Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from (used in) continuing operating activities	$ 327,931	$ 133,268	$ 207,416
Investing Activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(161,286)	(131,971)	(74,900)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	1,584
Dealership acquisitions, net	(250,170)	(232,106)	(22,232)
Other	8,778	2,865	13,822
Net cash from (used in) continuing investing activities	(401,094)	(361,212)	(83,310)
Financing Activities:
Issuance of 5.75% senior subordinated notes	550,000
Repurchase of 7.75% senior subordinated notes	(390,755)
Repayments under U.S. credit agreement term loan	(17,000)	(7,000)	(15,000)
Repurchase of 3.5% senior subordinated convertible notes	(62,687)	(87,278)	(156,604)
Net borrowings (repayments) of other long-term debt	(27,634)	162,218	(14,369)
Net (repayments) borrowings of floor plan notes payable non-trade	65,329	202,938	64,036
Proceeds from exercises of options, including excess tax benefit		3,370	540
Repurchases of common stock	(9,829)	(44,263)	(751)
Dividends	(41,505)	(21,992)
Payment of deferred financing fees	(8,550)
Other	(1,116)
Net cash from (used in) continuing financing activities	73,253	207,993	(122,148)
Net cash from (used in) discontinued operations	16,462	28,904	2,151
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	16,552	8,953	4,109
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	27,201	18,248	14,139
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	43,753	27,201	18,248
5.75% Notes
Financing Activities:
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.75%
7.75% Notes
Financing Activities:
Interest rate (as a percent)		7.75%
3.5% Notes
Financing Activities:
Interest rate (as a percent)		3.50%	3.50%
Penske Automotive Group
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from (used in) continuing operating activities	45,556	(39,449)	133,059
Investing Activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(1,131)	(1,280)	(66)
Other	(3,292)		13,822
Net cash from (used in) continuing investing activities	(4,423)	(1,280)	13,756
Financing Activities:
Issuance of 5.75% senior subordinated notes	550,000
Repurchase of 7.75% senior subordinated notes	(390,755)
Repayments under U.S. credit agreement term loan		(7,000)	(15,000)
Repurchase of 3.5% senior subordinated convertible notes	(62,687)	(87,278)	(156,604)
Net borrowings (repayments) of other long-term debt	(99,000)	132,000
Net (repayments) borrowings of floor plan notes payable non-trade	21,193	65,892	25,000
Proceeds from exercises of options, including excess tax benefit		3,370	540
Repurchases of common stock	(9,829)	(44,263)	(751)
Dividends	(41,505)	(21,992)
Payment of deferred financing fees	(8,550)
Net cash from (used in) continuing financing activities	(41,133)	40,729	(146,815)
Penske Automotive Group | 5.75% Notes
Financing Activities:
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.75%	5.75%	5.75%
Penske Automotive Group | 7.75% Notes
Financing Activities:
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.75%
Penske Automotive Group | 3.5% Notes
Financing Activities:
Interest rate (as a percent)	3.50%	3.50%	3.50%
Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from (used in) continuing operating activities	155,830	192,351	51,276
Investing Activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(121,503)	(81,244)	(51,026)
Dealership acquisitions, net	(115,781)	(230,426)	(22,232)
Other	4,762
Net cash from (used in) continuing investing activities	(232,522)	(311,670)	(73,258)
Financing Activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) of other long-term debt	50,889	54,494	(13,613)
Net (repayments) borrowings of floor plan notes payable non-trade	23,054	39,571	36,148
Distributions from (to) parent	5,202	6,139	1,365
Net cash from (used in) continuing financing activities	79,145	100,204	23,900
Net cash from (used in) discontinued operations	7,129	30,448	1,409
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	9,582	11,333	3,327
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	27,201	15,868	12,541
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	36,783	27,201	15,868
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from (used in) continuing operating activities	126,545	(19,634)	23,081
Investing Activities:
Purchase of property and equipment	(38,652)	(49,447)	(23,808)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	1,584
Dealership acquisitions, net	(134,389)	(1,680)
Other	7,308	2,865
Net cash from (used in) continuing investing activities	(164,149)	(48,262)	(23,808)
Financing Activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) of other long-term debt	20,477	(24,276)	(756)
Net (repayments) borrowings of floor plan notes payable non-trade	21,082	97,475	2,888
Distributions from (to) parent	(5,202)	(6,139)	(1,365)
Other	(1,116)
Net cash from (used in) continuing financing activities	35,241	67,060	767
Net cash from (used in) discontinued operations	9,333	(1,544)	742
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	6,970	(2,380)	782
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		2,380	1,598
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 6,970		$ 2,380