Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual)

v2.4.0.6
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment
Vehicle
Dealership
Financial_Institutions
Collision
Brands
States
Stores
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]      
Number of dealerships 111    
Number of states 14    
Number of different brands of cars and light trucks 25    
Number of collision repair centers 21    
Number of Stores 100    
Percentage of dealership that is accounted for under the equity method 50.00%    
Book overdraft position $ 39,900,000 $ 18,900,000  
Revenue Allowances for commission reserves 13,200,000 11,100,000  
Amount recognized for continue operation 32,100,000 25,300,000 22,500,000
Additional amount recognized for discontinued operation 900,000 1,400,000 1,500,000
Contracts in Transit receivables 183,200,000 148,300,000  
Projected sales in the unit for next year 15,000,000    
Excess of fair value over carrying value 1,000,000,000    
Goodwill 454,224,000 468,465,000 468,516,000
Deposits 60,000,000    
Reduction in interest expense 300,000    
Insurance Reserves 23,400,000 22,200,000  
Total outstanding balance of financial instruments and market risks 1,200,000,000 934,000,000  
Advertising Expense 50,300,000 49,100,000 43,400,000
Cooperative manufacturer credits advertising expenses 22,000,000 17,700,000 13,000,000
Term for funding of finance contracts 10 days    
Number of financial institutions as counterparties to swap transactions 4    
Prior period reclassification adjustment of balance sheet 0    
Prior period reclassification adjustment of cash flow 0    
Number of operating segment 1    
Automobile Manufacturers [Member]
      
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to automobile manufacturers 71,600,000 63,300,000  
Financial Institutions [Member]
      
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to receivables are limited primarily to financial institutions 204,900,000 169,900,000  
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
      
Increase in receivable due to prior period adjustment   6,600,000  
Decrease in other current assets due to prior period adjustment   3,200,000  
Decrease in other assets due to prior period adjustment   7,800,000  
Decrease in other accrued liabilities due to prior period adjustment   5,800,000  
Increase in deferred income taxes due to prior period adjustment   $ 1,400,000