Group 1 Automotive Announces Regional Consolidation

Group 1 Automotive GPI today announced that effective July 1, it is consolidating its regional structure in the United States from three into two regions. In conjunction with this consolidation, Group 1 announced several personnel changes within its regional and corporate operations. Group 1 is consolidating its former Western Region of 11 dealerships into the current Central Region and will rename the combined operation the West Region. Frank Grese Jr., Group 1's Regional Vice President, who has overseen the Central Region since 2006, will manage the newly formed West Region that will have a total of 58 dealerships with 79 franchises operating in California, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. The former West Region had been managed by Martin E. Collins who previously resigned his position as Group 1's Western Region Vice President to assume an executive position with Ford Motor Company. Group 1 also announced that Chris Hayden will join the company as Market Director, California reporting to Grese. Since 2000, Hayden, age 51, held the position of Chief Executive Officer, Ford Retail within the Ford of Europe organization. In that position he was responsible for the operation of Ford's 60-plus company-owned dealerships in the United Kingdom. Previously, Hayden operated Ford dealerships in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Austria, and served as the Lead Director of Dutton Forshaw Motor Group for 10 years overseeing its Volkswagen, Audi, Ford and Peugeot dealerships operating in the greater-London market area.