
(713)&nbsp;758-2222</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large
accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="22%"></TD>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="22%"></TD>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="22%"></TD>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="22%"></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 6pt">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Large accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Non-accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
<FONT style="white-space: nowrap">(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Smaller reporting company <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

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

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="16%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="11%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&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 nowrap align="center"><B>Title of</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount</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>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount</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>securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>offering price per</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>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>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>share (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>price (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>registration fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (3)</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="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">1,000,000 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="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$28.13</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="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$28,130,000</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="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$2,005.67</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>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 1pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Under General Instruction E of Form S-8, this Registration Statement registers an additional
1,000,000 shares of common stock to be issued under the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 1996 Stock
Incentive Plan, which was amended and restated as the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 2007 Long Term
Incentive Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;). A Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-42165)
was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) on
December&nbsp;12, 1997 covering 2,200,000 shares of common stock to be issued under the Plan, a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-80399) was previously filed with the
Commission on June&nbsp;10, 1999 covering 1,250,000 shares of common stock to be issued under the
Plan, a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-75784) was previously filed
with the Commission on December&nbsp;21, 2001 covering 1,500,000 shares of common stock to be
issued under the Plan, a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-115961) was
previously filed with the Commission on May&nbsp;27, 2004 covering 1,000,000 shares of common stock
to be issued under the Plan and a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.
333-145034) was previously filed with the Commission on August&nbsp;1, 2007 covering 1,000,000
shares of common stock to be issued under the Plan</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), based upon the average of
the high and low prices reported on the New York Stock Exchange on July&nbsp;26, 2010 ($28.13 per
share).</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement shall be deemed
to cover any additional shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Group 1
Automotive, Inc. that may be issued pursuant to stock splits, stock dividends or similar
transactions.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 6pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>





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

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

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












<!--TOC-->
<!--/TOC-->





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


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement registers an additional 1,000,000 of shares of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. to be offered under the Plan. The contents of
the previous Registration Statements on Form S-8 filed by Group 1 with the Commission on December
12, 1997 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-42165), June&nbsp;10, 1999 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-80399), December&nbsp;21,
2001 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-75784), May&nbsp;27, 2004 (Registration No.&nbsp;333-115961) and August&nbsp;1, 2007
(Registration No.&nbsp;333-145034) with respect to the Plan, including each of the documents filed with
the Commission and incorporated (or deemed to be incorporated) by reference therein, are
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to General Instruction E to
Form S-8 regarding registration of additional securities. In addition, all exhibits required by
General Instruction E to Form S-8 are filed as exhibits hereto.
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "PART I" -->

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>PART I</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information" -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information.*</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information" -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Information required by Part&nbsp;I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted
from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act and the
&#147;Note&#148; to Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. will send or give to all participants
in the Plan the document(s) containing information required by Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8, as
specified in Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act. Group 1
Automotive, Inc. has not filed such documents with the Commission, but such documents, along
with the documents incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item
3 of Part&nbsp;II hereof, shall constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section
10(a) of the Securities Act.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<!-- link1 "PART II" -->

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities
laws and regulations, the following documents, which have been filed with the Commission by Group 1
Automotive, Inc., are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
</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="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Group 1 Automotive, Inc.&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K (including information
specifically incorporated by reference into Group 1 Automotive, Inc.&#146;s Form 10-K from
the definitive proxy statement on Schedule&nbsp;14A prepared in connection with the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders held on May&nbsp;18, 2010) for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;31,
2009.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Group 1 Automotive, Inc.&#146;s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended
March&nbsp;31, 2010 and June&nbsp;30, 2010.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Group 1 Automotive, Inc.&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on
February&nbsp;11, 2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01), March&nbsp;1, 2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01), March&nbsp;15,
2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01), March&nbsp;17, 2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01), March&nbsp;17, 2010 (Items
5.02 and 9.01), March&nbsp;22, 2010 (Items 1.01, 2.03, 3.02 and 9.01), April&nbsp;1, 2010 (Items
1.01, 2.03, 3.02 and 9.01), April&nbsp;13, 2010 (Items 7.01, 8.01 and 9.01, except that the
disclosures contained in Item&nbsp;7.01 and Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 of this filing are not incorporated
by reference), April&nbsp;30, 2010 (Items 5.02 and 9.01), </TD>
</TR>

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

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

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


<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: #textcolor#; background: #bgcolor#">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>May&nbsp;19, 2010 (Items 5.02, 5.07, 7.01 and 9.01, except that the disclosures contained in
Item&nbsp;7.01 and Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 of this filing are not incorporated by reference), June
23, 2010 (Items 5.02, 8.01 and 9.01), July&nbsp;2, 2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01), July&nbsp;6,
2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01) and July&nbsp;27, 2010 (Items 2.02, 8.01 and 9.01, except that
the disclosure contained in Item&nbsp;2.02 of this filing is not incorporated by
reference).</TD>
</TR>

