Consolidated Condensed Statement Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Total Amerigon Equity	Non-Controlling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 107,715,000	$ 80,502,000	$ 23,489,000	$ (25,716,000)	$ (14,754,000)	$ 63,521,000	$ 44,194,000
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011		23,515
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash	340,000	490,000	(150,000)			340,000
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash, Shares		63
Tax benefit from Exercises of Common Stock options	1,068,000		1,068,000			1,068,000
Public stock offering	75,547,000	75,547,000				75,547,000
Public stock offering, Shares		5,290
Stock option compensation	368,000		368,000			368,000
Common Stock issued to Board of Directors and employees	149,000	149,000				149,000
Common Stock issued to Board of Directors and employees, Shares		35
Convertible preferred stock dividends	(4,005,000)			(4,005,000)		(4,005,000)
Preferred stock principal paid in common stock	7,780,000	7,780,000				7,780,000
Preferred stock principal paid in common stock, Shares		601,000
Preferred stock dividend paid in common stock	1,030,000	1,030,000				1,030,000
Preferred stock dividend paid in common stock, shares	1,030,000	80
Proceeds from subsidiary issuance of equity shares	1,921,000						1,921,000
Distribution paid to non-controlling interest	(290,000)						(290,000)
Currency hedge	(30,000)				(30,000)	(30,000)
Currency translation	(2,431,000)				(1,859,000)	(1,859,000)	(572,000)
Net income	13,273,000			10,454,000		10,454,000	2,819,000
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 202,435,000	$ 165,498,000	$ 24,775,000	$ (19,267,000)	$ (16,643,000)	$ (154,363,000)	$ 48,072,000
Balance, Shares at Jun. 30, 2012		29,584