Group 1 Automotive, Inc.NYSE: GPI is a Fortune 500 company, founded in 1997.[citation needed] It has its headquarters in the One Memorial City Plaza building in the Memorial City district of Houston, Texas.

 

It is one of the five largest automotive retailers in the United States with 143 dealerships in 14 states. Led by former Ford Motor company executive, Earl Hesterberg, 53, Group 1 Automotive has seen a record stock performance in 2006. Group 1 has focused acquisitions on Toyota, Honda, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Lexus and Acura franchises.

 

Group 1 Automotive has dealerships in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

 

Group 1 also purchased Essex Audi in 2012.