Exhibit 32.1

                                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, 2003, 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, to the best
of my knowledge, 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.

Date: March 11, 2004

                                                     /s/ B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr.
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr.
                                                     Chief Executive Officer

         A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has
been provided to Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and will be retained by Group 1
Automotive, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff upon request.