</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="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. capital stock, $0.01 par value per
share, contained in Group 1 Automotive, Inc.&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed
with the SEC on August&nbsp;13, 2009 and the description contained in Group 1 Automotive,
Inc.&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed on October&nbsp;16, 1997 (including any
amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description).</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities
laws and regulations, all documents subsequently filed by Group 1 Automotive, Inc. pursuant to
Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be
a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated
by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement. For the avoidance of doubt, information furnished pursuant to Item&nbsp;2.02 or 7.01 of any
Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed incorporated by reference herein or otherwise to
form a part hereof.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. </B><U><B>Exhibits</B></U><B>.</B>
</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="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">5.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Opinion of Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">10.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated
effective as of March&nbsp;11, 2010) (incorporated by reference to Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders contained in Group 1
Automotive, Inc. Schedule&nbsp;14A filed on April&nbsp;8, 2010).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">23.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">23.2</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">24.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
</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="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:</TD>
</TR>

</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="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:</TD>
</TR>

</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="8%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="8%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease
in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities
offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the
low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed</TD>
</TR>

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

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

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


<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: #textcolor#; background: #bgcolor#">
    <TD width="8%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than 20&nbsp;percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#147;Calculation of
Registration Fee&#148; table in the effective Registration Statement; and</TD>
</TR>

</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="8%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>to include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in this Registration Statement;</TD>
</TR>

</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="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><I>&nbsp;</I></TD>
    <TD width="1%"><I>&nbsp;</I></TD>
    <TD><I>provided however</I>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply because this
Registration Statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included
in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13
or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement.</TD>
</TR>

</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="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</TD>
</TR>

</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="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of
its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.</TD>
</TR>





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

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

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


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



</TABLE>
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->

<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;&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 July&nbsp;28, 2010.
</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="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="5" valign="top" align="left">GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Earl J. Hesterberg</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">Earl J. Hesterberg</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS</B>, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Earl J. Hesterberg and John C. Rickel as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
anything appropriate or necessary to be done, as fully and for all intents and purposes as he or
she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agent or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&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 indicated below on July&nbsp;28, 2010.
</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>
<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">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Earl J. Hesterberg<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Earl J. Hesterberg
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer and Director<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><BR>/s/ John C. Rickel<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John C. Rickel
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Senior Vice President and<BR>
Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ John L. Adams<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John L. Adams
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">Chairman of the Board of Directors&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Louis E. Lataif<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Louis E. Lataif
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Stephen D. Quinn<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Stephen D. Quinn
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Beryl Raff<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Beryl Raff
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ J. Terry Strange<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
J. Terry Strange
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Max P. Watson, Jr.<BR>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Max P. Watson, Jr.
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


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

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</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="5%" nowrap align="left">5.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Opinion of Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" nowrap align="left">10.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as
of March&nbsp;11, 2010) (incorporated by reference to Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Proxy Statement for
the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders contained in Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Schedule&nbsp;14A
filed on April&nbsp;8, 2010).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" nowrap align="left">23.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" nowrap align="left">23.2</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Consent of Vinson &#038; Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="5%" nowrap align="left">24.1</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement).</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>


