Consolidated Condensed Statement of Equity (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Tax benefit, exercise of stock options	$ 856
Total Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Penske Automotive Group
Tax benefit, exercise of stock options	856
Additional Paid-in Capital
Tax benefit, exercise of stock options	$ 856

Reductions in the entity's income taxes that arise when compensation cost (from non-qualified stock options) recognized on the entity's tax return exceeds compensation cost from non-qualified stock options recognized on the income statement. This element increases net cash provided by operating activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A132

Name:	us-gaap_TaxBenefitFromStockOptionsExercised
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration