Group 1 Automotive (GPI) 10-Q 30 Oct 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,031,203
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,694,561
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01		$ 0.01

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Total assets		$ 4,292,050	$ 4,141,492
Total current assets		2,044,790	2,035,219
Cash and cash equivalents		21,968	40,975
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net		205,636	237,448
Accounts and notes receivable, net		147,110	151,330
Inventories, net		1,634,421	1,556,705
Deferred income taxes		13,099	11,062
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		22,556	37,699
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net		978,892	950,388
GOODWILL		912,639	830,377
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS		339,763	303,947
OTHER ASSETS		15,966	21,561
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Total current liabilities		1,981,847	1,922,199
Floorplan notes payable - credit facility and other		1,177,513	1,143,246
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility		(28,073)	(39,616)
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates		347,657	307,656
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates		(20,001)	(22,500)
Current maturities of long-term debt		55,959	72,630
Accounts payable		290,509	288,320
Accrued expenses		158,283	172,463
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities		1,084,161	1,008,837
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES		147,296	141,239
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES		39,724	25,311
OTHER LIABILITIES		69,694	65,896
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding		0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 25,720 and 25,724 issued, respectively		257	257
Additional paid-in capital		288,754	286,854
Retained earnings		964,703	852,057
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(145,805)	(81,984)
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,018 and 1,385 shares, respectively		(138,581)	(79,174)
Total stockholders’ equity		969,328	978,010
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		4,292,050	4,141,492
U.S. [Member]
ASSETS
Total assets		3,736,130	3,529,643
GOODWILL	[1]	814,758	700,642
U.K. [Member]
ASSETS
Total assets		378,978	327,644
GOODWILL	[1]	35,982	35,138
Brazil [Member]
ASSETS
Total assets		176,942	284,205
GOODWILL	[1]	$ 61,899	$ 94,597
[1]	1) Net of accumulated impairment of $42.4 million.

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized	(50,000,000)	(50,000,000)
Common Stock, shares issued	(25,720,498)	(25,723,878)
Treasury securities, shares	(2,017,557)	(1,385,286)

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
REVENUES:
New vehicle retail sales	$ 1,601,213	$ 1,521,246	$ 4,468,200	$ 4,256,146
Used vehicle retail sales	687,637	615,924	1,993,124	1,743,071
Used vehicle wholesale sales	100,483	100,347	302,186	284,491
Parts and service sales	303,557	291,816	888,939	844,340
Finance, insurance and other, net	107,679	97,115	307,454	270,901
Total revenues	2,800,569	2,626,448	7,959,903	7,398,949
COST OF SALES:
New vehicle retail sales	1,521,721	1,441,016	4,242,847	4,028,164
Used vehicle retail sales	641,055	571,613	1,854,361	1,610,293
Used vehicle wholesale sales	102,318	101,643	302,276	281,434
Parts and service sales	137,093	137,467	406,580	397,079
Total cost of sales	2,402,187	2,251,739	6,806,064	6,316,970
GROSS PROFIT	398,382	374,709	1,153,839	1,081,979
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	289,012	264,233	841,050	793,761
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	11,811	10,746	35,441	31,424
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	916	9,373	1,955	11,094
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	96,643	90,357	275,393	245,700
OTHER EXPENSE:
Floorplan interest expense	(9,685)	(10,452)	(29,046)	(31,695)
Other interest expense, net	(13,922)	(13,246)	(42,061)	(36,326)
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt	0	(22,790)	0	(46,403)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	73,036	43,869	204,286	131,276
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(27,775)	(17,707)	(76,901)	(56,949)
NET INCOME	$ 45,261	$ 26,162	$ 127,385	$ 74,327
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$ 1.88	$ 1.07	$ 5.26	$ 3.06
Weighted average common shares outstanding	23,132	23,424	23,294	23,354
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$ 1.88	$ 1.03	$ 5.26	$ 2.82
Weighted average common shares outstanding	23,137	24,432	23,298	25,363
CASH DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE	$ 0.21	$ 0.17	$ 0.61	$ 0.51

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
NET INCOME	$ 45,261	$ 26,162	$ 127,385	$ 74,327
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(36,307)	(21,938)		(7,329)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax			(56,902)	(7,329)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax	(6,158)	2,366	(6,919)	(494)
Unrealized (loss) gain arising during the period, net of tax benefit (provision) of $4,919, ($346), $7,744, and $3,472, respectively	(8,199)	577	(12,907)	(5,787)
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in interest expense, net of tax provision of $1,224, $1,074, $3,593, and $3,176, respectively	2,041	1,789	5,988	5,293
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS, NET OF TAXES	(42,465)	(19,572)	(63,821)	(7,823)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$ 2,796	$ 6,590	$ 63,564	$ 66,504

Consolidated Statements of Com6

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Tax benefit (provision) of unrealized loss on interest rate swap	$ 4,919	$ (346)	$ 7,744	$ 3,472
Tax provision of reclassification adjustment	$ 1,224	$ 1,074	$ 3,593	$ 3,176

Consolidated Statement of Stock

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2015 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in-Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 978,010	$ 257	$ 286,854	$ 852,057	$ (81,984)	$ (79,174)
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014		25,724
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	127,385	$ 0	0	127,385	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(63,821)	0	0	0	(63,821)	0
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	(72,664)	$ 0	0	0	0	(72,664)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans		(3)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	795	$ 0	14,052	0	0	(13,257)
Stock-based compensation	15,952	0	15,952	0	0	0
Tax effect from options exercised and the vesting of restricted shares			1,827
Cash dividends	(14,739)	0	0	(14,739)	0	0
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 969,328	$ 257	$ 288,754	$ 964,703	$ (145,805)	$ (138,581)
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2015		25,721

Consolidated Statement of Stoc8

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Common Stock [Member]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	$ 1,827

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Purchase of common stock accrued in accounts payable	$ 4,375	$ 16,824
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	127,385	74,327
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	35,441	31,424
Deferred income taxes	13,135	6,494
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	1,955	11,094
Stock-based compensation	14,167	11,871
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs	2,727	9,661
Loss on extinguishment of 3.00% Convertible Notes	0	29,478
Loss on extinguishment of 2.25% Convertible Notes	0	16,925
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	1,469	17,363
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	(1,827)	(1,145)
Other	3,435	2,047
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	30,858	54,911
Accounts and notes receivable	(6,821)	(6,562)
Inventories	(68,454)	79,265
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables	29,470	33,839
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,501	12,923
IncreaseDecreaseFloorPlanNotes	49,986	(77,155)
Deferred revenues	(621)	(198)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	230,868	271,836
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(212,252)	(309,257)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	9,684	138,800
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(78,339)	(91,345)
Other	6,047	(5,832)
Net cash used in investing activities	(274,860)	(267,634)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on credit facility - Floorplan Line	5,529,338	6,047,392
Repayments on credit facility - Floorplan Line	(5,479,152)	(6,086,414)
Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line	584,643	314,963
Repayment on credit facility - acquisition line	(515,944)	(374,989)
Borrowings on real estate credit facility	0	200
Principal payments on real estate credit facility	(2,505)	(9,081)
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt	0	539,600
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	0	1,881
Repayments of 3.00% Convertible Notes	0	260,074
Proceeds from call options and warrants related to 3.00% Notes	0	32,697
Repayments of 2.25% Convertible Notes	0	182,756
Borrowings of other long-term debt	33,375	78,710
Principal payments of other long-term debt	(42,929)	(70,267)
Borrowings Of Long Term Debt Related To Real Estate Loans	22,430	65,628
Principal payments of long-term debt related to real estate loans	(18,536)	(39,024)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	(789)	187
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	(66,746)	(16,947)
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	1,827	1,145
Dividends paid	(14,781)	(12,291)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	30,231	26,798
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(5,246)	(563)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(19,007)	30,437
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	40,975	20,215
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	21,968	50,652
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate, accrued in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 3,225	$ 3,440

Interim Financial Information

Interim Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Interim Financial Information	INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION Business and Organization Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a leading operator in the automotive retailing industry with business activities in 14 states in the United States of America ("U.S."), 15 towns in the United Kingdom ("U.K.") and three states in Brazil. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the "Company" in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company, through its regions, sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service and insurance contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company’s U.S. retail network consisted of the following two regions (with the number of dealerships they comprised): (a) the East ( 40 dealerships in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and South Carolina), and (b) the West ( 77 dealerships in California, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas). The U.S. regional vice presidents report directly to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and are responsible for the overall performance of their regions, as well as for overseeing the market directors and dealership general managers that report to them. In addition, as of September 30, 2015 , the Company had two international regions: (a) the U.K. region, which consisted of 17 dealerships in the U.K. and (b) the Brazil region, which consisted of 19 dealerships in Brazil. The operations of the Company's international regions are structured similarly to the U.S. regions, each with a regional vice president reporting directly to the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The Company's operating results are generally subject to seasonal variations, as well as changes in the economic environment. This seasonality is generally attributable to consumer buying trends and the timing of manufacturer new vehicle model introductions. In addition, in some markets within the U.S., vehicle purchases decline during the winter months due to inclement weather. As a result, U.S. revenues and operating income are typically lower in the first and fourth quarters and higher in the second and third quarters. For the U.K., the first and third calendar quarters tend to be stronger, driven by plate change months of March and September. For Brazil, the Company expects higher volumes in the third and fourth calendar quarters. The first quarter is generally the weakest, driven by heavy consumer vacations and activities associated with Carnival. Other factors unrelated to seasonality, such as changes in economic condition, manufacturer incentive programs, or shifts in governmental taxes or regulations may exaggerate seasonal or cause counter-seasonal fluctuations in the Company's revenues and operating income. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Due to seasonality and other factors, the results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“ 2014 Form 10-K”). All business acquisitions completed during the periods presented have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and their results of operations are included from the effective dates of the closings of the acquisitions. The allocations of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to change within the purchase price allocation period (generally one year from the respective acquisition date) and are assigned and recorded based on estimates of fair value. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Business Segment Information The Company, through its regions, conducts business in the automotive retailing industry including selling new and used cars and light trucks, arranging related vehicle financing, selling service and insurance contracts, providing automotive maintenance and repair services and selling vehicle parts. The Company's operations are aligned into four geographic regions: the East and West Regions in the U.S., the U.K. Region, and the Brazil Region. The East and West Regions of the U.S. are economically similar in that they deliver the same products and services to a common customer group, their customers are generally individuals, they follow the same procedures and methods in managing their operations, and they operate in similar regulatory environments. As a result, the Company aggregates the East and West Regions of the U.S. into one reportable segment. As such, the Company has three reportable segments: the U.S., which includes the activities of the Company's corporate office, the U.K. and Brazil. See Note 14, "Segment Information," for additional details regarding the Company's reportable segments. Variable Interest Entity In 2013, the Company entered into arrangements to provide a related-party entity, which owns and operates retail automotive dealerships, a fixed-interest-rate working capital loan and various administrative services for a variable fee, both of which constitute variable interests in the entity. The Company's exposure to loss as a result of its involvement in the entity includes the balance outstanding under the loan arrangement. The Company holds an 8% equity ownership interest in the entity. The Company has determined that the entity meets the criteria of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). The terms of the loan and services agreements provide the Company with the right to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses of the VIE and the right to receive potentially significant benefits from the VIE. Accordingly, the Company qualified as the VIE's primary beneficiary and consolidated the assets and liabilities of the VIE as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , as well as the results of operations of the VIE beginning on the effective date of the variable interests arrangements to September 30, 2015 . The floorplan notes payable liability of the VIE is securitized by the new and used vehicle inventory of the VIE. The carrying amounts and classification of assets (which can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE) and liabilities (for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company) that are included in the Company's consolidated statements of financial position for the consolidated VIE as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , are as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Current assets $ 12,280 $ 19,049 Non-current assets 20,764 31,783 Total assets $ 33,044 $ 50,832 Current liabilities $ 9,259 $ 16,374 Non-current liabilities 15,215 15,955 Total liabilities $ 24,474 $ 32,329 Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , that amends the accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The amendments in this ASU are intended to provide a framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices, and improve disclosure requirements. The amendments in this accounting standard update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and the impact the provisions of the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis , that amends existing requirements applicable to reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether certain legal entities should be consolidated. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Entities may choose to adopt the standard using either a full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach. At this time, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to impact its financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendments in the accounting standard require debt issuance costs to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied retrospectively and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect the adoption to materially impact its financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330) Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The amendments in the accounting standard replace the lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company does not expect the adoption to materially impact its financial statements. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805) Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The amendments in the accounting standard eliminate the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. The amendments also require that the acquirer must recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amount is determined, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect the adoption to materially impact its financial statements.

Acquisitions and Dispositions A

Acquisitions and Dispositions Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company acquired three U.S. dealerships, sold one U.S. dealership and terminated one U.S. dealership franchise. The Company also terminated two franchises in Brazil. As a result of these dispositions, a net pretax gain of $ 0.7 million , including related asset impairments, was recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . During 2014, the Company acquired seven dealerships and was granted two franchises in the U.S. and also acquired one dealership and opened one dealership for an awarded franchise in Brazil. In addition, the Company acquired three dealerships in the U.K. (collectively, the "2014 Acquisitions"). Aggregate consideration paid for these acquisitions totaled $336.6 million , including associated real estate and new vehicle inventory. The U.S. vehicle inventory associated with the acquisitions was subsequently financed through borrowings under the Company's FMCC Facility and the Floorplan Line (each as defined in Note 8, “Credit Facilities”), and the Brazil vehicle inventory associated with the acquisitions was subsequently financed through individual manufacturer captive finance companies. The purchase prices for the 2014 Acquisitions have been allocated as set forth below based upon the consideration paid and the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The allocation of the purchase prices is preliminary and based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to change within the purchase price allocation period (generally one year from the respective acquisition date). Goodwill associated with the acquisitions was assigned to the U.S., U.K. and Brazil reportable segments in the amounts of $103.8 million , $18.5 million and zero , respectively. As of Acquisition Date (In thousands) Inventory $ 132,180 Other current assets 6,601 Property and equipment 78,564 Goodwill and intangible franchise rights 185,103 Deferred tax asset 7,265 Total assets $ 409,713 Current liabilities $ 59,912 Long-term debt 13,250 Total liabilities $ 73,162 The intangible franchise rights are expected to continue for an indefinite period, therefore these rights are not amortized. These intangible assets will be evaluated on an annual basis in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350. Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid compared to the fair value of net assets received in the acquisitions. The goodwill associated with the 2014 Acquisitions relative to the U.S. reportable segment is deductible for tax purposes; however, the goodwill associated with the 2014 Acquisitions relative to the U.K. reportable segment is not currently deductible for tax purposes.

Derivative Instruments and Risk

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES The periodic interest rates of the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in Note 8, “Credit Facilities”), the Real Estate Credit Facility (as defined in Note 9, “Long-term Debt”) and certain variable-rate real estate related borrowings are indexed to the one-month London Inter Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus an associated company credit risk rate. In order to minimize the earnings variability related to fluctuations in these rates, the Company employs an interest rate hedging strategy, whereby it enters into arrangements with various financial institutional counterparties with investment grade credit ratings, swapping its variable interest rate exposure for a fixed interest rate over terms not to exceed the related variable-rate debt. The Company presents the fair value of all derivatives on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company measures the fair value of its interest rate derivative instruments utilizing an income approach valuation technique, converting future amounts of cash flows to a single present value in order to obtain a transfer exit price within the bid and ask spread that is most representative of the fair value of its derivative instruments. In measuring fair value, the Company utilizes the option-pricing Black-Scholes present value technique for all of its derivative instruments. This option-pricing technique utilizes a one-month LIBOR forward yield curve, obtained from an independent external service provider, matched to the identical maturity term of the instrument being measured. Observable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation technique incorporate identical contractual notional amounts, fixed coupon rates, periodic terms for interest payments and contract maturity. The fair value estimate of the interest rate derivative instruments also considers the credit risk of the Company for instruments in a liability position or the counterparty for instruments in an asset position. The credit risk is calculated by using the spread between the one-month LIBOR yield curve and the relevant average 10 and 20-year rate according to Standard and Poor’s. The Company has determined the valuation measurement inputs of these derivative instruments to maximize the use of observable inputs that market participants would use in pricing similar or identical instruments and market data obtained from independent sources, which is readily observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the derivative instrument. Further, the valuation measurement inputs minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Accordingly, the Company has classified the derivatives within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework as described by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC. The related gains or losses on these interest rate derivatives are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related items being hedged are recognized in expense. However, to the extent that the change in value of a derivative contract does not perfectly offset the change in the value of the items being hedged, that ineffective portion is immediately recognized in other income or expense. Monthly contractual settlements of these swap positions are recognized as floorplan or other interest expense in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. All of the Company’s interest rate hedges are designated as cash flow hedges. At September 30, 2015 , all of the Company’s derivative contracts that were in effect were determined to be effective. The Company had no gains or losses related to ineffectiveness or amounts excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for either the three or nine months ended September 30, 2015 or 2014 , respectively. The Company held interest rate swaps in effect as of September 30, 2015 of $562.3 million in notional value that fixed its underlying one-month LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.8% . The Company records the majority of the impact of the periodic settlements of these swaps as a component of floorplan interest expense. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the impact of the Company’s interest rate hedges in effect increased floorplan interest expense by $2.8 million and $8.3 million , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , the impact of the Company's interest rate hedges in effect increased floorplan interest expense by $2.4 million and $7.3 million , respectively. Total floorplan interest expense was $9.7 million and $10.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $29.0 million and $31.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 , four interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $225.0 million became effective and eight interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $225.0 million expired. In addition to the $562.3 million of swaps in effect as of September 30, 2015 , the Company held 13 additional interest rate swaps with forward start dates between December 2016 and January 2019 and expiration dates between December 2019 and December 2021 . The aggregate notional value of these 13 forward-starting swaps was $650.0 million , and the weighted average interest rate was 2.6% . The combination of the interest rate swaps currently in effect and these forward-starting swaps is structured such that the notional value in effect at any given time through December 2021 does not exceed $761.0 million , which is less than the Company's expectation for variable rate debt outstanding during such period. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company reflected liabilities from interest rate risk management activities of $39.7 million and $28.7 million , respectively, in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss at September 30, 2015 and 2014 were accumulated unrealized losses, net of income taxes, totaling $24.8 million and $14.3 million , respectively, related to these interest rate swaps. The following table presents the impact during the current and comparative prior year periods for the Company's derivative financial instruments on its Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets . Amount of Unrealized Loss, Net of Tax, Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Nine Months Ended September 30, Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship 2015 2014 (In thousands) Interest rate swap contracts $ (12,907 ) $ (5,787 ) Amount of Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Statements of Operations Location of Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Statements of Operations Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 (In thousands) Floorplan interest expense $ (8,306 ) $ (7,331 ) Other interest expense (1,275 ) (1,138 ) The amount expected to be reclassified out of other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings as additional floorplan interest expense or other interest expense in the next twelve months is $13.3 million .

