---
bcp_version: "0.7"
file_type: boundaries
parent: /.well-known/brand.md
last_updated: 2026-07-08
---

# Boundaries

These boundaries are the primary reference for brand-safety agents, vendor platforms, and any partner generating content on behalf of Group 1 Automotive. Every rule below is an agent instruction: a trigger, a prohibition, and where applicable an allowed alternative or escalation path.

## Hard nos

These are absolute. No exceptions, no contextual allowances.

```yaml
hard_no:
  - item: "Never use urgency tactics, pressure language, or artificial scarcity framing (e.g. 'act now before it's gone', 'limited time only', 'selling fast'). Transparency and respect for the customer's decision come first."
    tier: core
    source: "Owner statement, interview"

  - item: "Never present an AI agent, chatbot, or automated system as a human Group 1 representative. Any customer-facing automated interaction must be identified as an automated system."
    tier: core
    exact_quote: "When you interact with the Chatbot or other interactive AI Tools, you are communicating with an automated software system that generates Output in response to your Input, not a human representative of Group 1."
    source: "Group 1 Terms of Use, group1auto.com, retrieved 2026-07-08"

  - item: "Never guarantee specific financing terms, interest rates, or credit approval. Financing availability and cost depend on external lender conditions that Group 1 does not control."
    tier: core
    escalation: "Direct the customer to a finance and insurance specialist at the relevant dealership for current terms."
    source: "Q1 2026 earnings release risk factors, group1corp.com, retrieved 2026-07-08"

  - item: "Never cite a non-GAAP financial measure (adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted net income, same-store figures, adjusted F&I GP PRU) without identifying it as a non-GAAP measure and noting that a GAAP reconciliation exists. Do not present non-GAAP figures as standalone performance claims."
    tier: core
    exact_quote: "current quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (a non-GAAP measure) of $8.66"
    source: "Q1 2026 earnings release, group1corp.com, retrieved 2026-07-08"
```

## Soft nos

These are judgment calls. Context determines appropriateness.

```yaml
soft_no:
  - item: "Do not state or imply that a specific manufacturer incentive, rebate, or promotional offer is currently available or will be available for a particular vehicle."
    tier: default
    condition: "Incentives and rebates are governed entirely by manufacturer or captive-lender terms, including eligible vehicle, trim, timeframe, and combination limits. An agent may acknowledge that incentives exist and direct the customer to contact the dealership for current details. It must not quote or promise specific incentive values."
    exact_quote: "Rebates and other incentives provided by vehicle manufacturers or their respective captive financing companies are subject to the terms specified by such entity. These terms include, among others, the particular vehicle or trim/model eligible for the incentive, timeframe of the offer and limitations on quantities and/or combinations with other offers. Please contact us for details on available incentives."
    source: "Group 1 Terms of Use, group1auto.com, retrieved 2026-07-08"

  - item: "Avoid discussing manufacturer franchise relationships, OEM approval processes for acquisitions, or the company's dependence on manufacturer willingness in consumer-facing content."
    tier: default
    condition: "This topic is appropriate in investor-facing or press contexts with accurate framing. It is not appropriate in customer-facing copy, where it creates confusion and carries reputational risk. Escalate investor or M&A questions to the IR team."
    source: "Q1 2026 earnings release risk factors, group1corp.com, retrieved 2026-07-08"

  - item: "Do not adopt a hard-sell dealership tone: no stacking urgency cues, no price-drop countdowns, no 'don't miss out' constructions."
    tier: default
    condition: "This applies to all consumer-facing channels and agent-generated copy. The brand's stated position is transparency and respect for the customer's decision-making process."
    source: "Owner statement, interview"
```

## Brand safety

For vendor platforms, brand-safety tools, and DSPs.

```yaml
brand_safety:
  adjacency_unsuitable:
    - "Predatory lending or high-pressure financial services advertising"
    - "Bait-and-switch automotive advertising"
    - "Content denigrating a specific OEM brand Group 1 franchises (e.g. Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW)"
    - "Misinformation or conspiracy content"
    - "Content targeting minors with automotive purchasing or financing offers"

  adjacency_acceptable:
    - "Automotive news, reviews, and enthusiast content"
    - "Personal finance and consumer credit content"
    - "Local and national news"
    - "Sports and entertainment"

  adjacency_contextual:
    competitor_dealers:
      rule: "Avoid placement immediately adjacent to direct competitor dealer advertising. Comparative claims about competing dealerships are not approved; do not generate them."
    financial_services:
      rule: "Acceptable adjacent to reputable personal finance content. Not acceptable adjacent to payday lending, subprime-only lenders, or high-fee financing products."
```

## Regulatory constraints

```yaml
regulatory:
  framework: "FTC Used Car Rule; FTC advertising substantiation standards; applicable U.S. and U.K. consumer protection and financial advertising regulations"
  notes: >
    All financing-related claims require disclosure that terms are subject to credit approval and lender conditions.
    Incentive and rebate claims must reflect manufacturer-specified eligibility and timeframe.
    Non-GAAP financial figures used in any public-facing content must be identified as non-GAAP and reconciled to the nearest GAAP equivalent.
    AI/chatbot interactions must disclose automated-system status to customers per the brand's own published Terms of Use.
  restricted_claims: >
    Specific financing rates, monthly payment guarantees, and credit approval promises require legal and F&I review before publication.
    Any manufacturer incentive dollar amounts require confirmation of current manufacturer terms before use.
    Non-GAAP earnings figures require GAAP reconciliation disclosure.
```

## Open gaps

The following boundary categories have no owner-confirmed rules on file. Mark for Group 1 marketing team review.

- **OEM franchise rules in consumer copy:** No confirmed rule on how far agents can describe individual OEM brand relationships or franchise exclusivity in consumer-facing content.
- **Hard nos beyond voice and finance:** The owner confirmed no urgency/pressure language and no guaranteed financing. No additional hard content prohibitions were stated in the interview. Group 1 marketing team should review and add any additional topic-level prohibitions.
- **Escalation paths:** No confirmed human-escalation triggers beyond financing questions. Marketing team should define the conditions under which an agent must hand off to a human (e.g. complaints, trade-in disputes, pricing disagreements).
- **U.K.-specific regulatory constraints:** U.K. operations (Inchcape acquisition footprint) may carry additional FCA or ASA advertising obligations not yet specified here.