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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 11-K
     
(Mark One)
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number 001-13461
A.   Full title of the plan and address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan
B.   Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
800 Gessner, Suite 500
Houston, Texas 77024
(713) 647-5700
 
 

 


 

REQUIRED INFORMATION
The following financial statements and reports, which have been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, are filed for the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan:
 
Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits — December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits — For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
Notes to Financial Statements — December 31, 2010 and 2009
 
Supplemental Schedule H, Line 4a — Schedule of Delinquent Participant Contributions
 
Supplemental Schedule H, Line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
 
Signature
 
Exhibits
 
Consent of UHY LLP (Exhibit 23.1)
 EX-23.1

 


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
CONTENTS
         
    Page  
    2  
 
       
Financial Statements:
       
 
       
    3  
 
       
    4  
 
       
    5-11  
 
       
Supplemental Schedules*:
       
 
       
    12  
 
       
    13-14  
 
*   All other schedules required by 29 CFR 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 are omitted, as they are not applicable or required.

 


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Participants and Plan Administrator of
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan
Houston, Texas
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule of delinquent participant contributions and supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) are presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
/s/ UHY LLP
Houston, Texas
June 16, 2011

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
                 
    2010     2009  
ASSETS
               
Investments, at fair value
               
Interest-bearing cash
  $ 12,721,960     $ 17,280,419  
Mutual funds
    85,570,681       69,065,830  
Common/collective trust funds
          3,366,398  
Employer common stock
    3,667,572       2,663,536  
 
           
 
               
Total Investments at Fair Value
    101,960,213       92,376,183  
 
           
 
               
Receivables
               
Participant loans
    4,528,236       4,710,973  
Employer contributions
    38,588        
Participant contributions
    212,770       130,303  
Due from broker for securities sold
    127,443        
Accrued income
          12,990  
 
           
 
               
Total Receivables
    4,907,037       4,854,266  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL ASSETS
    106,867,250       97,230,449  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES
               
Excess contributions refundable
    225,472       375,048  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    225,472       375,048  
 
           
 
               
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
  $ 106,641,778     $ 96,855,401  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
         
ADDITIONS TO NET ASSETS
       
Investment Income:
       
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
  $ 9,205,952  
Interest and dividends
    2,003,514  
 
     
 
       
Total Investment Income
    11,209,466  
 
     
 
       
Interest income from particpant loans
    215,533  
 
     
 
       
Contributions:
       
Employer
    721,352  
Participants
    9,192,274  
Rollover
    1,288,900  
 
     
 
       
Total Contributions
    11,202,526  
 
     
 
       
Total Additions To Net Assets
    22,627,525  
 
     
 
       
DEDUCTIONS FROM NET ASSETS:
       
Benefits paid to participants
    (12,716,732 )
Administrative expenses
    (124,416 )
 
     
 
       
Total Deductions From Net Assets
    (12,841,148 )
 
     
 
       
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
    9,786,377  
 
       
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS:
       
Beginning of Year
    96,855,401  
 
     
 
       
End of Year
  $ 106,641,778  
 
     
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
(1)   DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN
 
    General - Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Plan”) is a defined contribution plan, adopted July 1, 1999, covering all employees of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (the “Company”). As of December 31, 2010, a total of 8,967 persons were participants in or beneficiaries of the Plan. The following description of the Plan provides only general information. Participants should refer to the plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.
 
    Administration of the Plan - Bank of America, N.A. (“BOA”) was the investment custodian and financial record-keeper for the Plan’s participant-directed assets as of December 31, 2009 and from January 1, 2010 through October 31, 2010. As of November 1, 2010, the Plan appointed Fidelity Management Trust Company (“Fidelity”) (collectively both as the “Trustees”) as the investment custodian and financial record-keeper for the Plan’s participant directed accounts.
 
    Eligibility - An employee is eligible to become a participant in the Plan after being credited with 90 days of service and having attained age 18.
 
    Contributions - Participants may elect to make pretax contributions to the Plan in an amount up to 50% of their eligible annual compensation. Participant contributions were limited to $16,500 for 2010. This limitation is adjusted periodically to reflect cost-of-living increases as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). Participants who have attained age 50 before the end of the plan year are eligible to make catch-up contributions ($5,500 for 2010). Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified defined benefit or defined contribution plans.
 
    The Company may contribute a discretionary amount based on the amount the participant contributes to the Plan. The matching Company contribution may be in the form of cash or shares of Company stock or a combination, but has been historically in cash. The Board of Directors shall determine, by business unit, whether employer matching contributions will be made for the plan year, the matching percentage, and the percentage of a participant’s compensation upon which the match shall be based for each payroll period. For the first six months of 2010, there were no discretionary contributions. For the period July 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010, the Company contributed a discretionary matching contribution equal to 50% of each corporate (non-HR Shared Services) participant’s contribution limited to 3% of eligible compensation and 50% for each non-corporate participant’s contributions limited to 2% of eligible compensation.
 
    Participant Accounts - Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and an allocation of the Company’s contributions and plan earnings, and at times, charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Allocations are based on participant contributions, participant earnings or account balances, as defined in the plan agreement. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.
 
    Vesting - A participant is immediately fully vested with respect to the portion of their account attributable to participant contributions and rollover contributions plus actual earnings thereon. Vesting in the remainder of each participant’s account plus earnings thereon is based on years of continuous service as follows:
         
Years of Service   Vesting Percentage
less than 1
    0 %
1
    20 %
2
    40 %
3
    60 %
4
    80 %
5
    100 %

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
    Forfeitures - Forfeited employer matching contributions will be used to pay for administrative expenses or to reduce future employer contributions. For the year ended December 31, 2010, forfeitures used to pay for Plan administrative expenses amounted to $81,564. No forfeitures were used to reduce employer contributions during 2010. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, forfeited nonvested accounts totaled $356,574 and $269,558, respectively.
 
    Investments - Each participant directs the investment of their account into any of the available investment options offered by the Plan, including shares of Company stock.
 
    Loans to Participants - Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their vested account balance. Loan transactions are treated as transfers between the investment fund and the participant loan fund. Loan terms range from 1 to 5 years or longer for the purchase of a primary residence. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account and bear interest at a rate commensurate with prevailing rates.
 
    Form of Benefits - Generally, under the terms of the plan agreement, participants become fully vested in their accounts upon retiring after reaching normal retirement age or becoming partially or totally disabled prior to their retirement date. The participant may elect to have the distribution received in cash or in shares of Company stock. Upon the death of a participant while actively employed, his or her account balance becomes fully vested. A participant terminating employment prior to retirement is entitled to receive that portion of their account which is vested. Benefits are paid as a lump-sum amount as defined in the plan agreement.
 
    In-Service Withdrawals - A participant may withdraw from his or her rollover contribution account any or all amounts held in such account at any time. A participant who has attained age 591/2 may withdraw from his or her account an amount not exceeding his or her vested account balance. A participant who has suffered financial hardship may withdraw the lesser of his or her vested account balance or the amount of financial hardship as defined in the plan agreement.
 
    Plan Termination - The Company has the right under the Plan to terminate the Plan subject to provisions set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Upon termination, the assets then remaining shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the Plan then in effect and shall be used until exhausted to pay benefits to employees in the order of entitlement. In addition, all participants would become fully vested in their accrued benefits, including employer contributions and earnings, as of the date of termination.
(2)   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    Basis of Accounting - The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America as codified by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in its Accounting Standards Codification.
 
    Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP in United States of America requires the Plan Administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets available for benefits at the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of changes in net assets available for benefits and disclosures during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. It is at least reasonably possible that a significant change may occur in the near term for the estimates of investment valuation.
 
    Risks and Uncertainties - The Plan provides for several investment options, which are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term could materially affect participants’ account balances and the net assets available for benefits.

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
    Valuation of Investments - Investments are reported at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Net unrealized appreciation or depreciation is included in the carrying value of related investments in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits and the changes in the net unrealized appreciation or depreciation are reflected in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
 
    The Plan’s investment in common stocks and mutual funds are stated at fair value and are based upon quoted market prices. Investment in the Company’s common stock are valued at fair value and based on quoted market prices. Shares of common/collective funds are valued at net asset value and for investment contracts valuation is measured at fair value, with reconciliation to contract value for fully benefit responsive investments contracts, as determined by the trustee of the Plan’s assets.
 
    In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) — Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This ASU requires new disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. Those disclosures are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Other than requiring additional disclosures, the adoption of this new guidance has not and will not have a material impact on the Plan’s financial statements.
 
