Interim Financial Statements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 item	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 item	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Northern Italy	Sep. 30, 2013 Penske Commercial Vehicles	Aug. 31, 2013 Penske Commercial Vehicles item	Sep. 30, 2013 Penske Commercial Vehicles item	Sep. 30, 2013 Hertz car rental franchise item	Sep. 30, 2013 Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P.	Sep. 30, 2013 Toyota/Lexus item	Sep. 30, 2013 Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge item
Interim Financial Statements
Total number of owned and operated franchises	321		321
Number of owned and operated franchises in US	171		171
Number of owned and operated franchises outside US	150		150
Significant Accounting Policies
Ownership interest in Penske Truck Leasing Co (as a percent)										9.00%
Number of truck retail dealerships owned by the reporting entity							2
Revenue	$ 3,824,143	$ 3,336,020	$ 10,927,917	$ 9,814,784		$ 49,426			$ 38,600
Number of dealerships in a certified network								84
Purchase price			$ 221,160	$ 137,805				$ 200,000
Number of acquired franchises			1						1
Number of franchises awarded to the reporting entity			2
Number of franchises disposed of			26								10	12
Number of different brands represented by franchises awarded to the reporting entity			9
Additional ownership interest acquired (as a percent)					35.00%
Ownership interest (as a percent)					70.00%
Minimum number of on and off-airport locations in which company operates	50		50