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): September 15, 2005

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-13461	76-0506313
_____________________ (State or other jurisdiction	_____________ (Commission	______________ (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)
950 Echo Lane, Suite 100, Houston, Texas		77024
_________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices)		___________ (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 713-647-5700

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
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 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On September 15, 2005, Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation, announced that it has resumed operations at four of its six New Orleans-area dealerships.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release of Group 1 Automotive, Inc., dated as of September 15, 2005.

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 hereunto duly authorized.

	Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
September 16, 2005	By:	Robert T. Ray
		Name: Robert T. Ray
		Title: Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release of Group 1 Automotive, Inc., dated as of September 15, 2005.

EX-99.1

NEWS RELEASE 950 Echo Lane, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77024

AT GROUP 1:	President and CEO	Earl J. Hesterberg	(713) 647-5700
	SVP, CFO and Treasurer	Robert T. Ray	(713) 647-5700
	Manager, Investor Relations	Kim Paper Canning	(713) 647-5700
AT Fleishman-Hillard:	Investors/Media	Russell A. Johnson	(713) 513-9515

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, SEPT. 15, 2005

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE RESUMES OPERATIONS AT FOUR NEW ORLEANS-AREA DEALERSHIPS

HOUSTON, Sept. 15, 2005 — Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI), a Fortune 500 specialty retailer, announced today that it has resumed operations at four of its six New Orleans-area dealerships, all of which have been closed since Hurricane Katrina hit the area in late August.

The four re-opened dealerships are located on the West Bank, where flooding was less severe than in other areas, and consist of Buick, Ford, GMC, Lincoln-Mercury, Pontiac and Toyota/Scion franchises. Although each of the dealerships suffered physical damage and some significant repairs remain to be made, utility services have been restored and the dealerships’ 322 employees have begun returning to work. The company expects that customer traffic will increase as residents and business owners return to the area.

The company’s two remaining dealerships in the area, Ford in New Orleans and Dodge in Metairie, suffered severe and prolonged flooding, and remain closed. To date, limited access to these stores has prevented the completion of a damage assessment.

The West Bank, New Orleans and Metairie dealerships contributed 4.3 percent, 0.5 percent and 0.8 percent, respectively, of Group 1’s total new vehicle unit sales during the first six months of 2005.

About Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
Group 1 owns 95 automotive dealerships comprised of 143 franchises, 33 brands and 31 collision service centers located in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma and Texas. Through its dealerships and Internet sites, the company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related financing, vehicle service and insurance contracts; provides maintenance and repair services; and sells replacement parts.

Group 1 Automotive can be reached on the Internet at www.group1auto.com.