CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Dealership acquisitions net, repayment of sellers' floor plan notes payable	$ 0	$ 36,906

Repayment of sellers' floor plan notes payable, dealership acquisitions.

No definition available.

Name:	pag_RepaymentOfSellersFloorPlanNotesPayableDealershipAcquisitions
Namespace Prefix:	pag_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration