Consolidated Condensed Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Condensed Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Product revenues	$ 125,639	$ 30,486	$ 238,572	$ 83,486
Cost of sales	94,795	21,681	177,671	59,334
Gross margin	30,844	8,805	60,901	24,152
Operating expenses:
Research and development	11,520	2,789	18,921	9,158
Research and development reimbursements	(235)	(490)	(581)	(2,193)
Net research and development expenses	11,285	2,299	18,340	6,965
Acquisition transaction expenses	200		5,380
Selling, general and administrative	13,545	2,498	26,092	7,449
Total operating expenses	25,030	4,797	49,812	14,414
Operating income	5,814	4,008	11,089	9,738
Interest income (expense)	(1,213)	9	(2,450)	9
Debt retirement expense	(3)		(970)
Revaluation of derivatives	(4,305)		(5,574)
Foreign currency gain	2,006		3,412
Loss from equity investment				(22)
Other income	193	37	281	109
Earnings before income tax	2,492	4,054	5,788	9,834
Income tax expense	(973)	(1,492)	(4,117)	(3,612)
Net income	1,519	2,562	1,671	6,222
(Income) Loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(348)	129	175	426
Net income attributable to Amerigon, Inc.	1,171	2,691	1,846	6,648
Convertible preferred stock dividends	(2,815)		(5,738)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ (1,644)	$ 2,691	$ (3,892)	$ 6,648
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.07)	$ 0.12	$ (0.17)	$ 0.31
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.07)	$ 0.12	$ (0.17)	$ 0.30
Weighted average number of shares - basic	22,753	21,713	22,351	21,623
Weighted average number of shares - diluted	22,753	22,488	22,351	22,355