Steffy: Group 1 shows confidence in U.S. automakers Houston Chronicle Copyright 2012 Houston Chronicle. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Published 09:43 p.m., Tuesday, May 8, 2012 In recent years Group 1 shied away from domestic dealerships, but its latest purchases show the effects of the auto bailouts and improving quality of U.S.