Group 1 Automotive (GPI) 10-Q 1 Nov 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 29, 2018
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,031,203
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,174,320

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 32,027	$ 28,787
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	235,609	306,433
Accounts and notes receivable, net	169,318	188,611
Inventories, net	1,733,756	1,763,293
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	77,996	42,062
Total current assets	2,248,706	2,329,186
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	1,350,929	1,318,959
GOODWILL	968,771	913,034
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	276,285	285,632
OTHER ASSETS	36,175	24,254
Total assets	4,880,866	4,871,065
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floorplan notes payable - credit facility and other	1,155,034	1,240,695
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	(71,397)	(86,547)
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	415,615	397,183
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	(20,500)	(22,500)
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing	76,080	77,609
Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities	311	1,996
Accounts payable	428,441	412,981
Accrued expenses	207,082	177,070
Total current liabilities	2,190,666	2,198,487
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	1,304,127	1,318,184
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	137,826	124,404
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	444	8,583
OTHER LIABILITIES	99,457	97,125
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 25,494 and 25,515 issued, respectively	255	255
Additional paid-in capital	290,668	291,461
Retained earnings	1,368,946	1,246,323
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(128,894)	(123,226)
Treasury stock, at cost; 5,913 and 4,617 shares, respectively	(382,629)	(290,531)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,148,346	1,124,282
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 4,880,866	$ 4,871,065

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 25,494 and 25,515 issued, respectively
Par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Shares issued (in shares)	25,494,000	25,515,000
Treasury stock (in shares)	5,913,000	4,617,000

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
REVENUES	$ 2,889,058	$ 3,012,292	$ 8,692,546	$ 8,203,316
COST OF SALES	2,453,957	2,580,872	7,399,519	6,983,482
GROSS PROFIT	435,101	431,420	1,293,027	1,219,834
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	316,771	328,327	949,210	916,674
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	16,981	15,059	49,961	42,758
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	23,159	9,526	27,427	9,526
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	78,190	78,508	266,429	250,876
OTHER EXPENSE:
Floorplan interest expense	(14,685)	(13,491)	(43,335)	(38,659)
Other interest expense, net	(19,140)	(17,874)	(57,374)	(52,188)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	44,365	47,143	165,720	160,029
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(9,587)	(17,262)	(38,666)	(57,076)
NET INCOME	$ 34,778	$ 29,881	$ 127,054	$ 102,953
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 1.74	$ 1.43	$ 6.18	$ 4.85
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	19,253	20,222	19,859	20,475
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 1.74	$ 1.43	$ 6.18	$ 4.85
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	19,261	20,225	19,868	20,480
CASH DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.24	$ 0.78	$ 0.72
New vehicle retail sales
REVENUES	$ 1,539,498	$ 1,710,241	$ 4,608,658	$ 4,496,222
COST OF SALES	1,461,896	1,621,909	4,379,047	4,263,752
Used vehicle retail sales
REVENUES	792,405	743,038	2,394,828	2,089,914
COST OF SALES	742,250	695,915	2,249,964	1,952,873
Used vehicle wholesale sales
REVENUES	86,570	104,827	283,453	308,361
COST OF SALES	86,884	105,012	281,871	308,713
Parts and service sales
REVENUES	354,501	343,193	1,062,145	994,522
COST OF SALES	162,927	158,036	488,637	458,144
Finance, insurance and other, net
REVENUES	$ 116,084	$ 110,993	$ 343,462	$ 314,297

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
NET INCOME	$ 34,778	$ 29,881	$ 127,054	$ 102,953
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(5,908)	8,399	(22,223)	16,998
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period, net of tax (provision) benefit of ($846), $154, ($4,416), and $1,462, respectively	2,680	(257)	13,985	(2,437)
Unrealized gain on interest rate risk management activities, net of tax	3,522	1,454	16,705	3,531
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME, NET OF TAXES	(2,386)	9,853	(5,518)	20,529
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	32,392	39,734	121,536	123,482
SG&A
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes:
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in interest expense, net of tax benefit of $266, $1,027, $1,080, and $3,581, respectively	0	0	(698)	0
Interest Expense
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes:
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in interest expense, net of tax benefit of $266, $1,027, $1,080, and $3,581, respectively	$ 842	$ 1,711	$ 3,418	$ 5,968

Consolidated Statements of Co_2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Tax benefit (provision) of unrealized gain	$ (846)	$ 154	$ (4,416)	$ 1,462
Tax benefit (provision) of reclassification adjustment			860	3,581
SG&A
Tax benefit (provision) of reclassification adjustment	0	0	(220)	0
Interest Expense
Tax benefit (provision) of reclassification adjustment	$ 266	$ (1,027)	$ 1,080	$ (3,581)

Consolidated Statement of Stock

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2018 - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Treasury Stock
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		25,515
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,124,282	$ 255	$ 291,461	$ 1,246,323	$ (123,226)	$ (290,531)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	127,054			127,054
Other comprehensive loss, net	(5,518)				(5,518)
Tax effects reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0			150	(150)
Purchases of treasury stock	(108,624)					(108,624)
Net issuance of treasury shares to employee stock compensation plans (in shares)		(21)
Net issuance of treasury shares to employee stock compensation plans	1,530		(14,996)			16,526
Stock-based compensation	14,203		14,203
Cash dividends, net of estimated forfeitures relative to participating securities	(15,978)			(15,978)
BALANCE (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018		25,494
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2018	1,148,346	$ 255	$ 290,668	1,368,946	$ (128,894)	$ (382,629)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Impact of ASC 606 cumulative adjustment	$ 11,397			$ 11,397

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 127,054	$ 102,953
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	49,961	42,758
Deferred income taxes	4,088	16,102
Asset impairments	27,427	9,526
Stock-based compensation	14,241	14,606
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs	2,475	2,852
Gain on disposition of assets	(26,964)	(848)
Other	589	(548)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	35,481	85,163
Accounts and notes receivable	28,431	(8,892)
Inventories	33,737	68,454
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables	70,211	(15,273)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(22,461)	(4,930)
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	13,923	(5,164)
Deferred revenues	(778)	475
Net cash provided by operating activities	357,415	307,234
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(135,342)	(109,082)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	107,704	5,133
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(118,215)	(144,310)
Deposits for real estate and dealership acquisitions	381	0
Other	0	1,526
Net cash used in investing activities	(145,472)	(246,733)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other	5,106,810	5,053,598
Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other	(5,185,225)	(5,108,475)
Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line	98,596	68,085
Repayments on credit facility - acquisition line	(91,450)	(35,576)
Borrowings on other debt	123,298	126,316
Principal payments on other debt	(105,551)	(88,701)
Borrowings on debt related to real estate, net of debt issue costs	54,712	39,031
Principal payments on debt related to real estate	(83,242)	(21,269)
Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings	1,529	4,196
Proceeds from termination of mortgage swap	918	0
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	(108,623)	(40,094)
Dividends paid	(16,014)	(15,221)
Net cash used in financing activities	(204,242)	(18,110)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(2,941)	867
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	4,760	43,258
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	29,631	24,246
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	34,391	67,504
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate, accrued in accounts payable	$ 6,131	$ 10,364

Interim Financial Information

Interim Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 15 states in the United States of America (“U.S.”), 32 towns in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and four 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, 2018 , the Company’s U.S. retail network consisted of 117 dealerships within the following states: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. The President of U.S. Operations reports directly to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the overall performance of the U.S. region, as well as for overseeing the market directors and dealership general managers. In addition, as of September 30, 2018 , the Company had two international regions: (a) the U.K., which consisted of 47 dealerships and (b) Brazil, which consisted of 17 dealerships. The operations of the Company's international regions are structured similar to the U.S. region. 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 regions of 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 quarters tend to be stronger, driven by the vehicle license plate change months of March and September. For Brazil, the Company expects higher volumes in the third and fourth calendar quarters. The first quarter in Brazil is generally the weakest, driven by more consumer vacations and activities associated with Carnival. Other factors unrelated to seasonality, such as changes in economic conditions, manufacturer incentive programs, supply issues, seasonal weather events and/or changes in currency exchange rates may exaggerate seasonal or cause counter-seasonal fluctuations in the Company's revenues and operating income. 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. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto that include financial information as of September 30, 2018 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 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 and are unaudited. 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. All business acquisitions completed during the periods presented have been accounted for by applying the acquisition 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 assigned and recorded based on estimates of fair value and are subject to change within the purchase price allocation period (generally one year from the respective acquisition date). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 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, 2017 (“ 2017 Form 10-K”). Business Segment Information The Company has three reportable segments: the U.S., which includes the activities of the Company's corporate office, the U.K. and Brazil. The reportable segments 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. See Note 15 , “Segment Information” , for additional details regarding the Company's reportable segments. Statements of Cash Flows The Company utilizes various credit facilities to finance the purchase of its new and used vehicle inventory. With respect to all new vehicle floorplan borrowings, the manufacturers of the vehicles draft the Company’s credit facilities directly with no cash flow to or from the Company. With respect to borrowings for used vehicle financing in the U.S., the Company finances up to 85% of the value of the used vehicle inventory and the funds flow directly between the Company and the lender. In the U.K. and Brazil, the Company chooses which used vehicles to finance and the borrowings flow directly to the Company from the lender. The Company categorizes the cash flows associated with borrowings and repayments on these various credit facilities as Operating or Financing Activities in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. All borrowings from, and repayments to, lenders affiliated with the vehicle manufacturers (excluding the cash flows from or to manufacturer affiliated lenders participating in the Company’s syndicated lending group under the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in Note 9 , “Credit Facilities”)) are presented within Cash Flows from Operating Activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. All borrowings from, and repayments to, the syndicated lending group under the Revolving Credit Facility (including the cash flows from or to manufacturer affiliated lenders participating in the facility), as well as borrowings from, and repayments to, the Company’s other credit facilities, are presented within Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Cash paid for interest, including the monthly settlement of the Company’s interest rate derivatives, was $84.4 million and $76.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds, was $31.0 million and $45.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total of the same amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See Note 11 , “Fair Value Measurements” , for additional details regarding the Company's restricted cash balances. September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 32,027 $ 28,787 Restricted cash, included in other assets 2,364 844 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 34,391 $ 29,631 Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments in this update addresses several specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not materially impact its net income, retained earnings, consolidated financial statements, results of operations or cash flows. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force ( “ EITF ” ) . The amendments in this update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-18 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not materially impact its consolidated financial statements, results of operations or cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business . The amendments in this update clarify the definition of a business in order to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively. The Company adopted ASU 2017-01 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not materially impact its consolidated financial statements or results of operations. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting . The amendments in this update provide clarity and reduce both diversity in practice and cost and complexity when applying the guidance of Topic 718 to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. Under the new guidance, an entity will not apply modification accounting to a share-based payment award if all of the following are the same immediately before and after the change: 1) the award's fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if those measurement methods are used), 2) the award's vesting conditions, and 3) the award's classification as an equity or liability instrument. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not impact its consolidated financial statements or results of operations. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . The amendments in this update will permit entities to reclassify tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of tax legislation enacted by the U.S. government on December 22, 2017, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), to retained earnings. The FASB gave entities the option to reclassify these amounts rather than require reclassification and the option to apply the guidance retrospectively or in the period of adoption. The amendments in this update are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-02 as of July 1, 2018, and reclassified $0.2 million of stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Adoption of ASC Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“Topic 606”) , and all subsequent amendments issued thereafter, that amend the accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The Company adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings recognized as of the date of adoption. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historic accounting policies under Topic 605. The Company identified its material revenue streams to be the sale of new and used vehicles; arrangement of associated vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance contracts; the performance of vehicle maintenance and repair services; and the sale of vehicle parts. The Company concluded that no changes to the timing of revenue recognition for the sale of new and used vehicles, as well as vehicle parts are necessary. As it relates to the performance of vehicle maintenance and repair services recognized as a part of Parts and service sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Company identified a change in its accounting policies and procedures. Through December 31, 2017, the Company recognized revenue once the maintenance or repair services were completed and the vehicle was delivered to the customer. Under Topic 606, the Company determined that it has an enforceable right to payment during the course of the work being performed in certain jurisdictions and, thus, the Company changed its policy under Topic 606 for those jurisdictions to recognize revenue over time as the maintenance and repair services are performed. With regards to the revenue generated from the arrangement of vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance contracts recognized as a part of Finance, insurance and other, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Company also identified a change in the Company’s accounting policies and procedures. Generally, the Company receives an upfront commission for these transactions from the finance or insurance provider and recognizes the associated revenue when the contract is executed. In some cases, the Company also earns retrospective commission income by participating in the future profitability of the portfolio of contracts sold by the Company. Through December 31, 2017, the Company’s accounting policy was to recognize upfront commission income earned when the contract was executed and the amount was determinable, and to recognize retrospective commission income as the amounts were determined and realized. The Company concluded that this retrospective commission income represents variable consideration for which the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied when the finance or insurance product contract is executed with the end user. Under the new standard, an estimate of variable consideration, subject to a constraint, is to be included in the transaction price and recognized when or as the performance obligation is satisfied. Therefore, the Company’s accounting policy changed under Topic 606 such that the Company will estimate the amount of future earnings that it will realize from the ultimate profitability of the portfolio of contracts subject to a retrospective commission and recognize such estimate, subject to any constraint in the estimate, upfront when the contract is executed with the end user. The Company's estimates of the amount of variable consideration to be ultimately realized will be reassessed at the end of each reporting period and changes in those estimates will be adjusted through revenue. As a result of adopting Topic 606 and implementing the changes aforementioned, the Company recognized net, after-tax cumulative effect adjustments to increase retained earnings as of the date of adoption for maintenance and repair services of $4.8 million and for the arrangement of associated vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance contracts of $6.6 million . The cumulative effect of the changes made to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2018 for the adoption of Topic 606 were as follows: January 1, 2018 Balance at Adjustment due to Balance Sheet (In thousands) Assets Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 188,611 $ 11,623 $ 200,234 Inventories, net 1,763,293 (3,660 ) 1,759,633 Prepaid expense and other current assets 42,062 8,683 50,745 Liabilities Accounts payable $ 412,981 $ 1,756 $ 414,737 Deferred income taxes 124,404 3,493 127,897 Stockholders' equity Retained earnings $ 1,246,323 $ 11,397 $ 1,257,720 The impact of applying Topic 606 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 As Reported Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher / (Lower) As Reported Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher / (Lower) Income Statement (In thousands) (In thousands) Revenues Parts and service sales $ 354,501 $ 353,588 $ 913 $ 1,062,145 $ 1,061,160 $ 985 Finance, insurance and other, net 116,084 111,943 4,141 343,462 340,139 3,323 Cost of sales Parts and service sales $ 162,927 $ 162,601 $ 326 $ 488,637 $ 488,412 $ 225 Selling, general and administrative expenses 316,771 316,640 131 949,210 948,991 219 Provision for income taxes 9,587 8,490 1,097 38,666 37,771 895 Net income $ 34,778 $ 31,278 $ 3,500 $ 127,054 $ 124,085 $ 2,969 The impact of applying Topic 606 at September 30, 2018 was as follows: September 30, 2018 As Reported Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher / (Lower) Balance Sheet (In thousands) Assets Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 169,318 $ 156,900 $ 12,418 Inventories, net 1,733,756 1,737,582 (3,826 ) Prepaid expense and other current assets 77,996 65,989 12,007 Liabilities Accounts payable $ 428,441 $ 426,505 $ 1,936 Deferred income taxes 137,826 133,453 4,373 Stockholders' equity Retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss $ 1,240,052 $ 1,225,762 $ 14,290 Refer to Note 2 , “Revenue” for further discussion of the Company’s significant revenue streams. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this update relate to the accounting for leasing transactions. This standard requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. In addition, this standard requires both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions. This standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Originally, entities were required to adopt this ASU using a modified retrospective transition method. However, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements ("ASU 2018-11"), which provides entities with an additional transition method. Under ASU 2018-11, entities have the option of recognizing the cumulative effect of applying the new standard as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings in the year of adoption while continuing to present all prior periods under previous lease accounting guidance. In July 2018, the FASB also issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases , which clarifies how to apply certain aspects of the new standard. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. However, the Company expects that the adoption will have a significant impact on its consolidated balance sheets, as currently approximately half of its real estate is rented, not owned, via operating leases. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments . The amendment in this update replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology of recognizing credit losses when a loss is probable, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to assess credit loss estimates. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for periods after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the provisions of the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements or results of operations, but does not expect the impact of the amendment in this ASU to be significant. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment . The amendment in this update eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value. This standard should be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Earlier application is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the impact of the adoption of the ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations or cash flows. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 715): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments in this update better align an entity's risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The guidance also eases the administrative burden of hedge documentation requirements and assessing hedge effectiveness. The amendments to cash flow and net investment hedge relationships should be applied using a modified retrospective approach while the presentation and disclosure requirements are applied prospectively, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the provisions of the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements or results of operations, but does not expect the impact of the amendments in this ASU to be significant. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement . The amendment modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by removing, modifying, or adding certain disclosures. The amendment will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Certain disclosures in this standard, are required to be applied on a retrospective basis and others on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Revenue

Revenue	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
REVENUE	REVENUE As discussed in Note 1 , “Interim Financial Information” , the Company’s material revenue streams are the sale of new and used vehicles; arrangement of associated vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance contracts; the performance of vehicle maintenance and repair services (including collision restoration); and the sale of vehicle parts. The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated by revenue source: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 (1) 2018 2017 (1) (In thousands) REVENUES: New vehicle retail sales $ 1,539,498 $ 1,710,241 $ 4,608,658 $ 4,496,222 Used vehicle retail sales 792,405 743,038 2,394,828 2,089,914 Used vehicle wholesale sales 86,570 104,827 283,453 308,361 Total new and used vehicle sales 2,418,473 2,558,106 7,286,939 6,894,497 Vehicle parts sales 83,773 81,273 254,326 234,369 Maintenance and repair sales 270,728 261,920 807,819 760,153 Total parts and service sales 354,501 343,193 1,062,145 994,522 Finance, insurance and other, net 116,084 110,993 343,462 314,297 Total revenues $ 2,889,058 $ 3,012,292 $ 8,692,546 $ 8,203,316 (1) As described in Note 1, “Interim Financial Information”, prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective approach. The following tables present the Company's revenues disaggregated by its geographical segments: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) REVENUES: New vehicle retail sales $ 1,196,551 $ 278,046 $ 64,901 $ 1,539,498 $ 3,433,386 $ 971,085 $ 204,187 $ 4,608,658 Used vehicle retail sales 572,011 200,058 20,336 792,405 1,727,848 600,715 66,265 2,394,828 Used vehicle wholesale sales 40,724 41,696 4,150 86,570 137,507 134,408 11,538 283,453 Total new and used vehicle sales 1,809,286 519,800 89,387 2,418,473 5,298,741 1,706,208 281,990 7,286,939 Vehicle parts sales 72,935 9,546 1,292 83,773 220,964 29,537 3,825 254,326 Maintenance and repair sales 216,399 44,271 10,058 270,728 641,773 135,417 30,629 807,819 Total parts and service sales 289,334 53,817 11,350 354,501 862,737 164,954 34,454 1,062,145 Finance, insurance and other, net 101,610 12,319 2,155 116,084 295,239 42,199 6,024 343,462 Total revenues $ 2,200,230 $ 585,936 $ 102,892 $ 2,889,058 $ 6,456,717 $ 1,913,361 $ 322,468 $ 8,692,546 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (1) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (1) U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) REVENUES: New vehicle retail sales $ 1,296,267 $ 334,772 $ 79,202 $ 1,710,241 $ 3,458,287 $ 824,827 $ 213,108 $ 4,496,222 Used vehicle retail sales 562,031 158,076 22,931 743,038 1,620,171 401,851 67,892 2,089,914 Used vehicle wholesale sales 63,363 38,647 2,817 104,827 200,384 99,604 8,373 308,361 Total new and used vehicle sales 1,921,661 531,495 104,950 2,558,106 5,278,842 1,326,282 289,373 6,894,497 Vehicle parts sales 71,667 8,190 1,416 81,273 209,276 20,648 4,445 234,369 Maintenance and repair sales 212,248 38,593 11,079 261,920 628,496 99,966 31,691 760,153 Total parts and service sales 283,915 46,783 12,495 343,193 837,772 120,614 36,136 994,522 Finance, insurance and other, net 96,383 12,448 2,162 110,993 276,754 31,260 6,283 314,297 Total revenues $ 2,301,959 $ 590,726 $ 119,607 $ 3,012,292 $ 6,393,368 $ 1,478,156 $ 331,792 $ 8,203,316 (1) As described in Note 1, “Interim Financial Information”, prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective approach. New and Used Vehicle Sales Specific to the sale of new and used vehicles, the Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts - the delivery of the vehicle to the customer, which is the point at which transfer of control occurs. Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation (i.e., delivery of the vehicle to the customer). In some cases, the Company uses a third-party auction as an agent to facilitate delivery of used vehicles to the customer. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are accrued at the time of sale. The transaction price for new and used vehicle sales (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the sales contract with the customer) is the stand-alone sales price of each individual vehicle and is generally settled within 30 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. In many new and used vehicle sales transactions, a portion of the consideration applied by the customer to the satisfaction of the total transaction price is a used vehicle trade-in (i.e., noncash consideration). The Company measures such noncash consideration at fair value. Revenue recognized from the sale of new and used vehicles is reflected in New vehicle retail sales , Used vehicle retail sales , and Used vehicle wholesale sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. With respect to the cost of freight and shipping from its dealerships to its customers, the Company’s policy is to recognize such cost in the corresponding cost of sales category. With respect to taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed upon new and used vehicle sales transactions and collected by the Company from its customers, the Company’s policy is to exclude such amounts from revenues. Vehicle Parts Sales Related to the sale of vehicle parts, the Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts - the delivery of the parts to the customer, which is the point at which transfer of control occurs. Revenue from the sale of vehicle parts is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation (i.e., delivery of the parts to the customer). The transaction price for vehicle parts sales (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the sales contract with the customer) is the stand-alone sales price of each individual part and is generally settled within 30 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. Revenue recognized from the sale of vehicle parts is reflected in Parts and service sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. With respect to the cost of freight and shipping to its customers, the Company’s policy is to recognize such fulfillment cost in the corresponding cost of sales category. With respect to taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed upon vehicle parts sales transactions and collected by the Company from its customers, the Company’s policy is to exclude such amounts from revenues. Maintenance and Repair Services As it relates to vehicle maintenance and repair services (including collision restoration), the Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts - the completion of the services. The Company has an enforceable right to payment in certain jurisdictions and, as such, transfers control of vehicle maintenance and repair services to its customer over time. Therefore, satisfaction of the performance obligation associated with the vehicle maintenance and repair services occurs, and the associated revenue is recognized, over time. The Company uses the input method for the measurement of progress and recognition of revenue, utilizing labor hours and parts applied to the customer vehicle to estimate the services performed for which the Company has an enforceable right to payment. The transaction price for vehicle maintenance and repair services (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the service contract with the customer) is the sum total of the labor and, if applicable, vehicle parts used in the performance of the service, as well as the margin above cost charged to the customer. The transaction price is typically settled within 30 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation, which generally occurs within a short period of time from contract inception. Revenue recognized from vehicle maintenance and repair services is reflected in Parts and service sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. With respect to taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed upon vehicle maintenance and repair service transactions and collected by the Company from its customer, the Company’s policy is to exclude such amounts from revenues. Arrangement of Vehicle Financing and the Sale of Service and Other Insurance Contracts The Company receives commissions from finance and insurance providers, under the terms of its contracts with such providers, for the arrangement of vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance products. Within the context of the Company's contracts with the finance or insurance provider, the Company has determined that it is an agent for the finance or insurance provider and the finance or insurance provider is the Company's customer. The Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts for all commissions earned - the facilitation of the financing of the vehicle or sale of the insurance product. Revenue from these contracts is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation, which is when the finance or insurance product contract is executed with the purchaser. The transaction price (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the contract with the customer) consists of both fixed and variable consideration. With regards to the upfront commission for these contracts, the transaction price is the amount earned for each individual contract executed and is generally collected within 30 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company may be charged back for unearned financing, insurance contract or vehicle service contract fees in the event of early termination of the contracts by customers. A reserve for future amounts estimated to be charged back is recorded, as a reduction of Finance, insurance and other revenue, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations, based on the Company’s historical chargeback results and the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. In some cases, the Company also earns retrospective commission income by participating in the future profitability of the portfolio of product contracts sold by the Company. This consideration is variable (i.e., contingent upon the performance of the portfolio of contracts) and is generally settled over 5-7 years from the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company utilizes the “expected value” method to predict the amount of consideration to which the Company will be entitled, subject to constraint in the estimate. Therefore, the Company estimates the amount of future earnings that it will realize from the ultimate profitability of the portfolio and recognizes such estimate, subject to any constraint in the estimate, upfront when the product contract is executed with the end user, which is when the performance obligation is satisfied. Changes in the Company’s estimates of the amount of variable consideration to be ultimately realized are adjusted through revenue. Revenue recognized from the arrangement of vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance contracts is reflected in Finance, insurance and other, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and as a contract asset (reflected in Prepaid expenses and other current assets ) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet until the right to such consideration becomes unconditional, at which time amounts due are reclassified to accounts receivable.

Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS	ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company acquired five dealerships, inclusive of eight franchises, and added one franchise in the U.K. The Company also acquired one dealership in Brazil, representing one franchise, and acquired four dealerships in the U.S., inclusive of four franchises. Aggregate consideration paid for these dealerships totaled $140.4 million , including the associated real estate and goodwill. Also included in the consideration paid was $5.1 million of cash received in the acquisition of the dealerships. The purchase prices have been allocated based upon the consideration paid and the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates. The allocation of the purchase prices is preliminary and based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to change within the purchase price allocation periods (generally one year from the respective acquisition date). Also, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company disposed of two dealerships in the U.S., representing three franchises, as well as one franchise in the U.K. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company acquired 12 U.K. dealerships, inclusive of 14 franchises, and opened one dealership for one awarded franchise in the U.K. In addition, the Company acquired three dealerships, inclusive of four franchises, opened one dealership for one awarded franchise in the U.S., and added motorcycles to an existing BMW dealership in Brazil. Aggregate consideration paid for these dealerships totaled $ 120.2 million , including the associated real estate and goodwill. Also included in the consideration paid was $ 11.2 million of cash received in the acquisition of the dealerships. The purchase prices have been allocated based upon the consideration paid and the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition dates. Also, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company disposed of two dealerships in Brazil representing two franchises.

Derivative Instruments and Risk

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 9, “Credit Facilities”) and certain variable-rate real estate related borrowings in the U.S. 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 periodic interest 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 interest rate derivative instruments 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 Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurement . All of the Company’s interest rate derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges. The related gains or losses on these interest rate derivative instruments are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. These deferred gains or losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related items being hedged are recognized in expense. Monthly contractual settlements of these swap positions are recognized as "Floorplan interest expense or Other interest expense, net" in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. 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. As of September 30, 2018 , all of the Company’s derivative instruments 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 the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 or 2017 , respectively. The Company held 24 interest rate derivative instruments in effect as of September 30, 2018 of $803.9 million in notional value that fixed its underlying one-month LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.6% . For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the impact of the Company’s interest rate hedges in effect increased floorplan interest expense by $1.0 million and $2.3 million , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the impact of the Company's interest rate hedges in effect increased floorplan expense by $4.0 million and $8.0 million , respectively. Total floorplan interest expense, inclusive of the aforementioned impact of the Company's interest rate hedges, was $14.7 million and $13.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and $43.3 million and $38.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. In addition to the $803.9 million of swaps in effect as of September 30, 2018 , the Company held seven additional interest rate derivative instruments with forward start dates between December 2018 and December 2020 and expiration dates between December 2021 and December 2030 . The aggregate notional value of these seven forward-starting swaps was $375.0 million , and the weighted average interest rate was 1.8% . The combination of the interest rate derivative instruments currently in effect and these forward-starting derivative instruments is structured such that the notional value in effect at any given time through December 2030 does not exceed $902.4 million , which is less than the Company's expectation for variable-rate debt outstanding during such period. Assets and liabilities associated with interest rate derivative instruments as reflected in the accompanying balance sheets were as follows: As of September 30, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Assets from interest rate risk management activities: Other long-term assets $ 21,659 $ 9,501 Total $ 21,659 $ 9,501 Liabilities from interest rate risk management activities: Current $ 311 $ 1,996 Long-term 444 8,583 Total $ 755 $ 10,579 Included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2018 and 2017 were accumulated unrealized gains, net of income taxes, totaling $15.9 million and unrealized losses, net of income taxes, totaling $5.8 million , respectively, related to these interest rate derivative instruments. The following table presents the impact during the current and comparative prior year periods for the Company's interest rate derivative instruments on its Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets . Amount of Unrealized Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Recognized in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Nine Months Ended September 30, Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship 2018 2017 (In thousands) Interest rate derivative instruments $ 13,985 $ (2,437 ) Amount of Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income into Statements of Operations Location of Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income into Statements of Operations Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 (In thousands) Floorplan interest expense $ (4,021 ) $ (7,995 ) Other interest expense, net (477 ) (1,554 ) The net amount of gain expected to be reclassified out of other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings as an offset to floorplan interest expense or other interest expense, net in the next twelve months is $1.5 million .

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 and restated (the “Purchase Plan”, formerly named the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 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, as amended (the “Code”) 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, 2018 , there were 859,339 shares available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit 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 (to non-employee directors only) at no cost to the recipient. Restricted stock awards qualify as participating securities because 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 6 , “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 of up to five years . Since they convey no voting rights, restricted stock units are not considered outstanding when issued. 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 awards, in most cases, will be forfeited to the Company. When restricted stock vests, the Company settles utilizing new shares or treasury shares, if available. Restricted stock units settle in cash upon the termination of the grantees’ employment or directorship. 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, 2018 , along with the changes during the nine months then ended, is as follows: Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at December 31, 2017 702,778 $ 68.23 Granted 229,421 75.33 Vested (220,254 ) 63.92 Forfeited (30,065 ) 69.76 Nonvested at September 30, 2018 681,880 $ 71.93 Employee Stock Purchase Plan 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 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, 2018 , there were 1,029,506 shares available for issuance under the Purchase Plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company issued 109,589 and 96,098 shares, respectively, of common stock to employees participating in the Purchase Plan. 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. The weighted average per share fair value of employee stock purchase rights issued pursuant to the Purchase Plan was $15.38 and $16.69 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , 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 $4.4 million and $4.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and $ 14.2 million and $ 14.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Cash received from Purchase Plan purchases was $5.9 million and $5.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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. The Company’s restricted stock awards are participating securities. 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, 2018 and 2017 . Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 19,253 20,222 19,859 20,475 Dilutive effect of employee stock purchases, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock 8 3 9 5 Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding 19,261 20,225 19,868 20,480 Basic: Net income $ 34,778 $ 29,881 $ 127,054 $ 102,953 Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities 1,182 1,024 4,308 3,660 Net income available to basic common shares $ 33,596 $ 28,857 $ 122,746 $ 99,293 Basic earnings per common share $ 1.74 $ 1.43 $ 6.18 $ 4.85 Diluted: Net income $ 34,778 $ 29,881 $ 127,054 $ 102,953 Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities 1,181 1,023 4,306 3,659 Net income available to diluted common shares $ 33,597 $ 28,858 $ 122,748 $ 99,294 Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.74 $ 1.43 $ 6.18 $ 4.85

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company's effective tax rate decreased to 21.6% and 23.3% , respectively, as compared to 36.6% and 35.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , respectively. This decrease was primarily due to the impact of the Tax Act that made broad and complex changes to the Code. Those changes include, but are not limited to, reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0% , creating a territorial tax system that generally eliminates U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, requiring companies to pay a one-time transition tax on unrepatriated earnings of their foreign subsidiaries, creating a “minimum tax” on certain foreign earnings (i.e. global intangible low-taxed income, or “GILTI”), limiting the deduction for net interest expense incurred by U.S. corporations, and eliminating certain deductions, including deductions for certain compensation arrangements and certain other business expenses. The Company recognizes the tax on GILTI as a period expense in the period the tax is incurred. Under this policy, the Company has not provided deferred taxes related to temporary differences that upon their reversal will affect the amount of income subject to GILTI in the period. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company estimated that the 2018 GILTI tax will not be material. 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 rate of 21.6% and 23.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, was more than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% , due primarily to: (1) the taxes provided for in U.S. state jurisdictions; (2) valuation allowances provided for net operating losses and other deferred tax assets in certain U.S. states and in Brazil; (3) unrecognized tax benefits with respect to uncertain tax positions; and (4) the deferred tax impact of certain goodwill amortization in Brazil, partially offset by: (1) income generated in the U.K., which is taxed at a 19.0% statutory rate; and (2) excess tax deductions for restricted stock awards. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Job Act (“SAB 118”), the Company made a reasonable estimate of the Tax Act’s impact and provisionally recorded this estimate in its results for the period ended December 31, 2017 . As of September 30, 2018 , the Company has not completed its accounting for all aspects of the Tax Act recorded provisionally. However, based on further analysis of certain aspects of the Tax Act and refinement of our calculations during the three months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded a $0.7 million adjustment to our provisional amount as a reduction of income tax expense from continuing operations. We also determined that the Company does not have a transition tax liability for previously untaxed accumulated and current earnings and profits of foreign subsidiaries. The Company will continue to gather data and evaluate the impact of the Tax Act after the Company has considered additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, state tax authorities and other standard-setting bodies. This analysis may result in adjustments to the provisional amounts, which would impact the Company's provision for income taxes and effective tax rate for the period in which the adjustments are made. The Company expects to complete its accounting for the Tax Act in 2018. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company's unrecognized tax benefits totaled $1.8 million , including related interest and penalty. To the extent that any such tax benefits are recognized in the future, such recognition would reduce the tax liability in that period by approximately $1.4 million . Consistent with prior treatment of tax related assessments, the Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The Company's taxable years 2013 and subsequent remain open for examination in the U.S. The Company's taxable years 2016 and subsequent remain open in the U.K., and taxable years 2012 and subsequent remain open in Brazil.

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Amounts due from manufacturers $ 89,338 $ 109,599 Parts and service receivables (1) 52,118 39,343 Finance and insurance receivables 22,169 25,293 Other 8,826 17,514 Total accounts and notes receivable 172,451 191,749 Less allowance for doubtful accounts 3,133 3,138 Accounts and notes receivable, net (1) $ 169,318 $ 188,611 Inventories consisted of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) New vehicles $ 1,170,844 $ 1,194,632 Used vehicles 359,997 350,760 Rental vehicles 132,113 144,213 Parts, accessories and other (1) 80,133 82,755 Total inventories 1,743,087 1,772,360 Less lower of cost or net realizable value allowance 9,331 9,067 Inventories, net (1) $ 1,733,756 $ 1,763,293 (1) December 31, 2017 balances have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective approach as a part of the implementation of Topic 606. See Note 1 , “Interim Financial Information” , for further detail. New, used, and rental vehicles are valued at the lower of specific cost or net realizable value 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 net realizable value. Property and equipment consisted of the following: Estimated Useful Lives in Years September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Land — $ 489,401 $ 482,600 Buildings 25 to 50 717,354 700,257 Leasehold improvements varies 189,059 172,071 Machinery and equipment 7 to 20 123,388 117,781 Furniture and fixtures 3 to 10 109,031 100,881 Company vehicles 3 to 5 12,488 11,933 Construction in progress — 46,196 41,824 Total 1,686,917 1,627,347 Less accumulated depreciation 335,988 308,388 Property and equipment, net $ 1,350,929 $ 1,318,959 During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company incurred $85.5 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 $8.8 million of capital expenditures accrued as of December 31, 2017 . As of September 30, 2018 , the Company had accrued $6.1 million of capital expenditures. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company purchased real estate (including land and buildings) associated with existing dealership operations totaling $30.1 million . In conjunction with the acquisition of dealerships and franchises in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company acquired $22.3 million of real estate and other property and equipment. In conjunction with the two U.S. dealership dispositions during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 that are described in Note 3, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”, the Company disposed of land, building and other equipment that totaled $38.9 million . Further, the Company identified $4.8 million of property and equipment qualifying as held-for-sale assets as of September 30, 2018 and reclassified such assets to Prepaid expenses and other current assets .

Credit Facilities

Credit Facilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Line of Credit Facility [Abstract]
CREDIT FACILITIES	CREDIT FACILITIES In the U.S., the Company has a $1.8 billion revolving syndicated credit arrangement that matures on June 17, 2021 and is comprised of 24 financial institutions, including six manufacturer-affiliated finance companies (“Revolving Credit Facility”), consisting of two tranches. The borrowing capacity of the Revolving Credit Facility can be allocated between the two tranches, subject to certain limits. For U.S. vehicle inventory floorplan financing, the Revolving Credit Facility provides a maximum of $1.75 billion (“Floorplan Line”) and, for working capital and general corporate purposes (including acquisitions), the Revolving Credit Facility provides a maximum of $360.0 million and a minimum of $50.0 million (“Acquisition Line”). 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. 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 a portion of the Company's rental vehicles in the U.S. (through lenders affiliated with the respective manufacturer), as well as the financing of new, used, and rental vehicles with manufacturer affiliates 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 After considering the outstanding balance of $1.1 billion at September 30, 2018 , the Company had $384.9 million of available floorplan borrowing capacity under the Floorplan Line. Included in the $384.9 million available borrowings under the Floorplan Line was $71.4 million of immediately available funds. The weighted average interest rate on the Floorplan Line was 3.3% and 2.7% as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, excluding the impact of the Company’s interest rate derivative instruments. With regards to the Acquisition Line, there were $32.6 million of borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and $27.0 million of borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2017 , both of which consisted entirely of borrowings in British pound sterling. The interest rate on the Acquisition Line was 2.47% as of September 30, 2018 , representing the applicable rate for borrowings in British pound sterling. After considering $25.4 million of outstanding letters of credit and other factors included in the Company’s available borrowing base calculation, there was $301.8 million of available borrowing capacity under the Acquisition Line as of September 30, 2018 . The amount of available borrowing capacity under the Acquisition Line is limited from time to time based upon certain debt covenants. 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 and total 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 $208.5 million plus (or minus if negative) (a) one-half of the aggregate consolidated net income for the period beginning on April 1, 2014 and ending on the date of determination and (b) the amount of net cash proceeds received from the sale of capital stock after June 2, 2014 and ending on the date of determination less (c) cash dividends and share repurchases after June 2, 2014 (“Credit Facility Restricted Payment Basket”). For purposes of the calculation of the Credit Facility 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, 2018 , the Credit Facility Restricted Payment Basket totaled $128.2 million . The Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants and ratios under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2018 . 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 financial institutions. Ford Motor Credit Company Facility As of September 30, 2018 , the Company had an outstanding balance of $128.2 million under the FMCC Facility with an available floorplan borrowing capacity of $171.8 million . Included in the $171.8 million of available borrowings under the FMCC Facility was $20.5 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 6.75% before considering the applicable incentives as of September 30, 2018 . Other Credit Facilities The Company has credit facilities with financial institutions in the U.K., most of which are affiliated with the manufacturers, for financing new, used, and rental vehicle inventories related to its U.K. operations. As of September 30, 2018 , borrowings outstanding under these facilities totaled $168.4 million . Annual interest rates charged on borrowings outstanding under these facilities, after the grace period of zero to 30 days, ranged from 2.15% to 3.45% . 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 Brazilian operations. As of September 30, 2018 , borrowings outstanding under these facilities totaled $16.1 million . Annual interest rates charged on borrowings outstanding under these facilities, after the grace period of zero to 90 days, ranged from 10.80% to 13.76% . Excluding rental vehicles financed through the Revolving Credit Facility, financing for U.S. rental vehicles is typically obtained directly from the automobile manufacturers. As of September 30, 2018 , borrowings outstanding under these rental vehicle facilities totaled $111.0 million , with interest rates that vary up to 6.75% .

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT The Company carries its long-term debt at face value, net of applicable discounts and capitalized debt issuance costs. Long-term debt consisted of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) 5.00% senior notes (aggregate principal of $550,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017) $ 543,306 $ 542,063 5.25% senior notes (aggregate principal of $300,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017) 296,587 296,151 Acquisition line 32,584 26,988 Real estate related and other long-term debt 455,190 440,845 Capital lease obligations related to real estate, maturing in varying amounts through December 2037, with a weighted average interest rate of 10.4% at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 51,418 51,665 1,379,085 1,357,712 Less current maturities of long-term debt 74,958 39,528 $ 1,304,127 $ 1,318,184 Short-Term Financing The Company includes short-term financing loans within Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing , in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company had a short-term financing arrangement in Brazil that totaled $1.1 million , which included borrowings of $2.4 million and repayments of $0.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . At December 31, 2017 , the Company had two working capital loans with third-party financial institutions in the U.K. that totaled $13.4 million . During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company had borrowings of $30.3 million and made principal payments of $43.2 million to the two short-term revolving working capital loan agreements, leaving no outstanding balance as of September 30, 2018 . Also, at December 31, 2017 , the Company had an unsecured loan agreement with a third-party financial institution in the U.S. that totaled $24.7 million . During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company repaid the entire balance outstanding for this U.S. unsecured loan agreement. Real Estate Related and Other Long-Term Debt The mortgage loans in the U.S. consist of 60 term loans for an aggregate principal amount of $418.9 million . As of September 30, 2018 , borrowings outstanding under these notes totaled $349.0 million , with $59.8 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company made additional borrowings and principal payments, including repayment of the mortgage associated with two of the U.S. dealership dispositions described in Note 3, “Acquisitions and Dispositions”, of $42.7 million and $43.7 million , respectively. The Company has entered into 18 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 denominated in British pound sterling and are being repaid in monthly installments that will mature by September 2034 . As of September 30, 2018 , borrowings under the U.K. mortgage loans totaled $77.6 million , with $7.8 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company made additional borrowings and principal payments of $12.1 million and $10.6 million , respectively, associated with the U.K. Notes. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company entered into an unsecured loan agreement in the U.K. with a third-party financial institution that matures in March 2028 . As of September 30, 2018 , borrowings under the agreement totaled $ 19.6 million , with $ 2.0 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has a separate term mortgage loan in Brazil with a third-party financial institution, which is denominated in Brazilian real and is secured by one of the Company's Brazilian properties, as well as a guarantee from the Company. The mortgage is being repaid in monthly installments through April 2025 . As of September 30, 2018 , borrowings under the Brazil mortgage totaled $2.4 million , with $0.3 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $0.4 million associated with the Brazil mortgage. The Company also has a working capital loan agreement with a third-party financial institution in Brazil. As of September 30, 2018 , borrowings under the Brazilian third-party loan totaled $5.4 million . For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company made no additional borrowings or principal payments associated with the working capital loan agreement. Fair Value of Long-Term Debt The Company's outstanding 5.00% Senior Notes due 2022 ("5.00% Notes") had a fair value of $549.1 million and $567.9 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The Company's outstanding 5.25% Senior Notes due 2023 ("5.25% Senior Notes") had a fair value of $296.3 million and $310.9 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The carrying value of the Company's fixed interest rate borrowings included in real estate related and other long-term debt totaled $81.3 million and $86.8 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The fair value of such fixed interest rate borrowings was $77.4 million and $92.9 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The fair value estimates are based on Level 2 inputs of the fair value hierarchy available as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 . 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, 2018
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 derivative instruments. 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 and/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 demand obligations, interest rate derivative instruments, and investment balances in certain financial institutions as having met such criteria. See Note 10 , “Long-Term Debt” , for details regarding the fair value of the Company's long-term debt. 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 C ash 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 restricted cash within Other 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 4 , “Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities” , for further details regarding the Company's derivative financial instruments. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework, in the accompanying balance sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, were as follows: As of September 30, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Assets: Investments $ 2,364 $ 844 Demand obligations 13 13 Interest rate derivative financial instruments 21,659 9,501 Total $ 24,036 $ 10,358 Liabilities: Interest rate derivative financial instruments $ 755 $ 10,579 Total $ 755 $ 10,579

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
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 manufacturers 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”, to Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2017 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. Although the Company has no reason to believe that it or its subsidiaries will be called upon to perform under any such assigned leases or subleases, the Company estimates that lessee rental payment obligations during the remaining terms of these leases were $43.9 million as of September 30, 2018. 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, 2018
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, 2017 $ 255,981 $ 29,483 $ 168 $ 285,632 Additions through acquisitions 11,540 8,423 — 19,963 Disposals (4,872 ) — — (4,872 ) Impairments (22,909 ) — — (22,909 ) Currency translation — (1,498 ) (31 ) (1,529 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ 239,740 $ 36,408 $ 137 $ 276,285 Goodwill U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) BALANCE, December 31, 2017 $ 835,267 $ 65,034 $ 12,733 $ 913,034 (1) Additions through acquisitions 39,765 28,476 4,284 72,525 Purchase price allocation adjustments 2 — — 2 Disposals (9,973 ) — — (9,973 ) Currency translation — (3,882 ) (2,935 ) (6,817 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ 865,061 $ 89,628 $ 14,082 $ 968,771 (1) (1) Net of accumulated impairment of $97.8 million . The Company evaluates intangible franchise rights and goodwill assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate possible impairment. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company identified circumstances indicating possible impairment of some individual franchise rights, requiring a quantitative assessment. The Company did not identify any such circumstances relative to the goodwill for each of its reporting units. Based on the results of the Company's assessment, the Company determined that the fair value of the franchise rights on two of its U.S. dealerships were below its respective carrying values, resulting in franchise asset impairment charges of $21.7 million . This was recognized as an asset impairment in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations during the three months ended September 30, 2018 .

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Accumulated foreign currency translation loss Accumulated (loss) gain on interest rate swaps Total (In thousands) Balance, December 31, 2017 $ (122,552 ) $ (674 ) $ (123,226 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications: Pre-tax (22,223 ) 18,401 (3,822 ) Tax effect — (4,416 ) (4,416 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to: Floorplan interest expense (pre-tax) — 4,021 4,021 Other interest expense (pre-tax) — 477 477 Realized gain on swap termination (pre-tax) — (918 ) (918 ) Tax effect — (860 ) (860 ) Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income (22,223 ) 16,705 (5,518 ) Tax effects reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss $ — $ (150 ) $ (150 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ (144,775 ) $ 15,881 $ (128,894 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Accumulated foreign currency translation loss Accumulated loss on interest rate swaps Total (In thousands) Balance, December 31, 2016 $ (137,613 ) $ (9,331 ) $ (146,944 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications: Pre-tax 16,998 (3,899 ) 13,099 Tax effect — 1,462 1,462 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to: Floorplan interest expense (pre-tax) — 7,995 7,995 Other interest expense (pre-tax) — 1,554 1,554 Tax effect — (3,581 ) (3,581 ) Net current period other comprehensive income 16,998 3,531 20,529 Balance, September 30, 2017 $ (120,615 ) $ (5,800 ) $ (126,415 )

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	SEGMENT INFORMATION As of September 30, 2018 , 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 and used cars and light trucks; arrange related vehicle financing; sell service and insurance contracts; provide automotive maintenance and repair services; and sell vehicle parts. The vast majority of the Company's corporate activities are associated with the operations of the U.S. operating segment and, therefore, the corporate financial results are included within the U.S. reportable segment. Reportable segment revenue, income (loss) before income taxes, (provision) benefit for income taxes and net income (loss) were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 : Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) Total revenues $ 2,200,230 $ 585,936 $ 102,892 $ 2,889,058 $ 6,456,717 $ 1,913,361 $ 322,468 $ 8,692,546 Income (loss) before income taxes 43,415 2,663 (1,713 ) 44,365 152,867 14,416 (1,563 ) 165,720 Provision for income taxes (9,061 ) (366 ) (160 ) (9,587 ) (35,821 ) (2,131 ) (714 ) (38,666 ) Net income (loss) (1) 34,354 2,297 (1,873 ) 34,778 117,046 12,285 (2,277 ) 127,054 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) Total revenues (2) $ 2,301,959 $ 590,726 $ 119,607 $ 3,012,292 $ 6,393,368 $ 1,478,156 $ 331,792 $ 8,203,316 Income before income taxes 41,133 5,435 575 47,143 142,808 15,745 1,476 160,029 (Provision) benefit for income taxes (16,258 ) (1,105 ) 101 (17,262 ) (54,301 ) (2,781 ) 6 (57,076 ) Net income (3) 24,875 4,330 676 29,881 88,507 12,964 1,482 102,953 (1) Includes the following, after tax: gain of $4.1 million and $19.3 million on real estate and dealership transactions, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, in the U.S. segment; loss of $17.7 million and $20.8 million for non-cash asset impairments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, in the U.S. segment; gain of $1.1 million and a loss of $0.4 million for legal settlements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, in the U.S. segment; a loss of $4.4 million due to catastrophic events, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 in the U.S. segment; and loss of $2.6 million and $3.1 million for legal settlements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, in the Brazil segment. (2) Includes the impact of chargeback reserves for finance and insurance revenues associated with catastrophic events of $6.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, in the U.S. segment. (3) Includes the following, after tax: loss due to catastrophic events of $9.0 million and $9.4 million , inclusive of the finance and insurance chargeback reserve noted above, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, in the U.S. segment and asset impairment charges of $5.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 in the U.S segment. Reportable segment total assets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , were as follows: As of September 30, 2018 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) Total assets $ 3,977,995 $ 779,293 $ 123,578 $ 4,880,866 As of December 31, 2017 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) Total assets $ 4,087,039 $ 654,154 $ 129,872 $ 4,871,065

Condensed Consolidating Financi

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION The following tables include condensed consolidating financial information as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , 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. In accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, condensed consolidated financial statements of non-guarantors are not required. The Company has no assets or operations independent of its subsidiaries. Obligations under the 5.00% Notes are fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company’s current wholly owned domestic subsidiaries and certain of the Company’s future domestic subsidiaries, with the exception of the Company’s “minor” subsidiaries (as defined by Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X). There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Company or subsidiary guarantors for the Company to obtain funds from its subsidiary guarantors by dividend or loan. None of the subsidiary guarantors’ assets represent restricted assets pursuant to SEC Rule 4-08(e)(3) of Regulation S-X. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET September 30, 2018 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 9,062 $ 22,965 $ — $ 32,027 Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net — 169,199 66,410 — 235,609 Accounts and notes receivable, net — 133,506 35,812 — 169,318 Intercompany accounts receivable 32,585 51,159 — (83,744 ) — Inventories, net — 1,392,370 341,386 — 1,733,756 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 214 23,953 53,829 — 77,996 Total current assets 32,799 1,779,249 520,402 (83,744 ) 2,248,706 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net — 1,125,421 225,508 — 1,350,929 GOODWILL — 865,062 103,709 — 968,771 INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS — 239,738 36,547 — 276,285 INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES 3,194,823 — — (3,194,823 ) — OTHER ASSETS — 25,028 11,147 — 36,175 Total assets $ 3,227,622 $ 4,034,498 $ 897,313 $ (3,278,567 ) $ 4,880,866 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other $ — $ 1,126,477 $ 28,557 $ — $ 1,155,034 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility — (71,397 ) — — (71,397 ) Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates — 259,697 155,918 — 415,615 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates — (20,500 ) — — (20,500 ) Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing — 63,940 12,140 — 76,080 Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities — 311 — — 311 Accounts payable — 202,823 225,618 — 428,441 Intercompany accounts payable 1,088,282 — 51,159 (1,139,441 ) — Accrued expenses — 170,607 36,475 — 207,082 Total current liabilities 1,088,282 1,731,958 509,867 (1,139,441 ) 2,190,666 LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities 872,477 311,592 120,058 — 1,304,127 LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES — 444 — — 444 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES 1,148 224,405 11,730 — 237,283 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Group 1 stockholders’ equity 1,265,715 2,821,796 255,658 (3,194,823 ) 1,148,346 Intercompany note receivable — (1,055,697 ) — 1,055,697 — Total stockholders’ equity 1,265,715 1,766,099 255,658 (2,139,126 ) 1,148,346 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,227,622 $ 4,034,498 $ 897,313 $ (3,278,567 ) $ 4,880,866 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2017 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 10,096 $ 18,691 $ — $ 28,787 Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net — 266,788 39,645 — 306,433 Accounts and notes receivable, net — 144,872 43,739 — 188,611 Intercompany accounts receivable 26,988 12,948 — (39,936 ) — Inventories, net — 1,434,852 328,441 — 1,763,293 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,934 8,378 31,750 — 42,062 Total current assets 28,922 1,877,934 462,266 (39,936 ) 2,329,186 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net — 1,121,108 197,851 — 1,318,959 GOODWILL — 835,268 77,766 — 913,034 INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS — 255,980 29,652 — 285,632 INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES 2,999,407 — — (2,999,407 ) — OTHER ASSETS — 13,682 10,572 — 24,254 Total assets $ 3,028,329 $ 4,103,972 $ 778,107 $ (3,039,343 ) $ 4,871,065 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other $ — $ 1,219,844 $ 20,851 $ — $ 1,240,695 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility — (86,547 ) — — (86,547 ) Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates — 272,563 124,620 — 397,183 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates — (22,500 ) — — (22,500 ) Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing 24,741 31,229 21,639 — 77,609 Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities — 1,996 — — 1,996 Accounts payable — 229,470 183,511 — 412,981 Intercompany accounts payable 890,995 — 39,936 (930,931 ) — Accrued expenses — 150,241 26,829 — 177,070 Total current liabilities 915,736 1,796,296 417,386 (930,931 ) 2,198,487 LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities 865,202 360,526 92,456 — 1,318,184 LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES — 8,583 — — 8,583 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES (117 ) 210,216 11,430 — 221,529 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Group 1 stockholders’ equity 1,247,508 2,619,346 256,835 (2,999,407 ) 1,124,282 Intercompany note receivable — (890,995 ) — 890,995 — Total stockholders’ equity 1,247,508 1,728,351 256,835 (2,108,412 ) 1,124,282 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,028,329 $ 4,103,972 $ 778,107 $ (3,039,343 ) $ 4,871,065 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) REVENUES $ — $ 2,200,230 $ 688,828 $ — $ 2,889,058 COST OF SALES — 1,847,757 606,200 — 2,453,957 GROSS PROFIT — 352,473 82,628 — 435,101 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 323 240,167 76,281 — 316,771 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 13,510 3,471 — 16,981 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 23,159 — — 23,159 (LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (323 ) 75,637 2,876 — 78,190 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (12,903 ) (1,782 ) — (14,685 ) Other interest expense, net — (17,272 ) (1,868 ) — (19,140 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (323 ) 45,462 (774 ) — 44,365 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 58 (9,120 ) (525 ) — (9,587 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 35,042 — — (35,042 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 34,777 $ 36,342 $ (1,299 ) $ (35,042 ) $ 34,778 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAXES — 3,522 (5,908 ) — (2,386 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 34,777 $ 39,864 $ (7,207 ) $ (35,042 ) $ 32,392 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) REVENUES $ — $ 6,456,718 $ 2,235,828 $ — $ 8,692,546 COST OF SALES — 5,417,890 1,981,629 — 7,399,519 GROSS PROFIT — 1,038,828 254,199 — 1,293,027 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 2,726 721,255 225,229 — 949,210 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 39,431 10,530 — 49,961 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 27,427 — — 27,427 (LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (2,726 ) 250,715 18,440 — 266,429 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (38,050 ) (5,285 ) — (43,335 ) Other interest expense, net — (51,620 ) (5,754 ) — (57,374 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (2,726 ) 161,045 7,401 — 165,720 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 635 (36,457 ) (2,844 ) — (38,666 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 129,145 — — (129,145 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 127,054 $ 124,588 $ 4,557 $ (129,145 ) $ 127,054 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAXES — 16,705 (22,223 ) — (5,518 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 127,054 $ 141,293 $ (17,666 ) $ (129,145 ) $ 121,536 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) REVENUES $ — $ 2,301,958 $ 710,334 $ — $ 3,012,292 COST OF SALES — 1,948,390 632,482 — 2,580,872 GROSS PROFIT — 353,568 77,852 — 431,420 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 433 259,119 68,775 — 328,327 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 12,380 2,679 — 15,059 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 9,526 — — 9,526 INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS (433 ) 72,543 6,398 — 78,508 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (12,014 ) (1,477 ) — (13,491 ) Other interest expense, net — (16,726 ) (1,148 ) — (17,874 ) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (433 ) 43,803 3,773 — 47,143 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 163 (16,423 ) (1,002 ) — (17,262 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 30,151 — — (30,151 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 29,881 $ 27,380 $ 2,771 $ (30,151 ) $ 29,881 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAXES — 1,454 8,399 — 9,853 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 29,881 $ 28,834 $ 11,170 $ (30,151 ) $ 39,734 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) REVENUES $ — $ 6,393,367 $ 1,809,949 $ — $ 8,203,316 COST OF SALES — 5,378,731 1,604,751 — 6,983,482 GROSS PROFIT — 1,014,636 205,198 — 1,219,834 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 2,932 733,744 179,998 — 916,674 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 35,873 6,885 — 42,758 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 9,526 — — 9,526 (LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (2,932 ) 235,493 18,315 — 250,876 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (34,954 ) (3,705 ) — (38,659 ) Other interest expense, net — (49,568 ) (2,620 ) — (52,188 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (2,932 ) 150,971 11,990 — 160,029 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 1,100 (55,402 ) (2,774 ) — (57,076 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 104,785 — — (104,785 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 102,953 $ 95,569 $ 9,216 $ (104,785 ) $ 102,953 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAXES — 3,531 16,998 — 20,529 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 102,953 $ 99,100 $ 26,214 $ (104,785 ) $ 123,482 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 127,073 $ 192,976 $ 37,366 $ 357,415 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received — (91,890 ) (43,452 ) (135,342 ) Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment — 101,364 6,340 107,704 Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate — (79,490 ) (38,725 ) (118,215 ) Deposits for real estate and dealership acquisitions 381 — — 381 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 381 (70,016 ) (75,837 ) (145,472 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other — 5,036,149 70,661 5,106,810 Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other — (5,124,860 ) (60,365 ) (5,185,225 ) Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line 98,596 — — 98,596 Repayments on credit facility - acquisition line (91,450 ) — — (91,450 ) Borrowings on other debt — 70,661 52,637 123,298 Principal payments on other debt (24,741 ) (36,198 ) (44,612 ) (105,551 ) Borrowings on debt related to real estate — 42,657 12,055 54,712 Principal payments on debt related to real estate — (71,762 ) (11,480 ) (83,242 ) Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings 1,529 — — 1,529 Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date (108,623 ) — — (108,623 ) Proceeds from termination of mortgage swap — 918 — 918 Dividends paid (16,014 ) — — (16,014 ) Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries 208,665 (219,177 ) 10,512 — Investment in subsidiaries (195,416 ) 177,618 17,798 — Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (127,454 ) (123,994 ) 47,206 (204,242 ) EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH — — (2,941 ) (2,941 ) NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — (1,034 ) 5,794 4,760 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 10,096 19,535 29,631 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ — $ 9,062 $ 25,329 $ 34,391 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 102,951 $ 188,979 $ 15,304 $ 307,234 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received — (62,475 ) (46,607 ) (109,082 ) Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment — 2,807 2,326 5,133 Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate — (131,622 ) (12,688 ) (144,310 ) Other — 1,526 — 1,526 Net cash used in investing activities — (189,764 ) (56,969 ) (246,733 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other — 5,053,598 — 5,053,598 Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other — (5,108,475 ) — (5,108,475 ) Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line 68,085 — — 68,085 Repayments on credit facility - acquisition line (35,576 ) — — (35,576 ) Borrowings on other debt 25,054 — 101,262 126,316 Principal payments on other debt — (787 ) (87,914 ) (88,701 ) Borrowings on debt related to real estate — 10,156 28,875 39,031 Principal payments on debt related to real estate — (16,819 ) (4,450 ) (21,269 ) Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings 4,196 — — 4,196 Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date (40,094 ) — — (40,094 ) Dividends paid (15,221 ) — — (15,221 ) Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries 74,826 (110,857 ) 36,031 — Investment in subsidiaries (184,221 ) 174,576 9,645 — Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (102,951 ) 1,392 83,449 (18,110 ) EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH — — 867 867 NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — 607 42,651 43,258 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 8,039 16,207 24,246 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ — $ 8,646 $ 58,858 $ 67,504

Interim Financial Information (

Interim Financial Information (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto that include financial information as of September 30, 2018 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 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 and are unaudited. 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. All business acquisitions completed during the periods presented have been accounted for by applying the acquisition 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 assigned and recorded based on estimates of fair value and are subject to change within the purchase price allocation period (generally one year from the respective acquisition date). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Business Segment Information	Business Segment Information The Company has three reportable segments: the U.S., which includes the activities of the Company's corporate office, the U.K. and Brazil. The reportable segments 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.
Statements of Cash Flows	Statements of Cash Flows The Company utilizes various credit facilities to finance the purchase of its new and used vehicle inventory. With respect to all new vehicle floorplan borrowings, the manufacturers of the vehicles draft the Company’s credit facilities directly with no cash flow to or from the Company. With respect to borrowings for used vehicle financing in the U.S., the Company finances up to 85% of the value of the used vehicle inventory and the funds flow directly between the Company and the lender. In the U.K. and Brazil, the Company chooses which used vehicles to finance and the borrowings flow directly to the Company from the lender. The Company categorizes the cash flows associated with borrowings and repayments on these various credit facilities as Operating or Financing Activities in its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. All borrowings from, and repayments to, lenders affiliated with the vehicle manufacturers (excluding the cash flows from or to manufacturer affiliated lenders participating in the Company’s syndicated lending group under the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in Note 9 , “Credit Facilities”)) are presented within Cash Flows from Operating Activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. All borrowings from, and repayments to, the syndicated lending group under the Revolving Credit Facility (including the cash flows from or to manufacturer affiliated lenders participating in the facility), as well as borrowings from, and repayments to, the Company’s other credit facilities, are presented within Cash Flows from Financing Activities.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments in this update addresses several specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not materially impact its net income, retained earnings, consolidated financial statements, results of operations or cash flows. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force ( “ EITF ” ) . The amendments in this update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-18 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not materially impact its consolidated financial statements, results of operations or cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business . The amendments in this update clarify the definition of a business in order to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively. The Company adopted ASU 2017-01 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not materially impact its consolidated financial statements or results of operations. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting . The amendments in this update provide clarity and reduce both diversity in practice and cost and complexity when applying the guidance of Topic 718 to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. Under the new guidance, an entity will not apply modification accounting to a share-based payment award if all of the following are the same immediately before and after the change: 1) the award's fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if those measurement methods are used), 2) the award's vesting conditions, and 3) the award's classification as an equity or liability instrument. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not impact its consolidated financial statements or results of operations. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . The amendments in this update will permit entities to reclassify tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of tax legislation enacted by the U.S. government on December 22, 2017, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), to retained earnings. The FASB gave entities the option to reclassify these amounts rather than require reclassification and the option to apply the guidance retrospectively or in the period of adoption. The amendments in this update are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-02 as of July 1, 2018, and reclassified $0.2 million of stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this update relate to the accounting for leasing transactions. This standard requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. In addition, this standard requires both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions. This standard will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Originally, entities were required to adopt this ASU using a modified retrospective transition method. However, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements ("ASU 2018-11"), which provides entities with an additional transition method. Under ASU 2018-11, entities have the option of recognizing the cumulative effect of applying the new standard as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings in the year of adoption while continuing to present all prior periods under previous lease accounting guidance. In July 2018, the FASB also issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases , which clarifies how to apply certain aspects of the new standard. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. However, the Company expects that the adoption will have a significant impact on its consolidated balance sheets, as currently approximately half of its real estate is rented, not owned, via operating leases. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments . The amendment in this update replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology of recognizing credit losses when a loss is probable, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to assess credit loss estimates. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for periods after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the provisions of the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements or results of operations, but does not expect the impact of the amendment in this ASU to be significant. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment . The amendment in this update eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value. This standard should be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Earlier application is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the impact of the adoption of the ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations or cash flows. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 715): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments in this update better align an entity's risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line as the hedged item. The guidance also eases the administrative burden of hedge documentation requirements and assessing hedge effectiveness. The amendments to cash flow and net investment hedge relationships should be applied using a modified retrospective approach while the presentation and disclosure requirements are applied prospectively, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the provisions of the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements or results of operations, but does not expect the impact of the amendments in this ASU to be significant. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement . The amendment modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by removing, modifying, or adding certain disclosures. The amendment will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Certain disclosures in this standard, are required to be applied on a retrospective basis and others on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
Adoption of ASC Topic 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers	Adoption of ASC Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" Effective January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“Topic 606”) , and all subsequent amendments issued thereafter, that amend the accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The Company adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings recognized as of the date of adoption. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historic accounting policies under Topic 605. The Company identified its material revenue streams to be the sale of new and used vehicles; arrangement of associated vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance contracts; the performance of vehicle maintenance and repair services; and the sale of vehicle parts. The Company concluded that no changes to the timing of revenue recognition for the sale of new and used vehicles, as well as vehicle parts are necessary. As it relates to the performance of vehicle maintenance and repair services recognized as a part of Parts and service sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Company identified a change in its accounting policies and procedures. Through December 31, 2017, the Company recognized revenue once the maintenance or repair services were completed and the vehicle was delivered to the customer. Under Topic 606, the Company determined that it has an enforceable right to payment during the course of the work being performed in certain jurisdictions and, thus, the Company changed its policy under Topic 606 for those jurisdictions to recognize revenue over time as the maintenance and repair services are performed. With regards to the revenue generated from the arrangement of vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance contracts recognized as a part of Finance, insurance and other, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Company also identified a change in the Company’s accounting policies and procedures. Generally, the Company receives an upfront commission for these transactions from the finance or insurance provider and recognizes the associated revenue when the contract is executed. In some cases, the Company also earns retrospective commission income by participating in the future profitability of the portfolio of contracts sold by the Company. Through December 31, 2017, the Company’s accounting policy was to recognize upfront commission income earned when the contract was executed and the amount was determinable, and to recognize retrospective commission income as the amounts were determined and realized. The Company concluded that this retrospective commission income represents variable consideration for which the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied when the finance or insurance product contract is executed with the end user. Under the new standard, an estimate of variable consideration, subject to a constraint, is to be included in the transaction price and recognized when or as the performance obligation is satisfied. Therefore, the Company’s accounting policy changed under Topic 606 such that the Company will estimate the amount of future earnings that it will realize from the ultimate profitability of the portfolio of contracts subject to a retrospective commission and recognize such estimate, subject to any constraint in the estimate, upfront when the contract is executed with the end user. The Company's estimates of the amount of variable consideration to be ultimately realized will be reassessed at the end of each reporting period and changes in those estimates will be adjusted through revenue. New and Used Vehicle Sales Specific to the sale of new and used vehicles, the Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts - the delivery of the vehicle to the customer, which is the point at which transfer of control occurs. Revenue from the sale of new and used vehicles is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation (i.e., delivery of the vehicle to the customer). In some cases, the Company uses a third-party auction as an agent to facilitate delivery of used vehicles to the customer. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are accrued at the time of sale. The transaction price for new and used vehicle sales (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the sales contract with the customer) is the stand-alone sales price of each individual vehicle and is generally settled within 30 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. In many new and used vehicle sales transactions, a portion of the consideration applied by the customer to the satisfaction of the total transaction price is a used vehicle trade-in (i.e., noncash consideration). The Company measures such noncash consideration at fair value. Revenue recognized from the sale of new and used vehicles is reflected in New vehicle retail sales , Used vehicle retail sales , and Used vehicle wholesale sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. With respect to the cost of freight and shipping from its dealerships to its customers, the Company’s policy is to recognize such cost in the corresponding cost of sales category. With respect to taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed upon new and used vehicle sales transactions and collected by the Company from its customers, the Company’s policy is to exclude such amounts from revenues. Vehicle Parts Sales Related to the sale of vehicle parts, the Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts - the delivery of the parts to the customer, which is the point at which transfer of control occurs. Revenue from the sale of vehicle parts is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation (i.e., delivery of the parts to the customer). The transaction price for vehicle parts sales (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the sales contract with the customer) is the stand-alone sales price of each individual part and is generally settled within 30 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. Revenue recognized from the sale of vehicle parts is reflected in Parts and service sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. With respect to the cost of freight and shipping to its customers, the Company’s policy is to recognize such fulfillment cost in the corresponding cost of sales category. With respect to taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed upon vehicle parts sales transactions and collected by the Company from its customers, the Company’s policy is to exclude such amounts from revenues. Maintenance and Repair Services As it relates to vehicle maintenance and repair services (including collision restoration), the Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts - the completion of the services. The Company has an enforceable right to payment in certain jurisdictions and, as such, transfers control of vehicle maintenance and repair services to its customer over time. Therefore, satisfaction of the performance obligation associated with the vehicle maintenance and repair services occurs, and the associated revenue is recognized, over time. The Company uses the input method for the measurement of progress and recognition of revenue, utilizing labor hours and parts applied to the customer vehicle to estimate the services performed for which the Company has an enforceable right to payment. The transaction price for vehicle maintenance and repair services (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the service contract with the customer) is the sum total of the labor and, if applicable, vehicle parts used in the performance of the service, as well as the margin above cost charged to the customer. The transaction price is typically settled within 30 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation, which generally occurs within a short period of time from contract inception. Revenue recognized from vehicle maintenance and repair services is reflected in Parts and service sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. With respect to taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed upon vehicle maintenance and repair service transactions and collected by the Company from its customer, the Company’s policy is to exclude such amounts from revenues. Arrangement of Vehicle Financing and the Sale of Service and Other Insurance Contracts The Company receives commissions from finance and insurance providers, under the terms of its contracts with such providers, for the arrangement of vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance products. Within the context of the Company's contracts with the finance or insurance provider, the Company has determined that it is an agent for the finance or insurance provider and the finance or insurance provider is the Company's customer. The Company has a single performance obligation associated with these contracts for all commissions earned - the facilitation of the financing of the vehicle or sale of the insurance product. Revenue from these contracts is recognized upon satisfaction of the performance obligation, which is when the finance or insurance product contract is executed with the purchaser. The transaction price (i.e., the amount that the Company has the right to under the terms of the contract with the customer) consists of both fixed and variable consideration. With regards to the upfront commission for these contracts, the transaction price is the amount earned for each individual contract executed and is generally collected within 30 days of the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company may be charged back for unearned financing, insurance contract or vehicle service contract fees in the event of early termination of the contracts by customers. A reserve for future amounts estimated to be charged back is recorded, as a reduction of Finance, insurance and other revenue, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations, based on the Company’s historical chargeback results and the termination provisions of the applicable contracts. In some cases, the Company also earns retrospective commission income by participating in the future profitability of the portfolio of product contracts sold by the Company. This consideration is variable (i.e., contingent upon the performance of the portfolio of contracts) and is generally settled over 5-7 years from the satisfaction of the performance obligation. The Company utilizes the “expected value” method to predict the amount of consideration to which the Company will be entitled, subject to constraint in the estimate. Therefore, the Company estimates the amount of future earnings that it will realize from the ultimate profitability of the portfolio and recognizes such estimate, subject to any constraint in the estimate, upfront when the product contract is executed with the end user, which is when the performance obligation is satisfied. Changes in the Company’s estimates of the amount of variable consideration to be ultimately realized are adjusted through revenue. Revenue recognized from the arrangement of vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance contracts is reflected in Finance, insurance and other, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and as a contract asset (reflected in Prepaid expenses and other current assets ) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet until the right to such consideration becomes unconditional, at which time amounts due are reclassified to accounts receivable. As discussed in Note 1 , “Interim Financial Information” , the Company’s material revenue streams are the sale of new and used vehicles; arrangement of associated vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance contracts; the performance of vehicle maintenance and repair services (including collision restoration); and the sale of vehicle parts.
Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities	The periodic interest rates of the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in Note 9, “Credit Facilities”) and certain variable-rate real estate related borrowings in the U.S. 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 periodic interest 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 interest rate derivative instruments 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 Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurement . All of the Company’s interest rate derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges. The related gains or losses on these interest rate derivative instruments are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. These deferred gains or losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related items being hedged are recognized in expense. Monthly contractual settlements of these swap positions are recognized as "Floorplan interest expense or Other interest expense, net" in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. 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.
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 derivative instruments. 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 and/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 demand obligations, interest rate derivative instruments, and investment balances in certain financial institutions as having met such criteria. See Note 10 , “Long-Term Debt” , for details regarding the fair value of the Company's long-term debt. 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 C ash 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 restricted cash within Other 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_2

