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): October 14, 2003


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


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


                            950 Echo Lane, Suite 100
                              Houston, Texas 77024
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

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








Item 5.  Other Events

         On October 14, 2003, Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
announced that J. Terry Strange had been elected to the Board of Directors. A
copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated
herein by reference.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits


     (c) Exhibits

              99.1      Press Release of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. dated as of
                        October 14, 2003, reporting on the election of J. Terry
                        Strange to the Board of Directors.










                                   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.



    October 14, 2003              By:      /s/ Scott L. Thompson
---------------------------------   -------------------------------------------
        Date                        Scott L. Thompson, Executive Vice President,
                                    Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer






                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS



     (c) Exhibits

              99.1      Press Release of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. dated as of
                        October 14, 2003, reporting on the election of J. Terry
                        Strange to the Board of Directors.