Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and franchise value
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 980,438
Goodwill, Additions	133,075
Goodwill, Deconsolidation of Italian investment	(7,231)
Goodwill, Reconsolidation of Italian investment	7,434
Goodwill, Foreign currency translation	4,653
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,118,369
Franchise value, Beginning Balance	283,152
Franchise value, Deconsolidation of Italian investment	(2,908)
Franchise value, Reconsolidation of Italian investment	3,068
Franchise value, Foreign currency translation	(184)
Franchise value, Ending Balance	283,128
Intangible assets
Goodwill	1,118,369
Goodwill, Additions	133,075
Retail
Summary of the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and franchise value
Goodwill, Ending Balance	981,060
Intangible assets
Goodwill	981,060
Other
Summary of the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and franchise value
Goodwill, Ending Balance	137,309
Intangible assets
Goodwill	137,309
Other | Hertz car rental franchise
Summary of the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and franchise value
Goodwill, Additions	5,780
Intangible assets
Goodwill, Additions	5,780
Other | Penske Commercial Vehicles
Summary of the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and franchise value
Goodwill, Additions	125,596
Intangible assets
Goodwill, Additions	$ 125,596