Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Revenue:
Total revenues	$ 3,242,288	$ 2,751,036
Cost of sales:
Total cost of sales	2,735,695	2,311,791
Gross profit	506,593	439,245
Selling, general and administrative expenses	398,637	355,391
Depreciation	13,349	11,798
Operating income	94,607	72,056
Floor plan interest expense	(9,725)	(6,925)
Other interest expense	(12,210)	(11,285)
Debt discount amortization		(1,718)
Equity in earnings of affiliates	4,410	22
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	77,082	52,150
Income taxes	(26,902)	(15,670)
Income from continuing operations	50,180	36,480
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(3,174)	(2,483)
Net income	47,006	33,997
Less: Income attributable to non-controlling interests	188	70
Net income attributable to Penske Automotive Group common stockholders	46,818	33,927
Basic earnings per share attributable to Penske Automotive Group common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.56	$ 0.39
Discontinued operations	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)
Net income attributable to Penske Automotive Group common stockholders	$ 0.52	$ 0.37
Shares used in determining basic earnings per share	90,306	92,472
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Penske Automotive Group common stockholders:
Continuing operations	$ 0.55	$ 0.39
Discontinued operations	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)
Net income attributable to Penske Automotive Group common stockholders	$ 0.52	$ 0.37
Shares used in determining diluted earnings per share	90,338	92,554
Amounts attributable to Penske Automotive Group common stockholders:
Income from continuing operations	50,180	36,480
Less: Income attributable to non-controlling interests	188	70
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	49,992	36,410
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(3,174)	(2,483)
Net income attributable to Penske Automotive Group common stockholders	46,818	33,927
New vehicle
Revenue:
Total revenues	1,578,319	1,385,556
Cost of sales:
Total cost of sales	1,446,281	1,275,804
Used vehicle
Revenue:
Total revenues	969,732	791,734
Cost of sales:
Total cost of sales	891,327	726,619
Finance and insurance, net
Revenue:
Total revenues	79,894	66,463
Service and parts
Revenue:
Total revenues	369,727	341,542
Cost of sales:
Total cost of sales	156,525	146,649
Fleet and wholesale vehicle
Revenue:
Total revenues	244,616	165,741
Cost of sales:
Total cost of sales	$ 241,562	$ 162,719