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS The Company provides stock-based compensation benefits to employees and non-employee directors pursuant to its 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan"), as well as to employees pursuant to its Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (the "Purchase Plan", formerly named the 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan). Long Term Incentive Plan The Incentive Plan provides for the grant of options (including options qualified as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and options that are non-qualified), restricted stock, performance awards, bonus stock, and phantom stock to the Company's employees, consultants, non-employee directors and officers. The Incentive Plan expires on May 21, 2024 . The terms of the awards (including vesting schedules) are established by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. As of September 30, 2015 , there were 1,475,545 shares available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. Restricted Stock Awards Under the Incentive Plan, the Company grants to non-employee directors and certain employees restricted stock awards or, at their election, restricted stock units at no cost to the recipient. Restricted stock awards qualify as participating securities as each award contains non-forfeitable rights to dividends. As such, the two-class method is required for the computation of earnings per share. See Note 5, “Earnings Per Share,” for further details. Restricted stock awards are considered outstanding at the date of grant but are subject to vesting periods upon issuance up to five years . Restricted stock units are considered vested at the time of issuance, however, since they cannot vote, they are not considered outstanding when issued. Restricted stock units settle in shares of common stock upon the termination of the grantees’ employment or directorship. In the event an employee or non-employee director terminates his or her employment or directorship with the Company prior to the lapse of the restrictions, the shares, in most cases, will be forfeited to the Company. Compensation expense for restricted stock awards is calculated based on the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and recognized over the requisite service period. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of valuation and reduce expense ratably over the vesting period. This estimate is adjusted annually based on the extent to which actual or expected forfeitures differ from the previous estimate. A summary of the restricted stock awards as of September 30, 2015 , along with the changes during the nine months then ended, is as follows: Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at December 31, 2014 911,350 $ 58.86 Granted 267,123 84.12 Vested (237,633 ) 50.82 Forfeited (32,870 ) 67.14 Nonvested at September 30, 2015 907,970 $ 68.12 Employee Stock Purchase Plan During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , our shareholders and the Board of Directors approved an additional 1.0 million shares of common stock for issuance under the Purchase Plan. As a result, the Purchase Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 4.5 million shares of common stock and provides that no options to purchase shares may be granted under the Purchase Plan after May 19, 2025 . The Purchase Plan is available to all employees of the Company and its participating subsidiaries and is a qualified plan as defined by Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. At the end of each fiscal quarter (the “Option Period”) during the term of the Purchase Plan, employees can acquire shares of common stock from the Company at 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the first or the last day of the Option Period, whichever is lower. As of September 30, 2015 , there were 1,440,016 shares available for issuance under the Purchase Plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , the Company issued 76,694 and 80,938 shares, respectively, of common stock to employees participating in the Purchase Plan. The weighted average fair value of employee stock purchase rights issued pursuant to the Purchase Plan was $18.66 and $15.07 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The fair value of stock purchase rights is calculated using the grant date stock price, the value of the embedded call option and the value of the embedded put option. Stock-Based Compensation Total stock-based compensation cost was $4.7 million and $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $14.2 million and $11.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Cash received from Purchase Plan purchases was $5.6 million and $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The tax benefit realized for tax deductions associated with the vesting of restricted shares totaled $1.8 million and $1.1 million and increased additional paid-in capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Company issues new shares or treasury shares, if available, when restricted stock vests. With respect to shares issued under the Purchase Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized specific share repurchases to fund the shares issuable under the Purchase Plan.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
EARNINGS PER SHARE	EARNINGS PER SHARE The two-class method is utilized for the computation of the Company's earnings per share (“EPS”). The two-class method requires a portion of net income to be allocated to participating securities, which are unvested awards of share-based payments with non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, including the Company’s restricted stock awards. Income allocated to these participating securities is excluded from net earnings available to common shares, as shown in the table below. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to basic common shares by the weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to diluted common shares by the weighted average number of dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. The following table sets forth the calculation of EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 23,132 23,424 23,294 23,354 Dilutive effect of contingently convertible notes and warrants — 1,003 — 2,004 Dilutive effect of employee stock purchases, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock 5 5 4 5 Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding 23,137 24,432 23,298 25,363 Basic: Net Income $ 45,261 $ 26,162 $ 127,385 $ 74,327 Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities 1,729 1,035 4,906 2,958 Earnings available to basic common shares $ 43,532 $ 25,127 $ 122,479 $ 71,369 Basic earnings per common share $ 1.88 $ 1.07 $ 5.26 $ 3.06 Diluted: Net Income $ 45,261 $ 26,162 $ 127,385 $ 74,327 Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities 1,729 1,000 4,905 2,769 Earnings available to diluted common shares $ 43,532 $ 25,162 $ 122,480 $ 71,558 Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.88 $ 1.03 $ 5.26 $ 2.82 For the periods during which the Company's 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 (" 2.25% Notes") were outstanding, the Company was required to include the dilutive effect, if applicable, of the net shares issuable under the 2.25% Notes and the warrants sold in connection with the 2.25% Notes (“ 2.25% Warrants”) in its diluted common shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per common share calculation. The average adjusted closing price of the Company's common stock for the periods prior to the conversion and redemption of the 2.25% Notes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was more than the conversion price then in effect at the end of the periods. Therefore, the dilutive effect of the 2.25% Notes was included in the computation of diluted EPS for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 . The 2.25% Notes and 2.25% Warrants were converted or redeemed and settled, respectively, during the three months ended September 30, 2014. In addition, for the periods during which the Company's 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (" 3.00% Notes") were outstanding, the Company was required to include the dilutive effect, if applicable, of the net shares issuable under the 3.00% Notes and the warrants sold in connection with the 3.00% Notes (“ 3.00% Warrants”) in its diluted common shares outstanding for the diluted earnings calculation. The average adjusted closing price of the Company's common stock for the periods prior to the conversion and redemption of the 3.00% Notes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was more than the conversion price then in effect at the end of the periods. Therefore, the respective dilutive effect of the 3.00% Notes and 3.00% Warrants was included in the computation of diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 . On June 25, 2014, the Company repurchased $92.5 million of the then outstanding $115.0 million principal. The remaining 3.00% Notes and 3.00% Warrants were repurchased and settled, respectively, during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES The Company is subject to U.S. federal income taxes and income taxes in numerous U.S. states. In addition, the Company is subject to income tax in the U.K. and Brazil relative to its foreign subsidiaries. The Company's effective income tax rates of 38.0% and 37.6% of pretax income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% due primarily to taxes provided for in U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates, as well as valuation allowances provided for net operating losses in certain U.S. states and in Brazil. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company's effective tax rate decreased compared to the same periods in 2014 to 38.0% and 37.6% from 40.4% and 43.4% , respectively. These decreases were primarily due to the tax deductible loss recognized in 2014 on the purchase of the majority of the 2.25% Notes and the 3.00% Notes that was less than the loss recognized for U.S. GAAP. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits with respect to uncertain tax positions and did not incur any interest and penalties nor did it accrue any interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . When applicable, consistent with prior practice, the Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. Taxable years 2010 and subsequent remain open for examination by the Company’s major taxing jurisdictions.

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Detail Of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts	DETAIL OF CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS Accounts and notes receivable consisted of the following: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (unaudited) (In thousands) Amounts due from manufacturers $ 88,153 $ 86,062 Parts and service receivables 31,305 35,034 Finance and insurance receivables 20,555 20,898 Other 11,040 12,977 Total accounts and notes receivable 151,053 154,971 Less allowance for doubtful accounts 3,943 3,641 Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 147,110 $ 151,330 Inventories consisted of the following: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (unaudited) (In thousands) New vehicles $ 1,142,441 $ 1,137,478 Used vehicles 295,281 254,939 Rental vehicles 133,344 103,184 Parts, accessories and other 70,203 67,466 Total inventories 1,641,269 1,563,067 Less lower of cost or market reserves 6,848 6,362 Inventories, net $ 1,634,421 $ 1,556,705 New and used vehicles are valued at the lower of specific cost or market and are removed from inventory using the specific identification method. Parts and accessories are valued at lower of cost (determined on either a first-in, first-out or an average cost basis) or market. Property and equipment consisted of the following: Estimated Useful Lives in Years September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (unaudited) (dollars in thousands) Land — $ 352,932 $ 328,474 Buildings 30 to 40 489,187 482,496 Leasehold improvements varies 141,288 134,658 Machinery and equipment 7 to 20 90,521 87,728 Furniture and fixtures 3 to 10 81,092 77,581 Company vehicles 3 to 5 11,596 10,706 Construction in progress — 40,749 32,115 Total 1,207,365 1,153,758 Less accumulated depreciation 228,473 203,370 Property and equipment, net $ 978,892 $ 950,388 During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company incurred $44.1 million of capital expenditures for the construction of new or expanded facilities and the purchase of equipment and other fixed assets in the maintenance of the Company’s dealerships and facilities, excluding capital expenditures accrued as of December 31, 2014. In addition, the Company purchased real estate (including land and buildings) during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 associated with existing dealership operations totaling $16.3 million . And, in conjunction with the acquisition of dealerships and franchises in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company acquired $9.8 million of real estate and other property and equipment. As of December 31, 2014 , the Company determined that certain real estate investments qualified for held-for-sale treatment. As a result, the Company classified the carrying value of the real estate, totaling $4.0 million , in prepaid and other current assets in its Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Credit Facilities

