e10vq
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q
 
 
     
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from          to          
 
Commission File Number: 1-13461
 
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
     
Delaware   76-0506313
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
800 Gessner, Suite 500
Houston, Texas 77024
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
(713) 647-5700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this Chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
As of October 22, 2010, the registrant had 23,725,600 shares of common stock, par value $0.01, outstanding.
 


 

 
GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  Item 1.     Financial Statements     3  
        Cautionary Statement about Forward-Looking Statements     31  
  Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     33  
  Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk     55  
  Item 4.     Controls and Procedures     56  
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
  Item 1.     Legal Proceedings     56  
  Item 1A.     Risk Factors     56  
  Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds     58  
  Item 6.     Exhibits     59  
SIGNATURE     60  
 EX-4.1
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2


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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Financial Statements
 
GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
    (Unaudited)        
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
 
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 96,162     $ 13,221  
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net
    92,649       86,500  
Accounts and notes receivable, net
    66,492       62,496  
Inventories
    757,201       596,743  
Deferred income taxes
    15,340       14,653  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    37,520       48,425  
                 
Total current assets
    1,065,364       822,038  
                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
    458,303       475,828  
GOODWILL
    508,651       500,426  
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS
    158,736       157,855  
OTHER ASSETS
    10,458       13,267  
                 
Total assets
  $ 2,201,512     $ 1,969,414  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility
  $ 598,738     $ 420,319  
Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates
    103,922       115,180  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    14,304       14,355  
Current liabilities from interest rate risk management activities
    4,357       10,412  
Accounts payable
    84,864       72,276  
Accrued expenses
    83,459       86,271  
                 
Total current liabilities
    889,644       718,813  
                 
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities
    431,643       444,141  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
    56,376       33,932  
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
    19,960       20,151  
OTHER LIABILITIES
    29,585       26,633  
DEFERRED REVENUES
    3,829       5,588  
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
           
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 26,308 and 26,219 issued, respectively
    263       262  
Additional paid-in capital
    371,112       346,055  
Retained earnings
    511,667       471,932  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (22,162 )     (26,256 )
Treasury stock, at cost; 2,579 and 1,740 shares, respectively
    (90,405 )     (71,837 )
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    770,475       720,156  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 2,201,512     $ 1,969,414  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Nine Months Ended
 
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (Unaudited, In thousands, except per share amounts)  
 
REVENUES:
                               
New vehicle retail sales
  $ 822,121     $ 728,089     $ 2,254,093     $ 1,883,973  
Used vehicle retail sales
    340,625       254,716       960,376       729,345  
Used vehicle wholesale sales
    58,463       43,151       156,653       112,536  
Parts and service sales
    196,264       183,254       575,762       547,224  
Finance, insurance and other, net
    44,282       37,509       124,533       102,213  
                                 
Total revenues
    1,461,755       1,246,719       4,071,417       3,375,291  
COST OF SALES:
                               
New vehicle retail sales
    775,046       679,470       2,122,533       1,770,900  
Used vehicle retail sales
    310,055       228,445       870,823       652,640  
Used vehicle wholesale sales
    58,158       41,872       153,565       109,205  
Parts and service sales
    89,657       84,911       264,484       256,756  
                                 
Total cost of sales
    1,232,916       1,034,698       3,411,405       2,789,501  
                                 
GROSS PROFIT
    228,839       212,021       660,012       585,790  
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
    173,925       162,466       522,796       466,813  
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
    6,772       6,666       19,936       19,541  
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS
    1,639       702       3,121       2,837  
                                 
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
    46,503       42,187       114,159       96,599  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                               
Floorplan interest expense
    (9,021 )     (7,523 )     (25,220 )     (24,342 )
Other interest expense, net
    (6,894 )     (7,318 )     (20,265 )     (21,857 )
Gain (loss) on redemption of long-term debt
          598       (3,872 )     8,211  
Other expense, net
          (4 )           (6 )
                                 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    30,588       27,940       64,802       58,605  
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    (11,603 )     (9,600 )     (25,067 )     (21,808 )
                                 
NET INCOME
  $ 18,985     $ 18,340     $ 39,735     $ 36,797  
                                 
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE
  $ 0.85     $ 0.80     $ 1.74     $ 1.61  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    22,419       22,965       22,877       22,833  
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
  $ 0.83     $ 0.78     $ 1.70     $ 1.58  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    22,926       23,503       23,414       23,240  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                 
    Nine Months Ended
 
    September 30,  
    2010     2009  
    (Unaudited, In thousands)  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net income
  $ 39,735     $ 36,797  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    19,936       19,541  
Deferred income taxes
    22,224       23,078  
Stock-based compensation
    7,505       7,367  
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
    3,170       (709 )
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs
    6,336       5,413  
(Gain) loss on redemption of long-term debt
    3,872       (8,211 )
Asset Impairments
    3,121       2,837  
Tax effect from stock-based compensation
    985       348  
Other
    (131 )     (504 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
               
Inventories
    (152,947 )     373,146  
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables
    (5,888 )     35,909  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    9,624       (15,478 )
Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates
    (10,281 )     (39,454 )
Accounts and notes receivable
    (4,747 )     20,865  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    7,060       7,304  
Deferred revenues
    (1,759 )     (3,477 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (52,185 )     464,772  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received
    (34,431 )     (3,754 )
Proceeds from sales of franchises and related real estate
    41,001       21,068  
Purchases of property and equipment
    (22,699 )     (11,711 )
Other
    1,145       1,901  
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (14,984 )     7,504  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Borrowings on credit facility — Floorplan Line
    3,731,339       2,675,415  
Repayments on credit facility — Floorplan Line
    (3,552,920 )     (3,065,676 )
Repayments on credit facility — Acquisition Line
          (139,000 )
Borrowings on credit facility — Acquisition Line
          89,000  
Borrowings on mortgage facility
          29,133  
Principal payments on mortgage facility
    (35,284 )     (17,150 )
Proceeds from issuance of 3.00% Convertible Notes
    115,000        
Debt issue costs
    (3,959 )      
Purchase of equity calls
    (45,939 )      
Sale of equity warrants
    29,309        
Redemption of other long-term debt
    (77,011 )     (20,859 )
Borrowings of other long-term debt
    4,909        
Principal payments of long-term debt related to real estate loans
    (2,685 )     (34,049 )
Borrowings of long-term debt related to real estate
    12,804        
Principal payments of other long-term debt
    (558 )     (397 )
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date
    (26,765 )      
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to benefit plans
    2,562       2,520  
Debt extinguishment costs related to real estate loans
          (534 )
Tax effect from stock-based compensation
    (985 )     (348 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    149,817       (481,945 )
                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
    293       1,407  
                 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    82,941       (8,262 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
    13,221       23,144  
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
  $ 96,162     $ 14,882  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
                                                                         
                      Accumulated Other
             
                            Comprehensive Income (Loss)              
                            Unrealized
                         
                            Gains
    Unrealized
    Unrealized
             
                            (Losses)
    Gains
    Gains
             
                Additional
          on Interest
    (Losses)
    (Losses)
             
    Common Stock     Paid-in
    Retained
    Rate
    on Marketable
    on Currency
    Treasury
       
 
  Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Swaps     Securities     Translation     Stock     Total  
    (Unaudited, In thousands)  
 
BALANCE, December 31, 2009
    26,219     $ 262     $ 346,055     $ 471,932     $ (19,102 )   $ 104     $ (7,258 )   $ (71,837 )   $ 720,156  
Comprehensive income:
                                                                       
Net income
                      39,735                               39,735  
Interest rate swap adjustment, net of tax provision of $2,342
                            3,904                         3,904  
Unrealized loss on investments, net of tax benefit of $7
                                  (11 )                 (11 )
Unrealized gain on currency translation
                                        201             201  
                                                                         
Total comprehensive income
                                                                    43,829  
Purchases of treasury stock
                                              (26,765 )     (26,765 )
Issuance of common and treasury shares to employee benefit plans
    (226 )     (2 )     (9,156 )                             8,197       (961 )
Proceeds from sales of common stock under employee benefit plans
    112       1       2,561                                     2,562  
Issuance of restricted stock
    232       2       (2 )                                    
Forfeiture of restricted stock
    (29 )                                                
Stock-based compensation
                7,505                                     7,505  
Tax effect from options exercised and the vesting of restricted shares
                (935 )                                   (935 )
Purchase of equity calls, net of deferred tax benefit of $17,227
                (28,712 )                                   (28,712 )
Sale of equity warrants
                29,309                                     29,309  
Equity component of 3.00% Covertible Note issuance, net of deferred tax liability of $14,692
                24,487                                     24,487  
                                                                         
BALANCE, September 30, 2010
    26,308     $ 263     $ 371,112     $ 511,667     $ (15,198 )   $ 93     $ (7,057 )   $ (90,405 )   $ 770,475  
                                                                         
                                                                         
                                                                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.   BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION
 
Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation, through its subsidiaries, is a leading operator in the automotive retailing industry with operations in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas in the United States of America (the “U.S.”) and in the towns of Brighton, Farnborough, Hailsham, Hindhead and Worthing in the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”). Through their dealerships, these subsidiaries sell new and used cars and light trucks; arrange related financing, and sell vehicle service and insurance contracts; provide maintenance and repair services; and sell replacement parts. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and its subsidiaries are herein collectively referred to as the “Company” or “Group 1.”
 
As of September 30, 2010, the Company’s retail network consisted of the following three regions (with the number of dealerships they comprised): (i) Eastern (42 dealerships in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and South Carolina); (ii) Central (43 dealerships in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas); and (iii) Western (11 dealerships in California). Each region is managed by a regional vice president who reports directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the overall performance of their regions, as well as for overseeing the market directors and dealership general managers that report to them. Each region is also managed by a regional chief financial officer who reports directly to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. The Company has five dealerships in the U.K. that are also managed locally with direct reporting responsibilities to the Company’s corporate management team.
 
2.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
 
Basis of Presentation
 
All acquisitions of dealerships completed during the periods presented have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and their results of operations are included from the effective dates of the closings of the acquisitions. The allocations of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are assigned and recorded based on estimates of fair value. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Interim Financial Information
 
The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Due to seasonality and other factors, the results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the entire fiscal year. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (“2009 Form 10-K”).
 
Statements of Cash Flows
 
With respect to all new vehicle floorplan borrowings, the manufacturers of the vehicles draft the Company’s credit facilities directly with no cash flow to or from the Company. With respect to borrowings for used vehicle financing, the Company chooses which vehicles to finance and the funds flow directly to the Company from the lender. All borrowings from, and repayments to, lenders affiliated with the vehicle manufacturers (excluding the cash flows from or to manufacturer affiliated lenders participating in the Company’s syndicated lending group) are presented within Cash Flows from Operating Activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and all


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
borrowings from, and repayments to, the syndicated lending group under the revolving credit facility (including the cash flows from or to manufacturer affiliated lenders participating in the facility) are presented within Cash Flows from Financing Activities.
 
A reclassification was made within Cash Flows from Financing Activities on the 2009 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows to reflect investments in the floorplan offset account related to Floorplan Notes Payable — Credit Facility as repayments on the credit facility and withdrawals from the offset account as borrowings on the credit facility.
 
Income Taxes
 
Currently, the Company operates in 15 different states in the U.S. and in the U.K., each of which has unique tax rates and payment calculations. As the amount of income generated in each jurisdiction varies from period to period, the Company’s estimated effective tax rate can vary based on the proportion of taxable income generated in each jurisdiction.
 
The Company follows the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recorded based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the underlying assets are realized or liabilities are settled. A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
 
Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities
 
The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, accounts and notes receivable, investments in debt and equity securities, accounts payable, credit facilities, long-term debt and interest rate swaps. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, and credit facilities approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments or the existence of variable interest rates. The Company’s investments in debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale securities and thus are carried at fair market value. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair market value. See Note 8, “Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities” and Note 10, “Fair Value Measurements” for further details regarding the Company’s derivative financial instruments and fair value measurements. The Company carries its long-term debt at face value, net of applicable discounts. As of September 30, 2010, the face value of $115.0 million of the Company’s outstanding 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (the “3.00% Notes”) had a carrying value, net of applicable discount, of $73.6 million, and a fair value, based on quoted market prices, of $110.9 million. The face value of $182.8 million of the Company’s outstanding 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 (the “2.25% Notes”) had a carrying value, net of applicable discount, as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 of $136.6 million and $131.9 million, respectively, and a fair value, based on quoted market prices, of $151.0 million and $143.5 million, respectively.
 
Long-Lived Assets
 
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment when evidence exists that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable (i.e., triggering events). This review consists of comparing the carrying amount of the asset with its expected future undiscounted cash flows without interest costs. If the asset’s carrying amount is greater than the future undiscounted cash flow estimate, then it is required to be written down to its fair value, as applicable.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Goodwill
 
The Company defines its reporting units as each of its three regions in the U.S. and the U.K. Goodwill represents the excess, at the date of acquisition, of the purchase price of the business acquired over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Annually in the fourth quarter, the Company performs a fair value and potential impairment assessment of its goodwill. An impairment analysis is done more frequently if certain events or circumstances arise that would indicate a change in the fair value of the non-financial asset has occurred (i.e., an impairment indicator). In evaluating its goodwill, the Company compares the carrying value of the net assets of each reporting unit to its respective fair value. This represents the first step of the impairment test. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value of its net assets, the Company must proceed to step two of the impairment test. Step two involves allocating the calculated fair value to all of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets of the reporting unit as if the calculated fair value was the purchase price in a business combination. To the extent the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds its implied fair value under step two of the impairment test, an impairment charge equal to the difference is recorded. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company did not identify an impairment indicator relative to its goodwill. As a result, the Company was not required to conduct the first step of the impairment test. However, if in future periods the Company determines that the carrying amount of the net assets of one or more of its reporting units exceeds the respective fair value as a result of step one, the Company believes that the application of step two of the impairment test could result in a material impairment charge to the goodwill associated with the reporting unit(s).
 
Intangible Franchise Rights
 
The Company’s only significant identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill, are rights under franchise agreements with manufacturers, which are recorded at an individual dealership level. The Company expects these franchise agreements to continue for an indefinite period and, when these agreements do not have indefinite terms, the Company believes that renewal of these agreements can be obtained without substantial cost. As such, the Company believes that its franchise agreements will contribute to cash flows for an indefinite period and, therefore, the carrying amounts of the franchise rights are not amortized. The Company evaluates these franchise rights for impairment annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate possible impairment has occurred. In performing its impairment assessments, the Company tests the carrying value of each individual franchise right that was recorded by using a direct value method, discounted cash flow model. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company did not identify an impairment indicator relative to its capitalized value of intangible franchise rights and, therefore, no impairment evaluation was required.
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
The functional currency for the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the Pound Sterling. The financial statements of all of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars using period-end exchange rates and all revenues and expenses are translated at average rates during the respective period. The U.S. Dollar results that arise from the translation of all assets and liabilities are included in the cumulative currency translation adjustments in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) in stockholders’ equity and other income/(expense), when applicable.
 
Accounting for Convertible Debt
 
The Company separately accounts for the liability and equity component of its convertible debt instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s economic interest cost. Upon issuance of a convertible debt instrument, the Company estimates the fair value of the debt component. The resulting residual value is determined to be the fair value of the equity component of the Company’s convertible debt and is included in the paid-in-capital section of stockholder’s equity, net of applicable taxes, on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The value of the equity component is treated as an original issue discount for purposes of accounting for the debt component, which


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
is amortized as non-cash interest expense through the date that the convertible debt is first able to be put to the Company. See Note 7 “Long-term Debt” for further details on the impact of this convertible debt accounting to the Company’s financial statements.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU 2010-06”) to require disclosure of: (1) amounts, and reasons why, of significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy (2) reasons for any transfers in or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and (3) information in the reconciliation of recurring Level 3 measurements about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis. In addition, ASU 2010-06 amended existing disclosure requirements of ASC Topic No. 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”), to clarify that fair value measurement disclosures should be provided by class of assets and liabilities (rather than by each major category). Except for requirement (3) above, all of the amendments to ASC 820 made by ASU 2010-06 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. Requirement (3) above will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company adopted the applicable reporting requirements of ASU 2010-06 as of January 1, 2010. The Company does not expect the adoption of the amendments regarding requirement (3) to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 10, “Fair Value Measurements” for further details regarding the Company’s fair value measurements.
 
3.   STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
 
The Company provides compensation benefits to employees and non-employee directors pursuant to its 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended, as well as to employees pursuant to its 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended.
 
2007 Long Term Incentive Plan
 
The “Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan,” (the “Incentive Plan”) was amended and restated in May 2010 to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the plan from 6.5 million to 7.5 million, for grants to non-employee directors, officers and other employees of the Company and its subsidiaries of: (1) options (including options qualified as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and options that are non-qualified) the exercise price of which may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant, and (2) stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance awards, bonus stock and phantom stock awards, each at the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. The Incentive Plan expires on March 8, 2017. The terms of the awards (including vesting schedules) are established by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. All outstanding option awards are exercisable over a period not to exceed ten years and vest over a period not to exceed five years. Certain of the Company’s option awards are subject to graded vesting over a service period. In those cases, the Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of valuation and reduce expense ratably over the vesting period. This estimate is adjusted periodically based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from the previous estimate. As of September 30, 2010, there were 1,606,926 shares available under the Incentive Plan for future grants of these awards.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Stock Option Awards
 
No stock option awards have been granted since November 2005. The following summary presents information regarding outstanding options as of September 30, 2010, and the changes during the nine months then ended:
 
                 
          Weighted
 
          Average
 
    Number     Exercise Price  
 
Options outstanding, December 31, 2009
    122,894     $ 29.61  
Granted
           
Exercised
    (7,540 )     16.02  
Forfeited
    (4,601 )     28.38  
                 
Options outstanding, September 30, 2010
    110,753       30.86  
                 
Options vested at September 30, 2010
    110,753       30.86  
                 
Options exercisable at September 30, 2010
    110,753     $ 30.86  
                 
 
Restricted Stock Awards
 
In 2005, the Company began granting non-employee directors and certain employees, at no cost to the recipient, restricted stock awards or, at their election, phantom stock awards, pursuant to the Incentive Plan. In November 2006, the Company began to grant certain employees, at no cost to the recipient, performance awards pursuant to the Incentive Plan. Restricted stock awards are considered outstanding at the date of grant, but are subject to forfeiture provisions for periods ranging from nine months to five years. The phantom stock awards will settle in shares of common stock upon the termination of the grantees’ employment or directorship and vest over a period not to exceed five years. Performance awards are considered outstanding at the date of grant, with forfeiture provisions that lapse based on time and the achievement of certain performance criteria established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. In the event the employee or director terminates his or her employment or directorship with the Company prior to the lapse of the restrictions, the shares, in most cases, will be forfeited to the Company. Compensation expense for these awards is calculated based on the price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and recognized over the requisite service period or as the performance criteria are met.
 
