Consolidated Condensed Statement Of Changes In Redeemable Common Stock And Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Loss On Pension Benefit Obligation [Member]	Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	Currency Hedge Adjustment [Member]	Total Amerigon Equity [Member]	Non-Controlling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 65,148	$ 20,128	$ (27,832)	$ (84)	$ 177		$ 57,537		$ 57,537
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		22,037
Stock issued March 31,2011	70,000
Stock issued March 31,2011, shares	7,000
Preferred stock fees and embedded derivative	(8,597)
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash		1,621	(425)					1,196		1,196
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash, shares		227
Tax benefit from Exercises of Common Stock options			3,044					3,044		3,044
Stock option compensation			959					959		959
Common Stock issued to employees and consultants		668						668		668
Common Stock issued to employees and consultants, shares		40
Convertible preferred stock dividends				(5,738)				(5,738)		(5,738)
Preferred stock principal paid in common stock	(7,780)	7,780						7,780		7,780
Preferred Stock Principal Paid in Common Stock, Shares	778	672
Preferred Stock Dividend Paid in Common Stock		2,242						2,242		2,242
Preferred stock dividend paid in common stock, shares		194
Preferred stock accretion of fees and embedded derivative	2,966
Purchase of W.E.T. Automotive AG									46,122	46,122
Proceeds from subsidiary issuance of equity shares									1,175	1,175
Comprehensive income:
Currency hedge							(283)
Currency translation						(3,805)			(1,742)
Net income				1,671					(175)	1,846
Total comprehensive income								(2,417)		(4,334)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 56,589	$ 77,459	$ 23,706	$ (31,899)	$ (84)	$ (3,628)	$ (283)	$ 65,271	$ 45,380	$ 110,651
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2011	6,222	23,170