e11vk
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 11-K
(Mark One)
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission File Number 001-13461
A. Full title of the plan and address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan
B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
800 Gessner, Suite 500
Houston, Texas 77024
 
 

 


 

REQUIRED INFORMATION
The following financial statements and reports, which have been prepared pursuant to the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, are filed for the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan:
 
Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedule
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits — December 31, 2007 and 2006
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits — For the Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
Notes to Financial Statements — December 31, 2007 and 2006
 
Supplemental Schedule H, Line 4a — Delinquent Deposits of Participant Contributions and Participant Loan Repayments
 
Supplemental Schedule H, Line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
 
Signature
 
Exhibits
 
Consent of UHY LLP (Exhibit 23.1)
 
Consent of Weinstein Spira & Company, P.C. (Exhibit 23.2)

 


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
Houston, Texas
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
CONTENTS
         
    Page  
 
       
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
    2  
 
       
Financial Statements
       
 
       
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
    4  
 
       
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
    5  
 
       
Notes to Financial Statements
    6  
 
       
Supplemental Schedules*
       
 
       
Schedule H — Line 4a — Delinquent Deposits of Participant Contributions and Participant Loan Repayments
    11  
 
       
Schedule H — Line 4i — Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
    12  
 
*   All other schedules required by 29 CFR 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 are omitted, as they are not applicable or required.

 


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Participants and Plan Administrator of
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan
Houston, Texas
We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits of the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2007 and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. The financial statements of the Plan as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 were audited by other auditors whose report dated June 27, 2007, express an unqualified opinion on those statements.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan as of December 31, 2007 and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule of delinquent deposits of participant contributions and participant loan repayments and supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) are presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the plan’s management. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
/s/ UHY LLP
Houston, Texas
June 27, 2008

2


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Plan Administrator
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan
Houston, Texas
We have audited the accompanying Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits of the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan as of December 31, 2006. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statement is free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statement, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan as of December 31, 2006, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
/s/ Weinstein Spira & Company, P.C.
Houston, Texas
June 27, 2007

3


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
                 
    2007     2006  
ASSETS
               
Investments, at fair value
               
Interest-bearing cash
  $ 316,406     $ 96,690  
Mutual funds
    87,174,008       80,063,441  
Common/collective trust funds
    18,668,099       20,010,085  
Common stock
    1,486,190       2,860,561  
Participant loans
    4,220,254       3,881,478  
 
           
Total Investments
    111,864,957       106,912,255  
 
           
 
               
Receivables
               
Employer contributions
          292,201  
Participant contributions
    923,398       1,015,205  
Accrued income
    10,294       5,764  
 
           
Total Receivables
    933,692       1,313,170  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL ASSETS
    112,798,649       108,225,425  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES
               
Excess contributions refundable
    547,934       651,565  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    547,934       651,565  
 
           
 
               
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS AT FAIR VALUE
    112,250,715       107,573,860  
 
               
ADJUSTMENT FROM FAIR VALUE TO CONTRACT VALUE FOR FULLY BENEFIT-RESPONSIVE INVESTMENT CONTRACTS
    (124,888 )     282,690  
 
           
 
               
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
  $ 112,125,827     $ 107,856,550  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

4


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007
         
ADDITIONS TO NET ASSETS
       
Investment Income
       
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
  $ 6,429,374  
Interest and dividends
    323,849  
 
     
 
       
Total Investment Income
    6,753,223  
 
     
 
       
Contributions
       
Employer
    2,939,067  
Participants
    13,479,736  
Rollover
    1,400,907  
 
     
 
       
Total Contributions
    17,819,710  
 
     
 
       
Total Additions To Net Assets
    24,572,933  
 
     
 
       
DEDUCTIONS FROM NET ASSETS
       
Benefits paid to participants
    (20,228,640 )
Administrative expenses
    (75,016 )
 
     
 
       
Total Deductions From Net Assets
    (20,303,656 )
 
     
 
       
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
    4,269,277  
 
       
NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
       
Beginning of Year
    107,856,550  
 
     
 
       
End of Year
  $ 112,125,827  
 
     
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

5


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
(1)   DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN
 
    General — Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Plan”) is a defined contribution plan, adopted July 1, 1999, covering all employees of Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (the “Company”). Effective January 1, 2007, the Plan was amended to increase the limit on the amount a participant may contribute from 15% to 50% of pretax annual eligible compensation subject to IRS limitations. The following description of the Plan provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.
 
    Eligibility — An employee is eligible to become a participant in the Plan after being credited with 90 days of service and having attained age 18.
 