A summary of these awards as of September 30, 2010, and the changes during the nine months then ended, is as follows:
 
                 
          Weighted Average
 
          Grant Date
 
    Awards     Fair Value  
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2009
    1,406,882     $ 20.71  
Granted
    241,826       28.39  
Vested
    (124,724 )     30.44  
Forfeited
    (28,800 )     27.25  
                 
Nonvested at September 30, 2010
    1,495,184     $ 21.06  
                 
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
In September 1997, the Company adopted the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (the “Purchase Plan”). The Purchase Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 3.5 million shares of common stock and provides that no options to purchase shares may be granted under the Purchase Plan after March 6, 2016.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The Purchase Plan is available to all employees of the Company and its participating subsidiaries and is a qualified plan as defined by Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. At the end of each fiscal quarter (the “Option Period”) during the term of the Purchase Plan, the employee contributions are used by the employee to acquire shares of common stock from the Company at 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the first or the last day of the Option Period, whichever is lower. As of September 30, 2010, there were 970,555 shares remaining in reserve for future issuance under the Purchase Plan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company issued 111,744 and 155,857 shares, respectively, of common stock to employees participating in the Purchase Plan.
 
The weighted average fair value of employee stock purchase rights issued pursuant to the Purchase Plan was $8.30 and $6.48 during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The fair value of the stock purchase rights was calculated as the sum of (a) the difference between the stock price and the employee purchase price, (b) the value of the embedded call option and (c) the value of the embedded put option.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
Total stock-based compensation cost was $2.3 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $7.5 million and $7.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. Cash received from option exercises and Purchase Plan purchases was $2.6 million and $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Additional paid-in capital was reduced by $0.9 million and $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for the effect of tax deductions for options exercised and vesting of restricted shares that were less than the associated book expense previously recognized. Total income tax benefit recognized for stock-based compensation arrangements was $2.1 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
 
The Company issues new shares when options are exercised or restricted stock vests or uses treasury shares, if available. With respect to shares issued under the Purchase Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized specific share repurchases to fund the shares issuable under the Purchase Plan.
 
4.   EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed based on weighted average shares outstanding and excludes dilutive securities. Diluted EPS is computed including the impact of all potentially dilutive securities. The following table sets forth the calculation of EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Nine Months Ended
 
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
 
Net income
  $ 18,985     $ 18,340     $ 39,735     $ 36,797  
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
    22,419       22,965       22,877       22,833  
Dilutive effect of stock options, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock
    4       13       10       6  
Dilutive effect of restricted stock and employee stock purchases, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock
    503       525       527       401  
                                 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
    22,926       23,503       23,414       23,240  
                                 
Earnings per share from:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.85     $ 0.80     $ 1.74     $ 1.61  
Diluted
  $ 0.83     $ 0.78     $ 1.70     $ 1.58  


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The weighted average number of stock-based awards not included in the calculation of the dilutive effect of stock-based awards was 0.2 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and 0.2 million and 0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
If the 2.25% Notes become convertible into common shares, the Company will be required to include the dilutive effect of the net shares issuable under the 2.25% Notes and the warrants sold in connection with the 2.25% Notes (the “2.25% Warrants”). Since the average price of the Company’s common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was less than $59.43, no net shares were issuable under the 2.25% Notes or the 2.25% Warrants.
 
If the 3.00% Notes become convertible into common shares, the Company will be required to include the dilutive effect of the net shares issuable under the 3.00% Notes and the warrants sold in connection with the 3.00% Notes (the “3.00% Warrants”). Since the average price of the Company’s common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was less than $38.61, no net shares were issuable under the 3.00% Notes or the 3.00% Warrants.
 
5.   INCOME TAXES
 
The Company is subject to U.S. federal income taxes and income taxes in numerous states. In addition, the Company is subject to income tax in the U.K. relative to its foreign subsidiaries. The effective income tax rate of 37.9% of pretax income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 differed from the federal statutory rate of 35.0% due primarily to taxes provided for the taxable state jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company’s effective tax rate increased to 38.7% from 37.2% for the same period in 2009. The change was primarily due to changes in certain state tax laws and rates, and the mix of pretax income from the taxable state jurisdictions in which the Company operates, as well as the cumulative benefit of $1.9 million recognized during the third quarter of 2009 resulting from a tax election.
 
As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits. Consistent with prior practices, the Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The Company did not incur any interest and penalties nor did it accrue any interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
Taxable years 2005 and subsequent remain open for examination by the Company’s major taxing jurisdictions.
 
6.   CREDIT FACILITIES
 
The Company has a $1.35 billion revolving syndicated credit arrangement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The Company also has a $150.0 million floorplan financing arrangement with Ford Motor Credit Company (the “FMCC Facility”), a $231.2 million real estate credit facility for financing of real estate expansion, as well as, arrangements with several other automobile manufacturers for financing of a portion of its rental vehicle inventory. Within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, Floorplan Notes Payable — Credit Facility reflects amounts payable for the purchase of specific new, used and rental vehicle inventory (with the exception of new and rental vehicle purchases financed through lenders affiliated with the respective manufacturer) whereby financing is provided by the Revolving Credit Facility. Floorplan Notes Payable — Manufacturer Affiliates reflects amounts payable for the purchase of specific new vehicles whereby financing is provided by the FMCC Facility, the financing of new and used vehicles in the U.K. with BMW Financial Services and the financing of rental vehicle inventory with several other manufacturers. Payments on the floorplan notes payable are generally due as the vehicles are sold. As a result, these obligations are reflected on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as current liabilities.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Revolving Credit Facility
 
The Revolving Credit Facility, which is comprised of 20 financial institutions, including four manufacturer-affiliated finance companies, expires in March 2012 and consists of two tranches: $1.0 billion for vehicle inventory floorplan financing (the “Floorplan Line”) and $350.0 million for working capital, including acquisitions (the “Acquisition Line”). Up to half of the Acquisition Line can be borrowed in either Euros or Pound Sterling. The capacity under these two tranches can be re-designated within the overall $1.35 billion commitment, subject to the original limits of a minimum of $1.0 billion for the Floorplan Line and maximum of $350.0 million for the Acquisition Line. The Revolving Credit Facility can be expanded to its maximum commitment of $1.85 billion, subject to participating lender approval. The Acquisition Line bears interest at the one-month London Inter Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin that ranges from 150 to 250 basis points, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio. The Floorplan Line bears interest at rates equal to LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points for new vehicle inventory and LIBOR plus 97.5 basis points for used vehicle inventory. In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Acquisition Line, as well as the Floorplan Line. The available funds on the Acquisition Line carry a commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.375% per annum, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio, based on a minimum commitment of $200.0 million. The Floorplan Line requires a 0.20% commitment fee on the unused portion. In conjunction with the amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility on March 19, 2007, the Company capitalized $2.3 million of related costs that are being amortized over the term of the facility.
 
As of September 30, 2010, after considering outstanding balances of $598.7 million, the Company had $401.3 million of available floorplan capacity under the Floorplan Line. Included in the $401.3 million available balance under the Floorplan Line is $57.9 million of immediately available funds. The weighted average interest rate on the Floorplan Line was 1.1% as of September 30, 2010. With regards to the Acquisition Line, no borrowings were outstanding as of September 30, 2010. After considering the $17.3 million of outstanding letters of credit, and other factors included in the Company’s available borrowing base calculation, there was $137.5 million of available borrowing capacity under the Acquisition Line as of September 30, 2010. The amount of available borrowing capacity under the Acquisition Line may vary from time to time based upon certain debt covenants. Amounts borrowed by the Company under the Floorplan Line of the Revolving Credit Facility must be repaid upon the sale of the specific vehicle financed, and in no case may a borrowing for a vehicle remain outstanding for greater than one year.
 
All of the Company’s domestic dealership-owning subsidiaries are co-borrowers under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of significant covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to make disbursements outside of the ordinary course of business, dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments and engage in mergers or consolidations. The Company is also required to comply with specified financial tests and ratios defined in the Revolving Credit Facility, such as fixed charge coverage, current, total leverage, and senior secured leverage, among others. Further, provisions of the Revolving Credit Facility require the Company to maintain a minimum level of stockholders’ equity (the “Required Stockholders’ Equity”), which effectively limits the amount of disbursements (or “Restricted Payments”) that the Company may make outside the ordinary course of business (e.g., cash dividends and stock repurchases). The Required Stockholders’ Equity is defined as a base of $520.0 million, plus 50% of cumulative adjusted net income, plus 100% of the proceeds from any equity issuances and less non-cash asset impairment charges. The amount by which adjusted stockholders’ equity exceeds the Required Stockholders’ Equity is the amount available for Restricted Payments (the “Amount Available for Restricted Payments”). For purposes of this covenant calculation, net income and stockholders’ equity represents such amounts per the consolidated financial statements, adjusted to exclude the Company’s foreign operations and the impact of the adoption of the accounting standard for convertible debt that became effective on January 1, 2009 and was primarily codified in ASC 470. As of September 30, 2010, the Amount Available for Restricted Payments was $168.0 million.
 
As of September 30, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants and ratios under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company’s obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by essentially all of the Company’s domestic personal property (other than equity interests in dealership-owning


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
subsidiaries) including all motor vehicle inventory and proceeds from the disposition of dealership-owning subsidiaries.
 
Ford Motor Credit Company Facility
 
The FMCC Facility provides for the financing of, and is collateralized by, the Company’s Ford, Lincoln and Mercury new vehicle inventory. This arrangement provides for $150.0 million of floorplan financing and is an evergreen arrangement that may be cancelled with 30 days notice by either party. As of September 30, 2010, the Company had an outstanding balance of $52.8 million with an available floorplan capacity of $97.2 million. This facility bears interest at a rate of Prime plus 150 basis points minus certain incentives; however, the prime rate is defined to be a minimum of 4.0%. As of September 30, 2010, the interest rate on the FMCC Facility was 5.5%, before considering the applicable incentives.
 
Real Estate Credit Facility
 
In 2007, the Company entered into a five-year term real estate credit facility (the “Mortgage Facility”) that matures in March 2012. The Mortgage Facility provides a maximum commitment of $231.2 million of financing for real estate expansion and is syndicated with nine financial institutions including three manufacturer affiliates. The proceeds of the Mortgage Facility are used for acquisitions of real property associated with the Company’s dealerships and other operations. At the Company’s option, any loan under the Mortgage Facility will bear interest at a rate equal to (i) one-month LIBOR plus 1.05% or (ii) the Base Rate as defined in the facility agreement. The interest rate of the Mortgage Facility as of September 30, 2010 was 1.3%. Prior to the maturity of the Mortgage Facility, quarterly principal payments are required for each loan outstanding under the facility at an amount equal to one-eightieth of the original principal amount, with any remaining unpaid principal amount due at the end of the term. The Company capitalized $1.3 million of related debt financing costs that are being amortized over the term of the facility, of which $0.9 million was amortized as of September 30, 2010.
 
The Mortgage Facility is guaranteed by the Company and essentially all of the existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee or are required to guarantee the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility. Each loan is secured by real property (and improvements related thereto) specified by the Company and located at or near a vehicle dealership operated by a subsidiary of the Company or otherwise used or to be used by a vehicle dealership operated by a subsidiary of the Company.
 
As of September 30, 2010, the Company was entitled to (i) sell any property subject to the facility on fair and reasonable terms in an arm’s length transaction, (ii) remove it from the facility, and (iii) repay in full the entire outstanding balance of the loan relating to such sold property. On July 13, 2010, the Mortgage Facility was amended to require that repayments of outstanding loan balances, other than scheduled principal payments, would immediately and permanently reduce the total $235.0 million original commitment. The Company paid down its Mortgage Facility with $3.8 million of the aggregate $12.8 million borrowed as part of its real estate related debt arrangements executed during the three months ended September 30, 2010, thereby permanently reducing the total commitment on the Mortgage Facility from $235.0 million to $231.2 million at September 30, 2010. These aforementioned real estate related debt obligations range in term from three to five years and contain financial covenant ratios, which are calculated on similar terms to those contained in the Credit and Mortgage Facilities.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company paid down $35.3 million in principal payments against the Mortgage Facility. As of September 30, 2010, borrowings under the facility totaled $157.4 million, with $9.0 million recorded as a current maturity of long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, and available borrowings from the Mortgage Facility totaled $73.8 million.
 
The Mortgage Facility contains certain covenants, including financial ratios that must be complied with: fixed charge coverage; senior secured leverage; dispositions of financed properties; ownership of equity interests in a


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
lessor subsidiary; and occupancy or sublease of any financed property. As of September 30, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants and ratios under the Mortgage Facility.
 
Other Credit Facilities
 
The Company has a credit facility with BMW Financial Services for financing of the new, used and rental vehicle inventories of its U.K. operations. This facility is an evergreen arrangement that may be cancelled with notice by either party and bears interest of a base rate, plus a surcharge that varies based upon the type of vehicle being financed. As of September 30, 2010, the interest rates charged for borrowings under this facility ranged from 1.1% to 4.5%.
 
Excluding rental vehicles financed through the Revolving Credit Facility, financing for rental vehicles is typically obtained directly from the automobile manufacturers. These financing arrangements generally require small monthly payments and mature in varying amounts throughout 2010 and 2011. As of September 30, 2010, the interest rate charged on borrowings related to the Company’s rental vehicle fleet ranged from 1.1% to 6.8%. Rental vehicles are typically moved to used vehicle inventory when they are removed from rental service and repayment of the borrowing is required at that time. The Company also receives interest assistance from certain automobile manufacturers. The assistance has ranged from 49.9% to 76.7% of the Company’s floorplan interest expense over the past three years.
 
7.   LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
                 
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 (principal of $182,753 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009)
  $ 136,554     $ 131,932  
3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (principal of $115,000 at September 30, 2010)
    73,645        
8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (principal of $74,600 at December 31, 2009)
          73,267  
Mortgage Facility (see Note 6)
    157,443       192,727  
Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt
    38,367       21,166  
Capital lease obligations related to real estate, maturing in varying amounts through August 2023 with a weighted average interest rate of 3.3%
    39,938       39,404  
                 
      445,947       458,496  
Less current maturities
    14,304       14,355  
                 
    $ 431,643     $ 444,141  
                 
 
2.25% Convertible Senior Notes
 
The Company determined the fair value of its 2.25% Notes using the estimated effective interest rate for similar debt with no convertible features. The original effective interest rate of 7.5% was estimated by comparing debt issuances from companies with similar credit ratings during the same annual period as the Company. The effective interest rate differs from the 7.5%, due to the impact of underwriter fees associated with this issuance that were capitalized as an additional discount to the 2.25% Notes and are being amortized to interest expense through 2016. The effective interest rate may change in the future as a result of future repurchases of the 2.25% Notes. The


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Company utilized a ten-year term for the assessment of the fair value of its 2.25% Notes. As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 the carrying value of the 2.25% Notes, related discount and equity component consisted of the following:
 
                 
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
    2010     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Carrying amount of equity component
  $ 65,270     $ 65,270  
Allocated underwriter fees, net of taxes
    (1,475 )     (1,475 )
Allocated debt issuance cost, net of taxes
    (58 )     (58 )
                 
Total net equity component
  $ 63,737     $ 63,737  
                 
Deferred income tax component
  $ 16,417     $ 18,037  
                 
Principal amount of 2.25% Notes
  $ 182,753     $ 182,753  
Unamortized discount
    (44,457 )     (48,905 )
Unamortized underwriter fees
    (1,742 )     (1,916 )
                 
Net carrying amount of liability component
  $ 136,554     $ 131,932  
                 
Net impact on retained earnings(1)
  $ (36,483 )   $ (33,783 )
                 
Unamortized debt issuance cost
  $ 69     $ 76  
Effective interest rate of liability component
    7.7 %     7.7 %
 
 
(1) Represents the incremental impact of the adoption of the accounting for convertible debt which became effective Janaury 1, 2009 as primarily codified in ASC 470.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the contractual interest expense and the discount amortization, which is recorded as interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, were as follows:
 
                 
    Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
    2010   2009
    (In thousands)
 
Year-to-date contractual interest expense
  $ 3,091     $ 3,338  
Year-to-date discount amortization(1)
  $ 4,320     $ 4,007  
 
 
(1) Represents the incremental impact of the adoption of the accounting for convertible debt which became effective Janaury 1, 2009 as primarily codified in ASC 470.
 
There were no repurchases of the 2.25% Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, but during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company repurchased $41.7 million par value of the 2.25% Notes for $20.9 million in cash and realized a net gain of $8.7 million, which is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In conjunction with the repurchases, $12.6 million of unamortized discount, underwriters’ fees and debt issuance costs were written off. The unamortized cost of the related purchased options (the “2.25% Purchased Options”) acquired at the time the repurchased 2.25% Notes were issued, $13.4 million, which was deductible as original issue discount for tax purposes, was taken into account in determining the Company’s tax gain. Accordingly, the Company recorded a proportionate reduction in its deferred tax assets. In conjunction with these repurchases, $0.4 million of the consideration was attributed to the repurchase of the equity component of the 2.25% Notes and, as such, was recognized as an adjustment to additional paid-in-capital, net of income taxes.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
3.00% Convertible Senior Notes
 
On March 16, 2010, the Company issued $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.00% Notes at par in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). On April 1, 2010, the underwriters of the 3.00% Notes exercised their full over-allotment option, and the Company issued an additional $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.00% Notes. The 3.00% Notes will bear interest at a rate of 3.00% per annum until maturity. Interest on the 3.00% Notes will accrue from March 22, 2010. Interest will be payable semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning September 15, 2010. The 3.00% Notes mature on March 15, 2020, unless earlier repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date.
 
The 3.00% Notes are convertible into cash and, if applicable, common stock based on an initial conversion rate of 25.8987 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 3.00% Notes (which is equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $38.61 per common share) subject to adjustment, on the business day preceding September 15, 2019, under the following circumstances: (1) during any fiscal quarter (and only during such fiscal quarter) beginning after June 30, 2010, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is equal to or more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share (such threshold closing price initially being $50.193); (2) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of 3.00% Notes for each day of the ten day trading period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate of the 3.00% Notes on that day; and (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions set forth in the indenture, dated March 22, 2010, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee, which governs the 3.00% Notes (the “Indenture”). Upon conversion, a holder will receive an amount in cash and common shares of the Company’s common stock, determined in the manner set forth in the Indenture. Upon any conversion of the 3.00% Notes, the Company will deliver to converting holders a settlement amount comprised of cash and, if applicable, shares of the Company’s common stock, based on a conversion value determined by multiplying the then applicable conversion rate by a volume weighted price of the Company’s common stock on each trading day in a specified 25 trading day observation period. In general, as described more fully in the Indenture, converting holders will receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted, the conversion value in cash up to $1,000 and the excess, if any, of the conversion value over $1,000 in shares of the Company’s common stock.
 
The Company may not redeem the 3.00% Notes prior to the maturity date. Holders of the 3.00% Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 3.00% Notes on or after September 15, 2019. If the Company experiences specified types of fundamental changes, as defined in the Indenture, holders of 3.00% Notes may require the Company to repurchase the 3.00% Notes. Any repurchase of the 3.00% Notes pursuant to this provision will be for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 3.00% Notes to be repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the purchase date. Additionally, in the event of a make-whole fundamental change, as defined in the Indenture, the holders of the 3.00% Notes may be entitled to a make-whole premium in the form of an increase in the conversion rate.
 
The net proceeds from the issuance of the 3.00% Notes were used to redeem the Company’s then outstanding 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes (the “8.25% Notes”) which were redeemed on March 30, 2010 at a redemption price of 102.75% plus accrued interest, and to pay $16.6 million net cost of the convertible note hedge transactions (after such cost is partially offset by the proceeds to the Company from the sale of the warrant transactions described below). Underwriters’ fees, recorded as a reduction of the 3.00% Notes balance, totaled $3.5 million and are being amortized over a period of ten years. The amount to be amortized each period is calculated using the effective interest method. Debt issues costs totaled $0.5 million and are also being amortized over a period of ten years using the effective interest method.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The 3.00% Notes rank equal in right of payment to all of the Company’s other existing and future senior indebtedness. The 3.00% Notes are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries and, accordingly, are structurally subordinated to all of the indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries. The 3.00% Notes will also be effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s secured indebtedness.
 