    In September 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-25, Plan Accounting — Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962) — Reporting Loans to Participants by Defined Contribution Pension Plans. This ASU requires participant loans to be classified as notes receivable from participants, which are segregated from plan investments and measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2010 with early adoption permitted. The guidance must be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Plan adopted this guidance in 2010 and reclassified participant loans from plan investments to a component of receivables for both periods presented in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits. Other than the reclassification requirements, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Plan’s financial statements.
 
    Payment of Benefits - Benefits are recorded when paid.
 
    Administrative Expenses - Fees and expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan are charged to and paid from the Plan’s assets to the extent not paid by the Company.
 
    Subsequent Events - The Plan evaluated events and transactions through the date the financial statements were issued and determined that on January 1, 2011, the Company increased the discretionary matching contribution equal to 50% of each corporate (non-HR Shared Services) participant’s contribution limited to 6% of eligible compensation and 50% for each non-corporate participant’s contributions limited to 4% of eligible compensation. No other subsequent events occurred, which require adjustment or disclosure to the financial statements at December 31, 2010.

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
(3)   INVESTMENTS
 
    The following investments at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are recorded at fair market value. Investments noted with an asterisk represent more than 5% of the Plan’s net assets at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively:
                 
    2010     2009  
Interest-Bearing Cash
               
Fidelity Retirement Money Market Fund
  $ 12,721,960 *   $  
Premier Institutional Money Market Fund
          17,229,810 *
Mutual Funds
               
American Funds Growth Fund of America
    7,140,853 *     7,023,159 *
Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund
    6,951,545 *      
Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund
    8,234,436 *      
Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund
    7,137,928 *      
Fidelity Freedom 2035 Fund
    7,116,551 *      
Allianz NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund
    6,568,799 *     6,669,327 *
American Funds Europacific Growth Fund
    6,021,554 *      
ING Van Kampen Growth Fund
    2,905,695       10,006,137 *
Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Portfolio Fund
    2,836,203       8,551,242 *
American Bond Fund of America
          10,366,802 *
MFS International Growth Fund
          7,639,733 *
ING International Value Fund
          7,036,976 *
Other Investments Less Than 5% of Plan Assets
    34,324,689       17,852,997  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 101,960,213     $ 92,376,183  
 
           
    During 2010, the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated in value as follows:
         
Mutual Funds
  $ 7,652,996  
Common/Collective Trust Funds
    257,403  
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Common Stock
    1,295,553  
 
     
 
       
 
  $ 9,205,952  
 
     

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
(4)   FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
 
    The FASB provides a framework for measuring fair value using a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value based upon whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. This hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. Valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The financial instrument’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
 
    Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices for identical financial instruments in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access.
 
    Level 2 — Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices in active markets for similar financial instruments), or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.
 
    Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the financial instruments. The fair value of Level 3 financial instruments is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
 
    Following is a description of the valuation techniques used for assets measured at fair value. There have been no changes in the techniques used during 2010 and 2009.
 
    Interest Bearing Cash, Mutual Funds and Common Stock
 
    The Plan classifies funds from the Plan’s cash account and settlement fund as interest bearing cash. As of December 31, 2009, the settlement fund was comprised of the cash from the settling of fund investments. These funds were then transferred to the interest bearing cash account where they were then utilized for future investments. Based upon these considerations, the Plan classified interest bearing cash within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy framework. As of December 31, 2010, the Plan no longer has the settlement fund due to the change in the Plan’s Trustee.
 
    The Plan maintains investments in multiple mutual funds and the Company’s common stock. The Plan determined that the valuation measurement inputs of the mutual funds and the Company’s stock represents unadjusted quoted prices in active markets. Accordingly, the Plan has classified these investments within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy framework.
 
    Common or Collective Trust Funds
 
    As of December 31, 2009, the Plan maintained investments in common or collective trust funds. The Plan determined that the valuation measurement inputs of the fund investments represent prices based upon quoted market prices utilizing public information, independent external valuations from third-party pricing services or third-party advisors. Accordingly, the Plan concluded the valuation measurement inputs of these funds to represent, at their lowest level, quoted market prices for identical or similar assets in markets where there were few transactions for the assets and has categorized such investments within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy framework. As of December 31, 2010, the Plan no longer invests in common or collective trust funds due to the change in the Plan’s Trustee, along with a change in available investment options.

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
    The preceding methods described may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Plan believes its valuation techniques are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different techniques or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
 
    The fair values of investments are categorized as follows at December 31, 2010 and 2009:
                                 
    2010  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Interest-Bearing Cash
                               
Money Market Funds
  $ 12,721,960     $     $     $ 12,721,960  
Mutual Funds
                               
Large Cap Equity Funds
    16,697,450                   16,697,450  
International Equity Funds
    7,033,264                   7,033,264  
Fixed Income Funds
    3,790,377                   3,790,377  
Small Cap Equity Funds
    6,952,270                   6,952,270  
Mid Cap Equity Funds
    2,375,227                   2,375,227  
Balanced Funds
    48,722,093                   48,722,093  
Employer Common Stock
    3,667,572                   3,667,572  
 
                       
 
                               
Total Investments at Fair Value
  $ 101,960,213     $     $     $ 101,960,213  
 
                       
                                 
    2009  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Interest-Bearing Cash
                               
Money Market Funds
  $ 17,229,810     $     $     $ 17,229,810  
Cash
    50,609                   50,609  
Mutual Funds
                               
Large Cap Equity Funds
    25,580,538                   25,580,538  
International Equity Funds
    14,676,709                   14,676,709  
Fixed Income Funds
    10,785,679                   10,785,679  
Small Cap Equity Funds
    7,983,356                   7,983,356  
Mid Cap Equity Funds
    5,453,508                   5,453,508  
Balanced Funds
    4,586,040                   4,586,040  
Common/Collective Trust
                               
Equity Index Fund
          3,366,398             3,366,398  
Employer Common Stock
    2,663,536                   2,663,536  
 
                       
 
                               
Total Investments at Fair Value
  $ 89,009,785     $ 3,366,398     $     $ 92,376,183  
 
                       
     There were no transfers in and/or out of the fair value categories during 2010 and 2009.

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
(5)   INCOME TAX STATUS
 
    The Internal Revenue Service ruled in a letter dated August 26, 2010, that the Plan was designed under and in compliance with the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) and, therefore, not subject to tax under present income tax law. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the IRC to maintain its qualification. The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter to comply with IRS guidelines. The Plan Sponsor believes that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC. No provision for income taxes, therefore, has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.
 
    GAAP provides detailed guidance for the financial statement recognition, measurement and disclosure of uncertain tax positions recognized in an entity’s financial statements. GAAP requires an entity to recognize the financial statement impact of a tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination. The Plan believes that all significant tax positions utilized by the Plan will more likely than not be sustained upon examination. As of December 31, 2010, the tax years that remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions under the statute of limitations are from the year 2007 forward (with limited exceptions). Tax penalties and interest, if any, would be accrued as incurred and would be classified as tax expense in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits.
 
(6)   PARTIES-IN-INTEREST
 
    During the year the Plan invested in various funds offered by Merrill Lynch Trust Company (“Merrill Lynch”) and Fidelity. These investments are considered party-in-interest transactions because Merrill Lynch and Fidelity served as asset custodians and record-keepers for the Plan. The Plan Administrator has approved of these transactions and functions. For the year ended December 31, 2010, fees paid by the Plan to Merrill Lynch and Fidelity for administrative services rendered amounted to $122,167 and $2,249, respectively. Certain Plan administrative costs have been paid by the Company. The Plan also invests in the Company’s common stock. Transactions in Company stock are considered party-in-interest transactions because the Company is the Plan’s sponsor.
 
(7)   EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS REFUNDABLE
 
    The Plan was required to return excess contributions for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 in the amount of $225,472 and $375,048, respectively, which includes the earnings, to certain active participants to satisfy the relevant non-discrimination provisions of the Plan. The refunds were made within two and a half months after the Plan year. Therefore the amounts were recorded as a liability of the Plan.

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4a — SCHEDULE OF DELINQUENT PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
Plan Number 001 EIN 76-0506313
                     
Participant        
Contributions        
Transferred Late to        
Plan   Total that Constitutes Nonexempt Prohibited Transactions    
Check here if Late       Total Fully
Participant Loan       Contributions   Contributions   Corrected Under
Repayments are   Contributions Not   Corrected Outside   Pending Correction   VFCP and PTE 2002-
Included: þ   Corrected   VFCP   in VFCP   51
$5,554
  $—   $ 5,554     $—   $—
See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i — SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2010
Plan Number 001 EIN 76-0506313
                                 
        (b) Identity of                
        Issue, Borrower,   (c) Description of Investment Including            
        Lessor or   Maturity Date, Rate of Interest,           (e) Current
(a)   Similar Party   Collateral, Par or Maturity Value   (d) Cost   Value
          (A )  
33,016.046 shares — Russell Mid Cap Growth Value Index
    * *   $ 391,901  
 
          (A )  
136,948.461 shares — Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Portfolio Fund
    * *     2,836,203  
 
          (A )  
257,420.209 shares — PIMCO Total Return Admin Fund
    * *     2,793,009  
 
          (A )  
1,103.328 shares — Columbia Acorn International Fund
    * *     45,148  
 
          (A )  
53,493.675 shares — Morgan Stanley Institutional Mid Cap Growth Fund
    * *     1,936,471  
 
          (A )  
26,511.994 shares — Oppenheimer Developing Markets Fund
    * *     956,288  
 
          (A )  
170,495.082 shares — The Oakmark Equity & Income Fund
    * *     4,729,534  
 
          (A )  
6,095.699 shares — Vanguard Total Band Market Index Fund
    * *     64,615  
 
          (A )  
14,630.715 shares — Buffalo Small Cap Stock Fund
    * *     383,471  
 
          (A )  
145,765.046 shares — American Funds Europacific Growth Fund
    * *     6,021,554  
 
          (A )  
219,912.932 shares — Allianz NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund
    * *     6,568,799  
 
          (A )  
234,973.781 shares — American Funds Growth Fund of America
    * *     7,140,853  
 
          (A )  
3,775.520 shares — Cohen & Steers Institutional Realty Fund
    * *     143,432  
 
          (A )  
151,102.176 shares — ING Van Kampen Growth Fund
    * *     2,905,695  
 
          (A )  
75,729.001 shares — American Century Inflation Adjusted Fund
    * *     893,602  
 
  *       (A )  
70,865.605 shares — Fidelity Freedom Income Fund
    * *     799,364  
 
  *       (A )  
110,484.088 shares — Fidelity Freedom 2010 Fund
    * *     1,501,479  
 
  *       (A )  
504,100.425 shares — Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund
    * *     6,951,545  
 
  *       (A )  
518,368.066 shares — Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund
    * *     7,137,928  
 
          (A )  
1,227.537 shares — Spartan External Market Index Investment Fund
    * *     46,855  
 
          (A )  
292.121 shares — Spartan International Index Investment Fund
    * *     10,274  
 
  *       (A )  
4,379.263 shares — Fidelity High Income Fund
    * *     39,151  
See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i — SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2010
Plan Number 001 EIN 76-0506313
                         
    (b) Identity of                  
    Issue, Borrower,   (c) Description of Investment Including              
    Lessor or   Maturity Date, Rate of Interest,           (e) Current  
(a)   Similar Party   Collateral, Par or Maturity Value   (d) Cost     Value  
    (A)  
85,762.128 shares — Spartan 500 Index Investment Fund
    * *     3,814,699  
 
*   (A)  
563,973.678 shares — Fidelity Freedom 2040 Fund
    * *     4,517,429  
 
*   (A)  
341,367.041 shares — Fidelity Freedom 2015 Fund
    * *     3,871,102  
 
*   (A)  
714,794.829 shares — Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund
    * *     8,234,436  
 
*   (A)  
620,449.102 shares — Fidelity Freedom 2035 Fund
    * *     7,116,551  
 
*   (A)  
320,232.703 shares — Fidelity Freedom 2045 Fund
    * *     3,039,008  
 
*   (A)  
72,525.072 shares — Fidelity Freedom 2050 Fund
    * *     680,285  
 
*   (A)  
12,721,960.28 shares — Fidelity Retirement Money Market Fund
    * *     12,721,960  
 
*   (A)  
87,813.167 shares — Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
    * *     3,667,572  
 
*   Participant Loans  
Loans to Participants at interest rates ranging from 4.25% to 9.50%
        4,528,236  
       
 
             
 
       
 
               
 
       
 
          $ 106,488,449  
       
 
             
 
*   Represents a party-in-interest.
 
**   Not applicable as permitted by Department of Labor for participant directed individual account plans.
 
(A)   All investments were held by Fidelity Investments.
See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan Administrator (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
 
  Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan    
 
       
 
  /s/ J. Brooks O’Hara
 
J. Brooks O’Hara
   
 
  Vice President, Human Resources
Plan Administrator
   
 
 
  June 16, 2011