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



</BODY>
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sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2010
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
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
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
76-0506313
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
800 Gessner, Suite 500
Houston, Texas 77024
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 2007 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
Darryl M. Burman
Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
800 Gessner, Suite 500
Houston, Texas 77024
(Name and address of agent for service)
(713) 647-5700
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Gillian A. Hobson
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
2500 First City Tower, 1001 Fannin
Houston, Texas 77002-6760
(713) 758-2222
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large
accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
þ
Non-accelerated filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
Amount
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount
securities
to be
offering price per
aggregate offering
of
to be registered
registered (1)
share (2)
price (2)
registration fee
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (3)
1,000,000 shares
$28.13
$28,130,000
$2,005.67
(1)
Under General Instruction E of Form S-8, this Registration Statement registers an additional
1,000,000 shares of common stock to be issued under the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 1996 Stock
Incentive Plan, which was amended and restated as the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 2007 Long Term
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). A Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-42165)
was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on
December 12, 1997 covering 2,200,000 shares of common stock to be issued under the Plan, a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-80399) was previously filed with the
Commission on June 10, 1999 covering 1,250,000 shares of common stock to be issued under the
Plan, a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-75784) was previously filed
with the Commission on December 21, 2001 covering 1,500,000 shares of common stock to be
issued under the Plan, a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-115961) was
previously filed with the Commission on May 27, 2004 covering 1,000,000 shares of common stock
to be issued under the Plan and a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.
333-145034) was previously filed with the Commission on August 1, 2007 covering 1,000,000
shares of common stock to be issued under the Plan
(2)
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), based upon the average of
the high and low prices reported on the New York Stock Exchange on July 26, 2010 ($28.13 per
share).
(3)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act, this Registration Statement shall be deemed
to cover any additional shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Group 1
Automotive, Inc. that may be issued pursuant to stock splits, stock dividends or similar
transactions.
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
This Registration Statement registers an additional 1,000,000 of shares of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. to be offered under the Plan. The contents of
the previous Registration Statements on Form S-8 filed by Group 1 with the Commission on December
12, 1997 (Registration No. 333-42165), June 10, 1999 (Registration No. 333-80399), December 21,
2001 (Registration No. 333-75784), May 27, 2004 (Registration No. 333-115961) and August 1, 2007
(Registration No. 333-145034) with respect to the Plan, including each of the documents filed with
the Commission and incorporated (or deemed to be incorporated) by reference therein, are
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to General Instruction E to
Form S-8 regarding registration of additional securities. In addition, all exhibits required by
General Instruction E to Form S-8 are filed as exhibits hereto.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.*
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*
*
Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted
from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the
"Note" to Part I of Form S-8. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. will send or give to all participants
in the Plan the document(s) containing information required by Part I of Form S-8, as
specified in Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act. Group 1
Automotive, Inc. has not filed such documents with the Commission, but such documents, along
with the documents incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item
3 of Part II hereof, shall constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section
10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities
laws and regulations, the following documents, which have been filed with the Commission by Group 1
Automotive, Inc., are hereby incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
•
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K (including information
specifically incorporated by reference into Group 1 Automotive, Inc.'s Form 10-K from
the definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A prepared in connection with the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders held on May 18, 2010) for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2009.
•
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.'s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended
March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010.
•
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.'s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on
February 11, 2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01), March 1, 2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01), March 15,
2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01), March 17, 2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01), March 17, 2010 (Items
5.02 and 9.01), March 22, 2010 (Items 1.01, 2.03, 3.02 and 9.01), April 1, 2010 (Items
1.01, 2.03, 3.02 and 9.01), April 13, 2010 (Items 7.01, 8.01 and 9.01, except that the
disclosures contained in Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 of this filing are not incorporated
by reference), April 30, 2010 (Items 5.02 and 9.01),
May 19, 2010 (Items 5.02, 5.07, 7.01 and 9.01, except that the disclosures contained in
Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 of this filing are not incorporated by reference), June
23, 2010 (Items 5.02, 8.01 and 9.01), July 2, 2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01), July 6,
2010 (Items 8.01 and 9.01) and July 27, 2010 (Items 2.02, 8.01 and 9.01, except that
the disclosure contained in Item 2.02 of this filing is not incorporated by
reference).
•
The description of the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. capital stock, $0.01 par value per
share, contained in Group 1 Automotive, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed
with the SEC on August 13, 2009 and the description contained in Group 1 Automotive,
Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed on October 16, 1997 (including any
amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description).
Except to the extent that information is deemed furnished and not filed pursuant to securities
laws and regulations, all documents subsequently filed by Group 1 Automotive, Inc. pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be
a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated
by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration
Statement. For the avoidance of doubt, information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of any
Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed incorporated by reference herein or otherwise to
form a part hereof.
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
5.1
Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
10.1
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated
effective as of March 11, 2010) (incorporated by reference to Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders contained in Group 1
Automotive, Inc. Schedule 14A filed on April 8, 2010).
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2
Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement).
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i)
to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii)
to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease
in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities
offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the
low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; and
(iii)
to include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
provided however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply because this
Registration Statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included
in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13
or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b)
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of
its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
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 July 28, 2010.
GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
By:
/s/ Earl J. Hesterberg
Earl J. Hesterberg
President and Chief Executive Officer
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS
, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Earl J. Hesterberg and John C. Rickel as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
Registration Statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
anything appropriate or necessary to be done, as fully and for all intents and purposes as he or
she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agent or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on July 28, 2010.
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 of Directors
/s/ Louis E. Lataif
Louis E. Lataif
Director
/s/ Stephen D. Quinn
Stephen D. Quinn
Director
/s/ Beryl Raff
Beryl Raff
Director
/s/ J. Terry Strange
J. Terry Strange
Director
/s/ Max P. Watson, Jr.
Max P. Watson, Jr.
Director
EXHIBIT INDEX
5.1
Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
10.1
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as
of March 11, 2010) (incorporated by reference to Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Proxy Statement for
the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders contained in Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Schedule 14A
filed on April 8, 2010).
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2
Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement).