Group 1 Automotive Reports 12 Percent Third Quarter Revenue Growth

HOUSTON, Oct. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI), an international, Fortune 500 automotive retailer, today reported 2014 third quarter adjusted net income of $39.8 million, which equates to a diluted earnings per common share of $1.57. Total revenue grew 12.2 percent to an all-time record of $2.6 billion. The quarter included several significant non-recurring charges, especially relating to a convertible senior notes repurchase, which resulted in GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share of $26.2 million and $1.03, respectively. Adjusted net income increased 21.0 percent from the comparable, adjusted prior-year period. On a GAAP basis, net income decreased 20.2 percent from the comparable prior-year period.

Year-to-date 2014 adjusted net income increased 9.1 percent. Adjusted diluted earnings per common share for the first nine months of 2014 were $4.22. On a GAAP basis, net income decreased 19.4 percent from the comparable prior-year period.

Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2014 excludes $13.6 million of net, after-tax adjustments, including $17.9 million of charges related to the repurchase of our 2.25% and 3.00% convertible notes, and $6.6 million of asset impairments primarily associated with the pending disposition of vacated U.S. dealership real estate and three Renault franchises in Brazil. These charges were partially offset by a net $8.6 million gain on the sale of U.S. dealerships and associated real estate, and a $3.4 million income tax benefit related to deductible goodwill in Brazil.

"We are delighted to announce all-time record earnings this quarter, with the results driven by strong expense leverage and significant revenue increases across all of our business sectors," said Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1's president and chief executive officer. "Our International businesses were major factors in our success, with our United Kingdom operations delivering all-time record earnings for the quarter and our Brazilian operations returning to profitability following a significant restructuring."

Financial Highlights for Third Quarter 2014 (year-over-year comparable basis)

• Total revenue increased 12.2 percent to $2.6 billion, an all-time quarterly record. Total gross profit grew 13.7 percent to $374.7 million.
• New vehicle revenues increased 9.7 percent on 5.2 percent higher unit sales. New vehicle gross profit increased 9.5 percent to $80.2 million as margins rose 4.1 percent or $71 per unit, to $1,803.
• Retail used vehicle revenues increased 16.2 percent on increased unit sales of 10.4 percent. Retail used vehicle gross profit increased $6.8 million to $44.3 million, though gross profit per unit sold decreased 3.3 percent, or $52 per unit.
• Parts and service gross profit increased 15.5 percent on revenue growth of 14.3 percent. Same Store parts and service revenue increased 7.4 percent.
• Finance and Insurance (F&I) gross profit per retail unit increased 9.8 percent to $1,325 per unit. Same Store consolidated F&I gross profit per retail unit increased 9.3 percent to $1,336 per unit. U.S. Same Store F&I gross profit per retail unit increased 5.4 percent to a record $1,475 per unit. U.K. Same Store performance increased 20.3 percent to $747. Brazilian performance increased 47.6 percent to $586.
• Adjusted SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit improved 120 basis points to 73.9 percent. Adjusted Same Store SG&A expenses as a percent of gross profit improved 240 basis points to 74.7 percent in the U.K., and 100 basis points to 71.8 percent in the U.S.
• Quarter-to-date fully diluted common shares outstanding averaged 24.4 million shares, down roughly 1.8 million shares from the second quarter, due to the Company's redemption of outstanding convertible securities.

Segment Results for Third Quarter 2014 (year-over-year comparable basis)

• United States:

The Company's U.S. revenues were $2.2 billion, an increase of 15.1 percent. The revenue growth was primarily explained by unit sales increases of 11.5 percent in new vehicles and 12.2 percent in retail used vehicles, as well as an increase of 14.1 percent in parts and service revenue. This strong revenue growth drove gross profit growth of 14.9 percent, reflecting the higher new and used retail volumes, expanded parts and service margins of 70 basis points, and an F&I increase of 17.9 percent, or $75, to $1,450 per retail unit. As the Company has rebalanced its U.S. dealership portfolio over the past 12 months, consolidated results differ significantly from Same Store results.

On a comparable adjusted basis, SG&A expense as a percent of gross profit improved 110 basis points to 72.9 percent, operating margin was 3.6 percent and pretax margin was 2.6 percent. The Company's U.S. operations accounted for 82.8 percent of total revenues, 85.9 percent of total gross profit and 90.1 percent of the Company's adjusted pretax income.

• United Kingdom:

The Company's U.K. operations accounted for 9.6 percent of total revenues, 8.0 percent of total gross profit, and 9.2 percent of the Company's adjusted pretax income. Total revenue increased 7.4 percent to $252.2 million, and gross profit increased 17.0 percent. Revenue growth was primarily driven by 35.3 percent and 2.5 percent increases in new and used vehicle retail gross profit per unit sold, respectively, and continued strong growth in parts and service revenue which was up 21.8 percent for the quarter.

On a comparable adjusted basis, SG&A expense as a percent of gross profit improved 230 basis points to 74.7 percent.

• Brazil:

After a challenging second quarter due to further deterioration in the Brazilian auto industry and business disruption due to the World Cup, the Company's Brazilian operation returned to profit in the third quarter.  The return to profitability was driven by an organizational restructuring, which eliminated 150 positions, 10 percent of total headcount.  Additional headcount reductions will occur with the disposal of 3 Renault dealerships in the fourth quarter.

The Company's Brazil operations accounted for 7.6 percent of total revenues, 6.1 percent of total gross profit and 0.6 percent of the Company's adjusted pretax income. Gross profit was $22.9 million on revenues of $198.6 million. Improvements in gross profit per unit sold were driven by a 45.3 percent increase in F&I and a 24.0 percent increase in used vehicle retail margins. Growth in used vehicle retail sales and parts and service were the primary revenue contributors with 12.2 percent and 9.8 percent increases, respectively. F&I, used vehicles, and parts and service gross profit improved by 18.6 percent, 11.7 percent, and 9.1 percent, respectively.

On a comparable adjusted basis, SG&A expense as a percent of gross profit was at 86.9 percent, operating margin was 1.2 percent and pretax margin was 0.2 percent. On a sequential basis, adjusted SG&A expense as a percent of gross profit improved 8.2 percentage points, a significant drop from 95.1 percent in the second quarter of 2014.

"Despite continued weakness in the Brazilian auto market, our Brazilian business returned to profit in the third quarter," said Earl J. Hesterberg, Group 1's president and chief executive officer.  "This was accomplished by quick and decisive action by our Brazilian management to restructure our operations to reflect the lower overall market sales levels. I continue to be impressed by the intensity and professionalism of our Brazilian teammates."

Capital Restructure

As previously announced, on September 4, 2014, the Company redeemed all of its 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036. In conjunction with the redemption of the 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes, the Company issued an additional $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.00% Senior Notes due 2022. Also during September 2014, the Company purchased the remaining $22,550,000 in aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020.

"We significantly simplified our balance sheet this quarter by repurchasing both the remainder of our 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes and all of our outstanding 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes," said John C. Rickel, Group 1's senior vice president and chief financial officer. These actions will reduce our ongoing diluted share count by approximately 2.7 million shares, and remove a significant amount of variability from our ongoing quarterly results."

Share Repurchase Authorization
During the quarter, the Company repurchased 230,200 shares at an average price per share of $73.09 for a total of $16.8 million. As of September 30, 2014, approximately $37.7 million remains available under the Company's prior common stock share repurchase authorization. Purchases may be made from time to time, based on market conditions, legal requirements and other corporate considerations, in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

Corporate Development

As previously announced during the third quarter, the Company acquired a Chevrolet franchise and Mazda franchise in Houston, Texas; a Mercedes-Benz franchise and Sprinter franchise in the greater metropolitan area of San Antonio, Texas; and a Mercedes-Benz franchise in Campo Grande, the capital of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul.  These franchises are expected to generate approximately $370 million in annual revenues.

Also during the third quarter, as previously announced, the Company divested its BMW, MINI, Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter franchises and associated dealership real estate on Long Island in New York. The Company also disposed of a Honda franchise in Freehold, New Jersey. In total, these dealerships generated approximately $325 million in trailing-twelve-month revenues.

On September 30, 2014, the Company divested a Volkswagen franchise in Holiday, Florida, which generated trailing-twelve-month revenues of approximately $15 million. Additionally, the Company signed a letter of intent to dispose of three Renault stores in Brazil later this year. Detail and trailing-twelve-month revenues will be disclosed at that time.

Year-to-date, the Company has acquired 12 franchises worldwide that are expected to generate approximately $680 million in annual revenues and has disposed of 7 franchises that generated trailing-twelve-month revenues of roughly $390 million.

Third Quarter Earnings Conference Call Details

Senior management will host a conference call today at 10 a.m. ET to discuss the third quarter financial results and the Company's outlook and strategy.

The conference call will be simulcast live on the Internet at www.group1auto.com, then click on 'Investor Relations' and then 'Events' or through this link: http://www.group1corp.com/events. A webcast replay will be available for 30 days.

The conference call will also be available live by dialing in 15 minutes prior to the start of the call at:

A telephonic replay will be available following the call through November 20, 2014 by dialing:

About Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

Group 1 owns and operates 150 automotive dealerships, 192 franchises, and 37 collision centers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil that offer 34 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships, the Company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service and insurance contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.

Group 1 Automotive can be reached on the Internet at www.group1auto.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are statements related to future, not past, events and are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. In this context, the forward-looking statements often include statements regarding our goals, plans, projections and guidance regarding our financial position, results of operations, market position, pending and potential future acquisitions and business strategy, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "should," "foresee," "may" or "will" and similar expressions. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. Any such forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, (a) general economic and business conditions, (b) the level of manufacturer incentives, (c) the future regulatory environment, (d) our ability to obtain an inventory of desirable new and used vehicles, (e) our relationship with our automobile manufacturers and the willingness of manufacturers to approve future acquisitions, (f) our cost of financing and the availability of credit for consumers, (g) our ability to complete acquisitions and dispositions and the risks associated therewith, (h) foreign exchange controls and currency fluctuations, and (i) our ability to retain key personnel. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor contacts:
Sheila Roth
Manager, Investor Relations
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
713-647-5741 | sroth@group1auto.com

Media contacts:
Pete DeLongchamps
V.P. Manufacturer Relations, Financial Services and Public Affairs
Group 1 Automotive, Inc.
713-647-5770 | pdelongchamps@group1auto.com
or
Clint Woods
Pierpont Communications, Inc.
713-627-2223 | cwoods@piercom.com