Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total Gentherm Equity	Non-Controlling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 107,715	$ 80,502	$ 23,489	$ (25,716)	$ (14,754)	$ 63,521	$ 44,194
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011		23,515
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash	733	1,013	(280)			733
Exercise of Common Stock options for cash, Shares		170
Tax benefit from exercises of Common Stock options	1,577		1,577			1,577
Public stock offering	75,487	75,487				75,487
Public stock offering, Shares		5,290
Stock option compensation	597		597			597
Common Stock issued to Board of Directors and employees	314	314				314
Common Stock issued to Board of Directors and employees, Shares		45
Convertible preferred stock dividends	(5,521)			(5,521)		(5,521)
Preferred stock principal paid in common stock	7,780	7,780				7,780
Preferred stock principal paid in common stock, Shares		601
Preferred stock dividend paid in common stock	1,030	1,030				1,030
Preferred stock dividend paid in common stock, Shares		80
Proceeds from subsidiary issuance of equity shares	1,921						1,921
Distribution paid to non-controlling interest	(290)						(290)
Currency hedge	(55)				(55)	(55)
Currency translation	1,649				1,296	1,296	353
Net income	19,043			14,552		14,552	4,491
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 211,980	$ 166,126	$ 25,383	$ (16,685)	$ (13,513)	$ 161,311	$ 50,669
Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2012		29,701