Group 1 Automotive (GPI) 10-Q 4 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 28, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001031203	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	24,261,639

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	$21,295		$20,215
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, net	210,911		225,156
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Current	142,115		135,058
Inventories, net	1,514,274		1,542,318
Deferred income taxes	16,595		21,150
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	119,013		24,041
Total current assets	2,024,203		1,967,938
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	837,821		796,356
GOODWILL	786,264		737,303
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS	314,413		301,505
OTHER ASSETS	14,189		16,376
Total assets	3,976,890		3,819,478
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'		'
Floorplan notes payable - credit facility and other	1,122,333		1,143,104
Offset account related to floorplan notes payable - credit facility	-64,614		-56,198
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	298,656		346,572
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term financing	30,516		36,225
Accounts payable	283,491		254,930
Accrued expenses	142,665		140,543
Total current liabilities	1,813,047		1,865,176
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	938,575		663,689
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	152,167		152,291
LIABILITIES FROM INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	27,271		26,078
OTHER LIABILITIES	55,900		47,975
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 11)	'		'
TEMPORARY EQUITY - Redeemable equity portion of the 2.25% and 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes	22,860		29,094
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:	'		'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	0		0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 25,806 and 25,746 issued, respectively	258		257
Additional paid-in capital	259,783		368,641
Retained earnings	816,056		776,101
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-39,928		-51,677
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,542 and 1,432 shares, respectively	-69,099		-58,147
Total stockholders’ equity	967,070		1,035,175
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	3,976,890		3,819,478
U.S. [Member]	'		'
CURRENT ASSETS:	'		'
Total assets	3,339,609		3,241,192
U.K. [Member]	'		'
CURRENT ASSETS:	'		'
Total assets	276,336		237,960
Brazil [Member]	'		'
CURRENT ASSETS:	'		'
GOODWILL	118,260	[1]	105,233	[1]
Total assets	$360,945		$340,326
[1]	1) Net of accumulated impairment of $40.3 million.

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized	-50,000,000	-50,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	-25,806,433	-25,746,268
Treasury securities, shares	-1,541,949	-1,431,679

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
REVENUES:	'	'	'	'
New vehicle retail sales	$1,466,064	$1,376,219	$2,734,900	$2,486,454
Used vehicle retail sales	577,250	534,804	1,127,147	1,006,203
Used vehicle wholesale sales	94,971	83,316	184,144	157,867
Parts and service sales	283,207	260,950	552,524	498,460
Finance, insurance and other, net	90,146	79,821	173,786	149,958
Total revenues	2,511,638	2,335,110	4,772,501	4,298,942
COST OF SALES:	'	'	'	'
New vehicle retail sales	1,385,218	1,295,854	2,587,148	2,343,453
Used vehicle retail sales	531,584	491,299	1,038,680	922,422
Used vehicle wholesale sales	93,730	82,804	179,791	154,933
Parts and service sales	131,958	123,879	259,612	236,371
Total cost of sales	2,142,490	1,993,836	4,065,231	3,657,179
GROSS PROFIT	369,148	341,274	707,270	641,763
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	-271,970	-251,159	-529,528	-484,592
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE	-10,753	-8,884	-20,678	-17,297
Asset Impairment Charges	1,721	609	1,721	609
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	84,704	80,622	155,343	139,265
OTHER EXPENSE:	'	'	'	'
Floorplan interest expense	-10,329	-10,873	-21,242	-20,237
Other interest expense, net	-12,567	-9,570	-23,080	-18,812
Other expense, net	0	0	0	-789
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	-23,614	0	-23,614	0
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	38,194	60,179	87,407	99,427
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	-21,332	-22,791	-39,242	-39,921
NET INCOME	$16,862	$37,388	$48,165	$59,506
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$0.70	$1.53	$1.98	$2.49
Weighted average common shares outstanding	23,298	23,315	23,318	22,796
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$0.62	$1.43	$1.80	$2.32
Weighted average common shares outstanding	26,242	24,980	25,837	24,544
CASH DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE	$0.17	$0.16	$0.34	$0.31

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
NET INCOME	$16,862	$37,388	$48,165	$59,506
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	6,395	-19,268	14,609	-26,724
Net unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swaps:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized (loss) gain arising during the period, net of tax benefit (provision) of $2,306, ($4,622), $3,818 and ($4,614), respectively	-3,844	7,704	-6,364	7,690
Reclassification adjustment for loss included in interest expense, net of tax provision of $1,058, $1,020, $2,102 and $2,045, respectively	1,764	1,701	3,504	3,409
Net unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax	-2,080	9,405	-2,860	11,099
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), NET OF TAXES	4,315	-9,863	11,749	-15,625
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$21,177	$27,525	$59,914	$43,881

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit (provision) of unrealized loss on interest rate swap	$2,306	($4,622)	$3,818	($4,614)
Tax provision of reclassification adjustment	$1,058	$1,020	$2,102	$2,045

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in-Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock	3.00% Convertible Notes [Member]	3.00% Convertible Notes [Member]	2.25% Convertible Notes [Member]	2.25% Convertible Notes [Member]
In Thousands								Additional Paid-in-Capital		Additional Paid-in-Capital
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,035,175	$257	$368,641	$776,101	($51,677)	($58,147)	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	25,746	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	48,165	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	11,749	'	'	'	11,749	'	'	'	'	'
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	-16,942	'	'	'	'	-16,942	'	'	'	'
Redemption of equity component of 3.00% Convertible Notes	'	'	'	'	'	'	-118,121	-118,121	'	'
Temporary equity adjustment related to 2.25% and 3.00% Convertible Notes	'	'	'	'	'	'	23,745	23,745	-17,511	-17,511
Issuance of common and treasury shares to employee benefit plans, shares	'	60	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common and treasury shares to employee benefit plans	56	1	-5,935	'	'	5,990	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	7,861	'	7,861	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax effect from options exercised and the vesting of restricted shares	1,103	'	1,103	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends	-8,210	'	'	-8,210	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$967,070	$258	$259,783	$816,056	($39,928)	($69,099)	'	'	'	'
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2014	'	25,806	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc1

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
3.00% Convertible Notes [Member]	'
Convertible senior notes stated rate	3.00%
2.25% Convertible Notes [Member]	'
Convertible senior notes stated rate	2.25%

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income	$48,165	$59,506
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	20,678	17,297
Deferred income taxes	8,910	9,288
Asset Impairment Charges	1,721	609
Stock-based compensation	7,886	6,960
Amortization of debt discount and issue costs	7,235	6,827
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	23,614	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	-649	-9,670
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	-1,103	-1,129
Other	1,146	1,020
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	30,383	46,280
Accounts and notes receivable	-4,825	-3,115
Inventories	24,403	-111,889
Contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables	14,964	19,211
Prepaid expenses and other assets	658	2,117
Increase/DecreaseFloorPlanNotes	-52,458	43,871
Deferred revenues	205	125
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	130,933	87,308
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash received	-129,276	-89,775
Proceeds from disposition of franchises, property and equipment	9,764	77,921
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate	-68,726	-47,300
Other	-6,125	574
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-194,363	-58,580
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Borrowings on credit facility - Floorplan Line	3,735,607	3,120,902
Repayments on credit facility - Floorplan Line	-3,762,092	-3,042,696
Borrowings on Credit Facility Acquisition Line	89,963	0
Repayments on Credit Facility Acquisition Line	-130,000	0
Borrowings on real estate credit facility	200	0
Principal payments on real estate credit facility	-1,603	-7,241
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt	344,750	0
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	-1,221	0
Repayments of Convertible Debt	-210,356	0
Borrowings of other long-term debt	53,038	777
Principal payments of other long-term debt	-47,167	-80,797
Borrowings of long term debt related to real estate loans	32,559	6,008
Principal payments of long-term debt related to real estate loans	-16,236	-12,986
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	55	532
Repurchases of common stock, amounts based on settlement date	-16,942	0
Tax effect from excess stock-based compensation	1,103	1,129
Dividends paid	-8,235	-7,525
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	63,423	-21,897
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	1,087	-629
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	1,080	6,202
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	20,215	4,650
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	21,295	10,852
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment, including real estate, accrued in accounts payable and accrued expenses	$656	$1,856

Interim_Financial_Information

Interim Financial Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Interim Financial Information	'
	INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	Business and Organization
	Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is a leading operator in the automotive retailing industry with business activities in 15 states in the United States of America (“U.S.”), 13 towns in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and two states in Brazil. Group 1 Automotive, Inc. and its subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company” in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company, through its regions, sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service and insurance contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.
	As of June 30, 2014, the Company’s U.S. retail network consisted of the following two regions (with the number of dealerships they comprised): (a) the East (46 dealerships in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and South Carolina), and (b) the West (72 dealerships in California, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas). Each U.S. region is managed by a regional vice president who reports directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the overall performance of their regions. The financial matters of each U.S. region are managed by a regional chief financial officer who reports directly to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. In addition, as of June 30, 2014, the Company had two international regions: (a) the U.K. region, which consisted of 14 dealerships in the U.K. and (b) the Brazil region, which consisted of 19 dealerships in Brazil. The international regions are also managed locally with direct reporting responsibilities to the Company’s corporate management team.
	The Company's operating results are generally subject to changes in the economic environment as well as seasonal variations. Generally there are higher volumes of vehicles sales and service in the second and third calendar quarters of each year in the U.S., in the first and third quarters in the U.K. and during the third and fourth quarters in Brazil. This seasonality is generally attributable to consumer buying trends and the timing of manufacturer new vehicle model introductions. In addition, in some regions of the U.S., vehicle purchases decline during the winter months due to inclement weather. As a result, U.S. revenues and operating income are typically lower in the first and fourth quarters and higher in the second and third quarters. For the U.K., the first and third calendar quarters tend to be stronger, driven by plate change months of March and September. For Brazil, we expect higher volumes in the third and fourth calendar quarters. The first quarter is generally the weakest, driven by heavy consumer vacations and activities associated with Carnival. Other factors unrelated to seasonality, such as changes in economic condition, manufacturer incentive programs, or shifts in governmental taxes or regulations may exaggerate seasonal or cause counter-seasonal fluctuations in our revenues and operating income.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Due to seasonality and other factors, the results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Form 10-K”).
	All business acquisitions completed during the periods presented have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and their results of operations are included from the effective dates of the closings of the acquisitions. The preliminary allocations of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are assigned and recorded based on estimates of fair value. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Business Segment Information
	The Company, through its regions, conducts business in the automotive retailing industry including selling new and used cars and light trucks, arranging related vehicle financing, selling service and insurance contracts, providing automotive maintenance and repair services and selling vehicle parts. The Company has three reportable segments; the U.S., which includes the activities of the Company's corporate office, the U.K. and Brazil. See Note 14, "Segment Information," for additional details regarding the Company's reportable segments.
	Variable Interest Entity
	In 2013, the Company entered into arrangements to provide a related-party entity that owns and operates retail automotive dealerships a fixed-interest-rate working capital loan and various administrative services for a variable fee, both of which constitute variable interests in the entity. The Company's exposure to loss as a result of its involvement in the entity includes the balance outstanding under the loan arrangement. The Company holds no equity ownership interest in the entity. The Company has determined that the entity meets the criteria of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The terms of the loan and services agreements provide the Company with the right to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses of the VIE and the right to receive potentially significant benefits from the VIE. Accordingly, the Company qualified as the VIE's primary beneficiary and consolidated the assets and liabilities of the VIE as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as well as the results of operations of the VIE beginning on the effective date of the variable interests arrangements to June 30, 2014. The floorplan notes payable liability of the VIE is securitized by the new and used vehicle inventory of the VIE. The carrying amounts and classification of assets (which can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE) and liabilities (for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company) are included in the Company's purchase price allocations set forth in Note 2, "Acquisitions and Dispositions." The final allocation of assets and liabilities included in the Company's consolidated statements of financial position for the consolidated VIE as of June 30, 2014, as well as a preliminary allocation as of December 31, 2013, are as follows (in thousands):
		June 30, 2014		31-Dec-13
	Current assets	$	28,734	$	24,170
	Non-current assets	40,659		71,033
	Total assets	$	69,393	$	95,203
	Current liabilities	$	24,498	$	21,653
	Non-current liabilities	24,401		25,374
	Total liabilities	$	48,899	$	47,027
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, that raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations to include only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The amendments in this accounting standard update should be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the provisions of the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), that amends the accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The amendments in this ASU are intended to provide a framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices, and improve disclosure requirements. The amendments in this accounting standard update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the provisions of the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	Correction of an Immaterial Error in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
	The Company identified an error in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The error had the effect of overstating the Company’s net cash provided by operating activities and overstating the effect of exchange rate changes on cash by $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The corrected net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 should have been $120.7 million. The Company has corrected this error in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the six months ended June 30, 2014, as presented in the consolidated financial statements contained herein. The Company’s management has assessed the error, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and determined that the effect on the prior period is immaterial.

