Investments (Narrative) (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)		Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)		Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 PST Eletronicaltda [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 PST Eletronicaltda [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 PST Eletronicaltda [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 PST Eletronicaltda [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 PST Eletronicaltda [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 PST Eletronicaltda [Member] BRL	Dec. 31, 2013 PST Eletronicaltda [Member] BRL	Dec. 31, 2010 PST Eletronicaltda [Member]	Dec. 31, 2014 Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd [Member] USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage																							50.00%	49.00%	49.00%	49.00%
Percentage ownership in consolidated subsidiary																74.00%				74.00%	74.00%
Equity method investments																								$ 6,653	$ 5,981
Income (loss) from equity method investments													815	476	760									815	476	760
Noncontrolling interest	22,550								39,540				22,550	39,540			22,550	39,540		22,550
Noncontroling interest increase (decrease)																	(16,990)	(4,537)	(4,651)
Foreign currency translation adjustments																	(3,507)	(5,706)	(3,918)
Noncontrolling interest, (decrease) from distributions to noncontrolling interest holders														(212)				(212)
Less: income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(6,444)	[1]	1,160	[1]	(7,221)	[1]	(978)	[1]	117	466	634	160	(13,483)	1,377	(1,613)		(13,483)	1,377	(733)
Comprehensive income (loss) related to noncontrolling interest													(16,990)	(4,325)	(4,651)		16,990
Dividends payable to noncontrolling interest and former shareholder																	$ 4,082	$ 5,654		$ 4,082	10,842	13,246

[1] Goodwill impairment of $29,300, $(5,802), and $27,960 related to the PST segment was recorded for the quarters ended June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014, respectively, of which $6,436, $(1,274) and $6,142 was attributable to noncontrolling interest.