Credit Facilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
CREDIT FACILITIES	CREDIT FACILITIES In the U.S., the Company has a $1.7 billion revolving syndicated credit arrangement with 24 financial institutions including six manufacturer-affiliated finance companies (“Revolving Credit Facility”). The Company also has a $300.0 million floorplan financing arrangement (“FMCC Facility”) with Ford Motor Credit Company (“FMCC”) for financing of new Ford vehicles in the U.S. and other floorplan financing arrangements with several other automobile manufacturers for financing of a portion of its U.S. rental vehicle inventory. In the U.K., the Company has financing arrangements with BMW Financial Services, Volkswagen Finance and FMCC for financing of its new and used vehicles. In Brazil, the Company has financing arrangements for new, used, and rental vehicles with several financial institutions, most of which are manufacturer affiliated. Within the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, Floorplan notes payable - credit facility and other primarily reflects amounts payable for the purchase of specific new, used and rental vehicle inventory (with the exception of new and rental vehicle purchases financed through lenders affiliated with the respective manufacturer) whereby financing is provided by the Revolving Credit Facility. Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates reflects amounts related to the purchase of vehicles whereby financing is provided by the FMCC Facility, the financing of rental vehicles in the U.S., as well as the financing of new, used, and rental vehicles in both the U.K. and Brazil. Payments on the floorplan notes payable are generally due as the vehicles are sold. As a result, these obligations are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as current liabilities. Revolving Credit Facility The Company's Revolving Credit Facility provides a total borrowing capacity of $1.7 billion and expires on June 20, 2018 . The Revolving Credit Facility consists of two tranches, providing a maximum of $1.6 billion for U.S. vehicle inventory floorplan financing (“Floorplan Line”), as well as a maximum of $320.0 million and a minimum of $100.0 million for working capital and general corporate purposes, including acquisitions (“Acquisition Line”). The capacity under these two tranches can be re-designated within the overall $1.7 billion commitment, subject to the aforementioned limits. Up to $125.0 million of the Acquisition Line can be borrowed in either euros or British pound sterling. The Revolving Credit Facility can be expanded to a maximum commitment of $1.95 billion , subject to participating lender approval. The Floorplan Line bears interest at rates equal to the LIBOR plus 125 basis points for new vehicle inventory and the LIBOR plus 150 basis points for used vehicle inventory. The Acquisition Line bears interest at the LIBOR plus 150 basis points plus a margin that ranges from zero to 100 basis points for borrowings in U.S. dollars and LIBOR equivalent plus 150 to 250 basis points on borrowings in euros or British pound sterling, depending on the Company’s total adjusted leverage ratio. The Floorplan Line requires a commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the unused portion. Amounts borrowed by the Company under the Floorplan Line for specific vehicle inventory are to be repaid upon the sale of the vehicle financed, and in no case is a borrowing for a vehicle to remain outstanding for greater than one year . The Acquisition Line also requires a commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.45% per annum, depending on the Company’s total adjusted leverage ratio, based on a minimum commitment of $100.0 million less outstanding borrowings. In conjunction with the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company has $4.1 million of related unamortized costs as of September 30, 2015 , which are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other Assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and amortized over the term of the facility. After considering the outstanding balance of $1,148.3 million at September 30, 2015 , the Company had $231.7 million of available floorplan borrowing capacity under the Floorplan Line. Included in the $231.7 million available borrowings under the Floorplan Line was $28.1 million of immediately available funds. The weighted average interest rate on the Floorplan Line was 1.4% as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , excluding the impact of the Company’s interest rate swaps. With regards to the Acquisition Line, borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $138.2 million and $69.7 million , respectively. After considering $45.7 million of outstanding letters of credit and other factors included in the Company’s available borrowing base calculation, there was $122.0 million of available borrowing capacity under the Acquisition Line as of September 30, 2015 . The amount of available borrowing capacity under the Acquisition Line is limited from time to time based upon certain debt covenants. All of the U.S. dealership-owning subsidiaries are co-borrowers under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company’s obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by essentially all of the Company's U.S. personal property (other than equity interests in dealership-owning subsidiaries), including all motor vehicle inventory and proceeds from the disposition of dealership-owning subsidiaries, excluding inventory financed directly with manufacturer-affiliates and other third-party financing institutions. The Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of significant covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to make disbursements outside of the ordinary course of business, dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments and engage in mergers or consolidations. The Company is also required to comply with specified financial tests and ratios defined in the Revolving Credit Facility, such as the fixed charge coverage, total adjusted leverage, and senior secured adjusted leverage ratios. Further, the Revolving Credit Facility restricts the Company’s ability to make certain payments, such as dividends or other distributions of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities (“Restricted Payments”). The Restricted Payments cannot exceed the sum of $125.0 million plus (or minus if negative) (a) one-half of the aggregate consolidated net income for the period beginning on January 1, 2013 and ending on the date of determination and (b) the amount of net cash proceeds received from the sale of capital stock on or after January 1, 2013 and ending on the date of determination less (c) cash dividends and share repurchases (“Restricted Payment Basket”). For purposes of the calculation of the Restricted Payment Basket, net income represents such amounts per the consolidated financial statements adjusted to exclude the Company’s foreign operations, non-cash interest expense, non-cash asset impairment charges, and non-cash stock-based compensation. As of September 30, 2015 , the Restricted Payment Basket totaled $162.1 million . As of September 30, 2015 , the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants and ratios under the Revolving Credit Facility. Ford Motor Credit Company Facility The FMCC Facility provides for the financing of, and is collateralized by, the Company’s Ford new vehicle inventory in the U.S., including affiliated brands. This arrangement provides for $300.0 million of floorplan financing and is an evergreen arrangement that may be canceled with 30 days ' notice by either party. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company had an outstanding balance of $126.8 million under the FMCC Facility with an available floorplan borrowing capacity of $173.2 million . Included in the $173.2 million available borrowings under the FMCC Facility was $20.0 million of immediately available funds. This facility bears interest at a rate of Prime plus 150 basis points minus certain incentives. The interest rate on the FMCC Facility was 4.75% before considering the applicable incentives as of September 30, 2015 . Other Credit Facilities The Company has credit facilities with BMW Financial Services, Volkswagen Finance and FMCC for the financing of new, used and rental vehicle inventories related to its U.K. operations. These facilities are denominated in British pound sterling and are evergreen arrangements that may be canceled with notice by either party and bear interest at a base rate, plus a surcharge that varies based upon the type of vehicle being financed. The annual interest rates charged on borrowings outstanding under these facilities ranged from 1.15% to 3.95% as of September 30, 2015 . The Company has credit facilities with financial institutions in Brazil, most of which are affiliated with the manufacturers, for the financing of new, used and rental vehicle inventories related to its Brazil operations. These facilities are denominated in Brazilian real and have renewal terms ranging from one month to twelve months. They may be canceled with notice by either party and bear interest at a benchmark rate, plus a surcharge that varies based upon the type of vehicle being financed. As of September 30, 2015 , the annual interest rates charged on borrowings outstanding under these facilities ranged from 16.77% to 23.73% . Excluding rental vehicles financed through the Revolving Credit Facility, financing for U.S. rental vehicles is typically obtained directly from the automobile manufacturers. These financing arrangements generally require small monthly payments and mature in varying amounts over a period of two years. As of September 30, 2015 , the interest rate charged on borrowings related to the Company’s rental vehicle fleet varied up to 4.75% . Rental vehicles are typically transferred to used vehicle inventory when they are removed from service and repayment of the borrowing is required at that time.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT The Company carries its long-term debt at face value, net of applicable discounts. Long-term debt consisted of the following: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands) 5.00% Senior Notes (aggregate principal of $550,000 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014) $ 540,957 $ 540,100 Acquisition Line 138,201 69,713 Real Estate Credit Facility 55,498 58,003 Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt 352,576 358,271 Capital lease obligations related to real estate, maturing in varying amounts through June 2034 with a weighted average interest rate of 9.7% 52,888 55,380 1,140,120 1,081,467 Less current maturities of real estate credit facility and other long-term debt 55,959 72,630 $ 1,084,161 $ 1,008,837 5.00% Senior Notes On June 2, 2014, the Company issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.00% Senior Notes due 2022(" 5.00% Notes") . Subsequently, on September 9, 2014, the Company issued an additional $200.0 million of 5.00% Notes at a discount of 1.5% from face value. The 5.00% Notes will mature on June 1, 2022 and pay interest semiannually, in arrears, in cash on each June 1 and December 1, beginning December 1, 2014. Using proceeds of certain equity offerings, the Company may redeem up to 35.0% of the 5.00% Notes prior to June 1, 2017, subject to certain conditions, at a redemption price equal to 105% of principal amount of the 5.00% Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. Otherwise, the Company may redeem some or all of the 5.00% Notes prior to June 1, 2017 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.00% Notes redeemed, plus an applicable premium, and plus accrued and unpaid interest. On or after June 1, 2017, the Company may redeem some or all of the 5.00% Notes at specified prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company may be required to purchase the 5.00% Notes if it sells certain assets or triggers the change in control provisions defined in the 5.00% Notes indenture. The 5.00% Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equal in right of payment to all of the Company's existing and future senior unsecured debt and senior in right of payment to all of its future subordinated debt. The 5.00% Notes are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company's U.S. subsidiaries. The U.S. subsidiary guarantees rank equally in the right of payment to all of the Company's U.S. subsidiary guarantor’s existing and future subordinated debt. In addition, the 5.00% Notes are structurally subordinated to the liabilities of its non-guarantor subsidiaries. In connection with the issuance of the 5.00% Notes, the Company entered into registration rights agreements (the “Registration Rights Agreements”) with the initial purchasers. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreements, the Company agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, so that holders of the 5.00% Notes could exchange the 5.00% Notes for registered 5.00% Notes that have substantially identical terms as the 5.00% Notes. The Company also agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the exchange to be completed by June 2, 2015, or be required to pay additional interest. In June 2015, the Company completed the exchange. Underwriters' fees and the discount relative to the $550.0 million totaled $10.4 million , which were recorded as a reduction of the 5.00% Notes principal balance and are being amortized over a period of eight years. The 5.00% Notes are presented net of unamortized underwriter fees and discount of $9.0 million as of September 30, 2015 . In connection with the issuance of the 5.00% Notes, the Company capitalized $2.6 million of debt issuance costs, which are included in Other Assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and amortized over a period of eight years. Unamortized debt issuance costs as of September 30, 2015 totaled $2.1 million . Real Estate Credit Facility Group 1 Realty, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is party to a real estate credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. and Comerica Bank (the “Real Estate Credit Facility”) providing the right for term loans to finance real estate purchases. As of September 30, 2015 , $25.0 million of term loan borrowings remained available. The term loans can be expanded provided that (a) no default or event of default exists under the Real Estate Credit Facility; (b) the Company obtains commitments from the lenders who would qualify as assignees for such increased amounts; and (c) certain other agreed upon terms and conditions have been satisfied. The Real Estate Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company and substantially all of the existing and future domestic subsidiaries of the Company and is secured by the real property owned by the Company that is mortgaged under the Real Estate Credit Facility. The Company capitalized $1.1 million of debt issuance costs related to the Real Estate Credit Facility which are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other Assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet that are being amortized over the term of the facility, $0.2 million of which were still unamortized as of September 30, 2015 . The interest rate on the Real Estate Credit Facility is equal to (a) the per annum rate equal to one-month LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum, determined on the first day of each month; or (b) 0.95% per annum in excess of the higher of (i) the Bank of America prime rate (adjusted daily on the day specified in the public announcement of such price rate), (ii) the Federal Funds Rate adjusted daily, plus 0.50% or (iii) the per annum rate equal to the one-month LIBOR plus 1.05% per annum. The Federal Funds Rate is the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the business day succeeding such day. The Company is required to make quarterly principal payments equal to 1.25% of the principal amount outstanding and is required to repay the aggregate amount outstanding on the maturity dates of the individual property borrowings, ranging, from December 29, 2015 through February 27, 2017 . During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $2.5 million on outstanding borrowings from the Real Estate Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2015 , borrowings outstanding under the Real Estate Credit Facility totaled $55.5 million , with $30.9 million recorded as a current maturity of long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Real Estate Credit Facility also contains usual and customary provisions limiting the Company’s ability to engage in certain transactions, including limitations on the Company’s ability to incur additional debt, additional liens, make investments, and pay distributions to its stockholders. In addition, the Real Estate Credit Facility requires certain financial covenants that are identical to those contained in the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants and ratios under the Real Estate Credit Facility. Acquisition Line See Note 8, "Credit Facilities," for further discussion on the Company's Revolving Credit Facility and Acquisition Line. Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt The Company, as well as certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, has entered into separate term mortgage loans in the U.S. with four of its manufacturer-affiliated finance partners, Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (“TMCC”), Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA, LLC (“MBFS”), BMW Financial Services NA, LLC (“BMWFS”) and FMCC, as well as several third-party financial institutions (collectively, “Real Estate Notes”). The Real Estate Notes are on specific buildings and/or properties and are guaranteed by the Company. Each loan was made in connection with, and is secured by mortgage liens on, the real property owned by the Company that is mortgaged under the Real Estate Notes. The Real Estate Notes bear interest at fixed rates between 3.00% and 5.47% , and at variable indexed rates plus a spread between 1.50% and 2.55% per annum. The Company capitalized $1.3 million of related debt issuance costs related to the Real Estate Notes which are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other Assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet that are being amortized over the terms of the notes, $0.3 million of which were still unamortized as of September 30, 2015 . The loan agreements with TMCC consist of eight term loans. As of September 30, 2015 , $48.5 million was outstanding under the TMCC term loans, with $2.2 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $1.5 million . These loans will mature by August 2022 and provide for monthly payments based on a 20 -year amortization schedule. These eight loans are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted with each other and are cross-defaulted with the Revolving Credit Facility. The loan agreements with MBFS consist of two term loans. As of September 30, 2015 , $26.5 million was outstanding under the MBFS term loans, with $1.2 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $0.8 million . The agreements provide for monthly payments based on a 20 -year amortization schedule and will mature by January 2031 . These two loans are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted with each other and are also cross-defaulted with the Revolving Credit Facility. The loan agreements with BMWFS consist of 14 term loans. As of September 30, 2015 , $62.6 million was outstanding under the BMWFS term loans, with $4.6 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $3.3 million . The agreements provide for monthly payments based on a 15 -year amortization schedule and will mature by October 2021 . In the case of three properties owned by subsidiaries, the applicable loan is also guaranteed by the subsidiary real property owner. These 14 loans are cross-collateralized with each other. In addition, they are cross-defaulted with each other, the Revolving Credit Facility, and certain dealership franchising agreements with BMW of North America, LLC. The loan agreements with FMCC consist of four term loans. As of September 30, 2015 , $34.0 million was outstanding under the FMCC term loans, with $1.5 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $1.1 million . The agreements provide for monthly payments based on a 20 -year amortization schedule that will mature by December 2024 . These four loans are cross-defaulted with the Revolving Credit Facility. In addition, agreements with third-party financial institutions consist of 18 term loans for an aggregate principal amount of $121.2 million , to finance real estate associated with the Company’s dealerships. The loans are being repaid in monthly installments that will mature by November 2022 . As of September 30, 2015 , borrowings under these notes totaled $108.7 million , with $6.1 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $6.5 million . These 18 loans are cross-defaulted with the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company has entered into separate term mortgage loans in the U.K. with other third-party financial institutions which are secured by the Company’s U.K. properties. These mortgage loans (collectively, “U.K. Notes”) are being repaid in monthly installments that will mature by September 2034 . As of September 30, 2015 , borrowings under the U.K. Notes totaled $59.7 million , with $4.6 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company made additional borrowings and principal payments of $17.4 million and $2.6 million , respectively. The Company has also entered into a separate term mortgage loan in Brazil with a third-party financial institution to finance the purchase and construction of dealership properties (the "Brazil Note"). The Brazil Note is secured by the Company’s Brazilian properties as purchased and/or constructed, as well as a guarantee from the Company. The Brazil Note is being repaid in monthly installments that will mature by April 2025 . As of September 30, 2015 , borrowings under the Brazil Note totaled $3.7 million , with $0.4 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has working capital loan agreements with third-party financial institutions in Brazil that will mature by February 2017 . As of September 30, 2015 , borrowings under the Brazilian third-party loans totaled $5.5 million classified as long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company made no additional borrowings and principal payments of $9.3 million . Fair Value of Long-Term Debt The Company's outstanding 5.00% Notes had a fair value of $539.0 million and $534.9 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The Company's fixed interest rate borrowings included in other real estate related and long-term debt totaled $147.3 million and $158.1 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The fair value of such fixed interest rate borrowings was $170.8 million and $186.4 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The fair value estimates are based on Level 2 inputs of the fair value hierarchy available as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . The Company determined the estimated fair value of its long-term debt using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company, or holders of the instruments, could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on estimated fair values. The carrying value of the Company’s variable rate debt approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rates.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; requires disclosure of the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date; and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs utilized in the measurement and valuation of financial assets or liabilities as of the measurement date: • Level 1 — unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets; • Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation; and • Level 3 — unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, accounts and notes receivable, investments in debt and equity securities, accounts payable, credit facilities, long-term debt and interest rate swaps. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, and credit facilities approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments or the existence of variable interest rates. The Company evaluated its assets and liabilities for those that met the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework of ASC 820 and identified debt instruments, interest rate derivative instruments, and investment balances in certain financial institutions as having met such criteria. The Company periodically invests in unsecured, corporate demand obligations with manufacturer-affiliated finance companies, which bear interest at a variable rate and are redeemable on demand by the Company. Therefore, the Company has classified these demand obligations as cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company determined that the valuation measurement inputs of these instruments include inputs other than quoted market prices, that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable data by correlation. Accordingly, the Company has classified these instruments within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework. In addition, the Company maintains an investment balance with certain of the financial institutions in Brazil that provide credit facilities for the financing of new, used and rental vehicle inventories. The investment balances bear interest at a variable rate and are redeemable by the Company in the future under certain conditions. The Company has classified these investment balances as other current and long-term assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company determined that the valuation measurement inputs of these instruments include inputs other than quoted market prices, that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable data by correlation. Accordingly, the Company has classified these instruments within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework. The Company's derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair market value. See Note 3, "Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities" for further details regarding the Company's derivative financial instruments. See Note 9, "Long-term Debt" for details regarding the fair value of the Company's long-term debt. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the accompanying balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, were as follows: As of September 30, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Total (In thousands) Assets: Investments $ — $ 5,253 $ 5,253 Demand obligations $ — $ 88 $ 88 Total $ — $ 5,341 $ 5,341 Liabilities: Interest rate derivative financial instruments $ — $ 39,724 $ 39,724 Total $ — $ 39,724 $ 39,724 As of December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Total (In thousands) Assets: Investments $ — $ 12,283 $ 12,283 Demand obligations $ — $ 20,304 $ 20,304 Total $ — $ 32,587 $ 32,587 Liabilities: Interest rate derivative financial instruments $ — $ 28,653 $ 28,653 Total $ — $ 28,653 $ 28,653

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES From time to time, the Company’s dealerships are named in various types of litigation involving customer claims, employment matters, class action claims, purported class action claims, as well as claims involving the manufacturer of automobiles, contractual disputes and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Due to the nature of the automotive retailing business, the Company may be involved in legal proceedings or suffer losses that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. In the normal course of business, the Company is required to respond to customer, employee and other third-party complaints. Amounts that have been accrued or paid related to the settlement of litigation are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, the manufacturers of the vehicles that the Company sells and services have audit rights allowing them to review the validity of amounts claimed for incentive, rebate or warranty-related items and charge the Company back for amounts determined to be invalid payments under the manufacturers’ programs, subject to the Company’s right to appeal any such decision. Amounts that have been accrued or paid related to the settlement of manufacturer chargebacks of recognized incentives and rebates are included in cost of sales in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, while such amounts for manufacturer chargebacks of recognized warranty-related items are included as a reduction of revenues in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Legal Proceedings Currently, the Company is not party to any legal proceedings that, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows, including class action lawsuits. However, the results of current, or future, matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of such matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows. Other Matters The Company, acting through its subsidiaries, is the lessee under many real estate leases that provide for the use by the Company’s subsidiaries of their respective dealership premises. Pursuant to these leases, the Company’s subsidiaries generally agree to indemnify the lessor and other parties from certain liabilities arising as a result of the use of the leased premises, including environmental liabilities, or a breach of the lease by the lessee. Additionally, from time to time, the Company enters into agreements in connection with the sale of assets or businesses in which it agrees to indemnify the purchaser, or other parties, from certain liabilities or costs arising in connection with the assets or business. Also, in the ordinary course of business in connection with purchases or sales of goods and services, the Company enters into agreements that may contain indemnification provisions. In the event that an indemnification claim is asserted, liability would be limited by the terms of the applicable agreement. From time to time, primarily in connection with dealership dispositions, the Company’s subsidiaries sublet to the dealership purchaser the subsidiaries’ interests in any real property leases associated with such dealerships and continue to be primarily obligated on the lease. In these situations, the Company’s subsidiaries retain primary responsibility for the performance of certain obligations under such leases. To the extent that the Company remains primarily responsible under such leases, a quantification of such lease obligations is included in the Company's disclosure of future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating leases in Note 18, Operating Leases of the Company's Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed on Form 10-K. In certain instances, also in connection with dealership dispositions, the Company’s subsidiaries assign to the dealership purchaser the subsidiaries’ interests in any real property leases associated with such dealerships. The Company’s subsidiaries may retain secondary responsibility for the performance of certain obligations under such leases to the extent that the assignee does not perform, if such performance is required following the assignment of the lease. Additionally, the Company and its subsidiaries may remain subject to the terms of a guaranty made by the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with such leases. In these circumstances, the Company generally has indemnification rights against the assignee in the event of non-performance under these leases, as well as certain defenses. The Company and its subsidiaries also may be called on to perform other obligations under these leases, such as environmental remediation of the leased premises or repair of the leased premises upon termination of the lease. However, potential environmental liabilities are generally known at the time of the sale of the dealership if not previously remediated. The Company does not have any known material environmental commitments or contingencies and presently has no reason to believe that it or its subsidiaries will be called on to so perform. Although not estimated to be material, the Company’s exposure under these leases is difficult to estimate and there can be no assurance that any performance of the Company or its subsidiaries required under these leases would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, or cash flows.

Intangible Franchise Rights and

Intangible Franchise Rights and Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS AND GOODWILL	INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS AND GOODWILL The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s intangible franchise rights and goodwill accounts by reportable segment: Intangible Franchise Rights U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) BALANCE, December 31, 2014 $ 257,502 $ 8,157 $ 38,288 $ 303,947 Additions through acquisitions 49,432 — — 49,432 Disposals (188 ) — — (188 ) Currency translation — (193 ) (13,235 ) (13,428 ) BALANCE, September 30, 2015 $ 306,746 $ 7,964 $ 25,053 $ 339,763 Goodwill U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) BALANCE, December 31, 2014 $ 700,642 $ 35,138 $ 94,597 $ 830,377 (1) Additions through acquisitions 115,317 — — 115,317 Purchase price allocation adjustments (74 ) 1,729 — 1,655 Disposals (1,109 ) — — (1,109 ) Currency translation — (885 ) (32,698 ) (33,583 ) Tax adjustments (18 ) — — (18 ) BALANCE, September 30, 2015 $ 814,758 $ 35,982 $ 61,899 $ 912,639 (1) (1) Net of accumulated impairment of $42.4 million .

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Accumulated foreign currency translation loss Accumulated loss on interest rate swaps Total (In thousands) Balance, December 31, 2014 $ (64,075 ) $ (17,909 ) $ (81,984 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications: Pre-tax (56,902 ) (20,651 ) (77,553 ) Tax effect — 7,744 7,744 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to: Floorplan interest expense — 8,306 8,306 Other interest expense — 1,275 1,275 Tax effect — (3,593 ) (3,593 ) Net current period other comprehensive loss (56,902 ) (6,919 ) (63,821 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (120,977 ) $ (24,828 ) $ (145,805 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Accumulated foreign currency translation loss Accumulated loss on interest rate swaps Total (In thousands) Balance, December 31, 2013 $ (37,827 ) $ (13,850 ) $ (51,677 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications: Pre-tax (7,329 ) (9,259 ) (16,588 ) Tax effect — 3,472 3,472 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to: Floorplan interest expense — 7,331 7,331 Other interest expense — 1,138 1,138 Tax effect — (3,176 ) (3,176 ) Net current period other comprehensive loss (7,329 ) (494 ) (7,823 ) Balance, September 30, 2014 $ (45,156 ) $ (14,344 ) $ (59,500 )

Segment Information Segment Inf

Segment Information Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	SEGMENT INFORMATION As of September 30, 2015 , the Company had three reportable segments: (1) the U.S., (2) the U.K., and (3) Brazil. Each of the reportable segments is comprised of retail automotive franchises, which sell new vehicles, used vehicles, parts and automotive services, finance and insurance products, and collision centers. The vast majority of the Company's corporate activities are associated with the operations of the U.S. operating segments and therefore the corporate financial results are included within the U.S. reportable segment. The reportable segments identified above are the business activities of the Company for which discrete financial information is available and for which operating results are regularly reviewed by its chief operating decision maker to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company's chief operating decision maker is its Chief Executive Officer. Reportable segment revenue, income (loss) before income taxes, provision for income taxes and net income (loss) were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) Total revenues $ 2,343,566 $ 327,431 $ 129,572 $ 2,800,569 $ 6,629,513 $ 935,139 $ 395,251 $ 7,959,903 Income (loss) before income taxes 67,182 5,328 526 73,036 189,773 15,278 (765 ) 204,286 Provision for income taxes (26,432 ) (1,207 ) (136 ) (27,775 ) (73,085 ) (3,215 ) (601 ) (76,901 ) Net income (loss) 40,750 4,121 390 45,261 116,688 12,063 (1,366 ) 127,385 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) Total revenues $ 2,175,605 $ 252,201 $ 198,642 $ 2,626,448 $ 6,070,827 $ 751,226 $ 576,896 $ 7,398,949 Income (loss) before income taxes 43,146 5,840 (5,117 ) 43,869 123,474 15,974 (8,172 ) 131,276 Provision for income taxes (20,375 ) (1,159 ) 3,827 (17,707 ) (57,439 ) (2,814 ) 3,304 (56,949 ) Net income (loss) (1) 22,771 4,681 (1,290 ) 26,162 66,035 13,160 (4,868 ) 74,327 (1) Includes the following, after tax: loss due to extinguishment of long-term debt of $17.9 million and $38.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively, in the U.S.; asset impairment charges of $2.6 million and $3.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively, in the U.S., and $4.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , in Brazil; gain on real estate and dealership transactions of $8.6 million and $8.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively, in the U.S.; and the tax benefit of deductible goodwill of $3.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , in Brazil. Reportable segment total assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: As of September 30, 2015 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) Total assets $ 3,736,130 $ 378,978 $ 176,942 $ 4,292,050 As of December 31, 2014 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) Total assets $ 3,529,643 $ 327,644 $ 284,205 $ 4,141,492

Condensed Consolidated Financia

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information Condensed Consolidated Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Text Block]	15. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION The following tables include condensed consolidating financial information as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , for Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s (as issuer of the 5.00% Notes), guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries (representing foreign entities). The condensed consolidating financial information includes certain allocations of balance sheet, statement of operations and cash flows items that are not necessarily indicative of the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of these entities had they operated on a stand-alone basis. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET September 30, 2015 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 4,397 $ 17,571 $ — $ 21,968 Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net — 173,859 31,777 — 205,636 Accounts and notes receivable, net — 118,137 28,973 — 147,110 Intercompany accounts receivable — 263,906 — (263,906 ) — Inventories, net — 1,438,310 196,111 — 1,634,421 Deferred income taxes 288 12,811 — — 13,099 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 785 8,000 13,771 — 22,556 Total current assets 1,073 2,019,420 288,203 (263,906 ) 2,044,790 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net — 863,526 115,366 — 978,892 GOODWILL — 814,759 97,880 — 912,639 INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS — 306,745 33,018 — 339,763 INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES 2,162,133 — — (2,162,133 ) — OTHER ASSETS — 8,683 7,283 — 15,966 Total assets $ 2,163,206 $ 4,013,133 $ 541,750 $ (2,426,039 ) $ 4,292,050 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other $ — $ 1,176,385 $ 1,128 $ — $ 1,177,513 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility — (28,073 ) — — (28,073 ) Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates — 253,361 94,296 — 347,657 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates — (20,001 ) — — (20,001 ) Current maturities of long-term debt — 50,756 5,203 — 55,959 Accounts payable — 177,270 113,239 — 290,509 Intercompany accounts payable 368,915 — 263,906 (632,821 ) — Accrued expenses — 137,675 20,608 — 158,283 Total current liabilities 368,915 1,747,373 498,380 (632,821 ) 1,981,847 LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities 679,158 337,858 67,145 — 1,084,161 LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES — 39,724 — — 39,724 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES — 206,938 10,052 — 216,990 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Group 1 stockholders’ equity 1,115,133 2,050,155 (33,827 ) (2,162,133 ) 969,328 Intercompany note receivable — (368,915 ) — 368,915 — Total stockholders’ equity 1,115,133 1,681,240 (33,827 ) (1,793,218 ) 969,328 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,163,206 $ 4,013,133 $ 541,750 $ (2,426,039 ) $ 4,292,050 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2014 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 25,379 $ 15,596 $ — $ 40,975 Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net — 218,361 19,087 — 237,448 Accounts and notes receivable, net — 117,427 33,903 — 151,330 Intercompany accounts receivable — 276,217 — (276,217 ) — Inventories, net — 1,342,022 214,683 — 1,556,705 Deferred income taxes 196 10,866 — — 11,062 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 590 22,039 15,070 — 37,699 Total current assets 786 2,012,311 298,339 (276,217 ) 2,035,219 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net — 839,063 111,325 — 950,388 GOODWILL — 700,642 129,735 — 830,377 INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS — 257,502 46,445 — 303,947 INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES 1,964,442 — — (1,964,442 ) — OTHER ASSETS — 10,120 11,441 — 21,561 Total assets $ 1,965,228 $ 3,819,638 $ 597,285 $ (2,240,659 ) $ 4,141,492 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other $ — $ 1,137,743 $ 5,503 $ — $ 1,143,246 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility — (39,616 ) — — (39,616 ) Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates — 207,329 100,327 — 307,656 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates — (22,500 ) — — (22,500 ) Current maturities of long-term debt — 61,185 11,445 — 72,630 Accounts payable — 176,143 112,177 — 288,320 Intercompany accounts payable 295,421 — 276,217 (571,638 ) — Accrued expenses — 149,700 22,763 — 172,463 Total current liabilities 295,421 1,669,984 528,432 (571,638 ) 1,922,199 LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities 609,812 347,202 51,823 — 1,008,837 LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES — 25,311 — — 25,311 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES — 193,077 14,058 — 207,135 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Group 1 stockholders’ equity 1,059,995 1,879,485 2,972 (1,964,442 ) 978,010 Intercompany note receivable — (295,421 ) — 295,421 — Total stockholders’ equity 1,059,995 1,584,064 2,972 (1,669,021 ) 978,010 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,965,228 $ 3,819,638 $ 597,285 $ (2,240,659 ) $ 4,141,492 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) REVENUES: $ — $ 2,343,567 $ 457,002 $ — $ 2,800,569 COST OF SALES: — 1,995,252 406,935 — 2,402,187 GROSS PROFIT — 348,315 50,067 — 398,382 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 555 247,054 41,403 — 289,012 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 10,372 1,439 — 11,811 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 204 712 — 916 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (555 ) 90,685 6,513 — 96,643 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (8,963 ) (722 ) — (9,685 ) Other interest expense, net 648 (12,738 ) (1,832 ) — (13,922 ) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 93 68,984 3,959 — 73,036 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (35 ) (26,398 ) (1,342 ) — (27,775 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 45,203 — — (45,203 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 45,261 $ 42,586 $ 2,617 $ (45,203 ) $ 45,261 COMPREHENSIVE LOSS — (6,158 ) (36,307 ) — (42,465 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 45,261 $ 36,428 $ (33,690 ) $ (45,203 ) $ 2,796 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) REVENUES: $ — $ 6,629,514 $ 1,330,389 $ — $ 7,959,903 COST OF SALES: — 5,624,527 1,181,537 — 6,806,064 GROSS PROFIT — 1,004,987 148,852 — 1,153,839 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 2,612 712,265 126,173 — 841,050 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 30,847 4,594 — 35,441 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 702 1,253 — 1,955 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (2,612 ) 261,173 16,832 — 275,393 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (26,439 ) (2,607 ) — (29,046 ) Other interest expense, net 1,845 (38,534 ) (5,372 ) — (42,061 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (767 ) 196,200 8,853 — 204,286 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 288 (73,375 ) (3,814 ) — (76,901 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 127,864 — — (127,864 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 127,385 $ 122,825 $ 5,039 $ (127,864 ) $ 127,385 COMPREHENSIVE LOSS — (6,919 ) (56,902 ) — (63,821 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 127,385 $ 115,906 $ (51,863 ) $ (127,864 ) $ 63,564 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) REVENUES: $ — $ 2,175,604 $ 450,844 $ — $ 2,626,448 COST OF SALES: — 1,853,668 398,071 — 2,251,739 GROSS PROFIT — 321,936 52,773 — 374,709 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 559 220,142 43,532 — 264,233 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 9,296 1,450 — 10,746 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 4,252 5,121 — 9,373 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (559 ) 88,246 2,670 — 90,357 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (8,544 ) (1,908 ) — (10,452 ) Other interest expense, net 567 (12,264 ) (1,549 ) — (13,246 ) Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt — (22,790 ) — — (22,790 ) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 8 44,648 (787 ) — 43,869 (PROVISION) BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES (3 ) (20,372 ) 2,668 — (17,707 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 26,157 — — (26,157 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 26,162 $ 24,276 $ 1,881 $ (26,157 ) $ 26,162 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) — 2,366 (21,938 ) — (19,572 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 26,162 $ 26,642 $ (20,057 ) $ (26,157 ) $ 6,590 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) REVENUES: $ — $ 6,070,827 $ 1,328,122 $ — $ 7,398,949 COST OF SALES: — 5,142,382 1,174,588 — 6,316,970 GROSS PROFIT — 928,445 153,534 — 1,081,979 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 2,315 660,321 131,125 — 793,761 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 27,232 4,192 — 31,424 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 5,973 5,121 — 11,094 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (2,315 ) 234,919 13,096 — 245,700 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (25,489 ) (6,206 ) — (31,695 ) Other interest expense, net 1,696 (34,326 ) (3,696 ) — (36,326 ) Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt — (46,403 ) — — (46,403 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (619 ) 128,701 3,194 — 131,276 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 232 (57,672 ) 491 — (56,949 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 74,714 — — (74,714 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 74,327 $ 71,029 $ 3,685 $ (74,714 ) $ 74,327 COMPREHENSIVE LOSS — (494 ) (7,329 ) — (7,823 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 74,327 $ 70,535 $ (3,644 ) $ (74,714 ) $ 66,504 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Total Company (In thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 127,385 $ 93,518 $ 9,965 $ 230,868 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received — (212,252 ) — (212,252 ) Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment — 8,986 698 9,684 Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate — (61,052 ) (17,287 ) (78,339 ) Other — 6,047 — 6,047 Net cash used in investing activities — (258,271 ) (16,589 ) (274,860 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other — 5,529,338 — 5,529,338 Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other — (5,479,152 ) — (5,479,152 ) Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line 584,643 — — 584,643 Repayment on credit facility - acquisition line (515,944 ) — — (515,944 ) Principal payments on real estate credit facility — (2,505 ) — (2,505 ) Borrowings on other debt — 460 32,915 33,375 Principal payments on other debt — (1,157 ) (41,772 ) (42,929 ) Borrowings on debt related to real estate — — 22,430 22,430 Principal payments on debt related to real estate — (15,843 ) (2,693 ) (18,536 ) Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings (789 ) — — (789 ) Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date (66,746 ) — — (66,746 ) Tax effect from stock-based compensation — 1,827 — 1,827 Dividends paid (14,781 ) — — (14,781 ) Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries 85,465 (73,365 ) (12,100 ) — Investment in subsidiaries (199,233 ) 184,168 15,065 — Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (127,385 ) 143,771 13,845 30,231 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH — — (5,246 ) (5,246 ) NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — (20,982 ) 1,975 (19,007 ) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period — 25,379 15,596 40,975 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $ — $ 4,397 $ 17,571 $ 21,968 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Total Company (In thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 74,327 $ 204,887 $ (7,378 ) $ 271,836 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received — (306,467 ) (2,790 ) (309,257 ) Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment — 138,546 254 138,800 Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate — (85,239 ) (6,106 ) (91,345 ) Other — (5,832 ) — (5,832 ) Net cash used in investing activities — (258,992 ) (8,642 ) (267,634 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other — 6,047,392 — 6,047,392 Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other — (6,086,414 ) — (6,086,414 ) Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line 314,963 — — 314,963 Repayment on credit facility - acquisition line (374,989 ) — — (374,989 ) Borrowings on real estate credit facility — 200 — 200 Principal payments on real estate credit facility — (9,081 ) — (9,081 ) Net borrowings on 5.00% Senior Unsecured Notes 539,600 — — 539,600 Debt issue costs (1,881 ) — — (1,881 ) Repurchase of 3.00% Convertible Notes (260,074 ) — — (260,074 ) Proceeds from Call/Warrant Unwind related to 3.00% Convertible Notes 32,697 — — 32,697 Conversion and redemption of 2.25% Convertible Notes (182,756 ) — — (182,756 ) Borrowings on other debt — — 78,710 78,710 Principal payments on other debt — — (70,267 ) (70,267 ) Borrowings on debt related to real estate — 52,279 13,349 65,628 Principal payments on debt related to real estate — (29,458 ) (9,566 ) (39,024 ) Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings 187 — — 187 Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date (16,947 ) — — (16,947 ) Tax effect from stock-based compensation — 1,145 — 1,145 Dividends paid (12,291 ) — — (12,291 ) Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries 87,136 (94,311 ) 7,175 — Investment in subsidiaries (199,972 ) 200,094 (122 ) — Distributions to parent — 2,118 (2,118 ) — Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (74,327 ) 83,964 17,161 26,798 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH 26 — (589 ) (563 ) NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 26 29,859 552 30,437 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period — 4,306 15,909 20,215 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $ 26 $ 34,165 $ 16,461 $ 50,652