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Acquisitions and Dispositions [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions	'
	ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company acquired four dealerships and was granted one franchise in the U.S. The Company also opened one dealership for an awarded franchise in Brazil. Aggregate consideration paid for these acquisitions totaled $129.3 million, including associated real estate. During the second quarter of 2014, the Company sold two dealerships in the U.S. As a result of these dispositions, a net gain of $0.5 million was recognized for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014. Consideration received for these dealerships was $9.6 million.
	As of June 30, 2014, the Company determined that certain dealerships and the associated real estate qualified as held-for-sale. As a result, the Company classified the carrying value of all $90.0 million of the assets of the asset disposal group in prepaid and other current assets in its Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	In February 2013, the Company purchased all of the outstanding stock of UAB Motors Particpações S.A. (“UAB Motors”). At the time of acquisition, UAB Motors consisted of 18 dealerships and 22 franchises in Brazil, as well as five collision centers. As discussed in Note 1, "Interim Financial Information," in connection with this acquisition, the Company entered into arrangements that are variable interests in a VIE. The Company qualifies as the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The consolidation of the VIE into the financial statements of the Company was accounted for as a business combination. In addition to the acquisition of UAB Motors, the Company acquired certain assets of four dealerships in the U.K. (collectively with the acquisition of UAB Motors, the "2013 Acquisitions") in February 2013. In conjunction with the 2013 Acquisitions, the Company incurred $6.5 million of costs, primarily related to professional services associated with the UAB Motors transaction. The Company included these costs in selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013.
	Aggregate consideration paid for the 2013 Acquisitions totaled $138.2 million, including $58.3 million of cash and 1.39 million shares of the Company's common stock. The Company also assumed debt in conjunction with the 2013 Acquisitions, of which $65.1 million was contemporaneously extinguished. In conjunction with the extinguishment, the Company recognized a loss of $0.8 million that is included in Other Expense, net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2013.
	The purchase price for the 2013 Acquisitions was allocated as set forth below based upon the consideration paid and the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. Goodwill was assigned to the U.K. and Brazil reportable segments in the amounts of $1.5 million and $130.9 million, respectively.
		As of Acquisition Date
		(In thousands)
	Inventory	$	86,848
	Other Current Assets	26,632
	Property and Equipment	24,865
	Goodwill & Intangible Franchise Rights	214,035
	Other assets	864
	Total Assets	$	353,244
	Current Liabilities	$	116,500
	Deferred Income Taxes	29,898
	Long-term Debt	68,639
	Total Liabilities	$	215,037
	The intangible franchise rights are expected to continue for an indefinite period, therefore these rights are not amortized. These intangible assets will be evaluated on an annual basis in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350. Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid compared to net assets received in the acquisition. The goodwill relative to the Brazil reportable segment is not currently deductible for tax purposes.
	During the six months ended June 30, 2013, the Company sold four dealerships and one franchise in the U.S. As a result of the dispositions, a net gain of $8.4 million and $9.0 million was recognized for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Ris

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES	'
	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
	The periodic interest rates of the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in Note 8, “Credit Facilities”), the Real Estate Credit Facility (as defined in Note 9, “Long-term Debt”) and certain variable-rate real estate related borrowings are indexed to the one-month London Inter Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an associated company credit risk rate. In order to minimize the earnings variability related to fluctuations in these rates, the Company employs an interest rate hedging strategy, whereby it enters into arrangements with various financial institutional counterparties with investment grade credit ratings, swapping its variable interest rate exposure for a fixed interest rate over terms not to exceed the related variable-rate debt.
	The Company presents the fair value of all derivatives on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company measures the fair value of its interest rate derivative instruments utilizing an income approach valuation technique, converting future amounts of cash flows to a single present value in order to obtain a transfer exit price within the bid and ask spread that is most representative of the fair value of its derivative instruments. In measuring fair value, the Company utilizes the option-pricing Black-Scholes present value technique for all of its derivative instruments. This option-pricing technique utilizes a one-month LIBOR forward yield curve, obtained from an independent external service provider, matched to the identical maturity term of the instrument being measured. Observable inputs utilized in the income approach valuation technique incorporate identical contractual notional amounts, fixed coupon rates, periodic terms for interest payments and contract maturity. The fair value estimate of the interest rate derivative instruments also considers the credit risk of the Company for instruments in a liability position or the counterparty for instruments in an asset position. The credit risk is calculated by using the spread between the one-month LIBOR yield curve and the relevant average 10 and 20-year rate according to Standard and Poor’s. The Company has determined the valuation measurement inputs of these derivative instruments to maximize the use of observable inputs that market participants would use in pricing similar or identical instruments and market data obtained from independent sources, which is readily observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the derivative instrument. Further, the valuation measurement inputs minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Accordingly, the Company has classified the derivatives within Level 2 of the hierarchy framework as described by the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.
	The related gains or losses on these interest rate derivatives are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related items being hedged are recognized in expense. However, to the extent that the change in value of a derivative contract does not perfectly offset the change in the value of the items being hedged, that ineffective portion is immediately recognized in other income or expense. Monthly contractual settlements of these swap positions are recognized as floorplan or other interest expense in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. All of the Company’s interest rate hedges are designated as cash flow hedges.
	The Company held interest rate swaps in effect as of June 30, 2014 of $450.0 million in notional value that fixed its underlying one-month LIBOR at a weighted average rate of 2.6%. The Company records the majority of the impact of the periodic settlements of these swaps as a component of floorplan interest expense. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the impact of the Company’s interest rate hedges in effect increased floorplan interest expense by $2.5 million and $4.9 million, respectively; for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the impact of the Company’s interest rate hedges in effect increased floorplan interest expense by $2.4 million and $4.8 million respectively. Total floorplan interest expense was $10.3 million and $10.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $21.2 million and $20.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	In addition to the $450.0 million of swaps in effect as of June 30, 2014, the Company held ten additional interest rate swaps with forward start dates between December 2014 and December 2016 and expiration dates between December 2017 and December 2019. As of June 30, 2014, the aggregate notional value of these ten forward-starting swaps was $525.0 million, and the weighted average interest rate was 2.7%. The combination of the interest rate swaps currently in effect and these forward-starting swaps is structured such that the notional value in effect at any given time through December 2019 does not exceed $600.0 million, which is less than the Company's expectation for variable rate debt outstanding during such period.
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company reflected liabilities from interest rate risk management activities of $27.3 million and $26.1 million, respectively, in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company reflected $0.5 million and $3.9 million of assets from interest rate risk management activities included in Other Assets in its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss at June 30, 2014 and 2013 were accumulated unrealized losses, net of income taxes, totaling $16.7 million and $15.8 million, respectively, related to these interest rate swaps.
	At June 30, 2014, all of the Company’s derivative contracts that were in effect were determined to be effective. The Company had no gains or losses related to ineffectiveness or amounts excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for either the three or six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013, respectively. The following table presents the impact during the current and comparative prior year period for the Company's derivative financial instruments on its Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets.
		Amount of Unrealized Gain (Loss), Net of Tax, Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
		Six Months Ended June 30,
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship	2014				2013
			(In thousands)
	Interest rate swap contracts		$	(6,364	)	$	7,690
		Amount of Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into
		Statements of Operations
	Location of Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Statements of Operations	Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014				2013
			(In thousands)
	Floorplan interest expense		$	(4,884	)	$	(4,848	)
	Other interest expense		(722		)	(606		)
	The amount expected to be reclassified out of other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings as additional floorplan interest expense or other interest expense in the next twelve months is $10.9 million.

StockBased_Compensation_Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS	'
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
	The Company provides stock-based compensation benefits to employees and non-employee directors pursuant to its 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan"), as well as to employees pursuant to its 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (the "Purchase Plan").
	Long Term Incentive Plan
	The 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "Prior Plan") provided for the issuance of up to 7.5 million shares for grants to non-employee directors, officers and other employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. On May 20, 2014, the Company's shareholders approved the Incentive Plan, which replaced the Prior Plan. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Incentive Plan is limited to (i) 1.2 million shares, plus (ii) the number of shares available for future issuance under the Prior Plan as of May 20, 2014, plus (iii) the number of shares subject to awards that were outstanding as of May 20, 2014 to the extent any such award lapses or terminates without all shares subject to those awards being issued to the holder of such award or without such holder receiving a cash settlement of such award. The Incentive Plan provides for the grant of options (including options qualified as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and options that are non-qualified),  restricted stock, performance awards, bonus stock, and phantom stock to the Company's employees, consultants, non-employee directors and officers. The Incentive Plan expires on May 21, 2024. The terms of the awards (including vesting schedules) are established by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. As of June 30, 2014, there were 1,764,044 shares available for issuance under the Incentive Plan.
	Restricted Stock Awards
	The Company has granted under the Prior Plan and will continue to make grants under the Incentive Plan to non-employee directors and certain employees, at no cost to the recipient, restricted stock awards or, at their election, restricted stock units pursuant to the Incentive Plan. Restricted stock awards qualify as participating securities as each contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends. As such, the two-class method is required for the computation of earnings per share. See Note 5, “Earnings Per Share,” for further details. Restricted stock awards are considered outstanding at the date of grant but are subject to vesting periods ranging from six months to five years. Vested restricted stock units, which are not considered outstanding at the grant date, will settle in shares of common stock upon the termination of the grantees’ employment or directorship. In the event an employee or non-employee director terminates his or her employment or directorship with the Company prior to the lapse of the restrictions, the shares, in most cases, will be forfeited to the Company. Compensation expense for these awards is calculated based on the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and recognized over the requisite service period. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of valuation and reduce expense ratably over the vesting period. This estimate is adjusted annually based on the extent to which actual or expected forfeitures differ from the previous estimate.
	A summary of the awards as of June 30, 2014, along with the changes during the six months then ended, is as follows:
		Awards		Weighted Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013	933,740		$	49.87
	Granted	249,440		66.28
	Vested	(148,965	)	46.71
	Forfeited	(40,310	)	51.52
	Nonvested at June 30, 2014	993,905		$	54.39
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	The Purchase Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 3.5 million shares of common stock and provides that no options to purchase shares may be granted under the Purchase Plan after March 6, 2016. The Purchase Plan is available to all employees of the Company and its participating subsidiaries and is a qualified plan as defined by Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code. At the end of each fiscal quarter (the “Option Period”) during the term of the Purchase Plan, employees can acquire shares of common stock from the Company at 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the first or the last day of the Option Period, whichever is lower. As of June 30, 2014, there were 563,138 shares available for issuance under the Purchase Plan. During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company issued 56,826 and 58,525 shares, respectively, of common stock to employees participating in the Purchase Plan.
	The weighted average fair value of employee stock purchase rights issued pursuant to the Purchase Plan was $14.54 and $13.40 during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The fair value of stock purchase rights is calculated using the grant date stock price, the value of the embedded call option and the value of the embedded put option.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Total stock-based compensation cost was $4.2 million and $3.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $7.9 million and $7.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Cash received from option exercises and Purchase Plan purchases was $3.2 million and $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from the vesting of restricted shares, which increased additional paid in capital, totaled $1.1 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The Company issues new shares or treasury shares, if available, when restricted stock vests. With respect to shares issued under the Purchase Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized specific share repurchases to fund the shares issuable under the Purchase Plan.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The two-class method is utilized for the computation of the Company's earnings per share (“EPS”). The two-class method requires a portion of net income to be allocated to participating securities, which are unvested awards of share-based payments with non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, which included the Company’s restricted stock awards. Income allocated to these participating securities is excluded from net earnings available to common shares, as shown in the table below. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to basic common shares by the weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to diluted common shares by the weighted average number of dilutive common shares outstanding during the period.
	The following table sets forth the calculation of EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	23,298		23,315		23,318		22,796
	Dilutive effect of contingently convertible notes and warrants	2,937		1,660		2,513		1,743
	Dilutive effect of employee stock purchases, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock	7		5		6		5
	Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding	26,242		24,980		25,837		24,544
	Basic:
	Net Income	$	16,862	$	37,388	$	48,165	$	59,506
	Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	675		1,689		1,923		2,684
	Earnings available to basic common shares	$	16,187	$	35,699	$	46,242	$	56,822
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.7	$	1.53	$	1.98	$	2.49
	Diluted:
	Net Income	$	16,862	$	37,388	$	48,165	$	59,506
	Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	619		1,592		1,773		2,522
	Earnings available to diluted common shares	$	16,243	$	35,796	$	46,392	$	56,984
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.62	$	1.43	$	1.8	$	2.32
	As discussed in Note 9, “Long-Term Debt”, the Company is required to include the dilutive effect, if applicable, of the net shares issuable under the 2.25% Notes (as defined in Note 9) and the warrants sold in connection with the 2.25% Notes (“2.25% Warrants”) in its diluted common shares outstanding for the diluted earnings calculation. As a result, the number of shares included in the Company's diluted shares outstanding each period varies based upon the Company's average adjusted closing common stock price during the applicable period. Although the ten-year call options that the Company purchased on its common stock in connection with the issuance of the 2.25% Notes (“2.25% Purchased Options”) have the economic benefit of decreasing the dilutive effect of the 2.25% Notes, the Company cannot factor this benefit into the diluted common shares outstanding for the diluted earnings calculation since the impact would be anti-dilutive. The average adjusted closing price of the Company's common stock for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 was more than the conversion price then in effect at the end of those periods. Therefore, the respective dilutive effect of the 2.25% Notes was included in the computation of diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. Refer to Note 9, "Long-Term Debt" for a description of the change to the conversion price of the 2.25% Notes, which occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2014 as a result of the Company’s decision to pay a cash dividend in excess of $0.14, as well as the convertibility of the 2.25% Notes as of June 30, 2014 and for further discussion of the Company's notice of redemption issued subsequent to June 30, 2014.
	In addition, the Company is required to include the dilutive effect, if applicable, of the net shares issuable under the 3.00% Notes (as defined in Note 9, "Long-Term Debt" ) and the warrants sold in connection with the 3.00% Notes (“3.00% Warrants”). As a result, the number of shares included in the Company's diluted shares outstanding each period varies based upon the Company's average adjusted closing common stock price during the applicable period. Although the ten-year call options that the Company purchased on its common stock in connection with the issuance of the 3.00% Notes (“3.00% Purchased Options”) have the economic benefit of decreasing the dilutive effect of the 3.00% Notes, the Company cannot factor this benefit into the diluted common shares outstanding for the diluted earnings calculation since the impact would be anti-dilutive. Since the average price of the Company’s common stock for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, was more than the conversion price then in effect at the end of those periods, the respective dilutive effect of the 3.00% Notes and Warrants was included in the computation of diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. Refer to Note 9, "Long-Term Debt" for a description of the change to the conversion price of the 3.00% Notes, which occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2014 as a result of the Company’s decision to pay a cash dividend, as well as the convertibility of the 3.00% Notes as of June 30, 2014 and for further discussion of the Company's purchase of $92.5 million of the 3.00% Notes on June 25, 2014.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The Company is subject to U.S. federal income taxes and income taxes in numerous U.S. states. In addition, the Company is subject to income tax in the U.K. and Brazil relative to its foreign subsidiaries. The Company's effective income tax rates of 55.9% and 44.9% of pretax income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% due primarily to the tax deductible loss on the purchase of the majority of the 3.00% Notes (as defined in Note 9, "Long-term Debt") that was less than the loss recognized for U.S. GAAP, additional valuation allowances recorded in respect of net operating losses of certain Brazil subsidiaries, as well as the mix of pretax income from taxable state and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
	For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company's effective tax rate increased to 55.9% and 44.9% from 37.9% and 40.2%, respectively, for the same periods in 2013. These increases were primarily due to the tax deductible loss on the purchase of the majority of the 3.00% Notes that was less than the loss recognized for U.S. GAAP, additional valuation allowances recorded in respect of net operating losses of certain Brazil subsidiaries, as well as the mix of pretax income from taxable state and foreign jurisdictions in which we operate.
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits with respect to uncertain tax positions and did not incur any interest and penalties nor did it accrue any interest for the six months ended June 30, 2014. When applicable, consistent with prior practice, the Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
	Taxable years 2009 and subsequent remain open for examination by the Company’s major taxing jurisdictions.

Detail_of_Certain_Balance_Shee

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Balance Sheet Accounts [Abstract]	'
Detail Of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts	'
	DETAIL OF CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS
	Accounts and notes receivable consisted of the following:
		30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
		(unaudited)
		(In thousands)
	Amounts due from manufacturers	$	78,839			$	78,131
	Parts and service receivables	35,180				31,950
	Finance and insurance receivables	17,886				19,283
	Other	12,631				8,099
	Total accounts and notes receivable	144,536				137,463
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	2,421				2,405
	Accounts and notes receivable, net	$	142,115			$	135,058
	Inventories consisted of the following:
		30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
		(unaudited)
		(In thousands)
	New vehicles	$	1,103,350			$	1,165,335
	Used vehicles	267,144				231,960
	Rental vehicles	85,255				88,523
	Parts, accessories and other	65,931				64,156
	Total inventories	1,521,680				1,549,974
	Less lower of cost or market reserves	7,406				7,656
	Inventories, net	$	1,514,274			$	1,542,318
	New and used vehicles are valued at the lower of specific cost or market and are removed from inventory using the specific identification method. Parts and accessories are valued at lower of cost or market determined on either a first-in, first-out basis or on an average cost basis.
	Property and equipment consisted of the following:
		Estimated		30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
		Useful Lives
		in Years
		(unaudited)
				(dollars in thousands)
	Land	—		$	290,303			$	269,778
	Buildings	30 to 40		416,185				405,918
	Leasehold improvements	varies		131,199				120,531
	Machinery and equipment	7 to 20		83,288				79,209
	Furniture and fixtures	3 to 10		75,601				70,918
	Company vehicles	3 to 5		8,701				8,508
	Construction in progress	—		22,873				19,224
	Total			1,028,150				974,086
	Less accumulated depreciation			190,329				177,730
	Property and equipment, net			$	837,821			$	796,356
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company incurred $38.9 million of capital expenditures for the construction of new or expanded facilities and the purchase of equipment and other fixed assets in the maintenance of the Company’s dealerships and facilities. In addition, the Company purchased real estate (including land and buildings) during the six months ended June 30, 2014 associated with existing dealership operations totaling $21.7 million. And, in conjunction with the acquisition of dealerships and franchises in the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company acquired $29.8 million of real estate and other property and equipment.
	As of June 30, 2014, the Company determined that certain dealerships and the associated real estate qualified as held-for-sale. As a result, the Company classified the carrying value of the asset disposal group real estate totaling $32.7 million in prepaid and other current assets in its Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Credit_Facilities

Credit Facilities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Credit Facilities [Abstract]	'
CREDIT FACILITIES	'
	CREDIT FACILITIES
	In the U.S., the Company has a $1.7 billion revolving syndicated credit arrangement with 25 financial institutions including six manufacturer-affiliated finance companies (“Revolving Credit Facility”). The Company also has a $300.0 million floorplan financing arrangement (“FMCC Facility”) with Ford Motor Credit Company (“FMCC”) for financing of new Ford vehicles in the U.S. and other floor plan financing arrangements with several other automobile manufacturers for financing of a portion of its rental vehicle inventory. In the U.K., the Company has financing arrangements with BMW Financial Services, Volkswagen Finance and FMCC for financing of its new and used vehicles. In Brazil, the Company has financing arrangements for new, used, and rental vehicles with several financial institutions, most of which are manufacturer affiliated. Within the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, Floorplan notes payable - credit facility and other primarily reflects amounts payable for the purchase of specific new, used and rental vehicle inventory (with the exception of new and rental vehicle purchases financed through lenders affiliated with the respective manufacturer) whereby financing is provided by the Revolving Credit Facility. Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates reflects amounts related to the purchase of vehicles whereby financing is provided by the FMCC Facility, the financing of rental vehicles in the U.S., as well as the financing of new, used, and rental vehicles in both the U.K. and Brazil. Payments on the floorplan notes payable are generally due as the vehicles are sold. As a result, these obligations are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as current liabilities.
	Revolving Credit Facility
	On June 20, 2013, the Company amended its Revolving Credit Facility principally to increase the total borrowing capacity from $1.35 billion to $1.7 billion and to extend the term from an expiration date of June 1, 2016 to June 20, 2018. The Revolving Credit Facility consists of two tranches, providing a maximum of $1.6 billion for U.S. vehicle inventory floorplan financing (“Floorplan Line”), as well as a maximum of $320.0 million and a minimum of $100.0 million for working capital and general corporate purposes, including acquisitions (“Acquisition Line”). The capacity under these two tranches can be re-designated within the overall $1.7 billion commitment, subject to the aforementioned limits. Up to $125.0 million of the Acquisition Line can be borrowed in either euros or pound sterling. The Revolving Credit Facility can be expanded to a maximum commitment of $1.95 billion, subject to participating lender approval. The Floorplan Line bears interest at rates equal to the one-month LIBOR plus 125 basis points for new vehicle inventory and the one-month LIBOR plus 150 basis points for used vehicle inventory. The Acquisition Line bears interest at the one-month LIBOR plus 150 basis points plus a margin that ranges from zero to 100 basis points for borrowings in U.S. dollars and 150 to 250 basis points on borrowings in euros or pound sterling, depending on the Company’s total adjusted leverage ratio. The Floorplan Line also requires a commitment fee of 0.20% per annum on the unused portion. The Acquisition Line requires a commitment fee ranging from 0.25% to 0.45% per annum, depending on the Company’s total adjusted leverage ratio, based on a minimum commitment of $100.0 million less outstanding borrowings. In conjunction with the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company has $6.0 million of related unamortized costs as of June 30, 2014 that are being amortized over the term of the facility.
	After considering the outstanding balance of $1,042.3 million at June 30, 2014, the Company had $337.7 million of available floorplan borrowing capacity under the Floorplan Line. Included in the $337.7 million available borrowings under the Floorplan Line was $64.6 million of immediately available funds. The weighted average interest rate on the Floorplan Line was 1.4% as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, excluding the impact of the Company’s interest rate swaps. Amounts borrowed by the Company under the Floorplan Line for specific vehicle inventory are to be repaid upon the sale of the vehicle financed, and in no case is a borrowing for a vehicle to remain outstanding for greater than one year. With regards to the Acquisition Line, borrowings outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $20.5 million (borrowed as 12.0 million pounds sterling) and $60.0 million, respectively. After considering $43.2 million of outstanding letters of credit and other factors included in the Company’s available borrowing base calculation, there was $220.8 million of available borrowing capacity under the Acquisition Line as of June 30, 2014. The amount of available borrowing capacity under the Acquisition Line is limited from time to time based upon certain debt covenants.
	All of the U.S. dealership-owning subsidiaries are co-borrowers under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company’s obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are secured by essentially all of the Company's U.S. personal property (other than equity interests in dealership-owning subsidiaries), including all motor vehicle inventory and proceeds from the disposition of dealership-owning subsidiaries, excluding inventory financed directly with manufacturer-affiliates and other third party financing institutions. The Revolving Credit Facility contains a number of significant covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to make disbursements outside of the ordinary course of business, dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, create liens on assets, make investments and engage in mergers or consolidations. The Company is also required to comply with specified financial tests and ratios defined in the Revolving Credit Facility, such as the fixed charge coverage, total adjusted leverage, and senior secured adjusted leverage ratios. Further, the Revolving Credit Facility restricts the Company’s ability to make certain payments, such as dividends or other distributions of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities (“Restricted Payments”). The Restricted Payments cannot exceed the sum of $125.0 million plus (or minus if negative) (a) one-half of the aggregate consolidated net income for the period beginning on January 1, 2013 and ending on the date of determination and (b) the amount of net cash proceeds received from the sale of capital stock on or after January 1, 2013 and ending on the date of determination less (c) cash dividends and share repurchases (“Restricted Payment Basket”). For purposes of the calculation of the Restricted Payment Basket, net income represents such amounts per the consolidated financial statements adjusted to exclude the Company’s foreign operations, non-cash interest expense, non-cash asset impairment charges, and non-cash stock-based compensation. As of June 30, 2014, the Restricted Payment Basket totaled $167.9 million. As of June 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants and ratios under the Revolving Credit Facility.
	Ford Motor Credit Company Facility
	The FMCC Facility provides for the financing of, and is collateralized by, the Company’s Ford new vehicle inventory in the U.S., including affiliated brands. This arrangement provides for $300.0 million of floorplan financing, an increase of $100.0 million from March 31, 2014, and is an evergreen arrangement that may be canceled with 30 days notice by either party. As of June 30, 2014, the Company had an outstanding balance of $174.7 million under the FMCC Facility with an available floorplan borrowing capacity of $125.3 million. This facility bears interest at a rate of Prime plus 150 basis points minus certain incentives. As of June 30, 2014, the interest rate on the FMCC Facility was 4.75% before considering the applicable incentives.
	Other Credit Facilities
	The Company has credit facilities with BMW Financial Services, Volkswagen Finance and FMCC for the financing of new, used and rental vehicle inventories related to its U.K. operations. These facilities are denominated in pound sterling and are evergreen arrangements that may be canceled with notice by either party and bear interest at a base rate, plus a surcharge that varies based upon the type of vehicle being financed. The interest rates charged on borrowings outstanding under these facilities ranged from 1.14% to 3.95% as of June 30, 2014.
	The Company has credit facilities with financial institutions in Brazil, most of which are affiliated with the manufacturers, for the financing of new, used and rental vehicle inventories related to its Brazil operations. These facilities are denominated in Brazilian real and have renewal terms ranging from one month to twelve months. They may be canceled with notice by either party and bear interest at a benchmark rate, plus a surcharge that varies based upon the type of vehicle being financed. As of June 30, 2014, the interest rates charged on borrowings outstanding under these facilities ranged from 15.10% to 19.56%.
	Excluding rental vehicles financed through the Revolving Credit Facility, financing for U.S. rental vehicles is typically obtained directly from the automobile manufacturers. These financing arrangements generally require small monthly payments and mature in varying amounts over a period of two years. As of June 30, 2014, the interest rate charged on borrowings related to the Company’s rental vehicle fleet varied up to 4.75%. Rental vehicles are typically transferred to used vehicle inventory when they are removed from rental service and repayment of the borrowing is required at that time.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
