SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 8, 2003


                            GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)







           Delaware                       1-13461              76-0506313
(State or other jurisdiction of      (Commission File       (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)            Number)          Identification No.)




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

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


ITEM 9.  REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

         On April 8, 2003, Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
announced that executive management will make a presentation at the Morgan
Stanley Global Automotive Conference on Tuesday, April 15, 2003. The text of
the press release is set forth below:


NEWS RELEASE                                             GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC

                                    950 Echo Lane, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77024

                                                                          
AT GROUP 1:            Chairman, President and CEO        B.B. Hollingsworth, Jr.   (713) 647-5700
                       EVP, CFO and Treasurer             Scott L. Thompson         (713) 647-5700
                       Manager, Investor Relations        Kim Paper                 (713) 647-5700

AT Fleishman-Hillard:  Investors/Media                    Russell A. Johnson        (713) 513-9515



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2003

                        GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE TO PRESENT AT
                  MORGAN STANLEY GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE CONFERENCE

HOUSTON, APRIL 8, 2003--GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. (NYSE: GPI), a Fortune 500
specialty retailer, announced that executive management will make a
presentation at the Morgan Stanley Global Automotive Conference being held in
New York City on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 7:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
The presentation will cover Group 1's 2002 financial results and an overview of
Company strategies.

A live audio webcast, with a replay available through Oct. 15, 2003, will be
accessible through Group 1's website at www.group1auto.com. Access is also
available through www.streetevents.com.


ABOUT GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Group 1 owns 73 automotive dealerships comprised of 114 franchises, 29
different brands, and 25 collision service centers located in California,
Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oklahoma and
Texas. Through its dealerships and Internet sites, the Company sells new and
used cars and light trucks; arranges related financing, vehicle service and
insurance contracts; provides maintenance and repair services; and sells
replacement parts.

    GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE CAN BE REACHED ON THE INTERNET AT WWW.GROUP1AUTO.COM

                                      ###


         In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the
information contained in such press release shall not be deemed "filed" for
purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be
deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of
1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a
filing.

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



                               Group 1 Automotive, Inc.



     April 9, 2003              By:      /s/Scott L. Thompson
-----------------------            --------------------------
           Date                    Scott L. Thompson, Executive Vice President,
                                   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer