Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI), an international, Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today announced that it is expanding its Board of Directors to 10 Directors and has appointed Carin M. Barth to fill the newest position.

Ms. Barth is co-founder and President of LB Capital Inc., a private equity investment firm established in 1988. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Enterprise Holdings LLC, the General Partner of Enterprise Product Partners L.P., and Black Stone Minerals L.P. where she is chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Barth also serves as Chair of the Investment Advisory Committee for Texas Tech University, a Trustee of the Welch Foundation, and a board member of the Ronald McDonald House of Houston.

Group 1 Automotive CEO Earl Hesterberg said, “It is exciting to add Carin to our Board. She has a long history of corporate and civic governance excellence with very large organizations based in our home market of Houston and throughout the state of Texas.” Group 1 Chairman of the Board John Adams added, “Carin is a well-respected business and civic leader who will provide additional depth and great financial expertise to our Board. She is a terrific addition.”

Barth received a B.S. from the University of Alabama and an M.B.A. from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management.

ABOUT GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. Group 1 owns and operates 157 automotive dealerships, 208 franchises, and 38 collision centers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil that offer 31 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships, the Company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.