In connection with the issuance of the 3.00% Notes, the Company purchased ten-year call options on its common stock (the “3.00% Purchased Options”). Under the terms of the 3.00% Purchased Options, which become exercisable upon conversion of the 3.00% Notes, the Company has the right to purchase a total of 3.0 million shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $38.61 per share. The total cost of the 3.00% Purchased Options was $45.9 million, which was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in-capital in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. The cost of the 3.00% Purchased Options will be deductible as original issue discount for income tax purposes over the life of the 3.00% Notes (ten years); therefore, the Company has established a deferred tax asset, with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in capital, in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 
In addition to the purchase of the 3.00% Purchased Options, the Company sold warrants in separate transactions (the “3.00% Warrants”). The 3.00% Warrants have a ten-year term and enable the holders to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock from the Company. The 3.00% Warrants are exercisable for a maximum of 3.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $56.74 per share, subject to adjustment for quarterly dividends, liquidation, bankruptcy, or a change in control of the Company and other conditions, including a failure by the Company to deliver registered securities to the purchasers upon exercise. Subject to these adjustments, the maximum amount of shares of the Company’s common stock that could be required to be issued under the 3.00% Warrants is 5.3 million shares. On exercise of the 3.00% Warrants, the Company will settle the difference between the then market price and the strike price of the 3.00% Warrants in shares of the Company’s common stock. The proceeds from the sale of the 3.00% Warrants were $29.3 million, which were recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2010.
 
The 3.00% Purchased Options and 3.00% Warrants transactions were designed to increase the conversion price per share of the Company’s common stock from $38.61 to $56.74 (an 80% premium to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date that the 3.00% Notes were priced to investors) and, therefore, mitigate the potential dilution of the Company’s common stock upon conversion of the 3.00% Notes, if any.
 
For dilutive earnings per share calculations, the Company will be required to include the dilutive effect, if applicable, of the net shares issuable under the 3.00% Notes and the 3.00% Warrants. Since the average price of the Company’s common stock from the date of issuance through September 30, 2010, was less than $38.61, no net shares were issuable under the 3.00% Notes and the 3.00% Warrants. Although the 3.00% Purchased Options have the economic benefit of decreasing the dilutive effect of the 3.00% Notes, such shares are excluded from Group 1’s dilutive shares outstanding as the impact would be anti-dilutive.
 
The Company determined the fair value of its 3.00% Notes using the estimated effective interest rate for similar debt with no convertible features. The interest rate of 8.25% was estimated by receiving a range of quotes from the underwriters of the 3.00% Notes for the estimated rate that the Company could reasonably expect to issue non-convertible debt for the same tenure. The effective interest rate differs from the 8.25%, due to the impact of underwriter fees associated with this issuance that were capitalized as an additional discount to the 3.00% Notes and are being amortized to interest expense through 2020. The effective interest rate may change in the future as a result of future repurchases of the 3.00% Notes. The Company utilized a ten-year term for the assessment of the fair value


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
of its 3.00% Notes. As of September 30, 2010, the carrying value of the 3.00% Notes, related discount and equity component consisted of the following:
 
         
    September 30,
 
    2010  
    (Dollars in
 
    thousands)  
 
Carrying amount of equity component
  $ 25,359  
Allocated underwriter fees, net of taxes
    (760 )
Allocated debt issuance cost, net of taxes
    (112 )
         
Total net equity component
  $ 24,487  
         
Deferred income tax component
  $ 14,210  
         
Principal amount of 3.00% Notes
  $ 115,000  
Unamortized discount
    (39,198 )
Unamortized underwriter fees
    (2,157 )
         
Net carrying amount of liability component
  $ 73,645  
         
Net impact on retained earnings(1)
  $ (803 )
         
Effective interest rate of liability component
    8.6 %
Year-to-date contractual interest expense
  $ 1,822  
Year-to-date discount amortization(1)
  $ 1,285  
Unamortized debt issuance cost
  $ 318  
 
 
(1) Represents the incremental impact of the adoption of the accounting for convertible debt which became effective Janaury 1, 2009 as primarily codified in ASC 470.
 
8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes
 
On March 30, 2010, the Company completed the redemption of its then outstanding $74.6 million face value of 8.25% Notes at a redemption price of 102.75% of the principal amount of the notes, utilizing proceeds from its 3.00% Notes offering. The Company incurred a $3.9 million pretax charge in completing the redemption, consisting primarily of a $2.1 million redemption premium, a $1.5 million write-off of unamortized bond discount and deferred costs and $0.3 million of other debt extinguishment costs. Total cash used in completing the redemption, excluding accrued interest of $0.8 million, was $77.0 million.
 
8.   DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
 
The periodic interest rates of the Revolving Credit Facility and the Mortgage Facility are indexed to one-month LIBOR rates plus an associated company credit risk rate. In order to stabilize earnings exposure related to fluctuations in these rates, the Company employs an interest rate hedging strategy, whereby it enters into arrangements with various financial institutional counterparties with investment grade credit ratings, swapping its variable interest rate exposure for a fixed interest rate over terms not to exceed the Revolving Credit Facility and the Mortgage Facility.
 
The Company reflects the current fair value of all derivatives on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company measures its interest rate derivative instruments utilizing an income approach valuation technique, converting future amounts of cash flows to a single present value in order to obtain a transfer exit price within the bid and ask spread that is most representative of the fair value of its derivative instruments. In measuring fair value, the Company utilizes the option-pricing Black-Scholes present value technique for all of its derivative instruments. This option-pricing technique utilizes a LIBOR forward yield curve, obtained from an independent external service provider, matched to the identical maturity term of the instrument being measured. Observable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation technique incorporate identical contractual notional amounts, fixed coupon rates, periodic terms for interest payments and contract maturity. The Company has determined the valuation


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
measurement inputs of these derivative instruments to maximize the use of observable inputs that market participants would use in pricing similar or identical instruments and market data obtained from independent sources, which is readily observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the derivative instrument. Further, the valuation measurement inputs minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Accordingly, the Company has classified the derivatives within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework as described in ASC 820.
 
The related gains or losses on these interest rate derivatives are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related items being hedged are recognized in expense. However, to the extent that the change in value of a derivative contract does not perfectly offset the change in the value of the items being hedged, that ineffective portion is immediately recognized in other income or expense. Monthly contractual settlements of these swap positions are recognized as floorplan or other interest expense in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. All of the Company’s interest rate hedges are designated as cash flow hedges.
 
As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company held interest rate swaps of $550.0 million in notional value that fixed its underlying LIBOR rate at a weighted average rate of 4.7%. At September 30, 2010, all of the Company’s derivative contracts were determined to be effective, and no significant ineffective portion was recognized in income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the impact of these interest rate hedges increased floorplan interest expense by $5.5 million and $15.9 million, respectively; for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the impact of these interest rate hedges increased floorplan interest expense by $5.1 million and $15.7 million, respectively. Total floorplan interest expense was $9.0 million and $7.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and $25.2 million and $24.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company entered into an interest rate swap of $50.0 million in notional value that will be effective in January 2011 and will expire in August 2015, effectively locking in a rate of 1.7%. Included in its Consolidated Balance Sheets as liabilities from interest rate risk management activities, the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments was $24.3 million and $30.6 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Three of the Company’s interest rate swaps with aggregate notional amounts of $250.0 million expire in December 2010, and one interest rate swap with notional amount of $50.0 million expires in August 2011. As such, the fair value of these instruments is classified as a current liability in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2010 and 2009 are unrealized losses, net of income taxes, totaling $15.2 million and $23.4 million, respectively, related to these hedges.
 
The following table presents the impact during the current and comparative prior year period for the Company’s derivative financial instruments on its Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company had no material gains or losses related to ineffectiveness or amounts excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in the Statements of Operations for either the nine months ended September 30, 2010 or 2009, respectively.
 
                 
    Amount of Gain,
    Net of Tax, Recognized
    in OCI
    Derivatives in Cash
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
Flow Hedging Relationship
  2010   2009
    (In thousands)
 
Interest rate swap contracts
  $ 3,904     $ 4,500  
 


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
                 
    Amount of Loss Reclassified from
    OCI into Statements
     Location of Loss
  of Operations
Reclassified from OCI into
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
Statements of Operations
  2010   2009
    (In thousands)
 
Floorplan interest expense
  $ (15,887 )   $ (15,742 )
Other interest expense
    (2,521 )     (2,220 )
 
The amount expected to be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings (through floorplan interest expense or other interest expense) in the next twelve months is $15.6 million.
 
9.   PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
The Company’s property and equipment consists of the following:
 
                         
    Estimated
             
    Useful Lives
    September 30,
    December 31,
 
    in Years     2010     2009  
          (In thousands)  
 
Land
        $ 154,662     $ 155,623  
Buildings
    30 to 40       225,110       236,261  
Leasehold improvements
    up to 30       75,719       72,346  
Machinery and equipment
    7 to 20       53,915       54,311  
Furniture and fixtures
    3 to 10       52,144       49,502  
Company vehicles
    3 to 5       9,057       9,808  
Construction in progress
          4,830       6,505  
                         
Total
            575,437       584,356  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
            117,134       108,528  
                         
Property and equipment, net
          $ 458,303     $ 475,828  
                         
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company incurred $13.2 million of capital expenditures for the construction of new or expanded facilities and the purchase of equipment and other fixed assets in the maintenance of the Company’s dealerships and facilities. Also, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge of $1.5 million, primarily associated with certain of its leasehold improvements.
 
In addition to the property and equipment described above, the Company holds real estate investments, associated with non-operational dealership facilities that qualified as held-for-sale assets and are classified as current assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet, totaling $23.6 million and $30.4 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company realized a $1.3 million pretax gain from the sale of one of these held-for-sale assets.
 
10.   FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
Guidance primarily codified within ASC 820, defines fair value as the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 requires disclosure of the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date. ASC 820

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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs utilized in the measurement and valuation of financial assets or liabilities as of the measurement date:
 
  •  Level 1 — unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
 
  •  Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation; and
 
  •  Level 3 — unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
 
The Company evaluated its financial and non-financial assets and liabilities for those that met the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework of ASC 820 as discussed below. See Note 8, “Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities” for disclosures related to interest rate derivatives.
 
Marketable Securities and Debt Instruments
 
The Company accounts for its investments in marketable securities and debt instruments based on the guidance described in ASC Topic No. 320, “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities” (“ASC 320”), which established standards of financial accounting and reporting for investments in equity instruments that have readily determinable fair values and for all investments in debt securities. Accordingly, the Company designates these investments as available-for-sale, measures them at fair value and classifies them as either cash and cash equivalents or other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets based upon maturity terms and certain contractual restrictions.
 
The Company maintains multiple trust accounts comprised of money market funds with short-term investments in marketable securities, such as U.S. government securities, commercial paper and bankers acceptances, that have maturities of less than three months. The Company determined that the valuation measurement inputs of these marketable securities represent unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and, accordingly, has classified such investments within Level 1 of the hierarchy framework as described in ASC 820.
 
The Company, within its trust accounts, also holds investments in debt instruments, such as government obligations and other fixed income securities. The debt securities are measured based upon quoted market prices utilizing public information, independent external valuations from pricing services or third-party advisors. Accordingly, the Company has concluded the valuation measurement inputs of these debt securities to represent, at their lowest level, quoted market prices for identical or similar assets in markets where there are few transactions for the assets and has categorized such investments within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework. In addition, the Company periodically invests in unsecured, corporate demand obligations with manufacturer-affiliated finance companies, which bear interest at a variable rate and are redeemable on demand by the Company. Therefore, the Company has classified these demand obligations as cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company determined that the valuation measurement inputs of these instruments include inputs other than quoted market prices, that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable data by correlation. Accordingly, the Company has classified these instruments within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework.
 
Further, the Company holds real estate investments, associated with non-operational dealership facilities that qualified as held-for-sale assets as of September 30, 2010. The Company adjusts the carrying value of these assets each period to an estimate of fair value, less costs to sell, that utilizes third-party appraisals and brokers’ opinions of value, and suspends depreciation of the asset once it is classified as held-for-sale.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The fair values of the Company’s short-term investments, assets held-for-sale, debt securities, and interest rate derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2010 were as follows:
 
                                 
    As of September 30, 2010  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
          (In thousands)        
 
Assets:
                               
Marketable securities — money market
  $ 337     $     $     $ 337  
Assets held-for-sale
          23,622             23,622  
Debt securities:
                               
Demand obligations
          85,985             85,985  
Collaterized mortgage obligations
          1,720             1,720  
Corporate bonds
          1,115             1,115  
Muncipal obligations
          1,009             1,009  
Mortage backed
          813             813  
                                 
Total debt securities
          90,642             90,642  
                                 
Total
  $ 337     $ 114,264     $     $ 114,601  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Interest rate derivative financial instruments
  $     $ 24,317     $     $ 24,317  
                                 
Total
  $     $ 24,317     $     $ 24,317  
                                 
 
11.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Legal Proceedings
 
From time to time, the Company’s dealerships are named in various types of litigation involving customer claims, employment matters, class action claims, purported class action claims, as well as claims involving the manufacturer of automobiles, contractual disputes and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Due to the nature of the automotive retailing business, the Company may be involved in legal proceedings or suffer losses that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. In the normal course of business, the Company is required to respond to customer, employee and other third-party complaints. Amounts that have been accrued or paid related to the settlement of litigation are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, the manufacturers of the vehicles that the Company sells and services have audit rights allowing them to review the validity of amounts claimed for incentive, rebate or warranty-related items and charge the Company back for amounts determined to be invalid rewards under the manufacturers’ programs, subject to the Company’s right to appeal any such decision. Amounts that have been accrued or paid related to the settlement of manufacturer chargebacks of recognized incentives and rebates are included in cost of sales in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, while such amounts for manufacturer chargebacks of recognized warranty-related items are included as a reduction of revenues in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
The Company is not party to any legal proceedings, including class action lawsuits that, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial condition or cash flows of the Company. However, the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
 
Other Matters
 
The Company, acting through its subsidiaries, is the lessee under many real estate leases that provide for the use by the Company’s subsidiaries of their respective dealership premises. Pursuant to these leases, the Company’s


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
subsidiaries generally agree to indemnify the lessor and other parties from certain liabilities arising as a result of the use of the leased premises, including environmental liabilities, or a breach of the lease by the lessee. Additionally, from time to time, the Company enters into agreements in connection with the sale of assets or businesses in which it agrees to indemnify the purchaser, or other parties, from certain liabilities or costs arising in connection with the assets or business. Also, in the ordinary course of business in connection with purchases or sales of goods and services, the Company enters into agreements that may contain indemnification provisions. In the event that an indemnification claim is asserted, liability would be limited by the terms of the applicable agreement.
 
From time to time, primarily in connection with dealership dispositions, the Company’s subsidiaries assign or sublet to the dealership purchaser the subsidiaries’ interests in any real property leases associated with such dealerships. In general, the Company’s subsidiaries retain responsibility for the performance of certain obligations under such leases to the extent that the assignee or sublessee does not perform, whether such performance is required prior to or following the assignment or subletting of the lease. Additionally, the Company and its subsidiaries generally remain subject to the terms of any guarantees made by the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with such leases. Although the Company generally has indemnification rights against the assignee or sublessee in the event of non-performance under these leases, as well as certain defenses, and the Company presently has no reason to believe that it or its subsidiaries will be called on to perform under any such assigned leases or subleases, the Company estimates that lessee rental payment obligations during the remaining terms of these leases were $26.8 million as of September 30, 2010. The Company’s exposure under these leases is difficult to estimate and there can be no assurance that any performance of the Company or its subsidiaries required under these leases would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and cash flows. The Company and its subsidiaries also may be called on to perform other obligations under these leases, such as environmental remediation of the leased premises or repair of the leased premises upon termination of the lease. However, the Company presently has no reason to believe that it or its subsidiaries will be called on to so perform and such obligations cannot be quantified at this time.
 
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to numerous laws and regulations, including automotive, environmental, health and safety, and other laws and regulations. The Company does not anticipate that the costs of such compliance will have a material adverse effect on its business, consolidated results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition, although such outcome is possible given the nature of its operations and the extensive legal and regulatory framework applicable to its business. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was signed into law on July 21, 2010, established a new consumer financial protection agency with broad regulatory powers. Although automotive dealers are generally excluded, the Dodd-Frank Act could lead to additional, indirect regulation of automotive dealers through its regulation of automotive finance companies and other financial institutions. In addition, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law on March 23, 2010, has the potential to increase its future annual employee health care costs. Further, new laws and regulations, particularly at the federal level, may be enacted, which could also materially adversely impact its business. The Company does not have any material known environmental commitments or contingencies.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
12.   COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
    Nine Months Ended
 
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)     (In thousands)  
 
Net income
  $ 18,985     $ 18,340     $ 39,735     $ 36,797  
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Change in fair value of interest rate derivatives
    1,522       16       3,904       4,500  
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments
    13       97       (11 )     343  
Unrealized gain (loss) on currency translations
    1,712       (1,122 )     201       2,651  
                                 
Total comprehensive income
  $ 22,232     $ 17,331     $ 43,829     $ 44,291  
                                 
 
13.   DISPOSITIONS AND ACQUISITIONS
 
On March 1, 2010, the Company acquired two BMW/Mini dealerships in the Southeast region of the U.K. with anticipated annual revenues of $161.5 million. And, in April 2010, the Company acquired a Toyota/Scion dealership and an Audi dealership located in South Carolina, with expected aggregate annual revenues of $69.5 million. Consideration paid for these dealerships totaled $34.6 million, including the amounts paid for vehicle inventory, parts inventory, equipment, and furniture and fixtures, as well as the purchase of associated real estate. The vehicle inventory was subsequently financed through borrowings under the Company’s credit facility with BMW Financial Services or the Floorplan Line.
 
During the first nine months of 2010, the Company was awarded two Sprinter franchises located in two separate Mercedes-Benz stores in Georgia and New York. The Company was also granted a Mini franchise in May and acquired a Lincoln franchise in July 2010, respectively, for stores located in Texas.
 
During the first nine months of 2010, the Company disposed of a Ford-Lincoln-Mercury dealership in Florida along with the associated real estate. Gross consideration received was $35.0 million, including amounts used to repay the Company’s floorplan notes payable associated with the vehicle inventory sold and the respective Mortgage Facility financing balance. As a result, the Company recognized a $5.1 million pretax loss, which was included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 
During the first nine months of 2009, the Company acquired one Hyundai franchise located in Texas. Consideration paid for the franchise totaled $3.8 million, including amounts paid for new vehicle inventory, parts inventory, equipment and furniture and fixtures. The new vehicle inventory was subsequently financed through borrowings under the Company’s Floorplan Line. During the first nine months of 2009, the Company disposed of two dealership franchises, one of which included property related to the dealership. Consideration received for these franchises totaled $20.8 million, including amounts used to repay the Company’s floorplan notes payable associated with the vehicle inventory sold and the respective Mortgage Facility financing balance.
 
14.   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
The following tables include the Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2009, the related Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, for Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s (as issuer of the 8.25% Notes) guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries (representing foreign entities). On March 30, 2010, the Company completed the redemption of its then outstanding 8.25% Notes, therefore, only those periods during which the 8.25% Notes were outstanding have been presented. The condensed consolidating financial information includes certain allocations of balance sheet, statement of operations and cash flows items that are not necessarily indicative of the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of these entities on a stand-alone basis.


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2009
 
                                         
                Group 1
    Guarantor
    Non-Guarantor
 
    Total Company     Elimination     Automotive, Inc.     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries  
    (In thousands)  
 
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 13,221     $     $     $ 10,969     $ 2,252  
Accounts and other receivables, net
    148,996                   145,426       3,570  
Inventories
    596,743                   586,539       10,204  
Deferred and other current assets
    63,078                   50,516       12,562  
                                         
Total current assets
    822,038                   793,450       28,588  
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
    475,828                   454,257       21,571  
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS
    658,281                   651,388       6,893  
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES
          (926,297 )     926,297              
OTHER ASSETS
    13,267                   5,595       7,672  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 1,969,414     $ (926,297 )   $ 926,297     $ 1,904,690     $ 64,724  
                                         
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Floorplan notes payable — credit facility
  $ 420,319     $     $     $ 420,319     $  
Floorplan notes payable — manufacturer affiliates
    115,180                   110,617       4,563  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    14,355                   12,898       1,457  
Current maturities of interest rate swap liabilities
    10,412                   10,412        
Accounts payable
    72,276                   64,989       7,287  
Intercompany accounts payable
                179,885       (162,161 )     (17,724 )
Accrued expenses
    86,271                   84,725       1,546  
                                         
Total current liabilities
    718,813             179,885       541,799       (2,871 )
LONG TERM DEBT, net of current maturities
    444,141                   429,620       14,521  
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
    20,151                   20,151        
DEFERRED AND OTHER LIABILITIES
    60,565                   59,164       1,401  
DEFERRED REVENUES
    5,588                   1,229       4,359  
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
                                       
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    720,156       (926,297 )     746,412       852,727       47,314  
                                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 1,969,414     $ (926,297 )   $ 926,297     $ 1,904,690     $ 64,724  
                                         


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended September 30, 2009
 
                                         
                Group 1
    Guarantor
    Non-Guarantor
 
    Total Company     Elimination     Automotive, Inc.     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries  
    (Unaudited, In thousands)  
 
Revenue
  $ 1,246,719     $     $     $ 1,211,575     $ 35,144  
Cost of Sales
    1,034,698                   1,004,631       30,067  
                                         
Gross profit
    212,021                   206,944       5,077  
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
    162,466             1,124       157,329       4,013  
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
    6,666                   6,347       319  
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS
    702                   702        
                                         
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
    42,187             (1,124 )     42,566       745  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
                                       
Floorplan interest expense
    (7,523 )                 (7,404 )     (119 )
Other interest expense, net
    (7,318 )                 (7,228 )     (90 )
Gain on redemption of long-term debt
    598                   598        
Other expense, net
    (4 )                 (4 )      
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
          (19,464 )     19,464              
                                         
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    27,940       (19,464 )     18,340       28,528       536  
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    (9,600 )                 (9,468 )     (132 )
                                         
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 18,340     $ (19,464 )   $ 18,340     $ 19,060     $ 404  
                                         


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Nine months Ended September 30, 2009
 
                                         
                Group 1
    Guarantor
    Non-Guarantor
 
    Total Company     Elimination     Automotive, Inc.     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries  
    (Unaudited, In thousands)  
 
Revenue
  $ 3,375,291     $     $     $ 3,287,746     $ 87,545  
Cost of Sales
    2,789,501                   2,714,606       74,895  
                                         
Gross profit
    585,790                   573,140       12,650  
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
    466,813             2,970       453,100       10,743  
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
    19,541                   18,679       862  
ASSET IMPAIRMENTS
    2,837                   2,837        
                                         
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
    96,599             (2,970 )     98,524       1,045  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
                                       
Floorplan interest expense
    (24,342 )                 (23,997 )     (345 )
Other interest expense, net
    (21,857 )                 (21,499 )     (358 )
Gain on redemption of long-term debt
    8,211                   8,211        
Other expense, net
    (6 )                 (6 )      
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
          (39,767 )     39,767              
                                         
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    58,605       (39,767 )     36,797       61,233       342  
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    (21,808 )                 (21,730 )     (78 )
                                         
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 36,797     $ (39,767 )   $ 36,797     $ 39,503     $ 264  
                                         


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GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Nine months Ended September 30, 2009
 
                                 
          Group 1
    Guarantor
    Non-Guarantor
 
    Total Company     Automotive, Inc.     Subsidiaries     Subsidiaries  
          (Unaudited, In thousands)        
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                               
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ 464,772     $ (2,970 )   $ 470,924     $ (3,182 )
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (11,711 )           (11,362 )     (349 )
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received
    (3,754 )           (3,754 )      
Proceeds from sales of franchises, property and equipment
    21,068             21,068        
Other
    1,901             (999 )     2,900  
                                 
Net cash provided by investing activities
    7,504             4,953       2,551  
                                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                               
Borrowings on credit facility — Floorplan Line
    2,675,415             2,675,415        
Repayments on credit facility — Floorplan Line
    (3,065,676 )           (3,065,676 )      
Repayments on credit facility — Acquisition Line
    (139,000 )           (139,000 )      
Borrowings on credit facility — Acquisition Line
    89,000             89,000        
Borrowings on mortgage facility
    29,133             29,133        
Principal payments of long-term debt related to real estate loans
    (34,049 )           (33,906 )     (143 )
Redemption of long-term debt
    (20,859 )           (20,859 )      
Principal payments on mortgage facility
    (17,150 )           (17,150 )      
Principal payments of other long-term debt
    (397 )           (397 )      
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to benefit plans
    2,520       2,520              
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
    (348 )           (348 )      
Debt extinguishment costs related to real estate loans
    (534 )           (534 )      
Borrowings (repayments) with subsidiaries
          12,915       (12,915 )      
Investment in subsidiaries
          (63,696 )     62,339       1,357  
Distributions to parent
          51,231       (51,231 )      
                                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (481,945 )     2,970       (486,129 )     1,214  
                                 
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH
    1,407                   1,407  
                                 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (8,262 )           (10,252 )     1,990  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
    23,144             22,598       546  
                                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
  $ 14,882     $     $ 12,346     $ 2,536  
                                 


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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This quarterly report includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). This information includes statements regarding our plans, goals or current expectations with respect to, among other things:
 
  •  our future operating performance;
 
  •  our ability to improve our margins;
 
  •  operating cash flows and availability of capital;
 
  •  the completion of future acquisitions;
 
  •  the future revenues of acquired dealerships;
 
  •  future stock repurchases and dividends;
 
  •  future capital expenditures;
 
  •  changes in sales volumes and credit for customer financing in new and used vehicles and sales volumes in the parts and service markets;
 
  •  business trends in the retail automotive industry, including the level of manufacturer incentives, new and used vehicle retail sales volume, customer demand, interest rates and changes in industry-wide inventory levels; and
 
  •  availability of financing for inventory, working capital, real estate and capital expenditures.
 
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable when and as made, we cannot assure you that these expectations will prove to be correct. When used in this quarterly report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may” and similar expressions, as they relate to our company and management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results in the forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including:
 
  •  the recent economic recession substantially depressed consumer confidence, raised unemployment and limited the availability of consumer credit, causing a marked decline in demand for new and used vehicles; further deterioration in the economic environment, including consumer confidence, interest rates, the price of gasoline, the level of manufacturer incentives and the availability of consumer credit may affect the demand for new and used vehicles, replacement parts, maintenance and repair services and finance and insurance products;
 
  •  domestic and international developments such as war, terrorism, political conflicts or other hostilities may adversely affect the demand for our products and services;
 
  •  the future regulatory environment, including legislation related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, climate control changes legislation, and unexpected litigation or adverse legislation, including changes in state franchise laws, may impose additional costs on us or otherwise adversely affect us;
 
  •  our principal automobile manufacturers, especially Toyota/Lexus, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Nissan/Infiniti, Honda/Acura, General Motors and BMW, because of financial distress, bankruptcy or other reasons, may not continue to produce or make available to us vehicles that are in high demand by our customers or provide financing, insurance, advertising or other assistance to us;
 
  •  the immediate concerns over the financial viability of one or more of the domestic manufacturers (i.e., Chrysler, General Motors and Ford) could result in, or in the case of Chrysler and General Motors, has resulted in a restructuring of these companies, up to and including bankruptcy; and, as such, we may suffer financial loss in the form of uncollectible receivables, devalued inventory or loss of franchises;


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  •  requirements imposed on us by our manufacturers may require dispositions or limit our acquisitions and require us to increase the level of capital expenditures related to our dealership facilities;
 
  •  our existing and/or new dealership operations may not perform at expected levels or achieve expected improvements;
 
  •  our failure to achieve expected future cost savings or future costs being higher than we expect;
 
  •  manufacturer quality issues may negatively impact vehicle sales and brand reputation;
 
  •  available capital resources, increases in cost of financing and various debt agreements may limit our ability to complete acquisitions, complete construction of new or expanded facilities, repurchase shares or pay dividends;
 
  •  our ability to refinance or obtain financing in the future may be limited and the cost of financing could increase significantly;
 
  •  foreign exchange controls and currency fluctuations;
 
  •  new accounting standards could materially impact our reported earnings per share;
 
  •  the inability to complete additional acquisitions or changes in the pace of acquisitions;
 
  •  the inability to adjust our cost structure to offset any reduction in the demand for our products and services;
 
  •  our loss of key personnel;
 
  •  competition in our industry may impact our operations or our ability to complete additional acquisitions;
 
  •  the failure to achieve expected sales volumes from our new franchises;
 
  •  insurance costs could increase significantly and all of our losses may not be covered by insurance; and
 
  •  our inability to obtain inventory of new and used vehicles and parts, including imported inventory, at the cost, or in the volume, we expect.
 
These factors, as well as additional factors that could affect our operating results and performance are described in our 2009 Form 10-K, under the headings “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere within this quarterly report. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described above or elsewhere in this quarterly report or in the documents incorporated by reference occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. We urge you to carefully consider those factors, as well as factors described in our reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other announcements we make from time to time.
 
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no responsibility to publicly release the result of any revision of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, except to the extent required by applicable law.


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Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements because of various factors. See “Cautionary Statement about Forward-Looking Statements.”
 
Overview
 
We are a leading operator in the automotive retail industry. As of September 30, 2010, we owned and operated 127 franchises, representing 32 brands of automobiles, at 96 dealership locations and 22 collision service centers in the United States of America (the “U.S.”) and ten franchises, representing 2 brands, at five dealerships and three collision centers in the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”). We market and sell an extensive range of automotive products and services, including new and used vehicles and related financing, vehicle maintenance and repair services, replacement parts, and warranty, insurance and extended service contracts. Our operations are primarily located in major metropolitan areas in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas in the U.S. and in the towns of Brighton, Farnborough, Hailsham, Hindhead and Worthing in the U.K.
 
As of September 30, 2010, our retail network consisted of the following three regions (with the number of dealerships they comprised): (i) the Eastern (42 dealerships in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and South Carolina); (ii) the Central (43 dealerships in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas); and (iii) the Western (11 dealerships in California). Each region is managed by a regional vice president who reports directly to our Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the overall performance of their regions, as well as for overseeing the market directors and dealership general managers that report to them. Each region is also managed by a regional chief financial officer who reports directly to our Chief Financial Officer. Our dealerships in the U.K. are also managed locally with direct reporting responsibilities to our corporate management team.
 
Outlook
 
Since September 2008, the U.S. and global economies have suffered from, among other things, a substantial decline in consumer confidence, a rise in unemployment and a tightening of credit availability. As a result, the retail automotive industry was negatively impacted by decreasing customer demand for new and used vehicles, vehicle margin pressures and higher inventory levels. Through the first nine months of 2010, economic trends have stabilized and consumer demand for new and used vehicles has shown some improvement. According to industry experts, the September 2010 seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales (or “SAAR”) was 11.7 million units, compared to 9.2 million units a year ago. And, despite the significant challenge to achieve comparable revenue growth in the third quarter of 2010 as a result of the U.S. government sponsored Car Allowance Rebate System (“CARS”) program that artificially inflated the automotive selling environment in the third quarter of 2009, our new and used vehicle retail sales increased 12.9% and 33.7%, respectively.
 
The highly-publicized concerns regarding Toyota product quality that surfaced in the first three months of 2010 impacted our results of operations. Toyota responded to the product quality concerns by initially suspending the sale of a number of Toyota models for up to two weeks during the first quarter of 2010. Our new and used vehicle sales were negatively impacted as this stop sale related to about 60% of our Toyota sales volume. Toyota later issued two major recalls to address the quality issues, which has bolstered our warranty parts and service business through the first nine months of 2010. The manufacturer’s recalls are anticipated to continue to have a positive effect on our warranty parts and service business through the fourth quarter of 2010. In the wake of these recalls, Toyota offered incentivized financing rates and instituted a free maintenance program, both of which were designed to stimulate new vehicle sales. However, no assurances can be made that these or other future programs will adequately mitigate the impact of the product quality issues to Toyota’s brand reputation, as well as the resulting effect to our new and used vehicle businesses.
 
Our operations have, and we believe that our operations will continue to generate positive cash flow. As such, we are focused on maximizing the return on the capital that we generate from our operations and positioning our


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balance sheet to take advantage of investment opportunities as they arise. Despite the challenging retail and economic environment, we believe that opportunities exist to invest in our operations and improve profitability, including (i) focusing on our higher margin parts and service business by enhancing the cost effectiveness of our marketing efforts, improving customer interfaces, expanding our product offerings and creating operational efficiencies, (ii) expanding our collision business footprint and (iii) implementing strategic selling methods.
 
We continue to closely scrutinize all planned future capital spending and work closely with our manufacturer partners in this area to make prudent investment decisions that are expected to generate an adequate return and/or improve the customer experience. We anticipate that 2010 capital spending will be less than $30.0 million.
 
We remain committed to our growth-by-acquisition strategy, and with the prolonged nature of the anticipated economic recovery, we believe that significant opportunities exist to enhance our portfolio with dealerships that meet our stringent investment criteria. We completed the acquisition of four franchises located in the Southeast region of the U.K. with expected annual revenues of $161.5 million and two franchises in South Carolina with expected annual revenues of $69.5 million, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. In addition, we added four franchises located in Georgia, New York and Texas with expected aggregate annual revenues of $25.2 million. We will continue to pursue dealership investment opportunities that we believe will add value for our stockholders.
 
Financial and Operational Highlights
 
Our operating results reflect the combined performance of each of our interrelated business activities, which include the sale of new vehicles, used vehicles, finance and insurance products, and parts, service and collision repair services. Historically, each of these activities has been directly or indirectly impacted by a variety of supply/demand factors, including vehicle inventories, consumer confidence, discretionary spending, availability and affordability of consumer credit, manufacturer incentives, weather patterns, fuel prices and interest rates. For example, during periods of sustained economic downturn or significant supply/demand imbalances, new vehicle sales may be negatively impacted as consumers tend to shift their purchases to used vehicles. Some consumers may even delay their purchasing decisions altogether, electing instead to repair their existing vehicles. In such cases, however, we believe the new vehicle sales impact on our overall business is mitigated by our ability to offer other products and services, such as used vehicles and parts, service and collision repair services, as well as our ability to reduce our costs in response to lower sales.
 
We generally experience higher volumes of vehicle sales and service in the second and third calendar quarters of each year. This seasonality is generally attributable to consumer buying trends and the timing of manufacturer new vehicle model introductions. In addition, in some regions of the U.S., vehicle purchases decline during the winter months due to inclement weather. As a result, our revenues and operating income are typically lower in the first and fourth quarters and higher in the second and third quarters. Other factors unrelated to seasonality, such as changes in economic condition and manufacturer incentive programs, may exaggerate seasonal or cause counter-seasonal fluctuations in our revenues and operating income.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we realized net income of $19.0 million and $18.3 million, respectively, and diluted income per share of $0.83 and $0.78, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we realized net income of $39.7 million and $36.8 million, respectively, and a diluted income per share of $1.70 and $1.58, respectively. We generated cash flow of $82.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, while we used $8.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Included in our cash flow during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we issued $115.0 million of convertible notes. We used a portion of the proceeds from this offering to redeem the remaining outstanding face value of our 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes (the “8.25% Notes”) and to execute convertible note hedge transactions with respect to our common stock, which effectively increased the conversion rate of the convertible notes. Included in our cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was the net repayment of $50.0 million associated with our Acquisition Line borrowings.


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Key Performance Indicators
 
The following table highlights certain of the key performance indicators we use to manage our business:
 
Consolidated Statistical Data
 
                                 
    Three Months Ended
   
    September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2010   2009   2010   2009
 
Unit Sales
                               
Retail Sales
                               
New Vehicle
    26,396       25,057       72,128       62,942  
Used Vehicle
    17,601       14,175       50,230       41,181  
                                 
Total Retail Sales
    43,997       39,232       122,358       104,123  
Wholesale Sales
    9,308       8,367       24,716       21,222  
                                 
Total Vehicle Sales
    53,305       47,599       147,074       125,345  
Gross Margin
                               
New Vehicle Retail Sales
    5.7 %     6.7 %     5.8 %     6.0 %
Total Used Vehicle Sales
    7.7 %     9.2 %     8.3 %     9.5 %
Parts and Service Sales
    54.3 %     53.7 %     54.1 %     53.1 %
Total Gross Margin
    15.7 %     17.0 %     16.2 %     17.4 %
SG&A(1) as a % of Gross Profit
    76.0 %     76.6 %     79.2 %     79.7 %
Operating Margin
    3.2 %     3.4 %     2.8 %     2.9 %
Pretax Margin
    2.1 %     2.2 %     1.6 %     1.7 %
Finance and Insurance Revenues per Retail Unit Sold
  $ 1,006     $ 956     $ 1,018     $ 982  
 
 
(1) Selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
The following discussion briefly highlights certain of the results and trends occurring within our business. Throughout the following discussion, references are made to Same Store results and variances which are discussed in more detail in the “Results of Operations” section that follows.
 
During the first nine months of 2010, the industry has experienced a modest increase in the seasonally adjusted annual rate of sales (or “SAAR”) of new vehicle unit sales. This increase is primarily related to the stabilization of the U.S. economic conditions and a growing need to replace aged or scrapped vehicles. While SAAR is still low relative to the years before the recession, it has risen from 9.2 million at September 30, 2009 to 11.7 million at September 30, 2010. Bolstered by this improved sales environment and our recent efforts to gain market share, our new vehicle retail sales increased 12.9% during the third quarter of 2010 and, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, improved over the comparable period of 2009 by 19.6%. The improvement reflects higher unit sales of 5.3% and 14.6%, as well as an increase in average sales price driven by improved brand mix. We believe that our performance has outpaced the national average retail results, as well as the specific performances of the major brands we represent and the markets in which we operate.
 
Our used vehicle results are directly affected by economic conditions, the level of manufacturer incentives on new vehicles and new vehicle financing, the number and quality of trade-ins and lease turn-ins and the availability of consumer credit. The stabilizing economic environment that benefited new vehicle sales also supported improved used vehicle traffic and provided an increase in used vehicle trade-ins that positively impacted our used vehicle retail sales in comparison to our 2009 results. As a result, we have experienced improving used vehicle volumes through the first nine months of 2010. Still, when compared to trend industry conditions, we are sourcing a higher percentage of our used vehicles from higher cost auctions instead of trade-ins, and as a result used vehicle retail margin pressure persists in 2010. Further, the wholesale side of the business experienced increases in unit sales and a decrease in gross profits for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same periods in 2009.


