Group 1 CEO: Low inventory, high earnings still a shock to the system

Earl Hesterberg provided a blunt response to an analyst’s question on vehicle inventory during the Group 1 Automotive fourth quarter 2021 earnings conference call that took place on Feb. 10.

Hesterberg is Group 1 president and chief executive officer, and the analyst asked when Hesterberg thought the inventory shortages that have plagued the industry might return to normal.

“I have not been able to predict on this subject with any accuracy at all,” Hesterberg said. “I continue to be shocked.”

Every month, he added, seems to …