Interim Financial Information I

Interim Financial Information Interim Financial Information (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , that amends the accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The amendments in this ASU are intended to provide a framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices, and improve disclosure requirements. The amendments in this accounting standard update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the method of adoption and the impact the provisions of the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis , that amends existing requirements applicable to reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether certain legal entities should be consolidated. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Entities may choose to adopt the standard using either a full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach. At this time, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to impact its financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendments in the accounting standard require debt issuance costs to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied retrospectively and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect the adoption to materially impact its financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330) Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The amendments in the accounting standard replace the lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company does not expect the adoption to materially impact its financial statements. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805) Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The amendments in the accounting standard eliminate the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. The amendments also require that the acquirer must recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amount is determined, including the effect on earnings of any amounts they would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect the adoption to materially impact its financial statements.
Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Due to seasonality and other factors, the results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“ 2014 Form 10-K”). All business acquisitions completed during the periods presented have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and their results of operations are included from the effective dates of the closings of the acquisitions. The allocations of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to change within the purchase price allocation period (generally one year from the respective acquisition date) and are assigned and recorded based on estimates of fair value. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Business Segment Information The Company, through its regions, conducts business in the automotive retailing industry including selling new and used cars and light trucks, arranging related vehicle financing, selling service and insurance contracts, providing automotive maintenance and repair services and selling vehicle parts. The Company's operations are aligned into four geographic regions: the East and West Regions in the U.S., the U.K. Region, and the Brazil Region. The East and West Regions of the U.S. are economically similar in that they deliver the same products and services to a common customer group, their customers are generally individuals, they follow the same procedures and methods in managing their operations, and they operate in similar regulatory environments. As a result, the Company aggregates the East and West Regions of the U.S. into one reportable segment. As such, the Company has three reportable segments: the U.S., which includes the activities of the Company's corporate office, the U.K. and Brazil.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Variable Interest Entity In 2013, the Company entered into arrangements to provide a related-party entity, which owns and operates retail automotive dealerships, a fixed-interest-rate working capital loan and various administrative services for a variable fee, both of which constitute variable interests in the entity. The Company's exposure to loss as a result of its involvement in the entity includes the balance outstanding under the loan arrangement. The Company holds an 8% equity ownership interest in the entity. The Company has determined that the entity meets the criteria of a variable interest entity ("VIE"). The terms of the loan and services agreements provide the Company with the right to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses of the VIE and the right to receive potentially significant benefits from the VIE. Accordingly, the Company qualified as the VIE's primary beneficiary and consolidated the assets and liabilities of the VIE as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , as well as the results of operations of the VIE beginning on the effective date of the variable interests arrangements to September 30, 2015 . The floorplan notes payable liability of the VIE is securitized by the new and used vehicle inventory of the VIE. The carrying amounts and classification of assets (which can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE) and liabilities (for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company) that are included in the Company's consolidated statements of financial position for the consolidated VIE as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , are as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Current assets $ 12,280 $ 19,049 Non-current assets 20,764 31,783 Total assets $ 33,044 $ 50,832 Current liabilities $ 9,259 $ 16,374 Non-current liabilities 15,215 15,955 Total liabilities $ 24,474 $ 32,329

Derivative Instruments and Ri26

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The periodic interest rates of the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in Note 8, “Credit Facilities”), the Real Estate Credit Facility (as defined in Note 9, “Long-term Debt”) and certain variable-rate real estate related borrowings are indexed to the one-month London Inter Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), plus an associated company credit risk rate. In order to minimize the earnings variability related to fluctuations in these rates, the Company employs an interest rate hedging strategy, whereby it enters into arrangements with various financial institutional counterparties with investment grade credit ratings, swapping its variable interest rate exposure for a fixed interest rate over terms not to exceed the related variable-rate debt. The Company presents the fair value of all derivatives on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company measures the fair value of its interest rate derivative instruments utilizing an income approach valuation technique, converting future amounts of cash flows to a single present value in order to obtain a transfer exit price within the bid and ask spread that is most representative of the fair value of its derivative instruments. In measuring fair value, the Company utilizes the option-pricing Black-Scholes present value technique for all of its derivative instruments. This option-pricing technique utilizes a one-month LIBOR forward yield curve, obtained from an independent external service provider, matched to the identical maturity term of the instrument being measured. Observable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation technique incorporate identical contractual notional amounts, fixed coupon rates, periodic terms for interest payments and contract maturity. The fair value estimate of the interest rate derivative instruments also considers the credit risk of the Company for instruments in a liability position or the counterparty for instruments in an asset position. The credit risk is calculated by using the spread between the one-month LIBOR yield curve and the relevant average 10 and 20-year rate according to Standard and Poor’s. The Company has determined the valuation measurement inputs of these derivative instruments to maximize the use of observable inputs that market participants would use in pricing similar or identical instruments and market data obtained from independent sources, which is readily observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the derivative instrument. Further, the valuation measurement inputs minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Accordingly, the Company has classified the derivatives within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework as described by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC. The related gains or losses on these interest rate derivatives are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related items being hedged are recognized in expense. However, to the extent that the change in value of a derivative contract does not perfectly offset the change in the value of the items being hedged, that ineffective portion is immediately recognized in other income or expense. Monthly contractual settlements of these swap positions are recognized as floorplan or other interest expense in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. All of the Company’s interest rate hedges are designated as cash flow hedges.

Fair Value Measurements Fair Va

Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Policy Text Block]	ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; requires disclosure of the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date; and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs utilized in the measurement and valuation of financial assets or liabilities as of the measurement date: • Level 1 — unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets; • Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation; and • Level 3 — unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, accounts and notes receivable, investments in debt and equity securities, accounts payable, credit facilities, long-term debt and interest rate swaps. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, and credit facilities approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments or the existence of variable interest rates. The Company evaluated its assets and liabilities for those that met the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework of ASC 820 and identified debt instruments, interest rate derivative instruments, and investment balances in certain financial institutions as having met such criteria. The Company periodically invests in unsecured, corporate demand obligations with manufacturer-affiliated finance companies, which bear interest at a variable rate and are redeemable on demand by the Company. Therefore, the Company has classified these demand obligations as cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company determined that the valuation measurement inputs of these instruments include inputs other than quoted market prices, that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable data by correlation. Accordingly, the Company has classified these instruments within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework. In addition, the Company maintains an investment balance with certain of the financial institutions in Brazil that provide credit facilities for the financing of new, used and rental vehicle inventories. The investment balances bear interest at a variable rate and are redeemable by the Company in the future under certain conditions. The Company has classified these investment balances as other current and long-term assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company determined that the valuation measurement inputs of these instruments include inputs other than quoted market prices, that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable data by correlation. Accordingly, the Company has classified these instruments within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework. The Company's derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair market value.

Interim Financial Information (

Interim Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Classification of Assets and Liabilities of VIE[Table Text Block]	The carrying amounts and classification of assets (which can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE) and liabilities (for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company) that are included in the Company's consolidated statements of financial position for the consolidated VIE as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , are as follows (in thousands): September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Current assets $ 12,280 $ 19,049 Non-current assets 20,764 31,783 Total assets $ 33,044 $ 50,832 Current liabilities $ 9,259 $ 16,374 Non-current liabilities 15,215 15,955 Total liabilities $ 24,474 $ 32,329

Acquisitions and Dispositions (

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation [Table Text Block]	During 2014, the Company acquired seven dealerships and was granted two franchises in the U.S. and also acquired one dealership and opened one dealership for an awarded franchise in Brazil. In addition, the Company acquired three dealerships in the U.K. (collectively, the "2014 Acquisitions"). Aggregate consideration paid for these acquisitions totaled $336.6 million , including associated real estate and new vehicle inventory. The U.S. vehicle inventory associated with the acquisitions was subsequently financed through borrowings under the Company's FMCC Facility and the Floorplan Line (each as defined in Note 8, “Credit Facilities”), and the Brazil vehicle inventory associated with the acquisitions was subsequently financed through individual manufacturer captive finance companies. The purchase prices for the 2014 Acquisitions have been allocated as set forth below based upon the consideration paid and the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The allocation of the purchase prices is preliminary and based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to change within the purchase price allocation period (generally one year from the respective acquisition date). Goodwill associated with the acquisitions was assigned to the U.S., U.K. and Brazil reportable segments in the amounts of $103.8 million , $18.5 million and zero , respectively. As of Acquisition Date (In thousands) Inventory $ 132,180 Other current assets 6,601 Property and equipment 78,564 Goodwill and intangible franchise rights 185,103 Deferred tax asset 7,265 Total assets $ 409,713 Current liabilities $ 59,912 Long-term debt 13,250 Total liabilities $ 73,162

Derivative Instruments and Ri30

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Amount of Unrealized Gain, Net of Tax, Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income	ectively, related to these interest rate swaps. The following table presents the impact during the current and comparative prior year periods for the Company's derivative financial instruments on its Consolidated Statements

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Restricted Stock Awards	A summary of the restricted stock awards as of September 30, 2015 , along with the changes during the nine months then ended, is as follows: Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at December 31, 2014 911,350 $ 58.86 Granted 267,123 84.12 Vested (237,633 ) 50.82 Forfeited (32,870 ) 67.14 Nonvested at September 30, 2015 907,970 $ 68.12

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Earnings per share	The following table sets forth the calculation of EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 2014 2015 2014 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 23,132 23,424 23,294 23,354 Dilutive effect of contingently convertible notes and warrants — 1,003 — 2,004 Dilutive effect of employee stock purchases, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock 5 5 4 5 Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding 23,137 24,432 23,298 25,363 Basic: Net Income $ 45,261 $ 26,162 $ 127,385 $ 74,327 Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities 1,729 1,035 4,906 2,958 Earnings available to basic common shares $ 43,532 $ 25,127 $ 122,479 $ 71,369 Basic earnings per common share $ 1.88 $ 1.07 $ 5.26 $ 3.06 Diluted: Net Income $ 45,261 $ 26,162 $ 127,385 $ 74,327 Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities 1,729 1,000 4,905 2,769 Earnings available to diluted common shares $ 43,532 $ 25,162 $ 122,480 $ 71,558 Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.88 $ 1.03 $ 5.26 $ 2.82

Detail of Certain Balance She33

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Accounts and notes receivable	Accounts and notes receivable consisted of the following: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (unaudited) (In thousands) Amounts due from manufacturers $ 88,153 $ 86,062 Parts and service receivables 31,305 35,034 Finance and insurance receivables 20,555 20,898 Other 11,040 12,977 Total accounts and notes receivable 151,053 154,971 Less allowance for doubtful accounts 3,943 3,641 Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 147,110 $ 151,330
Summary of inventories	Inventories consisted of the following: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (unaudited) (In thousands) New vehicles $ 1,142,441 $ 1,137,478 Used vehicles 295,281 254,939 Rental vehicles 133,344 103,184 Parts, accessories and other 70,203 67,466 Total inventories 1,641,269 1,563,067 Less lower of cost or market reserves 6,848 6,362 Inventories, net $ 1,634,421 $ 1,556,705
Property and equipment	Property and equipment consisted of the following: Estimated Useful Lives in Years September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (unaudited) (dollars in thousands) Land — $ 352,932 $ 328,474 Buildings 30 to 40 489,187 482,496 Leasehold improvements varies 141,288 134,658 Machinery and equipment 7 to 20 90,521 87,728 Furniture and fixtures 3 to 10 81,092 77,581 Company vehicles 3 to 5 11,596 10,706 Construction in progress — 40,749 32,115 Total 1,207,365 1,153,758 Less accumulated depreciation 228,473 203,370 Property and equipment, net $ 978,892 $ 950,388

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Summary of long-term debt	The Company carries its long-term debt at face value, net of applicable discounts. Long-term debt consisted of the following: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands) 5.00% Senior Notes (aggregate principal of $550,000 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014) $ 540,957 $ 540,100 Acquisition Line 138,201 69,713 Real Estate Credit Facility 55,498 58,003 Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt 352,576 358,271 Capital lease obligations related to real estate, maturing in varying amounts through June 2034 with a weighted average interest rate of 9.7% 52,888 55,380 1,140,120 1,081,467 Less current maturities of real estate credit facility and other long-term debt 55,959 72,630 $ 1,084,161 $ 1,008,837

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Asset and liabilities recorded at fair value	fair value in the accompanying balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, were as follows: As of September 30, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Total (In thousands) Assets: Investments $ — $ 5,253 $ 5,253 Demand obligations $ — $ 88 $ 88 Total $ — $ 5,341 $ 5,341 Liabilities: Interest rate derivative financial instruments $ — $ 39,724 $ 39,724 Total $ — $ 39,724 $ 39,724 As of December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Total (In thousands) Assets: Investments $ — $ 12,283 $ 12,283 Demand obligations $ — $ 20,304 $ 20,304 Total $ — $ 32,587 $ 32,587 Liabilities: Interest rate derivative financial instruments $ — $ 28,653 $ 28,653 Total $ — $ 28,653 $ 28,653

Intangible Franchise Rights a36

Intangible Franchise Rights and Goodwill (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Roll-forward of intangible franchise rights and goodwill accounts	The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s intangible franchise rights and goodwill accounts by reportable segment: Intangible Franchise Rights U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) BALANCE, December 31, 2014 $ 257,502 $ 8,157 $ 38,288 $ 303,947 Additions through acquisitions 49,432 — — 49,432 Disposals (188 ) — — (188 ) Currency translation — (193 ) (13,235 ) (13,428 ) BALANCE, September 30, 2015 $ 306,746 $ 7,964 $ 25,053 $ 339,763 Goodwill U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) BALANCE, December 31, 2014 $ 700,642 $ 35,138 $ 94,597 $ 830,377 (1) Additions through acquisitions 115,317 — — 115,317 Purchase price allocation adjustments (74 ) 1,729 — 1,655 Disposals (1,109 ) — — (1,109 ) Currency translation — (885 ) (32,698 ) (33,583 ) Tax adjustments (18 ) — — (18 ) BALANCE, September 30, 2015 $ 814,758 $ 35,982 $ 61,899 $ 912,639 (1) (1) Net of accumulated impairment of $42.4 million .

Accumulated Other Comprehensi37

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income	Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Accumulated foreign currency translation loss Accumulated loss on interest rate swaps Total (In thousands) Balance, December 31, 2014 $ (64,075 ) $ (17,909 ) $ (81,984 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications: Pre-tax (56,902 ) (20,651 ) (77,553 ) Tax effect — 7,744 7,744 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to: Floorplan interest expense — 8,306 8,306 Other interest expense — 1,275 1,275 Tax effect — (3,593 ) (3,593 ) Net current period other comprehensive loss (56,902 ) (6,919 ) (63,821 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (120,977 ) $ (24,828 ) $ (145,805 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Accumulated foreign currency translation loss Accumulated loss on interest rate swaps Total (In thousands) Balance, December 31, 2013 $ (37,827 ) $ (13,850 ) $ (51,677 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications: Pre-tax (7,329 ) (9,259 ) (16,588 ) Tax effect — 3,472 3,472 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to: Floorplan interest expense — 7,331 7,331 Other interest expense — 1,138 1,138 Tax effect — (3,176 ) (3,176 ) Net current period other comprehensive loss (7,329 ) (494 ) (7,823 ) Balance, September 30, 2014 $ (45,156 ) $ (14,344 ) $ (59,500 )

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Reportable segment revenue, income (loss) before income taxes, provision for income taxes and net income (loss) were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) Total revenues $ 2,343,566 $ 327,431 $ 129,572 $ 2,800,569 $ 6,629,513 $ 935,139 $ 395,251 $ 7,959,903 Income (loss) before income taxes 67,182 5,328 526 73,036 189,773 15,278 (765 ) 204,286 Provision for income taxes (26,432 ) (1,207 ) (136 ) (27,775 ) (73,085 ) (3,215 ) (601 ) (76,901 ) Net income (loss) 40,750 4,121 390 45,261 116,688 12,063 (1,366 ) 127,385 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) Total revenues $ 2,175,605 $ 252,201 $ 198,642 $ 2,626,448 $ 6,070,827 $ 751,226 $ 576,896 $ 7,398,949 Income (loss) before income taxes 43,146 5,840 (5,117 ) 43,869 123,474 15,974 (8,172 ) 131,276 Provision for income taxes (20,375 ) (1,159 ) 3,827 (17,707 ) (57,439 ) (2,814 ) 3,304 (56,949 ) Net income (loss) (1) 22,771 4,681 (1,290 ) 26,162 66,035 13,160 (4,868 ) 74,327 (1) Includes the following, after tax: loss due to extinguishment of long-term debt of $17.9 million and $38.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively, in the U.S.; asset impairment charges of $2.6 million and $3.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively, in the U.S., and $4.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , in Brazil; gain on real estate and dealership transactions of $8.6 million and $8.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively, in the U.S.; and the tax benefit of deductible goodwill of $3.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , in Brazil.