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Our parts and service sales were positively impacted by the Toyota recalls during the first nine months of 2010 that affected approximately 6.0 million vehicles. Parts and service margins were enhanced for the first nine months of 2010 primarily as a result of additional internal work, resulting from increased new and used vehicle sales. In addition, the Toyota warranty campaigns primarily require labor services, which generate higher margins than the corresponding parts sales. Our consolidated finance and insurance income per retail unit sold (“PRU”) also increased through the third quarter of 2010 as compared to 2009, primarily driven by an improvement in penetration rates on our finance and vehicle service contract offerings. However, our total gross margin declined for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, as a result of the shift in business mix towards the lower margin new and used vehicle businesses and the period-over-period decrease in margins in both our new and used vehicle business.
 
Our consolidated selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased in absolute dollars, and decreased as a percentage of gross profit by 60 basis points to 76.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2010, from the comparable period in 2009. SG&A was positively impacted during the third quarter of 2010 by a $1.3 million pretax gain realized from the sale of non-operating dealership real estate in Florida. The impact of this transaction lowered SG&A as a percent of gross profit by 0.6 percentage points. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our consolidated SG&A expenses increased in absolute dollars, but decreased as a percentage of gross profit by 50 basis points to 79.2% from the comparable period in 2009, primarily as a result of the improved gross profit and our cost rationalization efforts that have resulted in a leaner organization and coupled with the gain on the sale of real estate. These positive factors were partially offset by the impact of the loss on dealership disposal and severance charges which occurred during the second quarter of 2010.
 
The combination of all of these factors, including $1.6 million of asset impairments, resulted in an operating margin of 3.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2010, a 20 basis-point decrease from 2009. Our operating margin decreased by 10 basis points to 2.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 when compared to 2009, primarily as a result of the $3.1 million of asset impairments recognized during 2010.
 
Our floorplan interest expense increased 19.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the third quarter of 2009, primarily as a result of an increase in our weighted average outstanding borrowings, and increased 3.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Other interest expense decreased 5.8% and 7.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, primarily attributable to decreases in our weighted average outstanding borrowings, and an increase in interest income. As a result, our pretax margin for the three months ended September 30, 2010 decreased 10 basis points to 2.1% as compared to the third quarter of 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, including the $3.9 million loss on the extinguishment of the 8.25% Notes in 2010 and the $8.2 million gain on redemption of a portion of our 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 (the “2.25% Notes”) in 2009, our pretax margin decreased 10 basis points.
 
We address these items further, and other variances between the periods presented, in the “Results of Operations” section below.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Refer to the Recent Accounting Pronouncements section within Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of Item 1 for a discussion of those most recent pronouncements that impact us.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Accounting Estimates
 
The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions during their preparation.
 
Refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates,” in Item 1 for a discussion of our critical accounting policies and accounting estimates. Also, we disclosed our critical accounting policies and estimates in our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and no significant changes have occurred since that time.


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Results of Operations
 
The following tables present comparative financial and non-financial data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, of (a) our “Same Store” locations, (b) those locations acquired or disposed of (“Transactions”) during the periods and (c) the total company. Same Store amounts include the results of dealerships for the identical months in each period presented in the comparison, commencing with the first full month in which the dealership was owned by us and, in the case of dispositions, ending with the last full month it was owned by us. Same Store results also include the activities of our corporate headquarters.
 
The following table summarizes our combined Same Store results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to 2009:
 
Total Same Store Data
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)  
Revenues
                                                 
New vehicle retail
  $ 783,782       9.4 %   $ 716,630       $ 2,170,481       17.5 %   $ 1,846,689  
Used vehicle retail
    321,260       29.2 %     248,718         914,386       28.6 %     710,784  
Used vehicle wholesale
    54,092       28.1 %     42,213         147,124       34.1 %     109,691  
Parts and Service
    190,157       7.3 %     177,285         560,192       5.3 %     531,810  
Finance, insurance and other
    43,337       18.2 %     36,661         122,408       22.4 %     99,983  
                                                   
Total revenues
  $ 1,392,628       14.0 %   $ 1,221,507       $ 3,914,591       18.7 %   $ 3,298,957  
Cost of Sales
                                                 
New vehicle retail
  $ 739,268       10.6 %   $ 668,671       $ 2,044,512       17.8 %   $ 1,735,172  
Used vehicle retail
    292,043       30.9 %     223,061         828,042       30.2 %     636,105  
Used vehicle wholesale
    53,691       31.3 %     40,906         143,826       35.3 %     106,327  
Parts and Service
    86,879       6.2 %     81,770         257,274       3.4 %     248,923  
                                                   
Total cost of sales
  $ 1,171,881       15.5 %   $ 1,014,408       $ 3,273,654       20.1 %   $ 2,726,527  
                                                   
Gross profit
  $ 220,747       6.6 %   $ 207,099       $ 640,937       12.0 %   $ 572,430  
                                                   
Selling, general and administrative expenses
  $ 167,571       6.3 %   $ 157,662       $ 500,160       10.3 %   $ 453,650  
Depreciation and amortization expenses
  $ 6,491       1.5 %   $ 6,394       $ 19,315       1.7 %   $ 18,993  
Floorplan interest expense
  $ 8,851       18.7 %   $ 7,458       $ 24,785       2.9 %   $ 24,093  
Gross Margin
                                                 
New Vehicle Retail
    5.7 %             6.7 %       5.8 %             6.0 %
Used Vehicle
    7.9 %             9.3 %       8.4 %             9.5 %
Parts and Service
    54.3 %             53.9 %       54.1 %             53.2 %
Total Gross Margin
    15.9 %             17.0 %       16.4 %             17.4 %
SG&A as a % of Gross Profit
    75.9 %             76.1 %       78.0 %             79.2 %
Operating Margin
    3.2 %             3.5 %       3.1 %             3.0 %
Finance and Insurance Revenues per Retail Unit Sold
  $ 1,037       8.7 %   $ 954       $ 1,042       5.9 %   $ 984  
 
The discussion that follows provides explanation for the variances noted above. In addition, each table presents, by primary statement of operations line item, comparative financial and non-financial data of our Same Store locations, those locations acquired or disposed of (“Transactions”) during the periods and the consolidated company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.


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New Vehicle Retail Data
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)  
Retail Unit Sales
                                                 
Same Stores
    25,155       2.0 %     24,665         69,411       12.5 %     61,680  
Transactions
    1,241               392         2,717               1,262  
                                                   
Total
    26,396       5.3 %     25,057         72,128       14.6 %     62,942  
Retail Sales Revenues
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 783,782       9.4 %   $ 716,630       $ 2,170,481       17.5 %   $ 1,846,689  
Transactions
    38,339               11,459         83,612               37,284  
                                                   
Total
  $ 822,121       12.9 %   $ 728,089       $ 2,254,093       19.6 %   $ 1,883,973  
Gross Profit
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 44,514       (7.2 )%   $ 47,959       $ 125,967       13.0 %   $ 111,517  
Transactions
    2,561               660         5,593               1,556  
                                                   
Total
  $ 47,075       (3.2 )%   $ 48,619       $ 131,560       16.3 %   $ 113,073  
Gross Profit per Retail
                                                 
Unit Sold
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 1,770       (9.0 )%   $ 1,944       $ 1,815       0.4 %   $ 1,808  
Transactions
  $ 2,064             $ 1,684       $ 2,059             $ 1,233  
Total
  $ 1,783       (8.1 )%   $ 1,940       $ 1,824       1.6 %   $ 1,796  
Gross Margin
                                                 
Same Stores
    5.7 %             6.7 %       5.8 %             6.0 %
Transactions
    6.7 %             5.8 %       6.7 %             4.2 %
Total
    5.7 %             6.7 %       5.8 %             6.0 %
 
The economic slowdown that began in the U.S. in 2008 resulted in declining new vehicle sales over much of the past two years, except for the sales spike realized in the third quarter of 2009 as a result of the CARS program. But, as U.S. economic conditions have recently begun to stabilize, most new vehicle brands have generated improved sales. With the stabilized selling environment, a number of our improvement efforts have been focused on enhancing the effectiveness of our sales processes and capturing market share. As a result, while the automotive industry’s new vehicle retail sales were down slightly for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the corresponding period in 2009, which benefited significantly from the CARS program, our Same Store new vehicle unit sales and revenues increased 2.0% and 9.4%, respectively. We generated increases in Same Store revenues of 19.3%, 2.3% and 15.7% in our domestic, import and luxury categories, respectively, and in most major brands that we represent. Generally, our import brands benefited most from the CARS program in 2009 and, as a result, realized a 3.1% unit sales decline. However, increases in unit sales of 8.8% and 11.9% in our domestic and luxury brands, respectively, offset this decline. Our Same Store revenues PRU improved 7.2% to $31,158 in the third quarter of 2010, while our Same Store gross profit PRU decreased by 9.0% to $1,770, as a competitive selling environment persisted. As a result, our Same Store gross margin fell 100 basis points from 6.7% in 2009 to 5.7% in the third quarter of 2010.
 
The modest economic recovery and the increase in SAAR, as well as the focus that we have placed on improving our sales processes at our dealerships, also led to increased new vehicle sales and profits for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the corresponding period in 2009, Same Store new vehicle unit sales and revenues increased 12.5% and 17.5%, respectively. We experienced increases in Same Store unit sales and revenues in each of our brand categories. Our Same Store revenues PRU improved 4.4% to $31,270 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.


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The following table sets forth our Same Store new vehicle retail sales volume by manufacturer:
 
Same Store New Vehicle Unit Sales
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
Toyota
    9,344       (2.9 )%     9,620         25,113       10.2 %     22,784  
Nissan
    3,722       5.2       3,537         10,531       29.4       8,138  
Honda
    3,107       1.8       3,051         8,785       7.5       8,172  
BMW
    2,337       1.9       2,294         6,303       5.4       5,979  
Ford
    1,899       13.4       1,675         5,722       24.4       4,598  
Mercedes-Benz
    1,506       24.5       1,210         4,055       19.2       3,402  
General Motors
    1,038       20.1       864         2,851       22.7       2,323  
Chrysler
    798       (10.7 )     894         2,120       (25.4 )     2,841  
Other
    1,404       (7.6 )     1,520         3,931       14.2       3,443  
                                                   
Total
    25,155       2.0       24,665         69,411       12.5       61,680  
                                                   
 
In the third quarter of 2009, many Toyota models realized a disproportionate benefit from the CARS program. As a result, we realized a 2.9% decline in unit sales for the three months ended September 30, 2010. But, this decline was more than offset by improvement in most of the other manufacturers that we represent. Our retail car unit sales decreased by 5.5% in the third quarter of 2010 due to the impact of the CARS program, which was a disproportionate benefit to car models. However, our retail truck unit sales increased by 14.7%, as compared with the same period in 2009, which more than offset the retail car unit decline. We believe that our performance has outpaced the national average retail results, as well as the specific performances of most of the major brands we represent and the markets in which we operate. As the economy recovers, we anticipate that total industry-wide sales of new vehicles throughout 2010 and into 2011 will be higher than 2009. However, the level of retail sales, as well as our own ability to retain or grow market share during future periods, is difficult to predict.
 
Most manufacturers offer interest assistance to offset floorplan interest charges incurred in connection with inventory purchases. This assistance varies by manufacturer, but generally provides for a defined amount, adjusted periodically for changes in market interest rates, regardless of our actual floorplan interest rate or the length of time for which the inventory is financed. The amount of interest assistance we recognize in a given period is primarily a function of: (1) the mix of units being sold, as domestic brands tend to provide more assistance, (2) the specific terms of the respective manufacturers’ interest assistance programs and market interest rates, (3) the average wholesale price of inventory sold, and (4) our rate of inventory turnover. To further mitigate our exposure to interest rate fluctuations, we have entered into interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $550.0 million as of September 30, 2010, at a weighted average LIBOR interest rate of 4.7%. We record the majority of the impact of the periodic settlements of these swaps as a component of floorplan interest expense, effectively hedging a substantial portion of our total floorplan interest expense and mitigating the impact of interest rate fluctuations. As a result, in this declining interest rate environment, our interest assistance recognized as a percent of total floorplan interest expense has declined. Over the past three years, this assistance as a percentage of our total consolidated floorplan interest expense has ranged from 76.7% in the third quarter of 2009 to 49.9% in the fourth quarter of 2008. For the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the floorplan assistance as a percentage of our consolidated interest expense was 72.2%. We record these incentives as a reduction of new vehicle cost of sales as the vehicles are sold, impacting the gross profit and gross margin detailed above. The total assistance recognized in cost of goods sold during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $6.5 million and $5.8 million, respectively.
 
We continue to aggressively manage our new vehicle inventory in response to the rapidly changing market conditions. With the improving selling environment, we increased our new vehicle inventory levels by $109.7 million, or 25.6%, from $427.9 million as of December 31, 2009 to $537.6 million as of September 30, 2010. Further, our consolidated days’ supply of new vehicle inventory increased to 62 days at September 30, 2010 from 44 days at September 30, 2009, which was abnormally low following the CARS program. Generally, we are comfortable with our new vehicle inventory levels, given the current and projected selling environment.


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Used Vehicle Retail Data
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)  
Retail Unit Sales
                                                 
Same Stores
    16,641       20.8 %     13,774         48,096       20.4 %     39,955  
Transactions
    960               401         2,134               1,226  
                                                   
Total
    17,601       24.2 %     14,175         50,230       22.0 %     41,181  
Retail Sales Revenues
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 321,260       29.2 %   $ 248,718       $ 914,386       28.6 %   $ 710,784  
Transactions
    19,365               5,998         45,990               18,561  
                                                   
Total
  $ 340,625       33.7 %   $ 254,716       $ 960,376       31.7 %   $ 729,345  
Gross Profit
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 29,217       13.9 %   $ 25,657       $ 86,344       15.6 %   $ 74,679  
Transactions
    1,353               614         3,209               2,026  
                                                   
Total
  $ 30,570       16.4 %   $ 26,271       $ 89,553       16.7 %   $ 76,705  
Gross Profit per Retail
                                                 
Unit Sold
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 1,756       (5.7 )%   $ 1,863       $ 1,795       (4.0 )%   $ 1,869  
Transactions
  $ 1,409             $ 1,531       $ 1,504             $ 1,653  
Total
  $ 1,737       (6.3 )%   $ 1,853       $ 1,783       (4.3 )%   $ 1,863  
Gross Margin
                                                 
Same Stores
    9.1 %             10.3 %       9.4 %             10.5 %
Transactions
    7.0 %             10.2 %       7.0 %             10.9 %
Total
    9.0 %             10.3 %       9.3 %             10.5 %
 
Used Vehicle Wholesale Data
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)  
Wholesale Unit Sales
                                                 
Same Stores
    8,790       8.2 %     8,123         23,626       14.4 %     20,661  
Transactions
    518               244         1,090               561  
                                                   
Total
    9,308       11.2 %     8,367         24,716       16.5 %     21,222  
Wholesale Sales Revenues
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 54,092       28.1 %   $ 42,213       $ 147,124       34.1 %   $ 109,691  
Transactions
    4,371               938         9,529               2,845  
                                                   
Total
  $ 58,463       35.5 %   $ 43,151       $ 156,653       39.2 %   $ 112,536  
Gross Profit (Loss)
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 401       (69.3 )%   $ 1,307       $ 3,298       (2.0 )%   $ 3,364  
Transactions
    (96 )             (28 )       (210 )             (33 )
                                                   
Total
  $ 305       (76.2 )%   $ 1,279       $ 3,088       (7.3 )%   $ 3,331  
Gross Profit (Loss) per
                                                 
Wholesale Unit Sold
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 46       (71.4 )%   $ 161       $ 140       (14.1 )%   $ 163  
Transactions
  $ (185 )           $ (115 )     $ (193 )           $ (59 )
Total
  $ 33       (78.4 )%   $ 153       $ 125       (20.4 )%   $ 157  
Gross Margin
                                                 
Same Stores
    0.7 %             3.1 %       2.2 %             3.1 %
Transactions
    (2.2 )%             (3.0 )%       (2.2 )%             (1.2 )%
Total
    0.5 %             3.0 %       2.0 %             3.0 %


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Total Used Vehicle Data
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)  
Used Vehicle Unit Sales
                                                 
Same Stores
    25,431       16.1 %     21,897         71,722       18.3 %     60,616  
Transactions
    1,478               645         3,224               1,787  
                                                   
Total
    26,909       19.4 %     22,542         74,946       20.1 %     62,403  
Sales Revenues
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 375,352       29.0 %   $ 290,931       $ 1,061,510       29.4 %   $ 820,475  
Transactions
    23,736               6,936         55,519               21,406  
                                                   
Total
  $ 399,088       34.0 %   $ 297,867       $ 1,117,029       32.7 %   $ 841,881  
Gross Profit
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 29,618       9.8 %   $ 26,964       $ 89,642       14.9 %   $ 78,043  
Transactions
    1,257               586         2,999               1,993  
                                                   
Total
  $ 30,875       12.1 %   $ 27,550       $ 92,641       15.7 %   $ 80,036  
Gross Profit per Used
                                                 
Vehicle Unit Sold
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 1,165       (5.4 )%   $ 1,231       $ 1,250       (2.9 )%   $ 1,287  
Transactions
  $ 850             $ 909       $ 930             $ 1,115  
Total
  $ 1,147       (6.1 )%   $ 1,222       $ 1,236       (3.7 )%   $ 1,283  
Gross Margin
                                                 
Same Stores
    7.9 %             9.3 %       8.4 %             9.5 %
Transactions
    5.3 %             8.4 %       5.4 %             9.3 %
Total
    7.7 %             9.2 %       8.3 %             9.5 %
 
In addition to factors such as general economic conditions and consumer confidence, our used vehicle business is affected by the level of manufacturer incentives on new vehicles and new vehicle financing, the number and quality of trade-ins and lease turn-ins, the availability of consumer credit and our ability to effectively manage the level and quality of our overall used vehicle inventory. Thus far during 2010, the improved economic conditions, and uptick in consumer confidence, have translated into an increase in used vehicle traffic. This resulted in increases in our Same Store used retail unit sales and in our Same Store used retail revenues in the third quarter of 2010 of 20.8% and 29.2%, respectively, as compared to the same period in 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Same Store used retail unit sales and revenues improved 20.4% and 28.6%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding period in 2009. Our average sales price PRU increased 6.9% during both the third quarter and first nine months of 2010. We generated these improvements in sales despite the comparison difficulties as a result of the CARS program in the third quarter of 2009 that increased overall customer traffic and benefited our used vehicle retail sales, as well as our new vehicle retail sales.
 
Our certified pre-owned (“CPO”) volume increased 32.7% to 5,899 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period of 2009, corresponding to the overall lift in used retail volume. As a percentage of total retail sales, CPO units increased to 33.5% of total used retail units for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to 31.4% for the same period of 2009. CPO units represented 34.1% of total used retail units for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to 33.5% for the same period in 2009.
 