Interim Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total of the same amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See Note 11 , “Fair Value Measurements” , for additional details regarding the Company's restricted cash balances. September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 32,027 $ 28,787 Restricted cash, included in other assets 2,364 844 Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 34,391 $ 29,631
Cumulative effect of changes made and the impact of applying Topic 606	The cumulative effect of the changes made to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2018 for the adoption of Topic 606 were as follows: January 1, 2018 Balance at Adjustment due to Balance Sheet (In thousands) Assets Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 188,611 $ 11,623 $ 200,234 Inventories, net 1,763,293 (3,660 ) 1,759,633 Prepaid expense and other current assets 42,062 8,683 50,745 Liabilities Accounts payable $ 412,981 $ 1,756 $ 414,737 Deferred income taxes 124,404 3,493 127,897 Stockholders' equity Retained earnings $ 1,246,323 $ 11,397 $ 1,257,720 The impact of applying Topic 606 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 As Reported Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher / (Lower) As Reported Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher / (Lower) Income Statement (In thousands) (In thousands) Revenues Parts and service sales $ 354,501 $ 353,588 $ 913 $ 1,062,145 $ 1,061,160 $ 985 Finance, insurance and other, net 116,084 111,943 4,141 343,462 340,139 3,323 Cost of sales Parts and service sales $ 162,927 $ 162,601 $ 326 $ 488,637 $ 488,412 $ 225 Selling, general and administrative expenses 316,771 316,640 131 949,210 948,991 219 Provision for income taxes 9,587 8,490 1,097 38,666 37,771 895 Net income $ 34,778 $ 31,278 $ 3,500 $ 127,054 $ 124,085 $ 2,969 The impact of applying Topic 606 at September 30, 2018 was as follows: September 30, 2018 As Reported Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher / (Lower) Balance Sheet (In thousands) Assets Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 169,318 $ 156,900 $ 12,418 Inventories, net 1,733,756 1,737,582 (3,826 ) Prepaid expense and other current assets 77,996 65,989 12,007 Liabilities Accounts payable $ 428,441 $ 426,505 $ 1,936 Deferred income taxes 137,826 133,453 4,373 Stockholders' equity Retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss $ 1,240,052 $ 1,225,762 $ 14,290

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenues disaggregated by revenue source and geographical segment	As discussed in Note 1 , “Interim Financial Information” , the Company’s material revenue streams are the sale of new and used vehicles; arrangement of associated vehicle financing and the sale of service and other insurance contracts; the performance of vehicle maintenance and repair services (including collision restoration); and the sale of vehicle parts. The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated by revenue source: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 (1) 2018 2017 (1) (In thousands) REVENUES: New vehicle retail sales $ 1,539,498 $ 1,710,241 $ 4,608,658 $ 4,496,222 Used vehicle retail sales 792,405 743,038 2,394,828 2,089,914 Used vehicle wholesale sales 86,570 104,827 283,453 308,361 Total new and used vehicle sales 2,418,473 2,558,106 7,286,939 6,894,497 Vehicle parts sales 83,773 81,273 254,326 234,369 Maintenance and repair sales 270,728 261,920 807,819 760,153 Total parts and service sales 354,501 343,193 1,062,145 994,522 Finance, insurance and other, net 116,084 110,993 343,462 314,297 Total revenues $ 2,889,058 $ 3,012,292 $ 8,692,546 $ 8,203,316 (1) As described in Note 1, “Interim Financial Information”, prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective approach. The following tables present the Company's revenues disaggregated by its geographical segments: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) REVENUES: New vehicle retail sales $ 1,196,551 $ 278,046 $ 64,901 $ 1,539,498 $ 3,433,386 $ 971,085 $ 204,187 $ 4,608,658 Used vehicle retail sales 572,011 200,058 20,336 792,405 1,727,848 600,715 66,265 2,394,828 Used vehicle wholesale sales 40,724 41,696 4,150 86,570 137,507 134,408 11,538 283,453 Total new and used vehicle sales 1,809,286 519,800 89,387 2,418,473 5,298,741 1,706,208 281,990 7,286,939 Vehicle parts sales 72,935 9,546 1,292 83,773 220,964 29,537 3,825 254,326 Maintenance and repair sales 216,399 44,271 10,058 270,728 641,773 135,417 30,629 807,819 Total parts and service sales 289,334 53,817 11,350 354,501 862,737 164,954 34,454 1,062,145 Finance, insurance and other, net 101,610 12,319 2,155 116,084 295,239 42,199 6,024 343,462 Total revenues $ 2,200,230 $ 585,936 $ 102,892 $ 2,889,058 $ 6,456,717 $ 1,913,361 $ 322,468 $ 8,692,546 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (1) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (1) U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) REVENUES: New vehicle retail sales $ 1,296,267 $ 334,772 $ 79,202 $ 1,710,241 $ 3,458,287 $ 824,827 $ 213,108 $ 4,496,222 Used vehicle retail sales 562,031 158,076 22,931 743,038 1,620,171 401,851 67,892 2,089,914 Used vehicle wholesale sales 63,363 38,647 2,817 104,827 200,384 99,604 8,373 308,361 Total new and used vehicle sales 1,921,661 531,495 104,950 2,558,106 5,278,842 1,326,282 289,373 6,894,497 Vehicle parts sales 71,667 8,190 1,416 81,273 209,276 20,648 4,445 234,369 Maintenance and repair sales 212,248 38,593 11,079 261,920 628,496 99,966 31,691 760,153 Total parts and service sales 283,915 46,783 12,495 343,193 837,772 120,614 36,136 994,522 Finance, insurance and other, net 96,383 12,448 2,162 110,993 276,754 31,260 6,283 314,297 Total revenues $ 2,301,959 $ 590,726 $ 119,607 $ 3,012,292 $ 6,393,368 $ 1,478,156 $ 331,792 $ 8,203,316 (1) As described in Note 1, “Interim Financial Information”, prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective approach.

Derivative Instruments and Ri_2

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Assets and liabilities associated with interest rate derivative instruments	Assets and liabilities associated with interest rate derivative instruments as reflected in the accompanying balance sheets were as follows: As of September 30, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Assets from interest rate risk management activities: Other long-term assets $ 21,659 $ 9,501 Total $ 21,659 $ 9,501 Liabilities from interest rate risk management activities: Current $ 311 $ 1,996 Long-term 444 8,583 Total $ 755 $ 10,579
Impact of interest rate derivative instruments	The following table presents the impact during the current and comparative prior year periods for the Company's interest rate derivative instruments on its Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets . Amount of Unrealized Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Recognized in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Nine Months Ended September 30, Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship 2018 2017 (In thousands) Interest rate derivative instruments $ 13,985 $ (2,437 ) Amount of Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income into Statements of Operations Location of Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income into Statements of Operations Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 (In thousands) Floorplan interest expense $ (4,021 ) $ (7,995 ) Other interest expense, net (477 ) (1,554 )

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Restricted Stock Awards	A summary of the restricted stock awards as of September 30, 2018 , along with the changes during the nine months then ended, is as follows: Awards Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at December 31, 2017 702,778 $ 68.23 Granted 229,421 75.33 Vested (220,254 ) 63.92 Forfeited (30,065 ) 69.76 Nonvested at September 30, 2018 681,880 $ 71.93

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Calculation of EPS	The following table sets forth the calculation of EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands, except per share amounts) Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 19,253 20,222 19,859 20,475 Dilutive effect of employee stock purchases, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock 8 3 9 5 Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding 19,261 20,225 19,868 20,480 Basic: Net income $ 34,778 $ 29,881 $ 127,054 $ 102,953 Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities 1,182 1,024 4,308 3,660 Net income available to basic common shares $ 33,596 $ 28,857 $ 122,746 $ 99,293 Basic earnings per common share $ 1.74 $ 1.43 $ 6.18 $ 4.85 Diluted: Net income $ 34,778 $ 29,881 $ 127,054 $ 102,953 Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities 1,181 1,023 4,306 3,659 Net income available to diluted common shares $ 33,597 $ 28,858 $ 122,748 $ 99,294 Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.74 $ 1.43 $ 6.18 $ 4.85

Detail of Certain Balance She_2

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Accounts and notes receivable	Accounts and notes receivable consisted of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Amounts due from manufacturers $ 89,338 $ 109,599 Parts and service receivables (1) 52,118 39,343 Finance and insurance receivables 22,169 25,293 Other 8,826 17,514 Total accounts and notes receivable 172,451 191,749 Less allowance for doubtful accounts 3,133 3,138 Accounts and notes receivable, net (1) $ 169,318 $ 188,611
Inventories	Inventories consisted of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) New vehicles $ 1,170,844 $ 1,194,632 Used vehicles 359,997 350,760 Rental vehicles 132,113 144,213 Parts, accessories and other (1) 80,133 82,755 Total inventories 1,743,087 1,772,360 Less lower of cost or net realizable value allowance 9,331 9,067 Inventories, net (1) $ 1,733,756 $ 1,763,293 (1) December 31, 2017 balances have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective approach as a part of the implementation of Topic 606. See Note 1 , “Interim Financial Information” , for further detail.
Property and equipment	Property and equipment consisted of the following: Estimated Useful Lives in Years September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Land — $ 489,401 $ 482,600 Buildings 25 to 50 717,354 700,257 Leasehold improvements varies 189,059 172,071 Machinery and equipment 7 to 20 123,388 117,781 Furniture and fixtures 3 to 10 109,031 100,881 Company vehicles 3 to 5 12,488 11,933 Construction in progress — 46,196 41,824 Total 1,686,917 1,627,347 Less accumulated depreciation 335,988 308,388 Property and equipment, net $ 1,350,929 $ 1,318,959

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of long-term debt	The Company carries its long-term debt at face value, net of applicable discounts and capitalized debt issuance costs. Long-term debt consisted of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) 5.00% senior notes (aggregate principal of $550,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017) $ 543,306 $ 542,063 5.25% senior notes (aggregate principal of $300,000 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017) 296,587 296,151 Acquisition line 32,584 26,988 Real estate related and other long-term debt 455,190 440,845 Capital lease obligations related to real estate, maturing in varying amounts through December 2037, with a weighted average interest rate of 10.4% at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 51,418 51,665 1,379,085 1,357,712 Less current maturities of long-term debt 74,958 39,528 $ 1,304,127 $ 1,318,184

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Asset and liabilities recorded at fair value	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value, within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework, in the accompanying balance sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, were as follows: As of September 30, 2018 As of December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Assets: Investments $ 2,364 $ 844 Demand obligations 13 13 Interest rate derivative financial instruments 21,659 9,501 Total $ 24,036 $ 10,358 Liabilities: Interest rate derivative financial instruments $ 755 $ 10,579 Total $ 755 $ 10,579

Intangible Franchise Rights a_2

Intangible Franchise Rights and Goodwill (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible franchise rights and goodwill accounts by reportable segment	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, 2017 $ 255,981 $ 29,483 $ 168 $ 285,632 Additions through acquisitions 11,540 8,423 — 19,963 Disposals (4,872 ) — — (4,872 ) Impairments (22,909 ) — — (22,909 ) Currency translation — (1,498 ) (31 ) (1,529 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ 239,740 $ 36,408 $ 137 $ 276,285 Goodwill U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) BALANCE, December 31, 2017 $ 835,267 $ 65,034 $ 12,733 $ 913,034 (1) Additions through acquisitions 39,765 28,476 4,284 72,525 Purchase price allocation adjustments 2 — — 2 Disposals (9,973 ) — — (9,973 ) Currency translation — (3,882 ) (2,935 ) (6,817 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ 865,061 $ 89,628 $ 14,082 $ 968,771 (1) (1) Net of accumulated impairment of $97.8 million . The Company evaluates intangible franchise rights and goodwill assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate possible impairment. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company identified circumstances indicating possible impairment of some individual franchise rights, requiring a quantitative assessment. The Company did not identify any such circumstances relative to the goodwill for each of its reporting units. Based on the results of the Company's assessment, the Company determined that the fair value of the franchise rights on two of its U.S. dealerships were below its respective carrying values, resulting in franchise asset impairment charges of $21.7 million . This was recognized as an asset impairment in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations during the three months ended September 30, 2018 .

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss	Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were as follows: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Accumulated foreign currency translation loss Accumulated (loss) gain on interest rate swaps Total (In thousands) Balance, December 31, 2017 $ (122,552 ) $ (674 ) $ (123,226 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications: Pre-tax (22,223 ) 18,401 (3,822 ) Tax effect — (4,416 ) (4,416 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to: Floorplan interest expense (pre-tax) — 4,021 4,021 Other interest expense (pre-tax) — 477 477 Realized gain on swap termination (pre-tax) — (918 ) (918 ) Tax effect — (860 ) (860 ) Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income (22,223 ) 16,705 (5,518 ) Tax effects reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss $ — $ (150 ) $ (150 ) Balance, September 30, 2018 $ (144,775 ) $ 15,881 $ (128,894 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Accumulated foreign currency translation loss Accumulated loss on interest rate swaps Total (In thousands) Balance, December 31, 2016 $ (137,613 ) $ (9,331 ) $ (146,944 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications: Pre-tax 16,998 (3,899 ) 13,099 Tax effect — 1,462 1,462 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to: Floorplan interest expense (pre-tax) — 7,995 7,995 Other interest expense (pre-tax) — 1,554 1,554 Tax effect — (3,581 ) (3,581 ) Net current period other comprehensive income 16,998 3,531 20,529 Balance, September 30, 2017 $ (120,615 ) $ (5,800 ) $ (126,415 )

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable segment information	Reportable segment revenue, income (loss) before income taxes, (provision) benefit for income taxes and net income (loss) were as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 : Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) Total revenues $ 2,200,230 $ 585,936 $ 102,892 $ 2,889,058 $ 6,456,717 $ 1,913,361 $ 322,468 $ 8,692,546 Income (loss) before income taxes 43,415 2,663 (1,713 ) 44,365 152,867 14,416 (1,563 ) 165,720 Provision for income taxes (9,061 ) (366 ) (160 ) (9,587 ) (35,821 ) (2,131 ) (714 ) (38,666 ) Net income (loss) (1) 34,354 2,297 (1,873 ) 34,778 117,046 12,285 (2,277 ) 127,054 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) (In thousands) Total revenues (2) $ 2,301,959 $ 590,726 $ 119,607 $ 3,012,292 $ 6,393,368 $ 1,478,156 $ 331,792 $ 8,203,316 Income before income taxes 41,133 5,435 575 47,143 142,808 15,745 1,476 160,029 (Provision) benefit for income taxes (16,258 ) (1,105 ) 101 (17,262 ) (54,301 ) (2,781 ) 6 (57,076 ) Net income (3) 24,875 4,330 676 29,881 88,507 12,964 1,482 102,953 (1) Includes the following, after tax: gain of $4.1 million and $19.3 million on real estate and dealership transactions, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, in the U.S. segment; loss of $17.7 million and $20.8 million for non-cash asset impairments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, in the U.S. segment; gain of $1.1 million and a loss of $0.4 million for legal settlements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, in the U.S. segment; a loss of $4.4 million due to catastrophic events, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 in the U.S. segment; and loss of $2.6 million and $3.1 million for legal settlements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively, in the Brazil segment. (2) Includes the impact of chargeback reserves for finance and insurance revenues associated with catastrophic events of $6.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, in the U.S. segment. (3) Includes the following, after tax: loss due to catastrophic events of $9.0 million and $9.4 million , inclusive of the finance and insurance chargeback reserve noted above, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, in the U.S. segment and asset impairment charges of $5.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 in the U.S segment. Reportable segment total assets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , were as follows: As of September 30, 2018 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) Total assets $ 3,977,995 $ 779,293 $ 123,578 $ 4,880,866 As of December 31, 2017 U.S. U.K. Brazil Total (In thousands) Total assets $ 4,087,039 $ 654,154 $ 129,872 $ 4,871,065

Condensed Consolidating Finan_2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed consolidating balance sheet	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET September 30, 2018 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 9,062 $ 22,965 $ — $ 32,027 Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net — 169,199 66,410 — 235,609 Accounts and notes receivable, net — 133,506 35,812 — 169,318 Intercompany accounts receivable 32,585 51,159 — (83,744 ) — Inventories, net — 1,392,370 341,386 — 1,733,756 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 214 23,953 53,829 — 77,996 Total current assets 32,799 1,779,249 520,402 (83,744 ) 2,248,706 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net — 1,125,421 225,508 — 1,350,929 GOODWILL — 865,062 103,709 — 968,771 INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS — 239,738 36,547 — 276,285 INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES 3,194,823 — — (3,194,823 ) — OTHER ASSETS — 25,028 11,147 — 36,175 Total assets $ 3,227,622 $ 4,034,498 $ 897,313 $ (3,278,567 ) $ 4,880,866 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other $ — $ 1,126,477 $ 28,557 $ — $ 1,155,034 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility — (71,397 ) — — (71,397 ) Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates — 259,697 155,918 — 415,615 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates — (20,500 ) — — (20,500 ) Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing — 63,940 12,140 — 76,080 Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities — 311 — — 311 Accounts payable — 202,823 225,618 — 428,441 Intercompany accounts payable 1,088,282 — 51,159 (1,139,441 ) — Accrued expenses — 170,607 36,475 — 207,082 Total current liabilities 1,088,282 1,731,958 509,867 (1,139,441 ) 2,190,666 LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities 872,477 311,592 120,058 — 1,304,127 LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES — 444 — — 444 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES 1,148 224,405 11,730 — 237,283 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Group 1 stockholders’ equity 1,265,715 2,821,796 255,658 (3,194,823 ) 1,148,346 Intercompany note receivable — (1,055,697 ) — 1,055,697 — Total stockholders’ equity 1,265,715 1,766,099 255,658 (2,139,126 ) 1,148,346 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,227,622 $ 4,034,498 $ 897,313 $ (3,278,567 ) $ 4,880,866 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2017 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (In thousands) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ 10,096 $ 18,691 $ — $ 28,787 Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net — 266,788 39,645 — 306,433 Accounts and notes receivable, net — 144,872 43,739 — 188,611 Intercompany accounts receivable 26,988 12,948 — (39,936 ) — Inventories, net — 1,434,852 328,441 — 1,763,293 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,934 8,378 31,750 — 42,062 Total current assets 28,922 1,877,934 462,266 (39,936 ) 2,329,186 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net — 1,121,108 197,851 — 1,318,959 GOODWILL — 835,268 77,766 — 913,034 INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS — 255,980 29,652 — 285,632 INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES 2,999,407 — — (2,999,407 ) — OTHER ASSETS — 13,682 10,572 — 24,254 Total assets $ 3,028,329 $ 4,103,972 $ 778,107 $ (3,039,343 ) $ 4,871,065 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other $ — $ 1,219,844 $ 20,851 $ — $ 1,240,695 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility — (86,547 ) — — (86,547 ) Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates — 272,563 124,620 — 397,183 Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates — (22,500 ) — — (22,500 ) Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing 24,741 31,229 21,639 — 77,609 Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities — 1,996 — — 1,996 Accounts payable — 229,470 183,511 — 412,981 Intercompany accounts payable 890,995 — 39,936 (930,931 ) — Accrued expenses — 150,241 26,829 — 177,070 Total current liabilities 915,736 1,796,296 417,386 (930,931 ) 2,198,487 LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities 865,202 360,526 92,456 — 1,318,184 LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES — 8,583 — — 8,583 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES (117 ) 210,216 11,430 — 221,529 STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: Group 1 stockholders’ equity 1,247,508 2,619,346 256,835 (2,999,407 ) 1,124,282 Intercompany note receivable — (890,995 ) — 890,995 — Total stockholders’ equity 1,247,508 1,728,351 256,835 (2,108,412 ) 1,124,282 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 3,028,329 $ 4,103,972 $ 778,107 $ (3,039,343 ) $ 4,871,065
Condensed consolidating statements of income	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) REVENUES $ — $ 2,200,230 $ 688,828 $ — $ 2,889,058 COST OF SALES — 1,847,757 606,200 — 2,453,957 GROSS PROFIT — 352,473 82,628 — 435,101 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 323 240,167 76,281 — 316,771 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 13,510 3,471 — 16,981 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 23,159 — — 23,159 (LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (323 ) 75,637 2,876 — 78,190 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (12,903 ) (1,782 ) — (14,685 ) Other interest expense, net — (17,272 ) (1,868 ) — (19,140 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (323 ) 45,462 (774 ) — 44,365 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 58 (9,120 ) (525 ) — (9,587 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 35,042 — — (35,042 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 34,777 $ 36,342 $ (1,299 ) $ (35,042 ) $ 34,778 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAXES — 3,522 (5,908 ) — (2,386 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 34,777 $ 39,864 $ (7,207 ) $ (35,042 ) $ 32,392 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) REVENUES $ — $ 6,456,718 $ 2,235,828 $ — $ 8,692,546 COST OF SALES — 5,417,890 1,981,629 — 7,399,519 GROSS PROFIT — 1,038,828 254,199 — 1,293,027 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 2,726 721,255 225,229 — 949,210 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 39,431 10,530 — 49,961 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 27,427 — — 27,427 (LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (2,726 ) 250,715 18,440 — 266,429 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (38,050 ) (5,285 ) — (43,335 ) Other interest expense, net — (51,620 ) (5,754 ) — (57,374 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (2,726 ) 161,045 7,401 — 165,720 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 635 (36,457 ) (2,844 ) — (38,666 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 129,145 — — (129,145 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 127,054 $ 124,588 $ 4,557 $ (129,145 ) $ 127,054 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAXES — 16,705 (22,223 ) — (5,518 ) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 127,054 $ 141,293 $ (17,666 ) $ (129,145 ) $ 121,536 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) REVENUES $ — $ 2,301,958 $ 710,334 $ — $ 3,012,292 COST OF SALES — 1,948,390 632,482 — 2,580,872 GROSS PROFIT — 353,568 77,852 — 431,420 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 433 259,119 68,775 — 328,327 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 12,380 2,679 — 15,059 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 9,526 — — 9,526 INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS (433 ) 72,543 6,398 — 78,508 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (12,014 ) (1,477 ) — (13,491 ) Other interest expense, net — (16,726 ) (1,148 ) — (17,874 ) INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (433 ) 43,803 3,773 — 47,143 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 163 (16,423 ) (1,002 ) — (17,262 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 30,151 — — (30,151 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 29,881 $ 27,380 $ 2,771 $ (30,151 ) $ 29,881 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAXES — 1,454 8,399 — 9,853 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 29,881 $ 28,834 $ 11,170 $ (30,151 ) $ 39,734 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Elimination Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) REVENUES $ — $ 6,393,367 $ 1,809,949 $ — $ 8,203,316 COST OF SALES — 5,378,731 1,604,751 — 6,983,482 GROSS PROFIT — 1,014,636 205,198 — 1,219,834 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 2,932 733,744 179,998 — 916,674 DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE — 35,873 6,885 — 42,758 ASSET IMPAIRMENTS — 9,526 — — 9,526 (LOSS) INCOME FROM OPERATIONS (2,932 ) 235,493 18,315 — 250,876 OTHER EXPENSE: Floorplan interest expense — (34,954 ) (3,705 ) — (38,659 ) Other interest expense, net — (49,568 ) (2,620 ) — (52,188 ) (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES (2,932 ) 150,971 11,990 — 160,029 BENEFIT (PROVISION) FOR INCOME TAXES 1,100 (55,402 ) (2,774 ) — (57,076 ) EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 104,785 — — (104,785 ) — NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 102,953 $ 95,569 $ 9,216 $ (104,785 ) $ 102,953 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAXES — 3,531 16,998 — 20,529 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT $ 102,953 $ 99,100 $ 26,214 $ (104,785 ) $ 123,482
Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 127,073 $ 192,976 $ 37,366 $ 357,415 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received — (91,890 ) (43,452 ) (135,342 ) Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment — 101,364 6,340 107,704 Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate — (79,490 ) (38,725 ) (118,215 ) Deposits for real estate and dealership acquisitions 381 — — 381 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 381 (70,016 ) (75,837 ) (145,472 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other — 5,036,149 70,661 5,106,810 Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other — (5,124,860 ) (60,365 ) (5,185,225 ) Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line 98,596 — — 98,596 Repayments on credit facility - acquisition line (91,450 ) — — (91,450 ) Borrowings on other debt — 70,661 52,637 123,298 Principal payments on other debt (24,741 ) (36,198 ) (44,612 ) (105,551 ) Borrowings on debt related to real estate — 42,657 12,055 54,712 Principal payments on debt related to real estate — (71,762 ) (11,480 ) (83,242 ) Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings 1,529 — — 1,529 Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date (108,623 ) — — (108,623 ) Proceeds from termination of mortgage swap — 918 — 918 Dividends paid (16,014 ) — — (16,014 ) Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries 208,665 (219,177 ) 10,512 — Investment in subsidiaries (195,416 ) 177,618 17,798 — Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (127,454 ) (123,994 ) 47,206 (204,242 ) EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH — — (2,941 ) (2,941 ) NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — (1,034 ) 5,794 4,760 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 10,096 19,535 29,631 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ — $ 9,062 $ 25,329 $ 34,391 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Total Company (Unaudited, in thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 102,951 $ 188,979 $ 15,304 $ 307,234 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received — (62,475 ) (46,607 ) (109,082 ) Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment — 2,807 2,326 5,133 Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate — (131,622 ) (12,688 ) (144,310 ) Other — 1,526 — 1,526 Net cash used in investing activities — (189,764 ) (56,969 ) (246,733 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other — 5,053,598 — 5,053,598 Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other — (5,108,475 ) — (5,108,475 ) Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line 68,085 — — 68,085 Repayments on credit facility - acquisition line (35,576 ) — — (35,576 ) Borrowings on other debt 25,054 — 101,262 126,316 Principal payments on other debt — (787 ) (87,914 ) (88,701 ) Borrowings on debt related to real estate — 10,156 28,875 39,031 Principal payments on debt related to real estate — (16,819 ) (4,450 ) (21,269 ) Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings 4,196 — — 4,196 Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date (40,094 ) — — (40,094 ) Dividends paid (15,221 ) — — (15,221 ) Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries 74,826 (110,857 ) 36,031 — Investment in subsidiaries (184,221 ) 174,576 9,645 — Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (102,951 ) 1,392 83,449 (18,110 ) EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH — — 867 867 NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH — 607 42,651 43,258 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period — 8,039 16,207 24,246 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ — $ 8,646 $ 58,858 $ 67,504

Interim Financial Information -

Interim Financial Information - Business and Organization (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018townstatesinternational_regionstatedealership
Business And Organization [Line Items]
Number of international regions | international_region	2
United States
Business And Organization [Line Items]
Number of states in which the entity operates | state	15
Number of dealerships	117
United Kingdom
Business And Organization [Line Items]
Number of towns in which the entity operates | town	32
Number of dealerships	47
Brazil
Business And Organization [Line Items]
Number of states in which the entity operates | states	4
Number of dealerships	17

Interim Financial Information_3

Interim Financial Information - Business Segment Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Interim Financial Information_4

Interim Financial Information - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Maximum value of vehicle inventory financed	85.00%
Cash paid for interest	$ 84.4	$ 76
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds	$ 31	$ 45.7

Interim Financial Information_5

Interim Financial Information - Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 32,027	$ 28,787
Restricted cash, included in other assets	2,364	844
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$ 34,391	$ 29,631	$ 67,504	$ 24,246

Interim Financial Information_6

Interim Financial Information - Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Tax effects reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings	$ 200	$ 0

Interim Financial Information_7

Interim Financial Information - Adoption of ASC Topic 606, "Revenue from Contract with Customers" (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Effect of Topic 606 on retained earnings	$ 11,397
ASU 2014-09 | Adjustment due to Topic 606 | Maintenance and repair sales
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Effect of Topic 606 on retained earnings		$ 4,800
ASU 2014-09 | Adjustment due to Topic 606 | Finance, insurance and other, net
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Effect of Topic 606 on retained earnings		$ 6,600

Interim Financial Information_8

Interim Financial Information - Cumulative Effect of the Changes Made and Impact of Applying Topic 606 on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Accounts and notes receivable, net	$ 169,318	$ 200,234	$ 188,611
Inventories, net	1,733,756	1,759,633	1,763,293
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	77,996	50,745	42,062
Liabilities
Accounts payable	428,441	414,737	412,981
Deferred income taxes	137,826	127,897	124,404
Stockholders' equity
Retained earnings	1,368,946	1,257,720	1,246,323
Retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,240,052
Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606
Assets
Accounts and notes receivable, net	156,900		188,611
Inventories, net	1,737,582		1,763,293
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	65,989		42,062
Liabilities
Accounts payable	426,505		412,981
Deferred income taxes	133,453		124,404
Stockholders' equity
Retained earnings			$ 1,246,323
Retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss	1,225,762
Adjustment due to Topic 606 | ASU 2014-09
Assets
Accounts and notes receivable, net	12,418	11,623
Inventories, net	(3,826)	(3,660)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	12,007	8,683
Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,936	1,756
Deferred income taxes	4,373	3,493
Stockholders' equity
Retained earnings		$ 11,397
Retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 14,290

Interim Financial Information_9

Interim Financial Information - Impact of Applying Topic 606 on the Consolidated Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,889,058	$ 3,012,292	$ 8,692,546	$ 8,203,316
Cost of sales	2,453,957	2,580,872	7,399,519	6,983,482
Selling, general and administrative expenses	316,771	328,327	949,210	916,674
Provision for income taxes	9,587	17,262	38,666	57,076
Net income	34,778	29,881	127,054	102,953
Parts and service sales
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	354,501	343,193	1,062,145	994,522
Cost of sales	162,927	158,036	488,637	458,144
Finance, insurance and other, net
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	116,084	$ 110,993	343,462	$ 314,297
Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	316,640		948,991
Provision for income taxes	8,490		37,771
Net income	31,278		124,085
Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 | Parts and service sales
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	353,588		1,061,160
Cost of sales	162,601		488,412
Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 | Finance, insurance and other, net
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	111,943		340,139
ASU 2014-09 | Adjustment due to Topic 606
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	131		219
Provision for income taxes	1,097		895
Net income	3,500		2,969
ASU 2014-09 | Adjustment due to Topic 606 | Parts and service sales
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	913		985
Cost of sales	326		225
ASU 2014-09 | Adjustment due to Topic 606 | Finance, insurance and other, net
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 4,141		$ 3,323

Revenue (Details)

Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	$ 2,889,058	$ 3,012,292	$ 8,692,546	$ 8,203,316
U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	2,200,230	2,301,959	6,456,717	6,393,368
U.K.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	585,936	590,726	1,913,361	1,478,156
Brazil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	102,892	119,607	322,468	331,792
Total new and used vehicle sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	2,418,473	2,558,106	7,286,939	6,894,497
Total new and used vehicle sales | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	1,809,286	1,921,661	5,298,741	5,278,842
Total new and used vehicle sales | U.K.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	519,800	531,495	1,706,208	1,326,282
Total new and used vehicle sales | Brazil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	89,387	104,950	281,990	289,373
New vehicle retail sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	1,539,498	1,710,241	4,608,658	4,496,222
New vehicle retail sales | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	1,196,551	1,296,267	3,433,386	3,458,287
New vehicle retail sales | U.K.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	278,046	334,772	971,085	824,827
New vehicle retail sales | Brazil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	64,901	79,202	204,187	213,108
Used vehicle retail sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	792,405	743,038	2,394,828	2,089,914
Used vehicle retail sales | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	572,011	562,031	1,727,848	1,620,171
Used vehicle retail sales | U.K.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	200,058	158,076	600,715	401,851
Used vehicle retail sales | Brazil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	20,336	22,931	66,265	67,892
Used vehicle wholesale sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	86,570	104,827	283,453	308,361
Used vehicle wholesale sales | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	40,724	63,363	137,507	200,384
Used vehicle wholesale sales | U.K.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	41,696	38,647	134,408	99,604
Used vehicle wholesale sales | Brazil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	4,150	2,817	11,538	8,373
Parts and service sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	354,501	343,193	1,062,145	994,522
Parts and service sales | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	289,334	283,915	862,737	837,772
Parts and service sales | U.K.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	53,817	46,783	164,954	120,614
Parts and service sales | Brazil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	11,350	12,495	34,454	36,136
Vehicle parts sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	83,773	81,273	254,326	234,369
Vehicle parts sales | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	72,935	71,667	220,964	209,276
Vehicle parts sales | U.K.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	9,546	8,190	29,537	20,648
Vehicle parts sales | Brazil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	1,292	1,416	3,825	4,445
Maintenance and repair sales
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	270,728	261,920	807,819	760,153
Maintenance and repair sales | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	216,399	212,248	641,773	628,496
Maintenance and repair sales | U.K.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	44,271	38,593	135,417	99,966
Maintenance and repair sales | Brazil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	10,058	11,079	30,629	31,691
Finance, insurance and other, net
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	116,084	110,993	343,462	314,297
Finance, insurance and other, net | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	101,610	96,383	295,239	276,754
Finance, insurance and other, net | U.K.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	12,319	12,448	42,199	31,260
Finance, insurance and other, net | Brazil
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
REVENUES	$ 2,155	$ 2,162	$ 6,024	$ 6,283

Acquisitions and Dispositions (

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)franchisedealership	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)franchisedealership
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]
Aggregate consideration paid | $	$ 140.4	$ 120.2
Cash received in acquisition | $	$ 5.1	$ 11.2
United Kingdom
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of dealerships acquired | dealership	5	12
Number of franchises acquired	8	14
Number of dealerships opened | dealership		1
Number of franchises awarded	1	1
Number of franchises disposed	1
United States
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of dealerships acquired | dealership	4	3
Number of franchises acquired	4	4
Number of dealerships opened | dealership		1
Number of franchises awarded		1
Number of dealerships disposed | dealership	2
Number of franchises disposed	3
Brazil
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of dealerships acquired | dealership	1
Number of franchises acquired	1
Number of dealerships disposed | dealership		2
Number of franchises disposed		2

Derivative Instruments and Ri_3

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)swap	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)swap	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) related to hedge ineffectiveness	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Increase in floor plan interest expense due to impact of interest rate hedges	1,000,000	2,300,000	4,000,000	8,000,000
Floor plan interest expense	$ 14,685,000	13,491,000	43,335,000	38,659,000
Forward expiration date	Dec. 31, 2030
Maximum notional value of derivatives in effect at any time	$ 902,400,000		902,400,000
Accumulated unrealized gains (losses), net of income taxes	15,881,000	$ (5,800,000)	15,881,000	$ (5,800,000)	$ (674,000)	$ (9,331,000)
Amount expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive loss into earnings	1,500,000		1,500,000
Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities	311,000		311,000		1,996,000
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	444,000		444,000		8,583,000
Derivative Liability	755,000		755,000		$ 10,579,000
Interest Rate Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional value	$ 803,900,000		$ 803,900,000
Weighted average interest rate	2.60%		2.60%
Number of additional forward interest rate swaps | swap	24		24
Forward Interest Rate Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional value	$ 375,000,000		$ 375,000,000
Weighted average interest rate	1.80%		1.80%
Number of additional forward interest rate swaps | swap	7		7
Forward Interest Rate Swaps | Minimum
Derivative [Line Items]
Forward start date	Dec. 31, 2018
Forward expiration date	Dec. 31, 2021
Forward Interest Rate Swaps | Maximum
Derivative [Line Items]
Forward start date	Dec. 31, 2020
Forward expiration date	Dec. 31, 2030

Derivative Instruments and Ri_4

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities - Assets and Liabilities Associated with Interest Rate Derivatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets from interest rate risk management activities:
Other long-term assets	$ 21,659	$ 9,501
Total	21,659	9,501
Liabilities from interest rate risk management activities:
Current	311	1,996
Long-term	444	8,583
Total	$ 755	$ 10,579

Derivative Instruments and Ri_5

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities - Impact of Interest Rate Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period, net of tax (provision) benefit of ($846), $154, ($4,416), and $1,462, respectively	$ 2,680	$ (257)	$ 13,985	$ (2,437)
Floorplan interest expense
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(4,021)	(7,995)
Other interest expense, net
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			(477)	(1,554)
Interest rate derivative instruments
Derivative [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period, net of tax (provision) benefit of ($846), $154, ($4,416), and $1,462, respectively			$ 13,985	$ (2,437)

Stock-Based Compensation Plan_2

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation cost	$ 4,400	$ 4,100	$ 14,241	$ 14,606
Cash received from purchase plan purchases			$ 5,900	$ 5,500
Long Term Incentive Plan
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Expiration date for stock options under long term incentive plan	May 21, 2024
Shares available for grant under the incentive plan (in shares)	859,339		859,339
Restricted Stock Awards | Maximum
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Vesting period			5 years
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]
Expiration date for stock options under long term incentive plan	May 19, 2025
Shares available for grant under the incentive plan (in shares)	1,029,506		1,029,506
Shares authorized for issuance (in shares)	4,500,000		4,500,000
Percent of fair market value which employees may purchase common stock	85.00%
Shares issued to employee under purchase plan (in shares)			109,589	96,098
Weighted average fair value of employee stock purchase rights issued (in dollars per share)			$ 15.38	$ 16.69

Stock-Based Compensation Plan_3

Stock-Based Compensation Plans - Summary of Restricted Stock Awards (Details) - Restricted Stock Awards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018$ / sharesshares
Awards
Nonvested (in shares) | shares	702,778
Granted (in shares) | shares	229,421
Vested (in shares) | shares	(220,254)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(30,065)
Nonvested (in shares) | shares	681,880
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 68.23
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	75.33
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	63.92
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	69.76
Nonvested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 71.93

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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Basic and Diluted Earnings per share
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding (in shares)	19,253	20,222	19,859	20,475
Dilutive effect of employee stock purchases, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock (in shares)	8	3	9	5
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding (in shares)	19,261	20,225	19,868	20,480
Basic:
Net income	$ 34,778	$ 29,881	$ 127,054	$ 102,953
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	1,182	1,024	4,308	3,660
Net income available to basic common shares	$ 33,596	$ 28,857	$ 122,746	$ 99,293
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.74	$ 1.43	$ 6.18	$ 4.85
Diluted:
Net income	$ 34,778	$ 29,881	$ 127,054	$ 102,953
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	1,181	1,023	4,306	3,659
Net income available to diluted common shares	$ 33,597	$ 28,858	$ 122,748	$ 99,294
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.74	$ 1.43	$ 6.18	$ 4.85

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Effective tax rate	21.60%	36.60%	23.30%	35.70%
U.S. federal corporate tax rate			21.00%		35.00%
Adjustment to provisional amount reducing income tax expense from continuing operations	$ 700,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 1,800,000		$ 1,800,000
Impact of unrecognized tax benefits on tax liability			$ 1,400,000
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,013
United Kingdom
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
U.S. federal corporate tax rate			19.00%
Open tax year	2,016
Brazil
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Open tax year	2,012

- Accounts and Notes Receivable

- Accounts and Notes Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts and notes receivable
Accounts and notes receivable	$ 172,451		$ 191,749
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	3,133		3,138
Accounts and notes receivable, net	169,318	$ 200,234	188,611
Amounts due from manufacturers
Accounts and notes receivable
Accounts and notes receivable	89,338		109,599
Parts and service receivables
Accounts and notes receivable
Accounts and notes receivable	52,118		39,343
Finance and insurance receivables
Accounts and notes receivable
Accounts and notes receivable	22,169		25,293
Other
Accounts and notes receivable
Accounts and notes receivable	$ 8,826		$ 17,514

Detail of Certain Balance She_3

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of inventories
New vehicles	$ 1,170,844		$ 1,194,632
Used vehicles	359,997		350,760
Rental vehicles	132,113		144,213
Parts, accessories and other	80,133		82,755
Total inventories	1,743,087		1,772,360
Less lower of cost or net realizable value allowance	9,331		9,067
Inventories, net	$ 1,733,756	$ 1,759,633	$ 1,763,293

Detail of Certain Balance She_4

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts - Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,686,917	$ 1,627,347
Less accumulated depreciation	335,988	308,388
Property and equipment, net	1,350,929	1,318,959
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	489,401	482,600
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 717,354	700,257
Buildings | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	25 years
Buildings | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	50 years
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 189,059	172,071
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 123,388	117,781
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	7 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 109,031	100,881
Furniture and fixtures | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Furniture and fixtures | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Company vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 12,488	11,933
Company vehicles | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Company vehicles | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 46,196	$ 41,824

Detail of Certain Balance She_5

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)dealership	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital expenditures incurred for purchase and construction of assets	$ 85,500
Accrued capital expenditures	6,131	$ 10,364	$ 8,800
Sold During Period
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land, building, and other equipment disposed of	38,900
Held-for-Sale
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land, building, and other equipment disposed of	$ 4,800
United States
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of dealerships disposed | dealership	2
Real Estate and Other Property and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fixed assets acquired	$ 22,300
Real Estate and Other Property and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fixed assets acquired	$ 30,100

Credit Facilities (Details)

Credit Facilities (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Funds immediately available under facility	$ 71,397,000	$ 86,547,000
Immediately available funds under facility	20,500,000	$ 22,500,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,800,000,000
Maturity date of credit facility	Jun. 17, 2021
Number of financial institutions | loan	24
Number of manufacturer-affiliated finance companies | loan	6
Maximum restricted payments	$ 208,500,000
Restricted payment	128,200,000
Floorplan Line
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	1,750,000,000
Outstanding balance	1,100,000,000
Available amount under borrowing capacity	384,900,000
Funds immediately available under facility	$ 71,400,000
Weighted average interest rate	3.30%	2.70%
Acquisition Line
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 360,000,000
Minimum borrowing capacity	50,000,000
Outstanding balance	32,584,000	$ 26,988,000
Available amount under borrowing capacity	$ 301,800,000
Interest rate	2.47%
Letters of credit outstanding	$ 25,400,000
FMCC Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	300,000,000
Available amount under borrowing capacity	$ 171,800,000
Interest rate	6.75%
Outstanding balance	$ 128,200,000
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
UK Credit Facilities
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding balance	$ 168,400,000
UK Credit Facilities | Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.15%
Grace period	0 days
UK Credit Facilities | Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.45%
Grace period	30 days
Brazilian Credit Facilities
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding balance	$ 16,100,000
Brazilian Credit Facilities | Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	10.80%
Grace period	0 days
Brazilian Credit Facilities | Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	13.76%
Grace period	90 days
Rental Vehicles Financed through Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding balance	$ 111,000,000
Rental Vehicles Financed through Credit Facility | Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.75%

Long-Term Debt - Composition of

Long-Term Debt - Composition of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations related to real estate, maturing in varying amounts through December 2037, with a weighted average interest rate of 10.4% at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017	$ 51,418,000	$ 51,665,000
Long-term debt	1,379,085,000	1,357,712,000
Less current maturities of long-term debt	74,958,000	39,528,000
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	1,304,127,000	1,318,184,000
Acquisition Line
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Acquisition line	32,584,000	26,988,000
5.00% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	$ 543,306,000	542,063,000
Interest rate	5.00%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 550,000,000	550,000,000
5.25% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	$ 296,587,000	296,151,000
Interest rate	5.25%
Aggregate principal amount	$ 300,000,000	300,000,000
Real estate related and other long-term debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Real estate related and other long-term debt	$ 455,190,000	$ 440,845,000
Capital Lease Obligations
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	10.40%	10.40%

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Det

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)loan	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)loan	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Mortgage Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of loans as per loan agreements | loan	60
Aggregate principal amount	$ 418,900,000		$ 418,900,000
Borrowings outstanding	349,000,000		349,000,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	59,800,000		59,800,000
Additional net borrowings			42,700,000
Principal payments			43,700,000
Fixed interest rate borrowings	81,300,000	$ 86,800,000	81,300,000
Fair value of fixed interest rate borrowings	$ 77,400,000	92,900,000	77,400,000
U.K. Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of loans as per loan agreements | loan	18
Borrowings outstanding	$ 77,600,000		77,600,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	$ 7,800,000		7,800,000
Additional net borrowings			12,100,000
Principal payments			10,600,000
Maturity date of notes	Sep. 1, 2034
Brazil Note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding	$ 2,400,000		2,400,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	300,000		300,000
Additional net borrowings			0
Principal payments			400,000
Brazilian Third Party Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding	5,400,000		5,400,000
Additional net borrowings			0
5.00% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 550,000,000	550,000,000	$ 550,000,000
Interest rate	5.00%		5.00%
Fair value of long-term debt	$ 549,100,000	567,900,000	$ 549,100,000
5.25% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 300,000,000	300,000,000	$ 300,000,000
Interest rate	5.25%		5.25%
Fair value of long-term debt	$ 296,300,000	310,900,000	$ 296,300,000
U.K. Working Capital Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings outstanding	19,600,000		19,600,000
Current maturities of long-term debt	2,000,000		2,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility | Brazilian Short-Term Financing Arrangement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term loan	1,100,000		1,100,000
Borrowings made under short-term debt agreement			2,400,000
Principal payments under short-term debt agreement			800,000
Revolving Credit Facility | U.K. Working Capital Loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term loan	$ 13,400,000	$ 13,400,000	13,400,000
Borrowings made under short-term debt agreement			30,300,000
Principal payments under short-term debt agreement			$ 43,200,000
Number of loans as per loan agreements | loan	2	2
Revolving Credit Facility | U.S. Short-Term Financing Arrangement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term loan		$ 24,700,000

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Level 2 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Interest rate derivative financial instruments	$ 21,659	$ 9,501
Total	24,036	10,358
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivative financial instruments	755	10,579
Total	755	10,579
Investments
Assets:
Investments	2,364	844
Demand obligations
Assets:
Investments	$ 13	$ 13

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Lease Guarantee
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lessee rental payment obligations	$ 43.9

Intangible Franchise Rights a_3

Intangible Franchise Rights and Goodwill - Intangible Franchise Rights by Reportable Segment (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Intangible Franchise Rights [Roll Forward]
Balance	$ 285,632
Additions through acquisitions	19,963
Disposals	(4,872)
Impairments	(22,909)
Currency translation	(1,529)
Balance	276,285
U.S.
Intangible Franchise Rights [Roll Forward]
Balance	255,981
Additions through acquisitions	11,540
Disposals	(4,872)
Impairments	(22,909)
Currency translation	0
Balance	239,740
U.K.
Intangible Franchise Rights [Roll Forward]
Balance	29,483
Additions through acquisitions	8,423
Disposals	0
Impairments	0
Currency translation	(1,498)
Balance	36,408
Brazil
Intangible Franchise Rights [Roll Forward]
Balance	168
Additions through acquisitions	0
Disposals	0
Impairments	0
Currency translation	(31)
Balance	$ 137

Intangible Franchise Rights a_4

Intangible Franchise Rights and Goodwill - Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
BALANCE	$ 913,034
Additions through acquisitions	72,525
Purchase price allocation adjustments	2
Disposals	(9,973)
Currency translation	(6,817)
BALANCE	968,771
Accumulated goodwill impairment	97,800	$ 97,800
U.S.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
BALANCE	835,267
Additions through acquisitions	39,765
Purchase price allocation adjustments	2
Disposals	(9,973)
Currency translation	0
BALANCE	865,061
U.K.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
BALANCE	65,034
Additions through acquisitions	28,476
Purchase price allocation adjustments	0
Disposals	0
Currency translation	(3,882)
BALANCE	89,628
Brazil
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
BALANCE	12,733
Additions through acquisitions	4,284
Purchase price allocation adjustments	0
Disposals	0
Currency translation	(2,935)
BALANCE	$ 14,082

Intangible Franchise Rights a_5

Intangible Franchise Rights and Goodwill - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
U.S. | Franchise Rights
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	$ 21.7

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Accumulated foreign currency translation loss
Balance			$ (122,552)	$ (137,613)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications:
Pre-tax			(22,223)	16,998
Tax effect			0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Tax effect			0	0
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income			(22,223)	16,998
Tax effects reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			0
Balance	$ (144,775)	$ (120,615)	(144,775)	(120,615)
Accumulated (loss) gain on interest rate swaps
Balance			(674)	(9,331)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Pre-tax			18,401	(3,899)
Tax effect	(846)	154	(4,416)	1,462
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Tax effect			(860)	(3,581)
Net current period other comprehensive income	3,522	1,454	16,705	3,531
Tax effects reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(150)
Balance	15,881	(5,800)	15,881	(5,800)
Total
Balance			(123,226)	(146,944)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Pre-tax			(3,822)	13,099
Tax effect			(4,416)	1,462
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Tax effect			(860)	(3,581)
Net current period other comprehensive income			(5,518)	20,529
Tax effects reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss			(150)
Balance	$ (128,894)	$ (126,415)	(123,226)	(146,944)
Floorplan interest expense (pre-tax)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Interest expense			0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Interest expense			4,021	7,995
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Pre-tax			4,021	7,995
Other interest expense (pre-tax)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Interest expense			0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Interest expense			477	1,554
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Pre-tax			477	$ 1,554
Realized gain on swap termination (pre-tax)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Interest expense			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Interest expense			(918)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to:
Pre-tax			$ (918)

Segment Information - Narrative

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Segment Information - Reportabl

Segment Information - Reportable Segment Revenue, Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, (Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes and Net Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,889,058	$ 3,012,292	$ 8,692,546	$ 8,203,316
Income (loss) before income taxes	44,365	47,143	165,720	160,029
Provision for income taxes	(9,587)	(17,262)	(38,666)	(57,076)
Net income	34,778	29,881	127,054	102,953
Loss for non-cash asset impairments	23,159	9,526	27,427	9,526
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,200,230	2,301,959	6,456,717	6,393,368
Income (loss) before income taxes	43,415	41,133	152,867	142,808
Provision for income taxes	(9,061)	(16,258)	(35,821)	(54,301)
Net income	34,354	24,875	117,046	88,507
Gain on real estate and dealership transactions	4,100		19,300
Loss for non-cash asset impairments	17,700		20,800
Gain (loss) for litigation settlements	1,100		(400)
Loss due to catastrophic events		9,000	4,400	9,400
Impact of chargeback reserves for finance and insurance revenues associated with catastrophic events		6,600		6,600
U.S. | Net of Taxes
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Loss for non-cash asset impairments		5,900		5,900
U.K.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	585,936	590,726	1,913,361	1,478,156
Income (loss) before income taxes	2,663	5,435	14,416	15,745
Provision for income taxes	(366)	(1,105)	(2,131)	(2,781)
Net income	2,297	4,330	12,285	12,964
Brazil
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	102,892	119,607	322,468	331,792
Income (loss) before income taxes	(1,713)	575	(1,563)	1,476
Provision for income taxes	(160)	101	(714)	6
Net income	(1,873)	$ 676	(2,277)	$ 1,482
Gain (loss) for litigation settlements	$ (2,600)		$ (3,100)

Segment Information - Reporta_2

Segment Information - Reportable Segment Total Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 4,880,866	$ 4,871,065
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	3,977,995	4,087,039
U.K.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	779,293	654,154
Brazil
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 123,578	$ 129,872

Condensed Consolidating Finan_3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 32,027		$ 28,787
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	235,609		306,433
Accounts and notes receivable, net	169,318	$ 200,234	188,611
Intercompany accounts receivable	0		0
Inventories, net	1,733,756	1,759,633	1,763,293
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	77,996	50,745	42,062
Total current assets	2,248,706		2,329,186
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	1,350,929		1,318,959
GOODWILL	968,771		913,034
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	276,285		285,632
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	0		0
OTHER ASSETS	36,175		24,254
Total assets	4,880,866		4,871,065
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other	1,155,034		1,240,695
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	(71,397)		(86,547)
Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates	415,615		397,183
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	(20,500)		(22,500)
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing	76,080		77,609
Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities	311		1,996
Accounts payable	428,441	$ 414,737	412,981
Intercompany accounts payable	0		0
Accrued expenses	207,082		177,070
Total current liabilities	2,190,666		2,198,487
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	1,304,127		1,318,184
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	444		8,583
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES	237,283		221,529
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Group 1 stockholders’ equity	1,148,346		1,124,282
Intercompany note receivable	0		0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,148,346		1,124,282
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	4,880,866		4,871,065
Elimination
CURRENT ASSETS:
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	(83,744)		(39,936)
Inventories, net	0		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0		0
Total current assets	(83,744)		(39,936)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	0		0
GOODWILL	0		0
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	0		0
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	(3,194,823)		(2,999,407)
OTHER ASSETS	0		0
Total assets	(3,278,567)		(3,039,343)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
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 and short-term financing	0		0
Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities	0		0
Accounts payable	0		0
Intercompany accounts payable	(1,139,441)		(930,931)
Accrued expenses	0		0
Total current liabilities	(1,139,441)		(930,931)
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
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Group 1 stockholders’ equity	(3,194,823)		(2,999,407)
Intercompany note receivable	1,055,697		890,995
Total stockholders’ equity	(2,139,126)		(2,108,412)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	(3,278,567)		(3,039,343)
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
CURRENT ASSETS:
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	32,585		26,988
Inventories, net	0		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	214		1,934
Total current assets	32,799		28,922
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	0		0
GOODWILL	0		0
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	0		0
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	3,194,823		2,999,407
OTHER ASSETS	0		0
Total assets	3,227,622		3,028,329
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
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 and short-term financing	0		24,741
Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities	0		0
Accounts payable	0		0
Intercompany accounts payable	1,088,282		890,995
Accrued expenses	0		0
Total current liabilities	1,088,282		915,736
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	872,477		865,202
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	0		0
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES	1,148		(117)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Group 1 stockholders’ equity	1,265,715		1,247,508
Intercompany note receivable	0		0
Total stockholders’ equity	1,265,715		1,247,508
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	3,227,622		3,028,329
Guarantor Subsidiaries
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	9,062		10,096
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	169,199		266,788
Accounts and notes receivable, net	133,506		144,872
Intercompany accounts receivable	51,159		12,948
Inventories, net	1,392,370		1,434,852
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	23,953		8,378
Total current assets	1,779,249		1,877,934
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	1,125,421		1,121,108
GOODWILL	865,062		835,268
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	239,738		255,980
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	0		0
OTHER ASSETS	25,028		13,682
Total assets	4,034,498		4,103,972
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other	1,126,477		1,219,844
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	(71,397)		(86,547)
Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates	259,697		272,563
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	(20,500)		(22,500)
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing	63,940		31,229
Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities	311		1,996
Accounts payable	202,823		229,470
Intercompany accounts payable	0		0
Accrued expenses	170,607		150,241
Total current liabilities	1,731,958		1,796,296
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	311,592		360,526
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	444		8,583
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES	224,405		210,216
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Group 1 stockholders’ equity	2,821,796		2,619,346
Intercompany note receivable	(1,055,697)		(890,995)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,766,099		1,728,351
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	4,034,498		4,103,972
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	22,965		18,691
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	66,410		39,645
Accounts and notes receivable, net	35,812		43,739
Intercompany accounts receivable	0		0
Inventories, net	341,386		328,441
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	53,829		31,750
Total current assets	520,402		462,266
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	225,508		197,851
GOODWILL	103,709		77,766
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	36,547		29,652
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	0		0
OTHER ASSETS	11,147		10,572
Total assets	897,313		778,107
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility and other	28,557		20,851
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	0		0
Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates	155,918		124,620
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	0		0
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing	12,140		21,639
Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities	0		0
Accounts payable	225,618		183,511
Intercompany accounts payable	51,159		39,936
Accrued expenses	36,475		26,829
Total current liabilities	509,867		417,386
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	120,058		92,456
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	0		0
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES	11,730		11,430
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Group 1 stockholders’ equity	255,658		256,835
Intercompany note receivable	0		0
Total stockholders’ equity	255,658		256,835
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 897,313		$ 778,107

Condensed Consolidating Finan_4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES	$ 2,889,058	$ 3,012,292	$ 8,692,546	$ 8,203,316
COST OF SALES	2,453,957	2,580,872	7,399,519	6,983,482
GROSS PROFIT	435,101	431,420	1,293,027	1,219,834
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	316,771	328,327	949,210	916,674
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	16,981	15,059	49,961	42,758
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	23,159	9,526	27,427	9,526
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	78,190	78,508	266,429	250,876
Floorplan interest expense	(14,685)	(13,491)	(43,335)	(38,659)
Other interest expense, net	(19,140)	(17,874)	(57,374)	(52,188)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	44,365	47,143	165,720	160,029
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(9,587)	(17,262)	(38,666)	(57,076)
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME	34,778	29,881	127,054	102,953
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(2,386)	9,853	(5,518)	20,529
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT	32,392	39,734	121,536	123,482
Elimination
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
Other interest expense, net	0	0	0	0
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	0	0	0	0
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	0	0	0	0
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES	(35,042)	(30,151)	(129,145)	(104,785)
NET INCOME	(35,042)	(30,151)	(129,145)	(104,785)
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	0	0	0	0
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT	(35,042)	(30,151)	(129,145)	(104,785)
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
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	323	433	2,726	2,932
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	0	0	0	0
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	0	0	0	0
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	(323)	(433)	(2,726)	(2,932)
Floorplan interest expense	0	0	0	0
Other interest expense, net	0	0	0	0
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(323)	(433)	(2,726)	(2,932)
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	58	163	635	1,100
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES	35,042	30,151	129,145	104,785
NET INCOME	34,777	29,881	127,054	102,953
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	0	0	0	0
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT	34,777	29,881	127,054	102,953
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES	2,200,230	2,301,958	6,456,718	6,393,367
COST OF SALES	1,847,757	1,948,390	5,417,890	5,378,731
GROSS PROFIT	352,473	353,568	1,038,828	1,014,636
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	240,167	259,119	721,255	733,744
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	13,510	12,380	39,431	35,873
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	23,159	9,526	27,427	9,526
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	75,637	72,543	250,715	235,493
Floorplan interest expense	(12,903)	(12,014)	(38,050)	(34,954)
Other interest expense, net	(17,272)	(16,726)	(51,620)	(49,568)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	45,462	43,803	161,045	150,971
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(9,120)	(16,423)	(36,457)	(55,402)
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME	36,342	27,380	124,588	95,569
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	3,522	1,454	16,705	3,531
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT	39,864	28,834	141,293	99,100
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
REVENUES	688,828	710,334	2,235,828	1,809,949
COST OF SALES	606,200	632,482	1,981,629	1,604,751
GROSS PROFIT	82,628	77,852	254,199	205,198
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	76,281	68,775	225,229	179,998
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	3,471	2,679	10,530	6,885
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS	0	0	0	0
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	2,876	6,398	18,440	18,315
Floorplan interest expense	(1,782)	(1,477)	(5,285)	(3,705)
Other interest expense, net	(1,868)	(1,148)	(5,754)	(2,620)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(774)	3,773	7,401	11,990
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(525)	(1,002)	(2,844)	(2,774)
EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES	0	0	0	0
NET INCOME	(1,299)	2,771	4,557	9,216
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	(5,908)	8,399	(22,223)	16,998
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO PARENT	$ (7,207)	$ 11,170	$ (17,666)	$ 26,214

Condensed Consolidating Finan_5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$ 357,415	$ 307,234
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(135,342)	(109,082)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	107,704	5,133
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(118,215)	(144,310)
Deposits for real estate and dealership acquisitions	381	0
Other	0	1,526
Net cash used in investing activities	(145,472)	(246,733)
Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other	5,106,810	5,053,598
Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other	(5,185,225)	(5,108,475)
Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line	98,596	68,085
Repayments on credit facility - acquisition line	(91,450)	(35,576)
Borrowings on other debt	123,298	126,316
Principal payments on other debt	(105,551)	(88,701)
Borrowings on debt related to real estate, net of debt issue costs	54,712	39,031
Principal payments on debt related to real estate	(83,242)	(21,269)
Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings	1,529	4,196
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	(108,623)	(40,094)
Proceeds from termination of mortgage swap	918	0
Dividends paid	(16,014)	(15,221)
Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(204,242)	(18,110)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(2,941)	867
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	4,760	43,258
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	29,631	24,246
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	34,391	67,504
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	127,073	102,951
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
Deposits for real estate and dealership acquisitions	381
Other		0
Net cash used in investing activities	381	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	98,596	68,085
Repayments on credit facility - acquisition line	(91,450)	(35,576)
Borrowings on other debt	0	25,054
Principal payments on other debt	(24,741)	0
Borrowings on debt related to real estate, net of debt issue costs	0	0
Principal payments on debt related to real estate	0	0
Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings	1,529	4,196
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	(108,623)	(40,094)
Proceeds from termination of mortgage swap	0
Dividends paid	(16,014)	(15,221)
Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries	208,665	74,826
Investment in subsidiaries	(195,416)	(184,221)
Net cash used in financing activities	(127,454)	(102,951)
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	0	0
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	0	0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	0	0
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	0	0
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	192,976	188,979
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(91,890)	(62,475)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	101,364	2,807
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(79,490)	(131,622)
Deposits for real estate and dealership acquisitions	0
Other		1,526
Net cash used in investing activities	(70,016)	(189,764)
Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other	5,036,149	5,053,598
Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other	(5,124,860)	(5,108,475)
Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line	0	0
Repayments on credit facility - acquisition line	0	0
Borrowings on other debt	70,661	0
Principal payments on other debt	(36,198)	(787)
Borrowings on debt related to real estate, net of debt issue costs	42,657	10,156
Principal payments on debt related to real estate	(71,762)	(16,819)
Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings	0	0
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	0	0
Proceeds from termination of mortgage swap	918
Dividends paid	0	0
Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries	(219,177)	(110,857)
Investment in subsidiaries	177,618	174,576
Net cash used in financing activities	(123,994)	1,392
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	0	0
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	(1,034)	607
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	10,096	8,039
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	9,062	8,646
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	37,366	15,304
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	(43,452)	(46,607)
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	6,340	2,326
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	(38,725)	(12,688)
Deposits for real estate and dealership acquisitions	0
Other		0
Net cash used in investing activities	(75,837)	(56,969)
Borrowings on credit facility - floorplan line and other	70,661	0
Repayments on credit facility - floorplan line and other	(60,365)	0
Borrowings on credit facility - acquisition line	0	0
Repayments on credit facility - acquisition line	0	0
Borrowings on other debt	52,637	101,262
Principal payments on other debt	(44,612)	(87,914)
Borrowings on debt related to real estate, net of debt issue costs	12,055	28,875
Principal payments on debt related to real estate	(11,480)	(4,450)
Employee stock purchase plan purchases, net of employee tax withholdings	0	0
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	0	0
Proceeds from termination of mortgage swap	0
Dividends paid	0	0
Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries	10,512	36,031
Investment in subsidiaries	17,798	9,645
Net cash used in financing activities	47,206	83,449
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(2,941)	867
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH	5,794	42,651
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period	19,535	16,207
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period	$ 25,329	$ 58,858