8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 11, 2024

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-13461	76-0506313
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

800 Gessner, Suite 500

Houston, Texas 77024

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (713) 647-5700

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 40.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class	Ticker symbol(s)	Name of exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share	GPI	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if that registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 8.01     Other Events.

On January 11, 2024, Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), announced the appointment of Shelley Washburn as Vice President, Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer.

A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release of Group 1 Automotive, Inc., dated as of January 11, 2024.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
	Date:	January 11, 2024	By:	/s/ Gillian A. Hobson
				Name: Gillian A. Hobson
				Title: Senior Vice President

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Group 1 Automotive Appoints New Chief Marketing Officer

HOUSTON, TX, January 11, 2024 - Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI) (“Group 1” or the “Company”),an international, Fortune 300 automotive retailer with 199 dealerships located in the U.S. and U.K., announced the appointment of Shelley Washburn as Vice President, Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer.

Washburn brings to Group 1 more than 30 years of automotive marketing and retail experience. Most recently, she was President of Gulf States Marketing (GSM) and a strategic advisor to Force Marketing, both automotive digital marketing firms. Earlier in her career, Shelley held a diverse range of positions at Ford Motor Company, Gulf State Toyota, and MSX International and a Lincoln dealership.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the talented team at Group 1, and to have the opportunity leverage my diverse marketing and automotive industry experience to drive continued company growth, shareholder value and, most importantly, customer experience. With the changing landscape in how customers want to interact with dealers, and how they consume media, it’s an exciting time to be part of such an innovative team where we can make a difference,” said Shelley Washburn, Vice President, and Chief Marketing Officer.

Shelley previously served on the board of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. She is involved with several philanthropic initiatives and currently sits on the board of Child Advocates. Shelley earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and graduated from the NADA Dealer Candidate Academy.

“We are delighted to welcome Shelley to our leadership team. She is an accomplished automotive industry leader who will bring innovation to our customer engagement and marketing strategies,” said Daryl Kenningham, Group 1’s President and CEO.

ABOUT GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

Group 1 owns and operates 199 automotive dealerships, 267 franchises, and 41 collision centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 35 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships and omni-channel platform, the Company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service and insurance contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.

Media contacts:

Pete DeLongchamps

Senior Vice President, Manufacturer Relations, Financial Services and Public Affairs

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

pdelongchamps@group1auto.com

or

Clint Woods

Pierpont Communications, Inc.

713-627-2223

cwoods@piercom.com

1

XML

Cover	Jan. 11, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Jan. 11, 2024
Entity Registrant Name	Group 1 Automotive, Inc
Entity Central Index Key	0001031203
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	1-13461
Entity Tax Identification Number	76-0506313
Entity Address, Address Line One	800 Gessner
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 500
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77024
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	647-5700
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	GPI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false