New vehicle trade-ins and lease turn-ins are our best source of quality used vehicles. Despite the increase in new vehicle volumes, used vehicle retail sales volumes substantially outpaced new vehicles sales, and the sourcing of quality used vehicles continues to be a challenge. This has caused us to source a higher percentage of our inventory from auctions, generally at higher prices, as we are forced to bid against other dealers instead of


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negotiated prices paid on trade-ins. As a result, gross profit per used retail unit decreased 5.7% in the third quarter of 2010, as compared to the same period in 2009 and our Same Store used retail vehicle margins declined 120 basis points to 9.1%. Price relativities between new and used vehicles also continued to pressure used retail vehicle margins. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, gross profit per used retail unit decreased 4.0%, and coupled with the increase in average sales price PRU, our Same Store used retail vehicle margins declined by 110 basis points to 9.4% as compared to the same period in 2009.
 
With the increase in new vehicle sales and trade-in activity, we also experienced an increase in our wholesale used vehicles sales of 28.1% on 8.2% more units for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, and 34.1% on 14.4% more units for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. While wholesaling more vehicles seems inconsistent with our need for more used vehicle inventory, most of the vehicles that we sent to auction to be wholesaled were of relatively lower value, higher mileage and older age than their retail counterparts. As used vehicle values have begun to stabilize, our wholesale gross profits per unit have begun to return to more normal levels. We would expect the wholesale gross profit per unit to continue to trend closer to break-even, with stable used vehicle values and supply.
 
Our days’ supply of used vehicle inventory was 30 days at September 30, 2010, which was down from December 31, 2009 levels of 31 days.
 
Parts and Service Data
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Parts and Service Revenues
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 190,157       7.3 %   $ 177,285       $ 560,192       5.3 %   $ 531,810  
Transactions
    6,107               5,969         15,570               15,414  
                                                   
Total
  $ 196,264       7.1 %   $ 183,254       $ 575,762       5.2 %   $ 547,224  
Gross Profit
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 103,278       8.1 %   $ 95,515       $ 302,920       7.1 %   $ 282,887  
Transactions
    3,329               2,828         8,358               7,581  
                                                   
Total
  $ 106,607       8.4 %   $ 98,343       $ 311,278       7.2 %   $ 290,468  
Gross Margin
                                                 
Same Stores
    54.3 %             53.9 %       54.1 %             53.2 %
Transactions
    54.5 %             47.4 %       53.7 %             49.2 %
Total
    54.3 %             53.7 %       54.1 %             53.1 %
 
Our Same Store parts and service revenues increased 7.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2010, primarily driven by a 4.8% increase in customer-pay parts and service sales. We also generated a 9.9% increase in warranty parts and service revenues, a 9.2% increase in wholesale parts sales and a 10.0% increase in our collision revenues. Same Store parts and service revenues increased 5.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the same period a year ago, primarily from increases in our customer-pay parts and service revenues, our wholesale parts business and our warranty parts and service revenues. In addition, our collision business improved for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
The increase in Same Store customer-pay parts and service revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to prior periods was primarily driven by our domestic brand dealerships and attributable to markets with recent domestic dealership closures. Our Same Store wholesale parts business increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the comparable periods in 2009, benefiting from recent improvements in business processes, and an increase in business with second-tier collision centers and repair shops, which was stimulated by the stabilization in the economy, as well as the closure of surrounding dealerships.
 
The increase in our Same Store warranty parts and service revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, as compared to the corresponding period in 2009, was primarily driven by the Toyota recalls that began during the first quarter of 2010, which affected approximately 6.0 million vehicles. The two major recalls included the


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floormat/accelerator recall, which affected approximately 5.3 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles, and the sticky accelerator pedal recall, which affected approximately 2.3 million Toyota vehicles. There were approximately 1.7 million units that were impacted by both recalls. However, this increase was partially offset by a decline in our warranty parts and services revenues from our Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler brands. Our collision revenues also improved for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, as a result of enhanced business processes and the opening of additional capacity.
 
Same Store parts and service gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased 8.1% and 7.1%, respectively, from the comparable periods in 2009, while Same Store parts and service margins increased 40 and 90 basis points, respectively. These improvements were primarily a result of internal work generated by the increase in new and used retail vehicle sales volumes and the increased warranty work generated by the two major Toyota recalls. These recall campaigns consist predominantly of labor services, which produce higher margins than the corresponding parts sales, and are comparable to our customer-pay business.
 
Finance and Insurance Data
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands, except per unit amounts)  
Retail New and Used Unit Sales
                                                 
Same Stores
    41,796       8.7 %     38,439         117,507       15.6 %     101,635  
Transactions
    2,201               793         4,851               2,488  
                                                   
Total
    43,997       12.1 %     39,232         122,358       17.5 %     104,123  
Retail Finance Fees
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 15,126       27.5 %   $ 11,861       $ 41,275       30.6 %   $ 31,609  
Transactions
    577               275         1,299               815  
                                                   
Total
  $ 15,703       29.4 %   $ 12,136       $ 42,574       31.3 %   $ 32,424  
Vehicle Service Contract Fees
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 18,532       15.4 %   $ 16,064       $ 52,232       21.6 %   $ 42,955  
Transactions
    172               353         391               920  
                                                   
Total
  $ 18,704       13.9 %   $ 16,417       $ 52,623       19.9 %   $ 43,875  
Insurance and Other
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 9,679       10.8 %   $ 8,736       $ 28,901       13.7 %   $ 25,419  
Transactions
    196               220         435               495  
                                                   
Total
  $ 9,875       10.3 %   $ 8,956       $ 29,336       13.2 %   $ 25,914  
Total
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 43,337       18.2 %   $ 36,661       $ 122,408       22.4 %   $ 99,983  
Transactions
    945               848         2,125               2,230  
                                                   
Total
  $ 44,282       18.1 %   $ 37,509       $ 124,533       21.8 %   $ 102,213  
                                                   
Finance and Insurance Revenues per Unit Sold
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 1,037       8.7 %   $ 954       $ 1,042       5.9 %   $ 984  
Transactions
  $ 429             $ 1,069       $ 438             $ 896  
Total
  $ 1,006       5.2 %   $ 956       $ 1,018       3.7 %   $ 982  
 
Our Same Store finance and insurance revenues increased by 18.2% to $43.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the same period in 2009. This improvement was primarily driven by the increases in new and used vehicle sales volumes. In addition, we experienced increases in finance income per contract and increases in both finance and vehicle service contract penetration rates for the three months ended


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September 30, 2010. The increase in our finance penetration rate was primarily driven by the increase in manufacturer financing promotions that continued during the third quarter of 2010, as well as the negative impact of the CARS program on finance penetration rates in the third quarter of 2009 as a disproportionate number of the CARS customers paid cash for their vehicle purchase. These increases were partially offset by an increase in our chargeback expense. As a result, our Same Store revenues PRU for the three months ended September 30, 2010 improved 8.7% to $1,037.
 
For the first nine months of 2010, our Same Store finance and insurance revenues improved 22.4% over the comparable 2009 period, primarily as a result of the 15.6% increase in retail new and used unit sales. Our Same Store revenues PRU increased 5.9%, or $58, to $1,042 PRU for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the same in period in 2009, primarily as a result of improvement in finance and vehicle service contract penetration rates and an increase in finance income per contract.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Data
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Personnel
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 100,289       8.2 %   $ 92,687       $ 296,931       11.0 %   $ 267,601  
Transactions
    3,686               2,490         10,140               7,359  
                                                   
Total
  $ 103,975       9.2 %   $ 95,177       $ 307,071       11.7 %   $ 274,960  
Advertising
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 11,097       21.3 %   $ 9,147       $ 32,375       22.4 %   $ 26,459  
Transactions
    539               171         1,144               537  
                                                   
Total
  $ 11,636       24.9 %   $ 9,318       $ 33,519       24.2 %   $ 26,996  
Rent and Facility Costs
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 21,158       (3.3 )%   $ 21,872       $ 65,926       0.6 %   $ 65,508  
Transactions
    1,247               995         2,997               2,913  
                                                   
Total
  $ 22,405       (2.0 )%   $ 22,867       $ 68,923       0.7 %   $ 68,421  
Other SG&A
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 35,027       3.2 %   $ 33,956       $ 104,928       11.5 %   $ 94,082  
Transactions
    882               1,148         8,355               2,354  
                                                   
Total
  $ 35,909       2.3 %   $ 35,104       $ 113,283       17.5 %   $ 96,436  
Total SG&A
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 167,571       6.3 %   $ 157,662       $ 500,160       10.3 %   $ 453,650  
Transactions
    6,354               4,804         22,636               13,163  
                                                   
Total
  $ 173,925       7.1 %   $ 162,466       $ 522,796       12.0 %   $ 466,813  
                                                   
Total Gross Profit
                                                 
Same Stores
  $ 220,747       6.6 %   $ 207,099       $ 640,937       12.0 %   $ 572,430  
Transactions
    8,092               4,922         19,075               13,360  
                                                   
Total
  $ 228,839       7.9 %   $ 212,021       $ 660,012       12.7 %   $ 585,790  
                                                   
SG&A as a % of Gross Profit
                                                 
Same Stores
    75.9 %             76.1 %       78.0 %             79.2 %
Transactions
    78.5 %             97.6 %       118.7 %             98.5 %
Total
    76.0 %             76.6 %       79.2 %             79.7 %
Employees
    7,500               7,000         7,500               7,000  


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Our SG&A consists primarily of salaries, commissions and incentive-based compensation, as well as rent, advertising, insurance, benefits, utilities and other fixed expenses. We believe that the majority of our personnel and all of our advertising expenses are variable and can be adjusted in response to changing business conditions given time.
 
In response to the increasingly challenging automotive retailing environment, we initiated significant cost reduction actions beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008. These actions, which were fully implemented in the first quarter of 2009, continued to provide benefit to us throughout the third quarter of 2010 in the form of a leaner cost organization. Coupled with the increase in gross profit, our Same Store SG&A as a percentage of Gross Profit improved 20 basis points to 75.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 120 basis points to 78.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the same periods in 2009. Our absolute dollars of Same Store SG&A expenses increased by $9.9 million and $46.5 million, for the three and nine months respectively, from the same periods in 2009, which was primarily attributable to personnel costs that is generally driven by the increased volume in vehicle sales. Our net advertising expenses increased by $2.0 million, or 21.3%, and $5.9 million, or 22.4%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, from the same periods in 2009, following the general stabilization in the economy and efforts to capture market share and stimulate parts and service activity.
 
Our Same Store other SG&A increased $1.1 million and $10.8 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the same periods in 2009, primarily due to increases in vehicle delivery expenses, tools and supplies and outside services and other areas that traditionally trend with sales volume. We continue to aggressively pursue opportunities that take advantage of our size and negotiating leverage with our vendors and service providers.
 
Depreciation and Amortization Data
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Same Stores
  $ 6,491       1.5 %   $ 6,394       $ 19,315       1.7 %   $ 18,993  
Transactions
    281               272         621               548  
                                                   
Total
  $ 6,772       1.6 %   $ 6,666       $ 19,936       2.0 %   $ 19,541  
                                                   
 
Our Same Store depreciation and amortization expense increased 1.5% and 1.7% respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the same period of 2009. We continue to strategically add dealership-related real estate to our portfolio and make improvements to our existing facilities, designed to enhance the profitability of our dealerships and the overall customer experience. We critically evaluate all planned future capital spending, working closely with our manufacturer partners to maximize the return on our investments.
 
Floorplan Interest Expense
 
                                                   
    Three Months Ended September 30,       Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2010     % Change     2009       2010     % Change     2009  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Same Stores
  $ 8,851       18.7 %   $ 7,458       $ 24,785       2.9 %   $ 24,093  
Transactions
    170               65         435               249  
                                                   
Total
  $ 9,021       19.9 %   $ 7,523       $ 25,220       3.6 %   $ 24,342  
                                                   
Memo:
                                                 
Manufacturer’s assistance
  $ 6,512       12.8 %   $ 5,771       $ 17,836       18.7 %   $ 15,030  
 
Our floorplan interest expense fluctuates with changes in borrowings outstanding and interest rates, which are based on one-month LIBOR rate (or Prime rate in some cases) plus a spread. Mitigating the impact of interest rate fluctuations, we employ an interest rate hedging strategy, whereby we swap variable interest rate exposure for a fixed interest rate over the term of the variable interest rate debt. As of September 30, 2010, we had interest rate


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swaps in place for an aggregate notional amount of $550.0 million that fixed our underlying LIBOR rate at a weighted average rate of 4.7%. The majority of the monthly settlements of these interest rate swap liabilities are recognized as floorplan interest expense.
 
Our Same Store floorplan interest expense increased $1.4 million, or 18.7%, during the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding period of 2009. The increase primarily reflects a $255.3 million increase in our weighted average floorplan borrowings outstanding. The Same Store increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period last year is attributable to an $81.4 million increase in our weighted average floorplan borrowings outstanding.
 
Other Interest Expense, net
 
Other net interest expense, which consists of interest charges primarily on our Mortgage Facility, our Acquisition Line and our long-term debt, partially offset by interest income, decreased $0.4 million, or 5.8%, to $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, from $7.3 million for the same period in 2009. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in interest income, the payoff of all borrowings outstanding on our Acquisition Line and the redemption of our 8.25% Notes on March 30, 2010. Partially offsetting the decrease was interest expense related to our 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (the “3.00% Notes”), which were issued on March 16, 2010. Our weighted average borrowings declined $26.9 million and $33.8 million for three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, other net interest expense decreased $1.6 million, or 7.3%, to $20.3 million. This decrease was primarily due to an increase in interest income, the payoff of all borrowings outstanding on our Acquisition Line and the redemption of our 8.25% Notes. Partially offsetting the decrease was interest expense related to our 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes.
 
Included in other interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is non-cash, discount amortization expense of $2.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively, representing the impact of the accounting for convertible debt. Based on the level of 2.25% Notes outstanding and the issuance of our 3.00% Notes during the latter part of the first quarter of 2010, we anticipate the ongoing annual non-cash discount amortization expense related to the convertible debt instruments will be $11.9 million, which will be included in other interest expense, net.
 
Gain/Loss on Redemption of Debt
 
On March 30, 2010, we completed the redemption of $74.6 million of our 8.25% Notes, representing the then outstanding balance, at a redemption price of 102.75% of the principal amount of the notes, utilizing proceeds from our 3.00% Notes offering. We incurred a $3.9 million pretax charge in completing the redemption, consisting primarily of a $2.1 million redemption premium, a $1.5 million write-off of unamortized bond discount and deferred costs and $0.3 million of other debt extinguishment costs. Total cash used in completing the redemption, excluding accrued interest of $0.8 million, was $77.0 million.
 
We did not repurchase any of our 2.25% Notes during the first nine months of 2010. During the first nine months of 2009, we repurchased $41.7 million par value of our outstanding 2.25% Notes for $20.9 million in cash, excluding $0.2 million of accrued interest, and realized a net gain of $8.7 million. In conjunction with the repurchases, $12.6 million of discounts, underwriters’ fees and debt issuance costs were written off. The unamortized cost of the related purchased options (the “2.25% Purchased Options”) acquired at the time the repurchased convertible notes were issued was $13.4 million, which was deductible as original issue discount for tax purposes, was taken into account in determining the tax gain. Accordingly, we recorded a proportionate reduction in our deferred tax assets. No value was attributed to the equity component of the 2.25% Notes at the time of the redemption and, therefore, no adjustment to additional paid-in-capital was recognized.
 
In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we refinanced certain real estate related debt through borrowings from our Mortgage Facility. In conjunction with the refinancing, we paid down the total amount borrowed by $4.1 million and recognized an aggregate prepayment penalty of $0.5 million.


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Provision for Income Taxes
 
Our provision for income taxes increased $2.0 million to $11.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, from a provision of $9.6 million for the same period in 2009, primarily due to the increase of pretax book income. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, our effective tax rate increased to 37.9% from 34.4% for the same period in 2009. This increase was primarily due to the changes in certain state tax laws and rates, the mix of our pretax income from the taxable state jurisdictions in which we operate, as well as a benefit recognized in conjunction with a tax election made during the three months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Our provision for income taxes increased $3.3 million to $25.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, from a provision of $21.8 million for the same period in 2009, primarily due to the increase of pretax book income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our effective tax rate increased to 38.7% from 37.2% for the same period in 2009. This increase was primarily due to the changes in certain state tax laws and rates and the mix of our pretax income from the taxable state jurisdictions in which we operate, as well as a benefit recognized in conjunction with a tax election made during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
We believe that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances provided, will be realized, based primarily on the assumption of future taxable income and taxes available in carry back periods. We expect our effective tax rate for the remainder of 2010 will be approximately 39.0%.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Our liquidity and capital resources are primarily derived from cash on hand, cash temporarily invested as a pay down of Floorplan Line levels, cash from operations, borrowings under our credit facilities, which provide vehicle floorplan financing, working capital and real estate acquisition financing, and proceeds from debt and equity offerings. Based on current facts and circumstances, we believe we have adequate cash flow, coupled with available borrowing capacity, to fund our current operations, capital expenditures and acquisition program for the remainder of 2010. If economic and business conditions deteriorate further or if our capital expenditures or acquisition plans for 2010 change, we may need to access the private or public capital markets to obtain additional funding.
 
Sources of Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Cash on Hand.  As of September 30, 2010, our total cash on hand was $96.2 million. Included in cash on hand are balances from various investments in marketable and debt securities, such as money market accounts and variable-rate demand obligations with manufacturer-affiliated finance companies, which have maturities of less than three months or are redeemable on demand by us. The balance of cash on hand excludes $57.9 million of immediately available funds used to pay down our Floorplan Line. We use the pay down of our Floorplan Line as a channel for the short-term investment of excess cash.
 
Cash Flows.  The following table sets forth selected historical information regarding cash flows from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
 
                 
    Nine Months
 
    Ended September 30,  
    2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ (52,185 )   $ 464,772  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (14,984 )     7,504  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    149,817       (481,945 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    293       1,407  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 82,941     $ (8,262 )
                 
 
With respect to all new vehicle floorplan borrowings, the manufacturers of the vehicles draft our credit facilities directly with no cash flow to or from us. With respect to borrowings for used vehicle financing, we choose which vehicles to finance and the funds flow directly to us from the lender. All borrowings from, and repayments to,


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lenders affiliated with our vehicle manufacturers (excluding the cash flows from or to manufacturer-affiliated lenders participating in our syndicated lending group) are presented within Cash Flows from Operating Activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. All borrowings from, and repayments to, the syndicated lending group under our revolving credit facility (our “Revolving Credit Facility”) (including the cash flows from or to manufacturer-affiliated lenders participating in the facility) are presented within Cash Flows from Financing Activities.
 
Operating Activities.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we used $52.2 million in net cash flow from operating activities, primarily driven by $158.9 million in net changes in operating assets and liabilities partially offset by $39.7 million in net income and significant non-cash adjustments related to depreciation and amortization of $19.9 million, deferred income taxes of $22.2 million, and stock-based compensation of $7.5 million. Included in the net changes in operating assets and liabilities is $152.9 million of cash outflow due to increases in inventory levels, $10.6 million of cash outflow from increases of vehicles receivables, contracts-in-transit, accounts and notes receivables and $9.6 million of cash provided by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses. In addition, cash flow from operating activities includes an adjustment of $3.9 million for the loss on the redemption of our 8.25% Notes. The debt redemption is considered a cash flow from financing activities.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we generated $464.8 million in net cash flow from operating activities, primarily driven by $378.8 million in net changes in operating assets and liabilities, $36.8 million in net income and $58.0 million in adjustments for non-cash items. Included in the net changes in operating assets and liabilities is $373.1 million of cash flow provided by reductions in inventory levels and $56.8 million of cash flow from collections of vehicles receivables, contracts-in-transit, accounts and notes receivables, partially offset by $39.5 million of net repayments to manufacturer-affiliated floorplan lenders. The non-cash adjustments include $19.5 million in depreciation and amortization, $23.1 million in deferred income taxes, $7.4 million of stock based compensation, $5.4 million of debt discount and issuance cost amortization and $2.8 million in non-cash asset impairment charges. In addition, cash flow from operating activities includes an adjustment of $8.2 million for gains from repurchase of $41.7 million of par value of our 2.25% Notes, which is considered a cash flow from financing activities.
 
