EXHIBIT 99.1

                               CERTIFICATION OF
                           CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                         OF GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
                      PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. Section 1350


In connection with the accompanying report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2002, and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr., Chief Executive
Officer of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certify that:

         1.       The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         2.       The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
                  all material respects, the financial condition and results of
                  operations of the Company.



                                    /s/ B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr.
                                    ---------------------------
                                    B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr.
                                    March 26, 2003