HOUSTON -- Group 1 Automotive, Inc. has appointed Earl J. Hesterberg as CEO, president and as a director of the company.

Hesterberg, 51, most recently served as group vice president, North America Marketing, Sales and Service for Ford Motor Co.

Prior to this position, he served in a similar role for Ford Europe. Hesterberg has also served as president of Gulf States Toyota, as well as held various senior sales, marketing, general management and parts and service positions with Nissan Motor Corp. in the United States.

B.B. Hollingsworth Jr., a co-founder of Group 1, will retire as an executive of the company, but will continue as a member of the board of directors. Hollingsworth has served as chairman of the board since March 1997 and as president, CEO and a director of Group 1 since August 1996.

In addition, the board appointed John L. Adams, the company's current presiding director, as non-executive chairman of the board. Adams has been a member of the board since November 1999.

Group 1 owns 96 automotive dealerships comprised of 142 franchises, 33 brands and 32 collision service centers. 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.