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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.37

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Employment Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between Group 1
Automotive, Inc. having offices at 950 Echo Lane, Suite 350, Houston, Texas
77024 ("Employer"), and John S. Bishop, an individual currently residing at 6802
Oak Knoll Drive, Richmond, Texas 77469 ("Employee"), to be effective as of
October 7, 1998.

         For and in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and
obligations contained herein, Employer and Employee agree as follows:

1.       EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES:

         1.1. Employer agrees to employ Employee, and Employee agrees to be
employed by Employer, beginning October 7, 1998 and continuing throughout the
Term (as defined below) of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement.

         1.2. Employee shall serve as Senior Vice President - Operations of
Employer. Employee agrees to serve in the assigned position and to perform
diligently and to the best of Employee's abilities the duties and services
appertaining to such position as determined by Employer, as well as such
additional or different duties and services appropriate to such position which
Employee from time to time may be reasonably directed to perform by Employer.
Employee shall at all times comply with and be subject to such policies and
procedures as Employer may establish from time to time.

         1.3. Employee shall, during the period of Employee's employment by
Employer, devote Employee's full business time, energy, and best efforts to the
business and affairs of Employer. Employee may not engage, directly or
indirectly, in any other business, investment, or activity that interferes with
Employee's performance of Employee's duties hereunder, is contrary to the
interests of Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or requires any
significant portion of Employee's business time; provided, however, that
Employee may engage in passive personal investments that do not conflict with
the business and affairs of the Employer or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates or interfere with Employee's performance of his or her duties
hereunder.

         1.4. Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee owes a fiduciary
duty of loyalty, fidelity and allegiance to act at all times in the best
interests of Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and to do no act
which would injure the business, interests, or reputation of Employer or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates. In keeping with these duties, Employee shall
make full disclosure to Employer of all business opportunities pertaining to
Employer's business and shall not appropriate for Employee's own benefit
business opportunities concerning the subject matter of the fiduciary
relationship.