Investing Activities.  During the first nine months of 2010, we used $15.0 million from investing activities, primarily as a result of $34.4 million used in dealership acquisitions, including vehicle and parts inventory and related property, and $22.7 million for purchases of property and equipment to construct new and improve existing facilities, including $9.5 million for real estate to be used in the future relocation of an existing dealership. These cash outflows were partially offset by $41.0 million in proceeds from the sale of dealership franchises, property and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
During the first nine months of 2009, we generated $7.5 million from investing activities, primarily consisting of $21.1 million from the proceeds of sales of two franchises and related property and equipment, partially offset by $11.7 million of capital expenditures for the construction of new or expanded facilities and $3.8 million for inventory acquired as part of our dealership acquisition during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
Financing Activities.  We generated $149.8 million in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, consisting primarily of $115.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of our 3.00% Notes, $29.3 million from the sale of the associated 3.00% Warrants and $178.4 million in net borrowings under the Floorplan Line of our Revolving Credit Facility. These cash inflows were partially offset by the $77.0 million used to repurchase all of our outstanding 8.25% Notes, $45.9 million used for the 3.00% Purchased Options, $35.3 million of principal payments on the Mortgage Facility, which includes $24.2 million related to the disposition of our dealership in Florida, and $4.0 million in underwriters’ fees and debt issuance costs related to the 3.00% Notes offering. We entered into $12.8 million of Real Estate Notes, of which $3.8 million was used to pay down the Mortgage Facility. In addition, we used $26.8 million to repurchase treasury shares of our common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Included in the $178.4 million of net borrowings under the Floorplan Line of our Revolving Credit Facility is a net cash inflow of $13.6 million due to a decrease in our floorplan offset account.


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We used $481.9 million in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, consisting primarily of $390.3 million in net repayments under the Floorplan Line of our Revolving Credit Facility, $50.0 million in net repayments under the Acquisition Line of our Revolving Credit Facility, $20.9 million to repurchase $41.7 million par value of our 2.25% Notes, $17.2 million to repay a portion of our outstanding Mortgage Facility borrowings. Included in the $390.3 million of net repayments under the Floorplan Line of our Revolving Credit Facility is a net cash outflow of $26.2 million due to changes in our floorplan offset account. In addition, we refinanced our March 2008 and September 2008 Real Estate Loans through borrowings on our Mortgage Facility of $27.9 million. In conjunction with the refinancing, we paid down the total amount borrowed by $4.1 million and recognized an aggregate prepayment penalty of $0.5 million.
 
Working Capital.  At September 30, 2010, we had $175.7 million of working capital. Changes in our working capital are driven primarily by changes in floorplan notes payable outstanding. Borrowings on our new vehicle floorplan notes payable, subject to agreed upon pay-off terms, are equal to 100% of the factory invoice of the vehicles. Borrowings on our used vehicle floorplan notes payable, subject to agreed upon pay-off terms, are limited to 70% of the aggregate book value of our used vehicle inventory. At times, we have made payments on our floorplan notes payable using excess cash flow from operations and the proceeds of debt and equity offerings. As needed, we re-borrow the amounts later, up to the limits on the floorplan notes payable discussed below, for working capital, acquisitions, capital expenditures or general corporate purposes.
 
Credit Facilities.  Our various credit facilities are used to finance the purchase of inventory and real estate, provide acquisition funding and provide working capital for general corporate purposes. Our three most significant domestic revolving facilities currently provide us with a total of $1.15 billion of borrowing capacity for inventory floorplan financing, $231.2 million for real estate purchases, and an additional $350.0 million for acquisitions, capital expenditures and/or other general corporate purposes.
 
Revolving Credit Facility.  Our Revolving Credit Facility, which is comprised of 20 financial institutions, including four manufacturer-affiliated finance companies, expires in March 2012 and consists of two tranches: $1.0 billion for vehicle inventory floorplan financing (the “Floorplan Line”) and $350.0 million for working capital, including acquisitions (the “Acquisition Line”). Up to half of the Acquisition Line can be borrowed in either Euros or Pound Sterling. The capacity under these two tranches can be re-designated within the overall $1.35 billion commitment, subject to the original limits of a minimum of $1.0 billion for the Floorplan Line and maximum of $350.0 million for the Acquisition Line. The Revolving Credit Facility can be expanded to its maximum commitment of $1.85 billion, subject to participating lender approval. The Acquisition Line bears interest at the one-month London Inter Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin that ranges from 150 to 250 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. The Floorplan Line bears interest at rates equal to LIBOR plus 87.5 basis points for new vehicle inventory and LIBOR plus 97.5 basis points for used vehicle inventory. In addition, we pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the Acquisition Line, as well as the Floorplan Line. The available funds on the Acquisition Line carry a commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.375% per annum, depending on our leverage ratio, based on a minimum commitment of $200.0 million. The Floorplan Line requires a 0.20% commitment fee on the unused portion. In conjunction with the amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility on March 19, 2007, we capitalized $2.3 million of related costs that are being amortized over the term of the facility.
 
As of September 30, 2010, after considering outstanding balances, we had $401.3 million of available floorplan capacity under the Floorplan Line. Included in the $401.3 million available balance under the Floorplan Line is $57.9 million of immediately available funds. The weighted average interest rate on the Floorplan Line was 1.1% as of September 30, 2010. After considering $17.3 million of outstanding letters of credit, and other factors included in our available borrowing base calculation, there was $137.5 million of available borrowing capacity under the Acquisition Line as of September 30, 2010. The amount of available borrowing capacity under the Acquisition Line may be limited from time to time based upon certain debt covenants.
 
All of our domestic dealership-owning subsidiaries are co-borrowers under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of significant covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to make disbursements outside of the ordinary course of business, dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments and engage in mergers or consolidations. We are also required to comply with specified financial tests and ratios defined in the Revolving Credit Facility, such as fixed charge coverage,


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current, total leverage, and senior secured leverage, among others. As of September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with these covenants, including:
 
             
    As of September 30,
    2010
    Required   Actual
 
Senior secured leverage ratio
  < 2.75     1.24  
Total leverage ratio
  < 4.50     3.61  
Fixed charge coverage ratio
  > 1.25     1.70  
Current Ratio
  > 1.15     1.35  
 
Based upon our current operating and financial projections, we believe that we will remain compliant with such covenants in the future. Further, provisions of our Revolving Credit Facility require us to maintain financial ratios and a minimum level of stockholders’ equity (the “Required Stockholders’ Equity”), which effectively limits the amount of disbursements (or “Restricted Payments”) that we may make outside the ordinary course of business (e.g., cash dividends and stock repurchases). The Required Stockholders’ Equity is defined as a base of $520.0 million, plus 50% of cumulative adjusted net income, plus 100% of the proceeds from any equity issuances and less non-cash asset impairment charges. The amount by which adjusted stockholders’ equity exceeds the Required Stockholders’ Equity is the amount available for Restricted Payments (the “Amount Available for Restricted Payments”). For purposes of this covenant calculation, net income and stockholders’ equity represents such amounts per the consolidated financial statements, adjusted to exclude our foreign operations and the impact of the adoption of the accounting standard for convertible debt that became effective on January 1, 2009. As of September 30, 2010, the Amount Available for Restricted Payments was $168.0 million.
 
Amounts borrowed under the Floorplan Line of our Revolving Credit Facility must be repaid upon the sale of the specific vehicle financed, and in no case may a borrowing for a vehicle remain outstanding greater than one year. Our obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by essentially all of our domestic personal property (other than equity interests in dealership-owning subsidiaries) including all motor vehicle inventory and proceeds from the disposition of dealership-owning subsidiaries.
 
Ford Motor Credit Company Facility.  Our FMCC Facility provides for the financing of, and is collateralized by, our Ford, Lincoln and Mercury new vehicle inventory. This arrangement provides for $150.0 million of floorplan financing and is an evergreen arrangement that may be cancelled with 30 days notice by either party. During June 2009, we amended our FMCC Facility to reduce the available floorplan financing available from $300.0 million to $150.0 million, with no change to any other original terms or pricing related to the facility. As of September 30, 2010, we had an outstanding balance of $52.8 million, with an available floorplan capacity of $97.2 million. This facility bears interest at a rate of Prime plus 150 basis points minus certain incentives; however, the prime rate is defined to be a minimum of 4.0%. As of September 30, 2010, the interest rate on the FMCC Facility was 5.5%, before considering the applicable incentives.
 
Real Estate Credit Facility.  Our Mortgage Facility is a five-year real estate credit facility that is syndicated with nine financial institutions and provides a maximum commitment of $231.2 million. The Mortgage Facility is used for acquisitions of real estate and vehicle dealerships. Borrowings under the Mortgage Facility consist of individual term loans, each in a minimum amount of $0.5 million, secured by a parcel or property. The facility matures in March 2012. At our option, any loan under the Mortgage Facility will bear interest at a rate equal to (i) one-month LIBOR plus 1.05% or (ii) the Base Rate as defined in the facility agreement. The interest rate of the Mortgage Facility as of September 30, 2010 was 1.3%. Quarterly principal payments are required of each loan outstanding under the facility at an amount equal to one eightieth of the original principal amount, with any remaining unpaid principal amount due at the end of the term. We capitalized $1.3 million of related debt financing costs that are being amortized over the term of the facility, of which, $0.9 million has been amortized as of September 30, 2010.
 
The Mortgage Facility is guaranteed by us and essentially all of our existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries that also guarantee or are required to guarantee our Revolving Credit Facility. Each loan is secured by real property (and improvements related thereto) specified by us and located at or near a vehicle dealership operated by a subsidiary of ours or otherwise used or to be used by a vehicle dealership operated by a subsidiary of ours.


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As of September 30, 2010, we were entitled to sell any property subject to the facility on fair and reasonable terms in an arm’s length transaction, remove it from the facility, and repay in full the entire outstanding balance of the loan relating to such sold property. On July 13, 2010, the Mortgage Facility was amended to require that repayments of outstanding loan balances, other than scheduled principal payments, would immediately and permanently reduce the total $235.0 million original commitment. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we executed a note agreement with a third-party financial institution for $3.8 million to refinance a portion of the borrowings under our Mortgage Facility related to existing dealership real estate. This pay down of the Mortgage Facility permanently reduced the total commitment from $235.0 million to $231.2 million at September 30, 2010. We also executed two additional note agreements during the third quarter of 2010 with the same third-party financial institution for an aggregate of $9.0 million to finance the purchase of real estate to be developed for future dealerships. We plan to replace the remainder of our existing syndicated Mortgage Facility with separate mortgage loans, similar to the aforementioned Real Estate Notes, through several of our manufacturer partners and a group of banking partners during the fourth quarter of 2010. As of September 30, 2010, available unused borrowings from the Mortgage Facility totaled $73.8 million.
 
The Mortgage Facility contains certain covenants, including financial ratios that must be complied with including: fixed charge coverage ratio; senior secured leverage ratio; dispositions of financed properties; ownership of equity interests in a lessor subsidiary; and occupancy or sublease of any financed property. We are also required to comply with specified financial covenant ratios defined in the note agreements referred to above, including fixed charge coverage and senior secured leverage, which are calculated on similar terms to the ratios required under our Mortgage Facility. As of September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with all of these covenants. Based upon our current operating and financial projections, we believe that we will remain compliant with such covenants in the future.
 
Other Credit Facilities.  We finance the new, used and rental vehicle inventories of our U.K. operations using a credit facility with BMW Financial Services. This facility is an evergreen arrangement that may be cancelled with notice by either party and bears interest at a base rate, plus a surcharge that varies based upon the type of vehicle being financed. As of September 30, 2010, the interest rate being charged on borrowings outstanding under this facility ranged from 1.1% to 4.5%.
 
Financing for rental vehicles is typically obtained directly from the automobile manufacturers, excluding rental vehicles financed through the Revolving Credit Facility. These financing arrangements generally require small monthly payments and mature in varying amounts throughout 2010 and 2011. As of September 30, 2010, the interest rate charged on borrowings related to our rental vehicle fleet ranged from 1.1% to 6.8%. Rental vehicles are typically moved to used vehicle inventory when they are removed from rental service and repayment of the borrowing is required at that time.
 
The following table summarizes the current position of our credit facilities as of September 30, 2010:
 
                         
    As of September 30, 2010  
    Total
             
Credit Facility
  Commitment     Outstanding     Available  
          (In thousands)        
 
Floorplan Line(1)
  $ 1,000,000     $ 598,738     $ 401,262  
Acquisition Line(2)
    350,000       17,275       137,497  
                         
Total Revolving Credit Facility
    1,350,000       616,013       538,759  
FMCC Facility
    150,000       52,822       97,178  
Mortgage Facility
    231,206       157,443       73,763  
                         
Total Credit Facilities(3)
  $ 1,731,206     $ 826,278     $ 709,700  
                         
 
 
(1) The available balance at September 30, 2010, includes $57.9 million of immediately available funds.
 
(2) The outstanding balance of $17.3 million at September 30, 2010 is completely made up of outstanding letters of credit. The total amount available is restricted to a borrowing base calculation within the debt covenants of the Revolving Credit Facility which totaled $154.8 million at September 30, 2010.
 
(3) Outstanding balance excludes $51.1 million of borrowings with manufacturer-affiliates for foreign and rental vehicle financing not associated with any of the Company’s credit facilities.


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Long-Term Debt.  On March 16, 2010, we issued $100.0 million aggregate principal amount the 3.00% Notes at par in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. On April 1, 2010, the underwriters of the 3.00% Notes exercised their full over-allotment option, and we issued an additional $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.00% Notes. The 3.00% Notes will bear interest at a rate of 3.00% per annum until maturity. Interest on the 3.00% Notes will accrue from March 22, 2010. Interest will be payable semiannually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning September 15, 2010. The 3.00% Notes mature on March 15, 2020, unless earlier repurchased or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date.
 
We may not redeem the 3.00% Notes prior to the maturity date. Holders of the 3.00% Notes may require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 3.00% Notes on or after September 15, 2019. If we experience specified types of fundamental changes, holders of 3.00% Notes may require us to repurchase the 3.00% Notes. Any repurchase of the 3.00% Notes pursuant to this provision will be for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 3.00% Notes to be repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the purchase date. Additionally, in the event of a make-whole fundamental change, as defined in the indenture, dated March 22, 2010, with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee, which governs the 3.00% Notes (the “Indenture”), the holders of the 3.00% Notes may be entitled to a make-whole premium in the form of an increase in the conversion rate.
 
The 3.00% Notes are convertible into cash and, if applicable, common stock based on an initial conversion rate of 25.8987 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 3.00% Notes (which is equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $38.61 per common share) subject to adjustment, on the business day preceding September 15, 2019, under the following circumstances: (1) during any fiscal quarter (and only during such fiscal quarter) beginning after June 30, 2010, if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is equal to or more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share (such threshold closing price initially being $50.193); (2) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of 3.00% Notes for each day of the ten day trading period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate of the 3.00% Notes on that day; and (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions set forth in the Indenture. Upon conversion, a holder will receive an amount in cash and common shares of our common stock, determined in the manner set forth in the Indenture. Upon any conversion of the 3.00% Notes, we will deliver to converting holders a settlement amount comprised of cash and, if applicable, shares of our common stock, based on a conversion value determined by multiplying the then applicable conversion rate by a volume weighted price of our common stock on each trading day in a specified 25 trading day observation period. In general, as described more fully in the Indenture, converting holders will receive, in respect of each $1,000 principal amount of notes being converted, the conversion value in cash up to $1,000 and the excess, if any, of the conversion value over $1,000 in shares of our common stock.
 
The net proceeds from the issuance of the 3.00% Notes were used to redeem our then outstanding 8.25% Notes which were called on March 22, 2010 for redemption on April 22, 2010 at a redemption price of 102.75% plus accrued interest, and to pay the $16.6 million net cost of the convertible note hedge transactions (after such costs is partially offset by the proceeds from the sale of the warrant transactions described below in — Uses of Liquidity and Capital Resources). Debt issue costs and underwriters’ fees totaled $4.0 million and are being amortized over a period of ten years.
 
The 3.00% Notes rank equal in right of payment to all of our other existing and future senior indebtedness. The 3.00% Notes are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries and, accordingly, are structurally subordinated to all of the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. The 3.00% Notes will also be effectively subordinated to all of our secured indebtedness. For a more detailed discussion of the 3.00% Notes, see Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Dispositions.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we disposed of a Ford Lincoln Mercury dealership in Florida along with the associated real estate. Gross consideration received was $35.0 million, including amounts used to repay our floorplan notes payable associated with the vehicle inventory sold and the respective Mortgage Facility financing balance.


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Uses of Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Redemption of 8.25% Notes.  During the first three months of 2010, we completed the redemption of all of our then outstanding 8.25% Notes. Total cash used in completing the redemption, excluding accrued interest of $0.8 million, was $77.0 million.
 
Acquisitions.  During the first nine months of 2010, we acquired two BMW/Mini dealerships in the Southeast region of the U.K. In addition, we acquired a Toyota/Scion dealership and an Audi dealership located in South Carolina. Gross consideration paid for these acquisitions was $36.4 million, including the amounts paid for vehicle inventory, parts inventory, equipment and furniture and fixtures, as well as the purchase of portions of the associated real estate. The vehicle inventory was subsequently financed through borrowings under our applicable credit facility.
 
Mortgage Facility Activity.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we paid down $35.3 million in principal payments against the Mortgage Facility, $24.2 million of which was from the proceeds of the sale of property associated with a dealership disposition in June 2010 and $3.8 million of which was from the refinance of an existing dealership property.
 
Capital Expenditures.  Our capital expenditures include expenditures to extend the useful lives of current facilities and expenditures to start or expand operations. Historically, our annual capital expenditures, exclusive of new or expanded operations, have equaled our annual depreciation charge. In general, expenditures relating to the construction or expansion of dealership facilities are driven by new franchises being granted to us by a manufacturer, significant growth in sales at an existing facility, dealership acquisition activity, or manufacturer imaging programs. Through the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we have spent $13.2 million in capital expenditures. We forecast our capital expenditures for 2010 to be less than $30.0 million, generally funded from excess cash.
 
Dividends.  The payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors after considering the results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, capital requirements, outlook for our business, general business conditions, the political and legislative environments and other factors. In February 2009, our Board of Directors indefinitely suspended the cash dividend on our common shares.
 
Further, provisions of our Revolving Credit Facility require us to maintain the Required Stockholders’ Equity, which effectively limits Restricted Payments. (e.g., cash dividends and stock repurchases). As of September 30, 2010, the Amount Available for Restricted Payments was $168.0 million. This limit will increase or decrease in future periods by adding to the current limitation the sum of 50% of our consolidated net income excluding non-cash items, if positive, and 100% of equity issuances, less actual dividends or stock repurchases completed in each quarterly period.
 