Condensed Consolidated Financ39

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information Condensed Consolidated Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET September 30, 2015 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 4,397 $ 17,571 $ — $ 21,968 Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net — 173,859 31,777 — 205,636 Accounts and notes receivable, net — 118,137 28,973 — 147,110 Intercompany accounts receivable — 263,906 — (263,906 ) — Inventories, net — 1,438,310 196,111 — 1,634,421 Deferred income taxes 288 12,811 — — 13,099 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 785 8,000 13,771 — 22,556 Total current assets 1,073 2,019,420 288,203 (263,906 ) 2,044,790 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net — 863,526 115,366 — 978,892 GOODWILL — 814,759 97,880 — 912,639 INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS — 306,745 33,018 — 339,763 INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES 2,162,133 — — (2,162,133 ) — OTHER ASSETS — 8,683 7,283 — 15,966 Total assets $ 2,163,206 $ 4,013,133 $ 541,750 $ (2,426,039 ) $ 4,292,050 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other $ — $ 1,176,385 $ 1,128 $ — $ 1,177,513 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility — (28,073 ) — — (28,073 ) Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates — 253,361 94,296 — 347,657 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates — (20,001 ) — — (20,001 ) Current maturities of long-term debt — 50,756 5,203 — 55,959 Accounts payable — 177,270 113,239 — 290,509 Intercompany accounts payable 368,915 — 263,906 (632,821 ) — Accrued expenses — 137,675 20,608 — 158,283 Total current liabilities 368,915 1,747,373 498,380 (632,821 ) 1,981,847 LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities 679,158 337,858 67,145 — 1,084,161 LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES — 39,724 — — 39,724 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES — 206,938 10,052 — 216,990 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Group 1 stockholders’ equity 1,115,133 2,050,155 (33,827 ) (2,162,133 ) 969,328 Intercompany note receivable — (368,915 ) — 368,915 — Total stockholders’ equity 1,115,133 1,681,240 (33,827 ) (1,793,218 ) 969,328 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,163,206 $ 4,013,133 $ 541,750 $ (2,426,039 ) $ 4,292,050 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2014 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 25,379 $ 15,596 $ — $ 40,975 Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net — 218,361 19,087 — 237,448 Accounts and notes receivable, net — 117,427 33,903 — 151,330 Intercompany accounts receivable — 276,217 — (276,217 ) — Inventories, net — 1,342,022 214,683 — 1,556,705 Deferred income taxes 196 10,866 — — 11,062 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 590 22,039 15,070 — 37,699 Total current assets 786 2,012,311 298,339 (276,217 ) 2,035,219 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net — 839,063 111,325 — 950,388 GOODWILL — 700,642 129,735 — 830,377 INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS — 257,502 46,445 — 303,947 INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES 1,964,442 — — (1,964,442 ) — OTHER ASSETS — 10,120 11,441 — 21,561 Total assets $ 1,965,228 $ 3,819,638 $ 597,285 $ (2,240,659 ) $ 4,141,492 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other $ — $ 1,137,743 $ 5,503 $ — $ 1,143,246 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility — (39,616 ) — — (39,616 ) Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates — 207,329 100,327 — 307,656 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates — (22,500 ) — — (22,500 ) Current maturities of long-term debt — 61,185 11,445 — 72,630 Accounts payable — 176,143 112,177 — 288,320 Intercompany accounts payable 295,421 — 276,217 (571,638 ) — Accrued expenses — 149,700 22,763 — 172,463 Total current liabilities 295,421 1,669,984 528,432 (571,638 ) 1,922,199 LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities 609,812 347,202 51,823 — 1,008,837 LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES — 25,311 — — 25,311 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES — 193,077 14,058 — 207,135 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Group 1 stockholders’ equity 1,059,995 1,879,485 2,972 (1,964,442 ) 978,010 Intercompany note receivable — (295,421 ) — 295,421 — Total stockholders’ equity 1,059,995 1,584,064 2,972 (1,669,021 ) 978,010 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,965,228 $ 3,819,638 $ 597,285 $ (2,240,659 ) $ 4,141,492
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) REVENUES: $ — $ 2,343,567 $ 457,002 $ — $ 2,800,569 COST OF SALES: — 1,995,252 406,935 — 2,402,187 GROSS PROFIT — 348,315 50,067 — 398,382 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 555 247,054 41,403 — 289,012 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 10,372 1,439 — 11,811 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 204 712 — 916 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (555 ) 90,685 6,513 — 96,643 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (8,963 ) (722 ) — (9,685 ) Other interest expense, net 648 (12,738 ) (1,832 ) — (13,922 ) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 93 68,984 3,959 — 73,036 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (35 ) (26,398 ) (1,342 ) — (27,775 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 45,203 — — (45,203 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 45,261 $ 42,586 $ 2,617 $ (45,203 ) $ 45,261 COMPREHENSIVE LOSS — (6,158 ) (36,307 ) — (42,465 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 45,261 $ 36,428 $ (33,690 ) $ (45,203 ) $ 2,796 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) REVENUES: $ — $ 6,629,514 $ 1,330,389 $ — $ 7,959,903 COST OF SALES: — 5,624,527 1,181,537 — 6,806,064 GROSS PROFIT — 1,004,987 148,852 — 1,153,839 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 2,612 712,265 126,173 — 841,050 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 30,847 4,594 — 35,441 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 702 1,253 — 1,955 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (2,612 ) 261,173 16,832 — 275,393 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (26,439 ) (2,607 ) — (29,046 ) Other interest expense, net 1,845 (38,534 ) (5,372 ) — (42,061 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (767 ) 196,200 8,853 — 204,286 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 288 (73,375 ) (3,814 ) — (76,901 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 127,864 — — (127,864 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 127,385 $ 122,825 $ 5,039 $ (127,864 ) $ 127,385 COMPREHENSIVE LOSS — (6,919 ) (56,902 ) — (63,821 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 127,385 $ 115,906 $ (51,863 ) $ (127,864 ) $ 63,564 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) REVENUES: $ — $ 2,175,604 $ 450,844 $ — $ 2,626,448 COST OF SALES: — 1,853,668 398,071 — 2,251,739 GROSS PROFIT — 321,936 52,773 — 374,709 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 559 220,142 43,532 — 264,233 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 9,296 1,450 — 10,746 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 4,252 5,121 — 9,373 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (559 ) 88,246 2,670 — 90,357 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (8,544 ) (1,908 ) — (10,452 ) Other interest expense, net 567 (12,264 ) (1,549 ) — (13,246 ) Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt — (22,790 ) — — (22,790 ) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 8 44,648 (787 ) — 43,869 (PROVISION) BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES (3 ) (20,372 ) 2,668 — (17,707 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 26,157 — — (26,157 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 26,162 $ 24,276 $ 1,881 $ (26,157 ) $ 26,162 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) — 2,366 (21,938 ) — (19,572 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 26,162 $ 26,642 $ (20,057 ) $ (26,157 ) $ 6,590 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) REVENUES: $ — $ 6,070,827 $ 1,328,122 $ — $ 7,398,949 COST OF SALES: — 5,142,382 1,174,588 — 6,316,970 GROSS PROFIT — 928,445 153,534 — 1,081,979 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 2,315 660,321 131,125 — 793,761 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 27,232 4,192 — 31,424 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 5,973 5,121 — 11,094 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (2,315 ) 234,919 13,096 — 245,700 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (25,489 ) (6,206 ) — (31,695 ) Other interest expense, net 1,696 (34,326 ) (3,696 ) — (36,326 ) Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt — (46,403 ) — — (46,403 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (619 ) 128,701 3,194 — 131,276 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 232 (57,672 ) 491 — (56,949 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 74,714 — — (74,714 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 74,327 $ 71,029 $ 3,685 $ (74,714 ) $ 74,327 COMPREHENSIVE LOSS — (494 ) (7,329 ) — (7,823 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 74,327 $ 70,535 $ (3,644 ) $ (74,714 ) $ 66,504
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Total Company (In thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 127,385 $ 93,518 $ 9,965 $ 230,868 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received — (212,252 ) — (212,252 ) Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment — 8,986 698 9,684 Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate — (61,052 ) (17,287 ) (78,339 ) Other — 6,047 — 6,047 Net cash used in investing activities — (258,271 ) (16,589 ) (274,860 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other — 5,529,338 — 5,529,338 Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other — (5,479,152 ) — (5,479,152 ) Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line 584,643 — — 584,643 Repayment on credit facility - acquisition line (515,944 ) — — (515,944 ) Principal payments on real estate credit facility — (2,505 ) — (2,505 ) Borrowings on other debt — 460 32,915 33,375 Principal payments on other debt — (1,157 ) (41,772 ) (42,929 ) Borrowings on debt related to real estate — — 22,430 22,430 Principal payments on debt related to real estate — (15,843 ) (2,693 ) (18,536 ) Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings (789 ) — — (789 ) Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date (66,746 ) — — (66,746 ) Tax effect from stock-based compensation — 1,827 — 1,827 Dividends paid (14,781 ) — — (14,781 ) Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries 85,465 (73,365 ) (12,100 ) — Investment in subsidiaries (199,233 ) 184,168 15,065 — Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (127,385 ) 143,771 13,845 30,231 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH — — (5,246 ) (5,246 ) NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — (20,982 ) 1,975 (19,007 ) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period — 25,379 15,596 40,975 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $ — $ 4,397 $ 17,571 $ 21,968 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Total Company (In thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 74,327 $ 204,887 $ (7,378 ) $ 271,836 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received — (306,467 ) (2,790 ) (309,257 ) Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment — 138,546 254 138,800 Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate — (85,239 ) (6,106 ) (91,345 ) Other — (5,832 ) — (5,832 ) Net cash used in investing activities — (258,992 ) (8,642 ) (267,634 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other — 6,047,392 — 6,047,392 Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other — (6,086,414 ) — (6,086,414 ) Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line 314,963 — — 314,963 Repayment on credit facility - acquisition line (374,989 ) — — (374,989 ) Borrowings on real estate credit facility — 200 — 200 Principal payments on real estate credit facility — (9,081 ) — (9,081 ) Net borrowings on 5.00% Senior Unsecured Notes 539,600 — — 539,600 Debt issue costs (1,881 ) — — (1,881 ) Repurchase of 3.00% Convertible Notes (260,074 ) — — (260,074 ) Proceeds from Call/Warrant Unwind related to 3.00% Convertible Notes 32,697 — — 32,697 Conversion and redemption of 2.25% Convertible Notes (182,756 ) — — (182,756 ) Borrowings on other debt — — 78,710 78,710 Principal payments on other debt — — (70,267 ) (70,267 ) Borrowings on debt related to real estate — 52,279 13,349 65,628 Principal payments on debt related to real estate — (29,458 ) (9,566 ) (39,024 ) Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings 187 — — 187 Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date (16,947 ) — — (16,947 ) Tax effect from stock-based compensation — 1,145 — 1,145 Dividends paid (12,291 ) — — (12,291 ) Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries 87,136 (94,311 ) 7,175 — Investment in subsidiaries (199,972 ) 200,094 (122 ) — Distributions to parent — 2,118 (2,118 ) — Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (74,327 ) 83,964 17,161 26,798 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH 26 — (589 ) (563 ) NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 26 29,859 552 30,437 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period — 4,306 15,909 20,215 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $ 26 $ 34,165 $ 16,461 $ 50,652

Interim Financial Information40

Interim Financial Information (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)dealershipstownstates	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)dealershipstownstates	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Business And Organization [Line Items]
Number of geographic regions		4
Number of Reportable Segments		3
Immaterial Error of Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents		$ (5,246,000)	$ (563,000)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities		$ 230,868,000	$ 271,836,000
Number of domestic regions	2	2
Number of international regions	2	2
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Assets, Current	$ 2,044,790,000	$ 2,044,790,000		$ 2,035,219,000
Total assets	4,292,050,000	4,292,050,000		4,141,492,000
Liabilities, Current	$ 1,981,847,000	1,981,847,000		1,922,199,000
Variable Interest Entity, Ownership Percentage	8.00%
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Assets, Current	$ 12,280,000	12,280,000		19,049,000
Long-Lived Assets	20,764,000	20,764,000		31,783,000
Total assets	33,044,000	33,044,000		50,832,000
Liabilities, Current	9,259,000	9,259,000		16,374,000
Liabilities, Noncurrent	15,215,000	15,215,000		15,955,000
Total liabilities	$ 24,474,000	$ 24,474,000		$ 32,329,000
East [Member]
Business And Organization [Line Items]
Number of dealerships | dealerships	40	40
West [Member]
Business And Organization [Line Items]
Number of dealerships | dealerships	77	77
U.S. [Member]
Business And Organization [Line Items]
Number of States in which Entity Operates | states	14	14
U.K. [Member]
Business And Organization [Line Items]
Number of Towns in which Entity Operates | town	15	15
Number of dealerships | dealerships	17	17
Brazil [Member]
Business And Organization [Line Items]
Number of States in which Entity Operates | states	3	3
Number of dealerships | dealerships	19	19

Acquisitions and Dispositions41

Acquisitions and Dispositions Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details textuals)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		$ 336,600,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	$ 700,000
U.S. [Member]
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Franchises Disposed	1
Number Of Dealerships Acquired	3	7
Number of Franchises Awarded		2
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Goodwill	$ 103,800,000
Number of Dealerships Disposed	1
U.K. [Member]
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]
Number Of Dealerships Acquired		3
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Goodwill	$ 18,500,000
Brazil [Member]
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of Franchises Disposed	2
Number Of Dealerships Acquired		1
Number of Franchises Awarded		1
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Goodwill	$ 0

Acquisitions and Dispositions42

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets [Abstract]
Inventory, Net	$ 1,634,421	$ 1,556,705
Assets, Current	2,044,790	2,035,219
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	978,892	950,388
Total assets	4,292,050	4,141,492
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities [Abstract]
Liabilities, Current	$ 1,981,847	1,922,199
Businesses acquired [Member]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets [Abstract]
Inventory, Net		132,180
Assets, Current		6,601
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net		78,564
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill)		185,103
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross		7,265
Total assets		409,713
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities [Abstract]
Liabilities, Current		59,912
Long-term Debt		13,250
Total liabilities		$ 73,162

Derivative Instruments and Ri43

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Increase Decrease In Floor Plan Interest Expense Due To Interest Rate Hedges	$ 2,800	$ 2,400	$ 8,300	$ 7,300
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationship
Interest rate swap contracts	(8,199)	577	(12,907)	(5,787)
Location of Loss Reclassified from OCI into Statements of Operations
Floorplan interest expense	$ (9,685)	$ (10,452)	(29,046)	(31,695)
Floorplan Interest Expense [Member]
Location of Loss Reclassified from OCI into Statements of Operations
Floorplan interest expense			(8,306)	(7,331)
Other Interest Expense [Member]
Location of Loss Reclassified from OCI into Statements of Operations
Interest Expense			(1,275)	(1,138)
Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationship
Interest rate swap contracts			$ (12,907)	$ (5,787)

Derivative Instruments and Ri44

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)swap	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)swap	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Increase in floor plan interest expense due to impact of interest rate hedges	$ 2,800	$ 2,400	$ 8,300	$ 7,300
Floor Plan Interest Expense	9,685	10,452	$ 29,046	31,695
Forward swaps expiration date			Dec. 31, 2021
Fair value of derivative financial instruments included in balance sheet as liabilities from interest risk management activities	39,724		$ 39,724		$ 28,653
Amount expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive loss into earnings	13,300		13,300
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	(24,828)	$ (14,344)	(24,828)	$ (14,344)	$ (17,909)	$ (13,850)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Aggregate notional value of forward interest rate swaps	$ 562,300		$ 562,300
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.80%		2.80%
Interest Rate Swaps That Became Effective During Period [Member]
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of additional forward interest rate swaps	4		4
Aggregate notional value of forward interest rate swaps	$ 225,000		$ 225,000
Interest Rate Swaps That Expired During Period [Member]
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of additional forward interest rate swaps	8		8
Aggregate notional value of forward interest rate swaps	$ 225,000		$ 225,000
Interest Rate Swaps Forward Starting [Member]
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of additional forward interest rate swaps | swap	13		13
Aggregate notional value of forward interest rate swaps	$ 650,000		$ 650,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.60%		2.60%
Maximum Notional Amount Of Derivatives In Effect At Any Time	$ 761,000		$ 761,000
Minimum [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps Forward Starting [Member]
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Forward swaps start date			Dec. 31, 2016
Forward swaps expiration date			Dec. 31, 2019
Maximum [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps Forward Starting [Member]
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Forward swaps start date			Jan. 2, 2019
Forward swaps expiration date			Dec. 31, 2021

Stock-Based Compensation Plan45

Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Details) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Awards
Awards, Nonvested at December 31, 2014		911,350
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, September 30, 2015		$ 58.86
Restricted Stock [Member]
Restricted Stock Awards
Awards, Nonvested at December 31, 2014	907,970
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, September 30, 2015	$ 68.12
Awards, Granted	267,123
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 84.12
Awards, Vested	(237,633)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 50.82
Awards, Forfeited	(32,870)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 67.14

Stock-Based Compensation Plan46

Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Tax benefit realized for the tax deductions			$ 1,800	$ 1,100
Share-based Compensation	$ 4,700	$ 4,000	14,167	11,871
Cash received from employee stock purchase plan purchases			$ 5,600	$ 4,700
2014 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Expiry date for stock options grant	May 21, 2024
Shares available for granted under the incentive plan	1,475,545		1,475,545
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional Number of Shares Authorized			1,000,000
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Expiry date for stock options grant			May 19, 2025
Shares available for granted under the incentive plan	1,440,016		1,440,016
Shares authorized for issuance	4,500,000		4,500,000
Employee stock purchase price in percentage of fair market value	85.00%
Shares issued to employee under purchase plan			76,694	80,938
Weighted average fair value of employee stock purchase rights issued			$ 18.66	$ 15.07
Maximum [Member]
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Range Of Forfeiture Provisions			5 years

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Basic and Diluted Earnings per share
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	23,132	23,424	23,294	23,354
Dilutive effect of contingently convertible notes and warrants	0	1,003	0	2,004
Dilutive effect of employee stock purchases, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock	5	5	4	5
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding	23,137	24,432	23,298	25,363
Basic:
Net income	$ 45,261	$ 26,162	$ 127,385	$ 74,327
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic	$ 1,729	$ 1,035	$ 4,906	$ 2,958
Basic earnings per common share	$ 1.88	$ 1.07	$ 5.26	$ 3.06
Earnings available to basic common shares	$ 43,532	$ 25,127	$ 122,479	$ 71,369
Diluted:
Net income	45,261	26,162	127,385	74,327
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Diluted	1,729	1,000	4,905	2,769
Earnings available to diluted common shares	$ 43,532	$ 25,162	$ 122,480	$ 71,558
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.88	$ 1.03	$ 5.26	$ 2.82

Earnings Per Share (Details Tex

Earnings Per Share (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 25, 2014
2.25% Convertible Notes [Member]
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.25%
2.25% Warrants [Member]
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.25%
3.00% Warrants [Member]
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.00%
3.00% Convertible Notes [Member]
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.00%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount		$ 92.5
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 115

Income Taxes (Details Textual)

Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]			INCOME TAXES The Company is subject to U.S. federal income taxes and income taxes in numerous U.S. states. In addition, the Company is subject to income tax in the U.K. and Brazil relative to its foreign subsidiaries. The Company's effective income tax rates of 38.0% and 37.6% of pretax income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% due primarily to taxes provided for in U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates, as well as valuation allowances provided for net operating losses in certain U.S. states and in Brazil. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company's effective tax rate decreased compared to the same periods in 2014 to 38.0% and 37.6% from 40.4% and 43.4% , respectively. These decreases were primarily due to the tax deductible loss recognized in 2014 on the purchase of the majority of the 2.25% Notes and the 3.00% Notes that was less than the loss recognized for U.S. GAAP. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits with respect to uncertain tax positions and did not incur any interest and penalties nor did it accrue any interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . When applicable, consistent with prior practice, the Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. Taxable years 2010 and subsequent remain open for examination by the Company’s major taxing jurisdictions.
Effective tax rate	38.00%	40.40%	37.60%	43.38%
U.S. federal statutory corporate tax rate	35.00%
2.25% Convertible Notes [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	2.25%		2.25%

Detail of Certain Balance She50

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Accounts and Notes Receivable) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts and notes receivable
Total accounts and notes receivable	$ 151,053	$ 154,971
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	3,943	3,641
Accounts and notes receivable, net	147,110	151,330
Amounts due from manufacturers [Member]
Accounts and notes receivable
Total accounts and notes receivable	88,153	86,062
Parts and service receivables [Member]
Accounts and notes receivable
Total accounts and notes receivable	31,305	35,034
Finance and insurance receivables, net [Member]
Accounts and notes receivable
Total accounts and notes receivable	20,555	20,898
Other [Member]
Accounts and notes receivable
Total accounts and notes receivable	$ 11,040	$ 12,977

Detail of Certain Balance She51

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Inventories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of inventories
Lower of cost or market reserves	$ 6,848	$ 6,362
Inventories, net	1,634,421	1,556,705
Inventory, Gross	1,641,269	1,563,067
Parts Accessories And Other [Member]
Summary of inventories
Inventory, Gross	70,203	67,466
Rental Vehicles [Member]
Summary of inventories
Inventory, Gross	133,344	103,184
Used Vehicles [Member]
Summary of inventories
Inventory, Gross	295,281	254,939
New Vehicles [Member]
Summary of inventories
Inventory, Gross	$ 1,142,441	$ 1,137,478

Detail of Certain Balance She52

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Property and Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 1,207,365	$ 1,207,365	$ 1,153,758
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	228,473	228,473	203,370
Property and equipment, net	978,892	978,892	950,388
Capital expenditures incurred for purchase and construction of assets		44,100
Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived	0	0	4,000
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	352,932	352,932	328,474
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 489,187	489,187	482,496
Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P30Y
Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P40Y
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 141,288	141,288	134,658
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	varies
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 90,521	90,521	87,728
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P7Y
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P20Y
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 81,092	81,092	77,581
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P3Y
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P10Y
Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 11,596	11,596	10,706
Vehicles [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P3Y
Vehicles [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	P5Y
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 40,749	40,749	$ 32,115
Land and Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Acquisition of fixed assets		16,300
Land and Building [Member] | Dealership Acquisitions [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Acquisition of fixed assets		$ 9,800

Credit Facilities (Details Text

Credit Facilities (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)loan	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived	$ (20,001)	$ (20,001)	$ (22,500)
Floorplan Offset	(28,073)	$ (28,073)	(39,616)
FMCC Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.50%
Maximum borrowing capacity under line of credit facility	300,000	$ 300,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	126,800	126,800
Available amount under borrowing capacity	$ 173,200	$ 173,200
Cancellation of agreement	30 days
Debt interest rate	4.75%	4.75%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under line of credit facility	$ 1,700,000	$ 1,700,000
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Can Be Extended Amount	$ 1,950,000	$ 1,950,000
Number of financial institutions | loan	24	24
Number of Manufacturer-affiliated finance companies | loan	6	6
Expiry date of Revolving Credit Facility	Jun. 20, 2018
Number of tranches	2	2
Acquisition Line Minimum Commitment	$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Line of credit facility, Unamortized Cost	4,100	4,100
Restricted payment	162,100	162,100
Maximum Limit Of Restricted Payment Basket	$ 125,000	$ 125,000
Rental Vehicle Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt interest rate	4.75%	4.75%
Maximum [Member] | Brazil Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt interest rate	23.73%	23.73%
Debt Instrument Maturity Date Period	12 months
Maximum [Member] | UK Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt interest rate	3.95%	3.95%
Minimum [Member] | Brazil Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt interest rate	16.77%	16.77%
Debt Instrument Maturity Date Period	1 month
Minimum [Member] | UK Credit Facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt interest rate	1.15%	1.15%
Acquisition Line [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.50%
Maximum borrowing capacity under line of credit facility	$ 320,000	$ 320,000
Line Of Credit Facility, Minimum Borrowing Capacity	100,000	100,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	138,201	138,201	$ 69,713
Available amount under borrowing capacity	122,000	122,000
Letters of credit outstanding	45,700	45,700
Acquisition Line [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | United States of America, Dollars
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	138,200	138,200
Acquisition Line [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Euros or Pound Sterling [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under line of credit facility	$ 125,000	$ 125,000
Acquisition Line [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fees, Percentage	0.45%
Acquisition Line [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | United States of America, Dollars
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.00%
Acquisition Line [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Euros or Pound Sterling [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.50%
Acquisition Line [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fees, Percentage	0.25%
Acquisition Line [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | United States of America, Dollars
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		0.00%
Acquisition Line [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Euros or Pound Sterling [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.50%
Floorplan Line [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity under line of credit facility	$ 1,600,000	$ 1,600,000
Commitment fees, Percentage	0.20%
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 1,148,300	1,148,300
Available amount under borrowing capacity	231,700	231,700
Floorplan Offset	$ (28,100)	$ (28,100)
Weighted average interest rate	1.40%	1.40%	1.40%
Maximum period for outstanding borrowing	1 year
Floorplan Line [Member] | New Vehicles [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.25%
Floorplan Line [Member] | Used Vehicles [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.50%

Long-Term Debt (Details)

Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Lease Expiration Date	Jun. 1, 2034
Net carrying amount of liability component	$ 1,140,120	$ 1,140,120	$ 1,081,467
Current maturities of long-term debt	55,959	55,959	72,630
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	1,084,161	1,084,161	1,008,837
5.00% Senior Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	540,957	540,957	540,100
Long-term Debt Underwriters Fees and Discount Original				$ 10,400
Debt Issuance Cost		2,600
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	550,000	550,000	550,000	$ 200,000	$ 350,000
Real Estate Related Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Cost		1,300
Mortgages [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt	55,498	55,498	58,003
Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Cost		1,100
Current maturities of long-term debt	30,900	30,900
Other Real Estate Related Long-Term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt	352,576	352,576	358,271
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations related to real estate, maturing in varying amounts through June 2034 with a weighted average interest rate of 9.7%	52,888	52,888	$ 55,380
Third Party Financial Institution [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,100	6,100
Foreign Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,600	4,600
Ford Motor Credit Company [Member] | Third Party Financial Institution [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,500	1,500
Bmw Financial Services [Member] | Real Estate Related Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,600	4,600
Mercedes Benz Financial Services [Member] | Real Estate Related Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,200	1,200
Toyota Motor Credit Corporation [Member] | Real Estate Related Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 2,200	$ 2,200

Long-Term Debt (Details 1)

Long-Term Debt (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Carrying value of Notes related discount and equity component
Amortization period of underwriters fees and debt issuance costs	8 years
5.00% Senior Note [Member]
Carrying value of Notes related discount and equity component
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 550,000	$ 550,000	$ 200,000	$ 350,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%
Debt Issuance Cost	$ 2,600
Additional borrowings discount from face value	1.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Jun. 1, 2022
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed	35.00%
Redemption price percentage of principal outstanding and accrued unpaid interest	105.00%
Redemption price percentage of principal redeemed	100.00%
Unamortized underwriter fees	$ (9,000)
Unamortized debt issuance cost	$ 2,100

Long-Term Debt (Details Textual

Long-Term Debt (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 25, 2014USD ($)
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 55,959	$ 55,959		$ 72,630
Number of manufacturer-affiliated finance partners	4	4
Borrowings Of Long Term Debt Related To Real Estate Loans		$ 22,430	$ 65,628
Lease Expiration Date	Jun. 1, 2034
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	9.70%	9.70%
3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount						$ 92,500
Note agreement with a third party financial institution						$ 115,000
5.00% Senior Note [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 539,000	$ 539,000		534,900
Note agreement with a third party financial institution	550,000	550,000	$ 200,000	550,000	$ 350,000
Debt Issuance Cost		2,600
Unamortized debt issuance cost	2,100	$ 2,100
Ending date of installments to be repaid		Jun. 1, 2022
Other Real Estate Related Long Term Debt [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Amount	147,300	$ 147,300		158,100
Real Estate Related Debt [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Debt Issuance Cost		1,300
Unamortized debt issuance cost	300	$ 300
Interest on real estate notes, minimum		3.00%
Interest on real estate notes, maximum		5.47%
Real Estate Related Debt [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Variable Interest Rate		1.50%
Real Estate Related Debt [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Variable Interest Rate		2.55%
Real Estate Related Debt [Member] | Toyota Motor Credit Corporation [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal		$ 1,500
Maturity date of of notes		Aug. 1, 2022
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 2,200	$ 2,200
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt		0
Amortization schedule	20 years
Total borrowings	$ 48,500	48,500
Number of loans as per loan agreements	8
Real Estate Related Debt [Member] | Mercedes-Benz Financial Services [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Repayments of Long-term Debt		$ 800
Ending date of installments to be repaid		Jan. 1, 2031
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 1,200	$ 1,200
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt		0
Amortization schedule	20 years
Total borrowings	$ 26,500	26,500
Number of loans as per loan agreements	2
Real Estate Related Debt [Member] | BMW Financial Services [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Repayments of Long-term Debt		$ 3,300
Maturity date of of notes		Oct. 1, 2021
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 4,600	$ 4,600
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt		0
Amortization schedule	15 years
Total borrowings	$ 62,600	62,600
Number of loans as per loan agreements	14
Real Estate Related Debt [Member] | Ford Motor Credit Company [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Repayments of Long-term Debt		$ 1,100
Ending date of installments to be repaid		Dec. 1, 2024
Amortization schedule	20 years
Brazil Note [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Repayments of Long-term Debt		$ 0
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 400	400
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt		0
Total borrowings	3,700	3,700
Brazilian third party financial institution [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Repayments of Long-term Debt		$ 9,300
Ending date of installments to be repaid		Feb. 1, 2017
Total borrowings	5,500	$ 5,500
Borrowings Of Long Term Debt Related To Real Estate Loans		0
Third-party financial institution [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Repayments of Long-term Debt		6,500
Term loans provided under credit facility	121,200	$ 121,200
Ending date of installments to be repaid		Nov. 1, 2022
Current maturities of long-term debt	6,100	$ 6,100
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt		0
Total borrowings	$ 108,700	108,700
Number of loans as per loan agreements	18
Third-party financial institution [Member] | Ford Motor Credit Company [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 1,500	1,500
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt		0
Total borrowings	$ 34,000	34,000
Number of loans as per loan agreements	4
Foreign Note [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Repayments of Long-term Debt		$ 2,600
Maturity date of of notes		Sep. 1, 2034
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 4,600	$ 4,600
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt		17,400
Total borrowings	59,700	59,700
Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Debt Issuance Cost		1,100
Unamortized debt issuance cost	200	200
Available Borrowings Of Term Loans Under Real Estate Credit Facility	$ 25,000	$ 25,000
Interest rate under condition second		0.95%
Percentage of principal payments to make its quarterly payment	1.25%
Borrowings under amended and restated mortgage facility		$ 0
Principal payments on outstanding borrowings		2,500
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 30,900	$ 30,900
Variable Interest Rate		2.00%
Total borrowings	$ 55,500	$ 55,500
Real Estate Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Ending date of installments to be repaid		Dec. 29, 2015
Real Estate Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Ending date of installments to be repaid		Feb. 27, 2017
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Interest rate under sub-condition three of condition second	1.05%
Federal Funds Rate [Member] | Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Variable Interest Rate		0.50%
Fixed interest rate debt [Member] | Other Real Estate Related Long Term Debt [Member]
Long-term Debt (Textual)
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 170,800	$ 170,800		$ 186,400

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets:
Total	$ 5,341	$ 32,587
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivative financial instruments	39,724	28,653
Total	39,724	28,653
Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Total	0	0
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivative financial instruments	0	0
Total	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Total	5,341	32,587
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivative financial instruments	39,724	28,653
Total	39,724	28,653
Investments [Member]
Assets:
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	5,253	12,283
Investments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0
Investments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	5,253	12,283
Demand Obligation [Member]
Assets:
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	88	20,304
Demand Obligation [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Demand Obligation [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 88	$ 20,304

Intangible Franchise Rights a58

Intangible Franchise Rights and Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 830,377
Goodwill, Ending Balance	912,639
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	42,400
U.S. [Member]
Intangible Franchise Rights [Roll Forward]
Intangible Franchise Rights, Beginning Balance	257,502
Additions through acquisitions	49,432
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	(188)
Currency Translation	0
Intangible Franchise Rights, Ending Balance	306,746
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	700,642	[1]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	115,317
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(74)
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	(1,109)
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	0
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	(18)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	814,758	[1]
U.K. [Member]
Intangible Franchise Rights [Roll Forward]
Intangible Franchise Rights, Beginning Balance	8,157
Additions through acquisitions	0
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Currency Translation	(193)
Intangible Franchise Rights, Ending Balance	7,964
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	35,138	[1]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	1,729
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(885)
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	35,982	[1]
Brazil [Member]
Intangible Franchise Rights [Roll Forward]
Intangible Franchise Rights, Beginning Balance	38,288
Additions through acquisitions	0
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Currency Translation	(13,235)
Intangible Franchise Rights, Ending Balance	25,053
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	94,597	[1]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(32,698)
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	61,899	[1]
Consolidated Total [Member]
Intangible Franchise Rights [Roll Forward]
Intangible Franchise Rights, Beginning Balance	303,947
Additions through acquisitions	49,432
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	(188)
Currency Translation	(13,428)
Intangible Franchise Rights, Ending Balance	339,763
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	830,377
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	115,317
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	1,655
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	(1,109)
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(33,583)
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	(18)
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 912,639	[1]
[1]	1) Net of accumulated impairment of $42.4 million.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi59

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent			$ (56,902)	$ (7,329)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax			(20,651)	(9,259)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent			(77,553)	(16,588)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax			0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax			(3,593)	(3,176)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax			(56,902)	(7,329)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	$ 4,919	$ (346)	7,744	3,472
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax			7,744	3,472
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Tax			0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax	(1,224)	(1,074)	(3,593)	(3,176)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	(6,158)	2,366	(6,919)	(494)
Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Translation, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance			(64,075)	(37,827)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Translation, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(120,977)	(45,156)	(120,977)	(45,156)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Swaps, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance			(17,909)	(13,850)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Swaps, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	(24,828)	(14,344)	(24,828)	(14,344)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance			(81,984)	(51,677)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(63,821)	(7,823)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	$ (145,805)	$ (59,500)	(81,984)	(51,677)
Floorplan Interest Expense [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, before Tax			0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax			8,306	7,331
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax			8,306	7,331
Interest Expense [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, before Tax			0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax			1,275	1,138
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax			$ 1,275	$ 1,138

Segment Information Segment I60

Segment Information Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
REVENUES:	$ 2,800,569	$ 2,626,448	$ 7,959,903	$ 7,398,949
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	73,036	43,869	204,286	131,276
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	(27,775)	(17,707)	(76,901)	(56,949)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	45,261	26,162	127,385	74,327
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Elements for Bank Presentation [Abstract]
Assets	4,292,050		$ 4,292,050		$ 4,141,492
Segment Information			SEGMENT INFORMATION As of September 30, 2015 , the Company had three reportable segments: (1) the U.S., (2) the U.K., and (3) Brazil. Each of the reportable segments is comprised of retail automotive franchises, which sell new vehicles, used vehicles, parts and automotive services, finance and insurance products, and collision centers. The vast majority of the Company's corporate activities are associated with the operations of the U.S. operating segments and therefore the corporate financial results are included within the U.S. reportable segment. The reportable segments identified above are the business activities of the Company for which discrete financial information is available and for which operating results are regularly reviewed by its chief operating decision maker to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company's chief operating decision maker is its Chief Executive Officer. Reportable segment revenue, income (loss) before income taxes, provision for income taxes and net income (loss) were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) Total revenues $ 2,343,566 $ 327,431 $ 129,572 $ 2,800,569 $ 6,629,513 $ 935,139 $ 395,251 $ 7,959,903 Income (loss) before income taxes 67,182 5,328 526 73,036 189,773 15,278 (765 ) 204,286 Provision for income taxes (26,432 ) (1,207 ) (136 ) (27,775 ) (73,085 ) (3,215 ) (601 ) (76,901 ) Net income (loss) 40,750 4,121 390 45,261 116,688 12,063 (1,366 ) 127,385 Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) Total revenues $ 2,175,605 $ 252,201 $ 198,642 $ 2,626,448 $ 6,070,827 $ 751,226 $ 576,896 $ 7,398,949 Income (loss) before income taxes 43,146 5,840 (5,117 ) 43,869 123,474 15,974 (8,172 ) 131,276 Provision for income taxes (20,375 ) (1,159 ) 3,827 (17,707 ) (57,439 ) (2,814 ) 3,304 (56,949 ) Net income (loss) (1) 22,771 4,681 (1,290 ) 26,162 66,035 13,160 (4,868 ) 74,327 (1) Includes the following, after tax: loss due to extinguishment of long-term debt of $17.9 million and $38.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively, in the U.S.; asset impairment charges of $2.6 million and $3.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively, in the U.S., and $4.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , in Brazil; gain on real estate and dealership transactions of $8.6 million and $8.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively, in the U.S.; and the tax benefit of deductible goodwill of $3.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , in Brazil. Reportable segment total assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: As of September 30, 2015 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) Total assets $ 3,736,130 $ 378,978 $ 176,942 $ 4,292,050 As of December 31, 2014 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) Total assets $ 3,529,643 $ 327,644 $ 284,205 $ 4,141,492
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments			3
U.S. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
REVENUES:	2,343,566	2,175,605	$ 6,629,513	6,070,827
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	67,182	43,146	189,773	123,474
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	(26,432)	(20,375)	(73,085)	(57,439)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	40,750	22,771	116,688	66,035
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Elements for Bank Presentation [Abstract]
Assets	3,736,130		3,736,130		3,529,643
Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax		17,900		38,700
Asset Impairment Charges		2,600		3,600
Net Gain (Loss) on Real Estate and Dealership Transactions		8,600		8,900
U.K. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
REVENUES:	327,431	252,201	935,139	751,226
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	5,328	5,840	15,278	15,974
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	(1,207)	(1,159)	(3,215)	(2,814)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	4,121	4,681	12,063	13,160
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Elements for Bank Presentation [Abstract]
Assets	378,978		378,978		327,644
Brazil [Member]
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss) [Abstract]
REVENUES:	129,572	198,642	395,251	576,896
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	526	(5,117)	(765)	(8,172)
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	(136)	3,827	(601)	3,304
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	390	(1,290)	(1,366)	(4,868)
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Elements for Bank Presentation [Abstract]
Assets	$ 176,942		$ 176,942		$ 284,205
Asset Impairment Charges		4,000		4,000
Tax impact of deductible goodwill		$ 3,400		$ 3,400

Condensed Consolidated Financ61

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 21,968	$ 40,975	$ 50,652	$ 20,215
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	205,636	237,448
Accounts and notes receivable, net	147,110	151,330
Intercompany accounts receivable	0	0
Inventories, net	1,634,421	1,556,705
Deferred income taxes	13,099	11,062
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,556	37,699
Total current assets	2,044,790	2,035,219
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	978,892	950,388
GOODWILL	912,639	830,377
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	339,763	303,947
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	0	0
OTHER ASSETS	15,966	21,561
Total assets	4,292,050	4,141,492
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other	1,177,513	1,143,246
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	(28,073)	(39,616)
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	347,657	307,656
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	(20,001)	(22,500)
Current maturities of long-term debt	55,959	72,630
Accounts payable	290,509	288,320
Intercompany accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	158,283	172,463
Total current liabilities	1,981,847	1,922,199
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	1,084,161	1,008,837
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	39,724	25,311
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES	216,990	207,135
Group 1 stockholders’ equity	969,328	978,010
Intercompany note receivable	0	0
Total stockholders’ equity	969,328	978,010
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	4,292,050	4,141,492
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	26	0
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	0	0
Accounts and notes receivable, net	0	0
Intercompany accounts receivable	0	0
Inventories, net	0	0
Deferred income taxes	288	196
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	785	590
Total current assets	1,073	786
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	0	0
GOODWILL	0	0
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	0	0
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	2,162,133	1,964,442
OTHER ASSETS	0	0
Total assets	2,163,206	1,965,228
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other	0	0
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	0	0
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	0	0
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	0	0
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Intercompany accounts payable	368,915	295,421
Accrued expenses	0	0
Total current liabilities	368,915	295,421
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	679,158	609,812
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	0	0
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES	0	0
Group 1 stockholders’ equity	1,115,133	1,059,995
Intercompany note receivable	0	0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,115,133	1,059,995
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	2,163,206	1,965,228
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	4,397	25,379	34,165	4,306
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	173,859	218,361
Accounts and notes receivable, net	118,137	117,427
Intercompany accounts receivable	263,906	276,217
Inventories, net	1,438,310	1,342,022
Deferred income taxes	12,811	10,866
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,000	22,039
Total current assets	2,019,420	2,012,311
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	863,526	839,063
GOODWILL	814,759	700,642
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	306,745	257,502
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	0	0
OTHER ASSETS	8,683	10,120
Total assets	4,013,133	3,819,638
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other	1,176,385	1,137,743
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	(28,073)	(39,616)
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	253,361	207,329
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	(20,001)	(22,500)
Current maturities of long-term debt	50,756	61,185
Accounts payable	177,270	176,143
Intercompany accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	137,675	149,700
Total current liabilities	1,747,373	1,669,984
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	337,858	347,202
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	39,724	25,311
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES	206,938	193,077
Group 1 stockholders’ equity	2,050,155	1,879,485
Intercompany note receivable	(368,915)	(295,421)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,681,240	1,584,064
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	4,013,133	3,819,638
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	17,571	15,596	$ 16,461	$ 15,909
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	31,777	19,087
Accounts and notes receivable, net	28,973	33,903
Intercompany accounts receivable	0	0
Inventories, net	196,111	214,683
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	13,771	15,070
Total current assets	288,203	298,339
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	115,366	111,325
GOODWILL	97,880	129,735
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	33,018	46,445
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	0	0
OTHER ASSETS	7,283	11,441
Total assets	541,750	597,285
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other	1,128	5,503
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	0	0
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	94,296	100,327
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	0	0
Current maturities of long-term debt	5,203	11,445
Accounts payable	113,239	112,177
Intercompany accounts payable	263,906	276,217
Accrued expenses	20,608	22,763
Total current liabilities	498,380	528,432
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	67,145	51,823
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	0	0
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES	10,052	14,058
Group 1 stockholders’ equity	(33,827)	2,972
Intercompany note receivable	0	0
Total stockholders’ equity	(33,827)	2,972
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	541,750	597,285
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	0	0
Accounts and notes receivable, net	0	0
Intercompany accounts receivable	(263,906)	(276,217)
Inventories, net	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	(263,906)	(276,217)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	0	0
GOODWILL	0	0
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	0	0
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	(2,162,133)	(1,964,442)
OTHER ASSETS	0	0
Total assets	(2,426,039)	(2,240,659)
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other	0	0
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	0	0
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	0	0
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	0	0
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	0
Accounts payable	0	0
Intercompany accounts payable	(632,821)	(571,638)
Accrued expenses	0	0
Total current liabilities	(632,821)	(571,638)
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	0	0
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	0	0
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES	0	0
Group 1 stockholders’ equity	(2,162,133)	(1,964,442)
Intercompany note receivable	368,915	295,421
Total stockholders’ equity	(1,793,218)	(1,669,021)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ (2,426,039)	$ (2,240,659)

Condensed Consolidated Financ62

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information Condensed Consolidated Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES:	$ 2,800,569	$ 2,626,448	$ 7,959,903	$ 7,398,949
COST OF SALES:	2,402,187	2,251,739	6,806,064	6,316,970
GROSS PROFIT	398,382	374,709	1,153,839	1,081,979
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	289,012	264,233	841,050	793,761
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	11,811	10,746	35,441	31,424
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	916	9,373	1,955	11,094
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	96,643	90,357	275,393	245,700
Floorplan interest expense	(9,685)	(10,452)	(29,046)	(31,695)
Interest Expense, Other	(13,922)	(13,246)	(42,061)	(36,326)
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt	0	(22,790)	0	(46,403)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	73,036	43,869	204,286	131,276
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	(27,775)	(17,707)	(76,901)	(56,949)
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME	45,261	26,162	127,385	74,327
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(42,465)	(19,572)	(63,821)	(7,823)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT	2,796	6,590	63,564	66,504
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES:	0	0	0	0
COST OF SALES:	0	0	0	0
GROSS PROFIT	0	0	0	0
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	555	559	2,612	2,315
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	0	0	0	0
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	0	0	0	0
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	(555)	(559)	(2,612)	(2,315)
Floorplan interest expense	0	0	0	0
Interest Expense, Other	648	567	1,845	1,696
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt		0		0
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	93	8	(767)	(619)
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	(35)	(3)	288	232
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES	45,203	26,157	127,864	74,714
NET INCOME	45,261	26,162	127,385	74,327
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	0	0	0	0
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT	45,261	26,162	127,385	74,327
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES:	2,343,567	2,175,604	6,629,514	6,070,827
COST OF SALES:	1,995,252	1,853,668	5,624,527	5,142,382
GROSS PROFIT	348,315	321,936	1,004,987	928,445
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	247,054	220,142	712,265	660,321
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	10,372	9,296	30,847	27,232
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	204	4,252	702	5,973
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	90,685	88,246	261,173	234,919
Floorplan interest expense	(8,963)	(8,544)	(26,439)	(25,489)
Interest Expense, Other	(12,738)	(12,264)	(38,534)	(34,326)
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt		(22,790)		(46,403)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	68,984	44,648	196,200	128,701
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	(26,398)	(20,372)	(73,375)	(57,672)
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME	42,586	24,276	122,825	71,029
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(6,158)	2,366	(6,919)	(494)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT	36,428	26,642	115,906	70,535
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES:	457,002	450,844	1,330,389	1,328,122
COST OF SALES:	406,935	398,071	1,181,537	1,174,588
GROSS PROFIT	50,067	52,773	148,852	153,534
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	41,403	43,532	126,173	131,125
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	1,439	1,450	4,594	4,192
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	712	5,121	1,253	5,121
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	6,513	2,670	16,832	13,096
Floorplan interest expense	(722)	(1,908)	(2,607)	(6,206)
Interest Expense, Other	(1,832)	(1,549)	(5,372)	(3,696)
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt		0		0
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	3,959	(787)	8,853	3,194
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	(1,342)	2,668	(3,814)	491
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME	2,617	1,881	5,039	3,685
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(36,307)	(21,938)	(56,902)	(7,329)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT	(33,690)	(20,057)	(51,863)	(3,644)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES:	0	0	0	0
COST OF SALES:	0	0	0	0
GROSS PROFIT	0	0	0	0
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	0	0	0	0
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	0	0	0	0
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	0	0	0	0
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	0	0	0	0
Floorplan interest expense	0	0	0	0
Interest Expense, Other	0	0	0	0
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt		0		0
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	0	0	0	0
BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES	0	0	0	0
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES	(45,203)	(26,157)	(127,864)	(74,714)
NET INCOME	(45,203)	(26,157)	(127,864)	(74,714)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	0	0	0	0
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT	$ (45,203)	$ (26,157)	$ (127,864)	$ (74,714)

Condensed Consolidated Financ63

Condensed Consolidated Financial Information Condensed Consolidated Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	$ 230,868	$ 271,836
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(212,252)	(309,257)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	9,684	138,800
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(78,339)	(91,345)
Other	6,047	(5,832)
Net cash used in investing activities	(274,860)	(267,634)
Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other	5,529,338	6,047,392
Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other	(5,479,152)	(6,086,414)
Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line	584,643	314,963
Repayment on credit facility - acquisition line	(515,944)	(374,989)
Borrowings On Real Estate Credit Facility	0	200
Principal Payments On Real Estate Credit Facility	(2,505)	(9,081)
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt	0	539,600
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	0	1,881
Repayments of 3.00% Convertible Notes	0	260,074
Proceeds from call options and warrants related to 3.00% Notes	0	32,697
Repayments of 2.25% Convertible Notes	0	(182,756)
Borrowings on other debt	33,375	78,710
Principal payments on other debt	(42,929)	(70,267)
Borrowings on debt related to real estate	22,430	65,628
Principal payments on debt related to real estate	(18,536)	(39,024)
Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings	(789)	187
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	(66,746)	(16,947)
Tax effect from stock-based compensation	1,827	1,145
Dividends paid	(14,781)	(12,291)
Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Distributions to parent		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	30,231	26,798
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(5,246)	(563)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(19,007)	30,437
Cash and cash equivalents	21,968	50,652	$ 40,975	$ 20,215
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	127,385	74,327
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	0	0
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	0	0
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other	0	0
Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other	0	0
Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line	584,643	314,963
Repayment on credit facility - acquisition line	(515,944)	(374,989)
Borrowings On Real Estate Credit Facility		0
Principal Payments On Real Estate Credit Facility	0	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt		539,600
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs		1,881
Repayments of 3.00% Convertible Notes		260,074
Proceeds from call options and warrants related to 3.00% Notes		32,697
Repayments of 2.25% Convertible Notes		(182,756)
Borrowings on other debt	0	0
Principal payments on other debt	0	0
Borrowings on debt related to real estate	0	0
Principal payments on debt related to real estate	0	0
Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings	(789)	187
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	(66,746)	(16,947)
Tax effect from stock-based compensation	0	0
Dividends paid	(14,781)	(12,291)
Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries	85,465	87,136
Investment in subsidiaries	(199,233)	(199,972)
Distributions to parent		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(127,385)	(74,327)
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	26
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	0	26
Cash and cash equivalents	0	26	0	0
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	93,518	204,887
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(212,252)	(306,467)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	8,986	138,546
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(61,052)	(85,239)
Other	6,047	(5,832)
Net cash used in investing activities	(258,271)	(258,992)
Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other	5,529,338	6,047,392
Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other	(5,479,152)	(6,086,414)
Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line	0	0
Repayment on credit facility - acquisition line	0	0
Borrowings On Real Estate Credit Facility		200
Principal Payments On Real Estate Credit Facility	(2,505)	(9,081)
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt		0
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs		0
Repayments of 3.00% Convertible Notes		0
Proceeds from call options and warrants related to 3.00% Notes		0
Repayments of 2.25% Convertible Notes		0
Borrowings on other debt	460	0
Principal payments on other debt	(1,157)	0
Borrowings on debt related to real estate	0	52,279
Principal payments on debt related to real estate	(15,843)	(29,458)
Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings	0	0
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	0	0
Tax effect from stock-based compensation	1,827	1,145
Dividends paid	0	0
Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries	(73,365)	(94,311)
Investment in subsidiaries	184,168	200,094
Distributions to parent		2,118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	143,771	83,964
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	0	0
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(20,982)	29,859
Cash and cash equivalents	4,397	34,165	25,379	4,306
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	9,965	(7,378)
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	0	(2,790)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	698	254
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(17,287)	(6,106)
Other	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(16,589)	(8,642)
Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other	0	0
Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other	0	0
Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line	0	0
Repayment on credit facility - acquisition line	0	0
Borrowings On Real Estate Credit Facility		0
Principal Payments On Real Estate Credit Facility	0	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt		0
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs		0
Repayments of 3.00% Convertible Notes		0
Proceeds from call options and warrants related to 3.00% Notes		0
Repayments of 2.25% Convertible Notes		0
Borrowings on other debt	32,915	78,710
Principal payments on other debt	(41,772)	(70,267)
Borrowings on debt related to real estate	22,430	13,349
Principal payments on debt related to real estate	(2,693)	(9,566)
Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings	0	0
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	0	0
Tax effect from stock-based compensation	0	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries	(12,100)	7,175
Investment in subsidiaries	15,065	(122)
Distributions to parent		(2,118)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	13,845	17,161
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	(5,246)	(589)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	1,975	552
Cash and cash equivalents	17,571	$ 16,461	15,596	$ 15,909
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 0		$ 0