    Contributions — Participants may elect to make pretax contributions to the Plan in an amount up to 50% of their eligible annual compensation. Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified defined benefit or defined contribution plans. The Company may contribute a discretionary amount based on the amount the participant contributes to the Plan. The matching Company contribution may be in the form of cash or shares of Company stock or a combination, but has been historically in cash. The Board of Directors shall determine, by business unit, whether employer matching contributions will be made for the plan year, the matching percentage, and the percentage of a participant’s compensation upon which the match shall be based for each payroll period. Contributions are subject to certain limitations.
 
    Participant contributions are limited to $15,500 for 2007. This limitation is adjusted periodically to reflect cost-of-living increases. Participants who have attained age 50 before the end of the Plan year are eligible to make catch-up contributions ($5,000 for 2007). During 2007, the Company contributed a discretionary matching contribution equal to 50% of each corporate participant’s contribution limited to 6% of eligible compensation and 50% for all other participants’ contributions limited to 4% of eligible compensation.
 
    Participant Accounts — Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and an allocation of the Company’s contributions and plan earnings, and at times, charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Allocations are based on participant contributions, participant earnings or account balances, as defined in the plan agreement. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.
 
    Vesting — A participant is immediately fully vested with respect to the portion of their account attributable to participant contributions and rollover contributions plus actual earnings thereon. Vesting in the remainder of each participant’s account plus earnings thereon is based on years of continuous service. With respect to the employer matching contribution, vesting is as follows:
         
Years of Service   Vesting Percentage
less than 1
    0 %
1
    20 %
2
    40 %
3
    60 %
4
    80 %
5
    100 %
    Forfeitures — Forfeited employer matching contributions will be used to pay for administrative expenses or to reduce future employer contributions. For the year ended December 31, 2007, forfeitures amounting to $684,472 were used to reduce employer contributions. For the year ended December 31, 2006, forfeitures amounting to $59,855 were used to pay for administrative expenses. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, forfeited nonvested accounts totaled $361,797 and $663,905, respectively.

6


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
    Investments — Each participant directs the investment of their account into any of the available investment options offered by the Plan, including shares of Company stock.
 
    Loans to Participants — Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their vested account balance. Loan transactions are treated as transfers between the investment fund and the Participant loan fund. Loan terms range from 1-5 years or longer for the purchase of a primary residence. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account and bear interest at a rate commensurate with prevailing rates. Interest rates on loans outstanding at December 31, 2007 range from 5.0% to 11.0%. Principal and interest is paid ratably through payroll deductions.
 
    Administrative Expenses — Fees and expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan, to the extent not paid by the Company, are charged to and paid from the Plan’s assets.
 
    Form of Benefits — On termination of service due to death, disability, or retirement, a participant will receive a lump-sum amount equal to the value of the participant’s vested interest in his or her account. The participant may elect to have the distribution received in cash or in shares of Company stock.
 
    In-Service Withdrawals — A participant may withdraw from his or her rollover contribution account any or all amounts held in such account at any time. A participant who has attained age 591/2 may withdraw from his or her account an amount not exceeding his or her vested account balance. A participant who has suffered financial hardship may withdraw the lesser of his or her vested account balance or the amount of financial hardship as defined in the Plan.
 
    Plan Termination — The Company has the right under the Plan to terminate the Plan subject to provisions set forth in ERISA (1974). Upon termination, the assets then remaining shall be subject to the applicable provisions of the Plan then in effect and shall be used until exhausted to pay benefits to employees in the order of entitlement. In addition, all participants would become fully vested in their accrued benefits, including employer contributions and earnings, as of the date of termination.
 
(2)   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    Basis of Accounting — The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Interest income is recognized when earned.
 
    Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the plan administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets available for benefits at the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of changes in net assets available for benefits and disclosures during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. It is at least reasonably possible that a significant change may occur in the near term for the estimates of investment valuation.
 
    Risks and Uncertainties — The Plan provides for several investment options, which are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits and the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits.

7


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
    Valuation of Investments — Investments are stated at market value based upon quoted market prices, if available, or fair value as of the Plan year end as determined by the trustee of the Plan’s assets. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, investments are valued at fair value, net unrealized appreciation or depreciation is included in the carrying value of related investments in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits and the changes in the net unrealized appreciation or depreciation are reflected in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
 
    As described in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Staff Position, FSP AAG INV-1 and SOP 94-4-1, Reporting of Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts Held by Certain Investment Companies Subject to the AICPA Investment Company Guide and Defined-Contribution Health and Welfare and Pension Plans (the “FSP”), investment contracts held in a defined-contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined-contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan.
 
    The Plan invests in fully benefit-responsive investment contracts held in the Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust, a common/collective trust fund. The Plan’s Statements of Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits presents the fair value of these investment contracts as well as the related adjustment from fair value to contract value, which represents contributions made under the contract, plus earnings, less withdrawals and administrative expenses. The Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Plan Benefits is prepared on a contract value basis.
 
    Payment of Benefits — Benefits are recorded when paid.
 
