HOUSTON, TX -- (Marketwire) -- 05/21/09 -- Group 1 Automotive Inc. (NYSE: GPI), a Fortune 500 automotive retailer, announced that stockholders re-elected directors Earl J. Hesterberg and Beryl Raff to additional three-year terms at today's annual stockholders' meeting.

Hesterberg, 55, Group 1's president and chief executive officer, has served as a director since April 2005. Prior to joining Group 1, Hesterberg served as group vice president, North America marketing, sales and service for Ford Motor Company beginning in October 2004. From July 1999 to September 2004, he served as vice president, marketing, sales and service for Ford of Europe. He previously served as president and chief executive officer of Gulf States Toyota, and held various senior sales, marketing, general management and parts and service positions with Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A. and Nissan Europe. Hesterberg also serves on the board of directors of the Greater Houston Partnership, a local non-profit organization dedicated to building regional economic prosperity.

Raff, 58, has served as one of Group 1's directors since June 2007. In April 2009, Raff was elected chairman and chief executive officer of Helzberg Diamond Shops Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Previously, she served as executive vice president-general merchandising manager from 2005 through 2009 and as senior vice president from 2001 through 2005, for the fine jewelry division of J.C. Penney Company Inc. Raff also serves on the board of directors, the corporate governance committee and as the chairman of the compensation committee of Jo-Ann Stores Inc. In addition, she serves on the advisory board of Jewelers Circular Keystone and on the board of directors of Dallas Summer Musicals.

"Earl Hesterberg and Beryl Raff bring a wealth of automotive and retail expertise to Group 1 Automotive's boardroom," said John L. Adams, Group 1's chairman of the board. "We are pleased that Group 1 will continue to benefit from their respective knowledge, especially during this turbulent automotive retailing period."

Additionally, stockholders approved an amendment to Group 1's 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, increasing the total number of shares available for employee purchase from 2,500,000 to 3,500,000. They also ratified the appointment by the audit committee of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors of Group 1 for the year ended Dec. 31, 2009.

About Group 1 Automotive Inc.

Group 1 owns and operates 99 automotive dealerships, 133 franchises, and 24 collision service centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 31 brands of automobiles.