Purchase of Convertible Note Hedge.  In connection with the issuance of the 3.00% Notes during the first quarter of 2010, we purchased ten-year call options on our common stock (the “3.00% Purchased Options”). Under the terms of the 3.00% Purchased Options, which become exercisable upon conversion of the 3.00% Notes, we have the right to purchase a total of 3.0 million shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $38.61 per share. The total cost of the Purchased Options was $45.9 million. The future income tax deductions relating to the cost of the 3.00% Purchased Options will result in a tax benefit of approximately $17.2 million.
 
In addition to the purchase of the 3.00% Purchased Options, we sold warrants in separate transactions (the “3.00% Warrants”). These 3.00% Warrants have a ten-year term and enable the holders to acquire shares of our common stock from us. The 3.00% Warrants are exercisable for a maximum of 3.0 million shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $56.74 per share, subject to adjustment for quarterly dividends, liquidation, bankruptcy, or a change in control of us and other conditions, including a failure by us to deliver registered securities to the purchasers upon exercise. Subject to these adjustments, the maximum amount of shares of our common stock that could be required to be issued under the 3.00% Warrants is 5.3 million shares. On exercise of the 3.00% Warrants, we will settle the difference between the then market price and the strike price of the 3.00% Warrants in shares of our common stock. The proceeds from the sale of the 3.00% Warrants were $29.3 million, which were recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2010.
 
The 3.00% Purchased Options and 3.00% Warrants transactions were designed to increase the conversion price per share of our common stock from $38.61 to $56.74 (an 80% premium to the closing price of our common stock


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on the date that the 3.00% Notes were priced to investors) and, therefore, mitigate the potential dilution of our common stock upon conversion of the 3.00% Notes, if any.
 
No shares of our common stock have been issued or received under the 3.00% Purchased Options or the 3.00% Warrants. Since the price of our common stock was less than $38.61 at September 30, 2010, the intrinsic value of both the 3.00% Purchased Options and the 3.00% Warrants, as expressed in shares of our common stock, was zero. Changes in the price of our common stock will impact the share settlement of 3.00% Notes, the 3.00% Purchased Options and the 3.00% Warrants as illustrated below:
 
                                         
        Share
           
    Net Shares
  Entitlement
  Shares
       
    Issuable
  Under the
  Issuable
  Net
  Potential
Company
  Under the 3.00%
  Purchased
  Under the
  Shares
  EPS
Stock Price
  Notes   Options   Warrants   Issuable   Dilution
    (Shares in thousands)
 
$37.50
                             
$40.00
    103       (103 )                 103  
$42.50
    272       (272 )                 272  
$45.00
    423       (423 )                 423  
$47.50
    557       (557 )                 557  
$50.00
    678       (678 )                 678  
$52.50
    788       (788 )                 788  
$55.00
    887       (887 )                 887  
$57.50
    978       (978 )     40       40       1,018  
$60.00
    1,062       (1,062 )     162       162       1,224  
$62.50
    1,138       (1,138 )     275       275       1,413  
$65.00
    1,209       (1,209 )     379       379       1,588  
$67.50
    1,275       (1,275 )     475       475       1,750  
$70.00
    1,335       (1,335 )     564       564       1,899  
$72.50
    1,392       (1,392 )     648       648       2,040  
$75.00
    1,445       (1,445 )     725       725       2,170  
$77.50
    1,494       (1,494 )     798       798       2,292  
$80.00
    1,541       (1,541 )     866       866       2,407  
$82.50
    1,584       (1,584 )     930       930       2,514  
$85.00
    1,625       (1,625 )     990       990       2,615  
$87.50
    1,664       (1,664 )     1,047       1,047       2,711  
$90.00
    1,701       (1,701 )     1,101       1,101       2,802  
$92.50
    1,735       (1,735 )     1,152       1,152       2,887  
$95.00
    1,768       (1,768 )     1,200       1,200       2,968  
$97.50
    1,799       (1,799 )     1,245       1,245       3,044  
$100.00
    1,828       (1,828 )     1,289       1,289       3,117  
 
For dilutive earnings-per-share calculations, we will be required to include the dilutive effect, if applicable, of the net shares issuable under the 3.00% Notes and the 3.00% Warrants as depicted in the table above under the heading “Potential EPS Dilution.” Although the 3.00% Purchased Options have the economic benefit of decreasing the dilutive effect of the 3.00% Notes, for earnings per share purposes we cannot factor this benefit into our dilutive shares outstanding as their impact would be anti-dilutive.
 
Stock Repurchases.  From time to time, our Board of Directors authorizes us to repurchase shares of our common stock, subject to the restrictions of various debt agreements and our judgment. In August 2008, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase up to $20.0 million of common stock, during which month 37,300 shares were repurchased at a cost of $0.8 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2010, pursuant to this


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authorization, an additional 748,464 shares were repurchased at a cost of $19.2 million, effectively exhausting the August 2008 authorization.
 
In July 2010, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $25.0 million of our common shares. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, pursuant to this authorization, 294,098 shares were repurchased at a cost of $7.5 million. These repurchases reduced our weighted average diluted shares outstanding to 22.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. On a go forward basis, that would equate to 22.8 million diluted shares outstanding. Future repurchases are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors after considering our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, capital requirements, existing debt covenants, outlook for our business, general business conditions and other factors.
 
Registration Statement.  We have a “well-known seasoned issuer” universal shelf registration statement, effective August 13, 2009, which registers future sales of an indeterminate amount of debt or equity securities. We intend to use the proceeds from any future securities sales off this shelf for general corporate purposes. We have not issued any securities under this shelf registration statement to date.
 
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Interest Rates.  We have interest rate risk in our variable rate debt obligations and interest rate swaps. Our policy is to manage our interest rate exposure through the use of a combination of fixed and floating rate debt and interest rate swaps.
 
As of September 30, 2010, the outstanding principal amount of our 2.25% Notes and 3.00% Notes, which is primarily all of our fixed rate debt, totaled $182.8 million and $115.0 million, respectively, and had a fair value of $151.0 million and $110.9 million, respectively. The carrying amount of our 2.25% Notes and 3.00% Notes was $136.6 million and $73.6 million, respectively, at September 30, 2010.
 
As of September 30, 2010, we had $702.7 million of variable-rate floorplan borrowings outstanding and $157.4 million of variable-rate Mortgage Facility borrowings outstanding. Based on the aggregate amount outstanding and before the impact of our interest rate swaps described below, a 100 basis-point change in interest rates would result in an approximate $8.4 million change to our annual interest expense. After consideration of the interest rate swaps described below, a 100 basis-point change would yield a net annual change of $2.9 million.
 
We reflect interest assistance as a reduction of new vehicle inventory cost until the associated vehicle is sold. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized $17.8 million of interest assistance as a reduction of new vehicle cost of sales. For the past three years, the reduction to our new vehicle cost of sales has ranged from 49.9% to 76.7% of our floorplan interest expense. Although we can provide no assurance as to the amount of future interest assistance, it is our expectation, based on historical data, that an increase in prevailing interest rates would result in increased assistance from certain manufacturers.
 
We use interest rate swaps to adjust our exposure to interest rate movements when appropriate based upon market conditions. These swaps are entered into with financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings, thereby minimizing the risk of credit loss. We reflect the current fair value of all derivatives on our balance sheet. The related gains or losses on these transactions are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related items being hedged are recognized in expense. However, to the extent that the change in value of a derivative contract does not perfectly offset the change in the value of the items being hedged, that ineffective portion is immediately recognized in income. All of our interest rate hedges are designated as cash flow hedges. The hedge instruments are designed to convert floating rate vehicle floorplan payables under our Revolving Credit Facility and variable rate Mortgage Facility borrowings to fixed rate debt. In aggregate, as of September 30, 2010, we held interest rate swaps with aggregate notional amounts of $550.0 million that fixed our underlying LIBOR rate at a weighted average rate of 4.7%. The fair value of the interest rate swaps is impacted by the forward LIBOR interest rate curve and the length of time to maturity of the swap contract.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we entered into an interest rate swap with a $50.0 million notional value, effective in January 2011 with expiration in August 2015, effectively locking in a rate of 1.7%. At September 30, 2010, net unrealized losses, net of income taxes, related to hedges included in accumulated other


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comprehensive income totaled $15.2 million. As of September 30, 2010, our liability associated with these interest rate swaps decreased from $30.6 million as of December 31, 2009 to $24.3 million. At September 30, 2010, all of our derivative contracts were determined to be effective, and no material ineffective portion was recognized in income during the period.
 
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates.  As of September 30, 2010, we had dealership operations in the U.K. The functional currency of our U.K. subsidiaries is the Pound Sterling. We intend to remain permanently invested in these foreign operations and, as such, do not hedge against foreign currency fluctuations that may impact our investment in the U.K. subsidiaries. If we change our intent with respect to such international investment, we would expect to implement strategies designed to manage those risks in an effort to mitigate the effect of foreign currency fluctuations on our earnings and cash flows. A 10% change in average exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar would have resulted in an $18.5 million change to our revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
Additional information about our market sensitive financial instruments was provided in our 2009 Form 10-K.
 
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), we have evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. Based upon that evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2010 at the reasonable assurance level.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2010, there was no change in our system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings
 
We are not party to any legal proceedings, including class action lawsuits that, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. For a discussion of our legal proceedings, see Part  I, Item 1, Financial Information, Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 11, “Commitments and Contingencies”.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
Our success depends upon the continued viability and overall success of a limited number of manufacturers.
 
We are subject to a concentration of risk in the event of financial distress, merger, sale or bankruptcy, including potential liquidation, of a major vehicle manufacturer. Toyota/Lexus/Scion, Nissan/Infiniti, Honda/Acura, Ford, BMW/Mini, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler and General Motors dealerships represented approximately 94.1% of our total new vehicle retail units sold in the first nine months of 2010. In particular, sales of Toyota/Lexus/Scion and Nissan/Infiniti new vehicles represented 50.1% of our new vehicle unit sales during the nine months ended


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September 30, 2010. The success of our dealerships is dependent on vehicle manufacturers in several key respects. First, we rely exclusively on the various vehicle manufacturers for our new vehicle inventory. Our ability to sell new vehicles is dependent on a vehicle manufacturer’s ability to produce and allocate to our dealerships an attractive, high quality, and desirable product mix at the right time in order to satisfy customer demand. Second, manufacturers generally support their franchisees by providing direct financial assistance in various areas, including, among others, floorplan assistance and advertising assistance. Third, manufacturers provide product warranties and, in some cases, service contracts to customers. Our dealerships perform warranty and service contract work for vehicles under manufacturer product warranties and service contracts and direct bill the manufacturer as opposed to invoicing the customer. At any particular time, we have significant receivables from manufacturers for warranty and service work performed for customers, as well as for vehicle incentives. In addition, we rely on manufacturers to varying extents for original equipment manufactured replacement parts, training, product brochures and point of sale materials, and other items for our dealerships.
 
Vehicle manufacturers may be adversely impacted by economic downturns or recessions, significant declines in the sales of their new vehicles, increases in interest rates, adverse fluctuations in currency exchange rates, declines in their credit ratings, reductions in access to capital or credit, labor strikes or similar disruptions (including within their major suppliers), supply shortages or rising raw material costs, rising employee benefit costs, adverse publicity that may reduce consumer demand for their products (including due to bankruptcy), product defects, vehicle recall campaigns, litigation, poor product mix or unappealing vehicle design, governmental laws and regulations, or other adverse events. These and other risks could materially adversely affect any manufacturer and impact its ability to profitably design, market, produce or distribute new vehicles, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, stockholders’ equity, cash flows and prospects. In 2008 and 2009, vehicle manufacturers and in particular domestic manufacturers, were adversely impacted by the unfavorable economic conditions in the U.S.
 
In addition, in January 2010, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (“Toyota”) temporarily suspended the production and sale of certain models representing about two-thirds of its total unit sales in the U.S. and launched a recall to address quality issues on those vehicles. In January and February of 2010, this recall negatively impacted our new and used vehicle sales. In the long-term, Toyota’s reputation for quality vehicles could be permanently impaired, despite the efforts of Toyota to address these quality issues. We are unable to estimate the longer term net impact of the recalls made by Toyota in the first nine months of 2010, but, since Toyota brands represented 36.6% of our unit sales in 2009, it could be materially adverse to our financial condition and results of operations. In the event or threat of a bankruptcy by a vehicle manufacturer, among other things: (1) the manufacturer could attempt to terminate all or certain of our franchises, and we may not receive adequate compensation for them, (2) we may not be able to collect some or all of our significant receivables that are due from such manufacturer and we may be subject to preference claims relating to payments made by such manufacturer prior to bankruptcy, (3) we may not be able to obtain financing for our new vehicle inventory, or arrange financing for our customers for their vehicle purchases and leases, with such manufacturer’s captive finance subsidiary, which may cause us to finance our new vehicle inventory, and arrange financing for our customers, with alternate finance sources on less favorable terms, and (4) consumer demand for such manufacturer’s products could be materially adversely affected and could impact the value of our inventory. These events may result in a partial or complete write-down of our goodwill and/or intangible franchise rights with respect to any terminated franchises and cause us to incur impairment charges related to operating leases and/or receivables due from such manufacturers or to record allowances against the value of our new and used inventory.
 
Manufacturers’ restrictions may limit our future growth.
 
We must obtain the consent of the manufacturer prior to the acquisition of any of its dealership franchises. Delays in obtaining, or failing to obtain, manufacturer approvals for dealership acquisitions could adversely affect our acquisition program. Obtaining the consent of a manufacturer for the acquisition of a dealership could take a significant amount of time or might be rejected entirely. In determining whether to approve an acquisition, manufacturers may consider many factors, including the moral character and business experience of the dealership principals and the financial condition, ownership structure, customer satisfaction index scores and other performance measures of our dealerships. Also, our manufacturers attempt to measure customers’ satisfaction


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with automobile dealerships through systems generally known as the customer satisfaction index or CSI. Manufacturers may use these performance indicators, as well as sales performance numbers, as conditions for certain payments and as factors in evaluating applications for additional acquisitions. The manufacturers have modified the components of their CSI scores from time to time in the past, and they may replace them with different systems at any time. In unusual cases where performance indicators, such as the ones described above, are not met to the satisfaction of the manufacturer, certain manufacturers may either limit our ability to acquire additional dealerships or require the disposal of existing dealerships or both. From time to time, we have not met all of the manufacturers’ requirements to make acquisitions and have received requests to dispose of certain of our dealerships. On one occasion, one of our manufacturers initiated legal proceedings to block one of our acquisitions, but before the court could address the matter, the manufacturer dismissed its proceeding when the seller elected not to sell its dealerships to us. In the event one or more of our manufacturers sought to prohibit future acquisitions, or imposed requirements to dispose of one or more of our dealerships, this could adversely affect our acquisition and growth strategy.
 
In addition, a manufacturer may limit the number of its dealerships that we may own or the number that we may own in a particular geographic area. If we reach a limitation imposed by a manufacturer for a particular geographic market, we will be unable to make additional acquisitions of that manufacturer’s franchises in that market, which could limit our ability to grow in that geographic area. In addition, geographic limitations imposed by manufacturers could restrict our ability to make geographic acquisitions involving markets that overlap with those we already serve. We may acquire only four primary Lexus dealerships or six outlets nationally, including only two Lexus dealerships in any one of the four Lexus geographic areas. We own three primary Lexus dealerships. Also, we own the maximum number of Toyota dealerships we are currently permitted to own in the Gulf States region, which is comprised of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas, and in the Boston region, which is comprised of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
 
Notwithstanding the matters discussed above, there have been no other material changes in our risk factors as previously disclosed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our 2009 Form 10-K. In addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part 1, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2009 Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this quarterly report and in our 2009 Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.
 
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
The following table provides information about purchases of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act during the three months ended September 30, 2010:
 
                                 
                Total Number
       
                of Shares
       
                Purchased as
    Approximate
 
                Part of
    Dollar Value of
 
          Average
    Publicly
    Shares that May
 
    Total Number
    Price
    Announced
    Be Purchased
 
    of Shares
    Paid per
    Plans or
    Under the Plans
 
Period
  Purchased     Share     Programs     or Programs(1)  
                      (In thousands,
 
                      excluding
 
                      commissions)  
 
July 1 — July 31, 2010
        $           $ 25,000  
August 1 — August 31, 2010
    280,134       25.51       280,134       17,853  
September 1 — September 30, 2010
    13,964       26.49       13,964     $ 17,483  
                                 
Total
    294,098     $ 25.56       294,098          
                                 
 
 
(1) On July 26, 2010, our Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program, subject to restrictions of various debt agreements, that authorizes us to purchase up to $25.0 million in common stock. The shares are to be repurchased from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions, at our discretion, and will be funded by cash from operations. The July 2010 authorization does not have an expiration date.


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Item 6.   Exhibits
 
             
Exhibit
       
Number
     
Description
 
  3 .1     Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-29893) filed June 24, 1997)
  3 .2     Amended and Restated Bylaws of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13461) filed November 13, 2007)
  4 .1†     First Supplemental Indenture dated August 9, 2010 among Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee
  10 .1*     Employment Agreement between Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and Earl J. Hesterberg dated effective September 8, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13461) filed September 9, 2010)
  10 .2*     Non-Compete Agreement between Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and Earl J. Hesterberg dated effective September 8, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13461) filed September 9, 2010)
  10 .3*     Form of Senior Executive Officer Restricted Stock Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13461) filed September 9, 2010)
  10 .4*     Form of Senior Executive Officer Phantom Stock Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13461) filed September 9, 2010)
  10 .5*     Description of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan for 2010 (effective July 1, 2010) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13461) filed July 28, 2010)
  10 .6     Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement effective as of July 13, 2010 by and among Group 1 Realty, Inc., Group 1 Automotive, Inc., Bank of America, N.A. and the Joining Lenders (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13461) filed July 28, 2010)
  31 .1†     Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31 .2†     Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32 .1†     Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32 .2†     Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Filed or furnished herewith
 
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement


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SIGNATURE
 
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.
 
  By: 
/s/  John C. Rickel
John C. Rickel
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial
and Accounting Officer)
 
Date: October 27, 2010


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
             
Exhibit
       
Number
     
Description
 
  3 .1     Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-29893) filed June 24, 1997)
  3 .2     Amended and Restated Bylaws of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13461) filed November 13, 2007)
  4 .1†     First Supplemental Indenture dated August 9, 2010 among Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee
  10 .1*     Employment Agreement between Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and Earl J. Hesterberg dated effective September 8, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13461) filed September 9, 2010)
  10 .2*     Non-Compete Agreement between Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and Earl J. Hesterberg dated effective September 8, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13461) filed September 9, 2010)
  10 .3*     Form of Senior Executive Officer Restricted Stock Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13461) filed September 9, 2010)
  10 .4*     Form of Senior Executive Officer Phantom Stock Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-13461) filed September 9, 2010)
  10 .5*     Description of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan for 2010 (effective July 1, 2010) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13461) filed July 28, 2010)
  10 .6     Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement effective as of July 13, 2010 by and among Group 1 Realty, Inc., Group 1 Automotive, Inc., Bank of America, N.A. and the Joining Lenders (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Group 1 Automotive, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-13461) filed July 28, 2010)
  31 .1†     Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31 .2†     Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32 .1†     Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32 .2†     Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Filed or furnished herewith
 
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement