Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from continuing operating activities	$ 103,075	$ 125,206
Investing Activities:
Purchase of equipment and improvements	(68,398)	(26,173)
Dealership acquisitions, net	(27,180)	(108,106)
Other	5,744
Net cash from continuing investing activities	(89,834)	(134,279)
Financing Activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt	(39,589)	9,766
Net borrowings (repayments) of floor plan notes payable - non-trade	33,477	(367)
Repurchases of common stock	(12,680)	(8,522)
Dividends	(12,656)	(8,973)
Net cash from continuing financing activities	(31,448)	(8,096)
Net cash from discontinued operations	6,081	21,105
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(12,126)	3,936
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	43,753	27,201
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	31,627	31,137
Penske Automotive Group
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from continuing operating activities	68,356	44,856
Investing Activities:
Purchase of equipment and improvements	(257)	(518)
Net cash from continuing investing activities	(257)	(518)
Financing Activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt	(39,999)	(25,000)
Net borrowings (repayments) of floor plan notes payable - non-trade	(2,764)	(1,843)
Repurchases of common stock	(12,680)	(8,522)
Dividends	(12,656)	(8,973)
Net cash from continuing financing activities	(68,099)	(44,338)
Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from continuing operating activities	28,962	8,860
Investing Activities:
Purchase of equipment and improvements	(58,038)	(17,720)
Dealership acquisitions, net	(27,180)
Net cash from continuing investing activities	(85,218)	(17,720)
Financing Activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt	52,192	(963)
Net borrowings (repayments) of floor plan notes payable - non-trade	(17,034)	(17,591)
Distributions from (to) parent	415	636
Net cash from continuing financing activities	35,573	(17,918)
Net cash from discontinued operations	3,002	9,994
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(17,681)	(16,784)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	36,783	27,201
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	19,102	10,417
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Net cash from continuing operating activities	5,757	71,490
Investing Activities:
Purchase of equipment and improvements	(10,103)	(7,935)
Dealership acquisitions, net		(108,106)
Other	5,744
Net cash from continuing investing activities	(4,359)	(116,041)
Financing Activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) of long-term debt	(51,782)	35,729
Net borrowings (repayments) of floor plan notes payable - non-trade	53,275	19,067
Distributions from (to) parent	(415)	(636)
Net cash from continuing financing activities	1,078	54,160
Net cash from discontinued operations	3,079	11,111
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	5,555	20,720
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	6,970
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 12,525	$ 20,720