    Recent Accounting Pronouncements — In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The statement does not require new fair value measurements, but is applied to the extent that other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements. The statement emphasizes fair value as a market-based measurement that should be determined based on the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Companies will be required to disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the inputs used to develop the measurements, and the effect of certain of the measurements on earnings (or changes in net assets) for the period.
 
    In November 2007, the FASB deferred for one year the implementation of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and liabilities. At this time, the Company is evaluating, but has not yet determined, the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and financial liabilities will have on its statement of net assets available for benefits or statement of changes in net assets available for benefits.
 
    The Plan’s investments in common stocks and mutual funds are stated at fair value and are based upon quoted market prices. Investments in the Company’s common stock are valued at fair value and based on quoted market prices. Shares of common/collective funds are valued at net asset value and for investment contracts valuation is measured at fair value, with reconciliation to contract value for fully benefit responsive investments contracts, as determined by the trustee of the Plan’s assets. SFAS 157 is effective as of the beginning of the Plan’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. We do not expect SFAS 157 to have material effect on the Plan’s net assets available for benefits nor changes in net assets available for benefits.

8


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
(3)   INVESTMENTS
 
    The following investments at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are recorded at fair market value. Investments noted with an asterisk represent more than 5% of the Plan’s net assets at December 31, 2007 and 2006.
                 
    2007     2006  
 
               
Interest-Bearing Cash
               
Merrill Lynch Trust Company
  $ 316,406     $ 96,690  
Mutual Funds
               
Van Kampen Growth & Income Fund
    12,680,403 *     11,689,726 *
American Bond Fund of America
    11,225,120 *      
ING International Value Fund
    10,410,088 *      
American Growth Fund of America
    10,142,704 *     16,455,017 *
Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Portfolio Fund
    9,910,548 *      
MFS International Growth Fund
    9,545,898 *     6,161,841 *
Allianz NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund
    9,501,607 *     10,996,424 *
The Oakmark Equity & Income Fund
    5,297,203       4,972,141  
Munder Mid-Cap Core Growth Fund
    4,300,599       3,812,519  
Columbia Mid-Cap Value Fund
    2,645,327        
Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund
    1,514,449        
Blackrock Total Return Portfolio Fund
    62        
Blackrock Bond Core Fund
          14,577,672 *
Blackrock Fundational Growth Fund
          4,598,915  
Federated International Equity Fund
          3  
ING Pilgrim International Fund
          6,799,165 *
Massachusetts Investors Growth Stock Fund
          18  
Common/Collective Trust Funds
               
Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust Fund
    13,876,410 *     14,883,899 *
Merrill Lynch Equity Index Trust II Fund
    4,791,689        
Merrill Lynch Equity Index Trust I Fund
          5,126,186  
Common Stock
               
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
    1,486,190       2,860,561  
Participant Loans
    4,220,254       3,881,478  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 111,864,957     $ 106,912,255  
 
           
    During 2007, the Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as, held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) in value as follows:
         
Mutual funds
  $ 7,177,941  
Common/collective trust funds
    870,976  
Group 1 Automotive, Inc. common stock
    (1,619,543 )
 
     
 
       
 
  $ 6,429,374  
 
     

9


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
(4)   INCOME TAX STATUS
 
    The Internal Revenue Service has ruled in a letter dated September 24, 2001, that the Plan was designed under and in compliance with the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) and, therefore, not subject to tax under present income tax law. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the IRC to maintain its qualification. The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter to comply with IRS guidelines. The Plan Sponsor believes that the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC. No provision for income taxes, therefore, has been included in the Plan’s financial statements.
 
(5)   PARTIES-IN-INTEREST
 
    The Plan invests in various funds offered by Merrill Lynch Trust Company (“Merrill Lynch”). These investments are considered party-in-interest transactions because Merrill Lynch serves as asset custodian for the Plan. The Plan Administrator has approved of these investment options. Fees paid by the Plan to Merrill Lynch for administrative services rendered amounted to $75,016 for the year ended December 31, 2007. Certain Plan administrative costs have been paid by the Company.
 
(6)   EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS REFUNDABLE
 
    The Plan was required to return excess contributions for the year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 in the amount of $547,934 and $651,565, respectively, which includes the earnings, to certain active participants to satisfy the relevant non-discrimination provisions of the Plan. The refunds were made within two and a half months after the Plan year. Therefore the amounts were recorded as a liability of the Plan.
 
(7)   DISTRIBUTIONS PAYABLE
 
    At December 31, 2007 and 2006, amounts allocated to accounts of persons who have requested distributions from the Plan, but have not been paid as of year end was approximately $309,139 and $66,807, respectively. These distributions are not reported as a liability on the statement of net assets for benefits, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

10


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4a — SCHEDULE OF DELINQUENT DEPOSITS OF
PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS AND PARTICIPANT LOAN REPAYMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007

 
Plan Number 001 EIN 76-0506313
                         
    Relationship            
    to Plan            
Identity of   Employer of            
Party   Other Party-       Amount on    
Involved   In-Interest   Description of Transaction   Line 4(a)   Loss Interest
 
                       
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
  Plan Sponsor   December 2006 participant contribution deferrals not remitted to the Plan until February 27, 2007.   $ 886.35     $ 27.36  
 
                       
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
  Plan Sponsor   June 2006 through February 2007 participant contribution deferrals not remitted to the Plan until February 27, 2007.     2,275.05       167.62  
 
                       
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
  Plan Sponsor   April 2005 through January 2007 participant contribution deferrals not remitted to the Plan until February 14, 2007.     9,555.72       1,088.49  
 
                       
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
  Plan Sponsor   April  2007 participant contribution deferrals not remitted to the Plan until April 23, 2007.     252.80       6.27  
 
                       
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
  Plan Sponsor   September 2006 through February 2007 participant contribution deferrals not remitted to the Plan until April 23, 2007.     735.20       28.08  
 
                       
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
  Plan Sponsor   February 2007 participant contribution deferrals not remitted to the Plan until July 23, 2007.     146.28       6.67  
 
                       
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
  Plan Sponsor   May  2007 participant contribution deferrals not remitted to the Plan until May 23, 2007.     441.96       0.14  
 
                       
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
  Plan Sponsor   August  2007 participant contribution deferrals not remitted to the Plan until September 4, 2007.     606.63       0.21  
 
                       
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
  Plan Sponsor   September  2007 participant contribution deferrals not remitted to the Plan until October 4, 2007.     529.07       0.15  
 
                       
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
  Plan Sponsor   December  2007 participant contribution deferrals not remitted to the Plan until January 4, 2008.     2,253.11       3.83  
See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

11


 

GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 401(k) SAVINGS PLAN
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i — SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2007

 
Plan Number 001 EIN 76-0506313
                         
    (b) Identity of                  
    Issue, Borrower,   (c) Description of Investment Including              
    Lessor or   Maturity Date, Rate of Interest,           (e) Current  
(a)   Similar Party   Collateral, Par or Maturity Value   (d) Cost     Value  
       
 
               
*   (A)  
Interest bearing cash
    **     $ 316,406  
       
 
               
    (A)  
453,571.984 shares — Alger Capital Appreciation Institutional Portfolio Fund
    **       9,910,548  
       
 
               
    (A)  
197,068.557 shares — The Oakmark Equity & Income Fund
    **       5,297,203  
       
 
               
    (A)  
859,503.882 shares — American Bond Fund of America
    **       11,225,120  
       
 
               
    (A)  
180,199.383 shares — Columbia Mid-Cap Value Fund
    **       2,645,327  
       
 
               
    (A)  
308,894.898 shares — Allianz NFJ Small-Cap Value Fund
    **       9,501,607  
       
 
               
    (A)  
298,314.820 shares — American Growth Fund of America
    **       10,142,704  
       
 
               
    (A)  
596,724.866 shares — Van Kampen Growth & Income Fund
    **       12,680,403  
       
 
               
    (A)  
560,284.608 shares — ING International Value Fund
    **       10,410,088  
       
 
               
    (A)  
127,157.753 shares — Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund
    **       1,514,449  
       
 
               
    (A)  
354,866.106 shares — MFS International Growth Fund
    **       9,545,898  
       
 
               
    (A)  
141,653.450 shares — Munder Mid-Cap Core Growth Fund
    **       4,300,599  
       
 
               
*   (A)  
5.411 shares — Blackrock Total Return Portfolio Fund
    **       62  
       
 
               
*   (A)  
41,856.128 shares — Merrill Lynch Equity Index Trust II Fund
    **       4,791,689  
       
 
               
*   (A)  
13,876,409.687 shares — Merrill Lynch Retirement Preservation Trust Fund
    **       13,751,522  
       
 
               
*   (A)  
62,576.408 shares — Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
    **       1,486,190  
       
 
               
*   Participant Loans  
Loans to Participants at interest rates ranging from 5.0% to 11.0%
          4,220,254  
       
 
             
 
       
 
          $ 111,740,069  
       
 
             
 
*   Represents a party-in-interest.
 
**   Not applicable as permitted by Department of Labor for participant directed individual account plans.
 
(A)   All transactions were with Merrill Lynch Trust Company.
See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

12


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan Administrator (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
June 27, 2008  Group 1 Automotive, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan
 
 
 
  /s/ J. Brooks O’Hara    
  J. Brooks O’Hara   
  Vice President, Human Resources
Plan Administrator 
 
 

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
   
23.1
  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
23.2
  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm