Group 1 Automotive (GPI) 8-K Group 1 Automotive To Present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2012 New York Auto Summit

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Group 1 Automotive To Present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2012 New York Auto Summit

HOUSTON, March 30, 2012 —Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI),a Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today announced that senior management will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2012 New York Auto Summit on April 4, at the Crowne Plaza Times Square hotel in New York City. The presentation is scheduled to begin at 3:50 p.m. ET.

A live audio webcast, with a replay available through May 3, will be available on the Investor Relations section of Group 1’s website athttp://www.group1corp.com/news/events.aspx orwww.group1auto.com.

About Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Group 1 owns and operates 111automotive dealerships, 143 franchises, and 28collision centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 31 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships, the company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing, service and insurance contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.

Group 1 Automotive can be reached on the Internet atwww.group1auto.com.

SOURCE: Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Investor Contacts:
Kim Paper Canning
Manager, Investor Relations
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
713-647-5741 |kpaper@group1auto.com

Media Contacts:
Pete DeLongchamps
V.P. Financial Services and Manufacturer Relations
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
713-647-5770 |pdelongchamps@group1auto.com
or
Clint Woods
Pierpont Communications, Inc.
713-627-2223 |cwoods@piercom.com