Group 1 Automotive (GPI) 8-K Group 1 Automotive To Present At J.P. Morgan Auto Conference

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Group 1 Automotive To Present At J.P. Morgan Auto Conference

HOUSTON, Aug. 13, 2012 —Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI),a Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today announced that senior management is scheduled to present at the J.P. Morgan Auto Conference at 12:15 p.m. ET on Aug. 14 at the J.P. Morgan Conference Center in New York City.

A live audio webcast, with a replay available for 30 days, 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 122automotive dealerships, 159 franchises, and 28collision centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 32 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