CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net Income	$ 187,167	$ 178,258	$ 109,347
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	18,506	(5,792)	(16,852)
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps:
Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the period, net of tax provision (benefit) of ($2,138), ($6,310), and $291, respectively	(3,269)	(9,644)	445
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in floor plan interest expense, net of tax provision of $2,771, $46, and $3,265, respectively	4,235	70	4,990
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, net of tax	966	(9,574)	5,435
Other adjustments to Comprehensive Income, net	(1,862)	(8,695)	695
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Taxes	17,610	(24,061)	(10,722)
Comprehensive Income	204,777	154,197	98,625
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests	1,879	1,377	1,066
Comprehensive income attributable to Penske Automotive Group common stockholders	$ 202,898	$ 152,820	$ 97,559