LONG-TERM DEBT	'
	LONG-TERM DEBT
	The Company carries its long-term debt at face value, net of applicable discounts. Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
		(dollars in thousands)
	2.25% Convertible Senior Notes	$	164,556		$	160,334
	3.00% Convertible Senior Notes	16,907			84,305
	Real Estate Credit Facility	66,316			67,719
	5.00% Senior Notes	344,796			—
	Acquisition Line	20,457			60,000
	Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt	307,738			279,167
	Capital lease obligations related to real estate, maturing in varying amounts through June 2034 with a weighted average interest rate of 10.6%	48,321			47,553
		969,091			699,078
	Less current maturities of real estate credit facility and other long-term debt	30,516			35,389
		$	938,575		$	663,689
	Purchase of 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes
	On June 25, 2014, the Company purchased $92.5 million of the $115.0 million principal outstanding of its 3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 (“3.00% Notes”) in a tender offer, leaving an outstanding balance of $22.6 million as of June 30, 2014. Consideration paid for the purchase of the 3.00% Notes was $210.4 million. In conjunction with this purchase, the Company recognized a loss of $23.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2014. Subsequent to June 30, 2014, the Company settled the 3.00% Purchased Options and 3.00% Warrants in the same proportion as the 3.00% Notes purchased. The net cash received as a result was $26.4 million, which will be recognized as an increase to additional paid in capital.
	2.25% Convertible Senior Notes
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying value of the Company's 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 (“2.25% Notes”), related discount and equity component consisted of the following:
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
		(In thousands)
	Carrying amount of equity component (including temporary equity)	$	65,270		$	65,270
	Allocated underwriter fees, net of taxes	(1,475		)	(1,475		)
	Allocated debt issuance cost, net of taxes	(58		)	(58		)
	Total net equity component	$	63,737		$	63,737
	Deferred income tax component	$	6,524		$	8,023
	Principal amount of 2.25% Notes	$	182,753		$	182,753
	Unamortized discount	(17,511		)	(21,574		)
	Unamortized underwriter fees	(686		)	(845		)
	Net carrying amount of liability component	$	164,556		$	160,334
	Unamortized debt issuance cost	$	27		$	33
	For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the contractual interest expense and the discount amortization, which is recorded as other interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, were as follows:
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013
		(dollars in thousands)
	Year-to-date contractual interest expense	$	2,056		$	2,056
	Year-to-date discount amortization (1)	$	3,998		$	3,689
	Effective interest rate of liability component	7.7		%	7.7		%
	(1)    Represents the incremental impact of the accounting for convertible debt as primarily codified in ASC 470, Debt.
	The Company determined the discount using the estimated effective interest rate for similar debt with no convertible features. The original effective interest rate of 7.50% was estimated by comparing debt issuances from companies with similar credit ratings during the same annual period as the Company. The effective interest rate differs from the 7.50% due to the impact of underwriter fees associated with this issuance that were capitalized as an additional discount and are being amortized to interest expense through 2016. The effective interest rate may change in the future as a result of future repurchases of the 2.25% Notes. The Company utilized a ten-year term for the assessment of the fair value of its 2.25% Notes.
	The 2.25% Notes are convertible into cash and, if applicable, common stock based on the then-applicable conversion rate under the following circumstances: (a) during any calendar quarter (and only during such calendar quarter), if the closing price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is equal to or more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share (or $77.05 as of June 30, 2014)(the "2.25% Stock Price Trigger"); (b) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount for each day of the ten day trading period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale/bid price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate on that day; and (c) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions set forth in the indenture governing the 2.25% Notes (the "2.25% Notes Indenture"). Upon conversion, a holder will receive an amount in cash and, if applicable, shares of the Company’s common stock, determined in the manner set forth in the 2.25% Notes Indenture.
	The Company may redeem all or part of the 2.25% Notes if the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price then in effect for at least 20 trading days within a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which the Company mails the redemption notice.
	As of June 30, 2014, the conversion rate was 16.87 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2.25% Notes, with a conversion price of $59.27 per share, which was reduced during the second quarter of 2014 as the result of the Company’s decision to pay a cash dividend in excess of $0.14 per share. As of June 30, 2014, the exercise price of the 2.25% Warrants, which are related to the issuance of the 2.25% Notes, was reduced to $80.09 due to the Company’s decision to pay a cash dividend in excess of $0.14 per share during the second quarter of 2014. If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all, or substantially all, holders of the Company’s common stock in excess of $0.14 per share in the future, the conversion rate will be further adjusted based on the formula defined in the 2.25% Notes Indenture.
	Under the terms of the 2.25% Purchased Options, which become exercisable upon conversion of the 2.25% Notes, the Company has the right to receive a total of 3.1 million shares of its common stock at the conversion price then in effect. The exercise price of the 2.25% Purchased Options is subject to certain adjustments that mirror the adjustments to the conversion price of the 2.25% Notes (including payments of cash dividends in excess of $0.14 per share).
	As a result of the 2.25% Stock Price Trigger on June 30, 2014, the 2.25% Notes are convertible at the option of the holders during the three months ending September 30, 2014. As such, the Company reclassified the redeemable equity portion of the 2.25% Notes to temporary equity from the additional paid-in capital component of permanent equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014. The debt portion of the 2.25% Notes continued to be classified as a long-term liability as of June 30, 2014, since the Company has the intent and ability to refinance any conversion of the 2.25% Notes with another long-term debt instrument. The combination of the debt portion and temporary equity portion represents the aggregate principal obligation of the 2.25% Notes redeemable at the option of the holders as of June 30, 2014. The if-converted value of the 2.25% Notes exceeded the principal amount of the 2.25% Notes by $76.2 million at June 30, 2014.
	Subsequent to June 30, 2014, the Company gave notice to holders that the Company will redeem all of the outstanding 2.25% Notes on September 4, 2014.
	3.00% Convertible Senior Notes
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying value of the 3.00% Notes, related discount and equity component consisted of the following
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
		(In thousands)
	Carrying amount of equity component (including temporary equity)	$	4,973		$	25,359
	Allocated underwriter fees, net of taxes	(149		)	(760		)
	Allocated debt issuance cost, net of taxes	(22		)	(112		)
	Total net equity component	$	4,802		$	24,487
	Deferred income tax component	$	1,936		$	10,625
	Principal amount of 3.00% Notes	$	22,550		$	115,000
	Unamortized discount	(5,348		)	(29,094		)
	Unamortized underwriter fees	(295		)	(1,601		)
	Net carrying amount of liability component	$	16,907		$	84,305
	Unamortized debt issuance costs	$	44		$	236
	For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the contractual interest expense and the discount amortization, which is recorded as interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, were as follows:
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013
		(dollars in thousands)
Year-to-date contractual interest expense	$	1,679		$	1,725
Year-to-date discount amortization (1)	$	1,693		$	1,588
Effective interest rate of liability component	8.6		%	8.6		%
(1)    Represents the incremental impact of the accounting for convertible debt as primarily codified in ASC 470, Debt.
The Company determined the discount using the estimated effective interest rate for similar debt with no convertible features. The original effective interest rate of 8.25% was estimated by receiving a range of quotes from the underwriters for the estimated rate that the Company could reasonably expect to issue non-convertible debt for the same tenure. The effective interest rate differs from the 8.25% due to the impact of underwriter fees associated with this issuance that were capitalized as an additional discount and are being amortized to interest expense through 2020. The effective interest rate may change in the future as a result of future repurchases of the 3.00% Notes. The Company utilized a ten-year term for the assessment of the fair value of its 3.00% Notes.
The 3.00% Notes are convertible into cash and, if applicable, common stock based on the then-applicable conversion rate under the following circumstances: (a) during any fiscal quarter (and only during such fiscal quarter), if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for at least 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is equal to or more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share (or $48.26 as of June 30, 2014) (the “3.00% Stock Price Trigger”); (b) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount for each day of the ten day trading period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate of the 3.00% Notes on that day; and (c) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions set forth in the indenture governing the 3.00%  Notes (the "3.00% Notes Indenture"). Upon conversion, a holder will receive an amount in cash and, if applicable, shares of the Company’s common stock, determined in the manner set forth in the 3.00% Notes Indenture.
As of June 30, 2014, the conversion rate was 26.94 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 3.00% Notes, with a conversion price of $37.13 per share, which was reduced during the second quarter of 2014 as the result of the Company’s decision to pay a cash dividend. As of June 30, 2014, the exercise price of the 3.00% Warrants, which are related to the issuance of the 3.00% Notes, was reduced to $54.55 due to the Company’s decision to pay a cash dividend during the second quarter of 2014. If any cash dividend or distribution is made to all, or substantially all, holders of the Company’s common stock in the future, the conversion rate will be further adjusted based on the formula defined in the 3.00% Notes Indenture.
Under the terms of the 3.00% Purchased Options, which become exercisable upon conversion of the 3.00% Notes, the Company has the right to receive a total of 3.1 million shares of its common stock at the conversion price then in effect. Subsequent to June 30, 2014, the Company settled 2.5 million of the 3.00% Purchased Options, congruent with the purchase of the majority of the 3.00% Notes in a tender offer, leaving the Company with the right to receive a total of 0.6 million shares of its common stock at the conversion price then in effect. The exercise price of the 3.00% Purchased Options is subject to certain adjustments that mirror the adjustments to the conversion price of the 3.00% Notes (including payments of cash dividends).
As a result of the 3.00% Stock Price Trigger on June 30, 2014, the 3.00% Notes are convertible at the option of the holders during the three months ending September 30, 2014. As such, the Company reclassified the redeemable equity portion of the 3.00% Notes to temporary equity from the additional paid-in capital component of permanent equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014. The debt portion of the 3.00% Notes continued to be classified as a long-term liability as of June 30, 2014, since the Company has the intent and ability to refinance any conversion of the 3.00% Notes with another long-term debt instrument. The combination of the debt portion and temporary equity portion represents the aggregate principal obligation of the 3.00% Notes redeemable at the option of the holders as of June 30, 2014. The if-converted value of the 3.00% Notes exceeded the principal amount of the 3.00% Notes by $28.5 million at June 30, 2014.
5.00% Senior Notes
On June 2, 2014, the Company issued 5.00% senior unsecured notes with a face amount of $350.0 million due to mature on June 1, 2022 ("5.00% Notes"). The 5.00% Notes pay interest semiannually, in arrears, in cash on each June 1 and December 1, beginning December 1, 2014. Prior to June 1, 2017, the Company may redeem up to 35.0% of the 5.00% Notes using proceeds of certain equity offerings, subject to certain conditions at a redemption price equal to 105% of principal amount of the 5.00% Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, prior to June 1, 2017, the Company may redeem some or all of the 5.00% Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.00% Notes redeemed, plus an applicable make-whole premium, and plus accrued and unpaid interest. On or after June 1, 2017, the Company may redeem some or all of the 5.00% Notes at specified prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company may be required to purchase the 5.00% Notes if it sells certain assets or triggers the change in control provisions defined in the 5.00% Notes indenture. The 5.00% Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equal in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior unsecured debt and senior in right of payment to all of our future subordinated debt.
The 5.00% Notes are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company's U.S. subsidiaries. The U.S. subsidiary guarantees rank equally in the right of payment to all of the Company's U.S. subsidiary guarantor’s existing and future subordinated debt. In addition, the 5.00% Notes are structurally subordinated to the liabilities of its non-guarantor subsidiaries.
In connection with the issuance of the 5.00% Notes, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with the initial purchasers. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 365 days of issuance, so that holders of the 5.00% Notes can exchange the 5.00% Notes for registered 5.00% Notes that have substantially identical terms as the 5.00% Notes. The Company will be required to pay additional interest on the 5.00% Notes if it fails to comply with its obligations to register the 5.00% Notes within the specified time period.
Underwriters' fees totaled $5.3 million, which were recorded as a reduction of the 5.00% Notes principal balance, are being amortized over a period of eight years. The 5.00% Notes are presented net of unamortized underwriter fee of $5.2 million as of June 30, 2014. At the time of issuance of the 5.00% Notes, the Company capitalized $1.5 million of debt issuance costs, which are included in Other Assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet and amortized over a period of eight years. Unamortized debt issuance costs as of June 30, 2014 totaled $1.5 million.
Real Estate Credit Facility
Group 1 Realty, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is party to a real estate credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. and Comerica Bank (the “Real Estate Credit Facility”) providing the right for up to $99.1 million of term loans, of which $74.1 million had been used as of June 30, 2014. The term loans can be expanded provided that (a) no default or event of default exists under the Real Estate Credit Facility; (b) the Company obtains commitments from the lenders who would qualify as assignees for such increased amounts; and (c) certain other agreed upon terms and conditions have been satisfied. This facility is guaranteed by the Company and substantially all of the existing and future domestic subsidiaries of the Company and is secured by the real property owned by the Company that is mortgaged under the Real Estate Credit Facility. The Company capitalized $1.1 million debt issuance costs related to the Real Estate Credit Facility that are being amortized over the term of the facility, $0.5 million of which were still unamortized as of June 30, 2014.
The interest rate is equal to (a) the per annum rate equal to one-month LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum, determined on the first day of each month; or (b) 0.95% per annum in excess of the higher of (i) the Bank of America prime rate (adjusted daily on the day specified in the public announcement of such price rate), (ii) the Federal Funds Rate adjusted daily, plus 0.5% or (iii) the per annum rate equal to the one-month LIBOR plus 1.05% per annum. The Federal Funds Rate is the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the business day succeeding such day.
The Company is required to make quarterly principal payments equal to 1.25% of the principal amount outstanding and is required to repay the aggregate amount outstanding on the maturity dates of the individual property borrowings, ranging, from December 29, 2015 through February 27, 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company made additional borrowings of $0.2 million and made principal payments of $1.6 million on outstanding borrowings from the Real Estate Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2014, borrowings outstanding under the Real Estate Credit Facility totaled $66.3 million, with $3.5 million recorded as a current maturity of long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Real Estate Credit Facility also contains usual and customary provisions limiting the Company’s ability to engage in certain transactions, including limitations on the Company’s ability to incur additional debt, additional liens, make investments, and pay distributions to its stockholders. In addition, the Real Estate Credit Facility requires certain financial covenants that are identical to those contained in the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants and ratios under the Real Estate Credit Facility.
Acquisition Line
See Note 8, "Credit Facilities," for further discussion on the Company's Revolving Credit Facility and Acquisition Line.
Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt
The Company, as well as certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, has entered into separate term mortgage loans in the U.S. with four of its manufacturer-affiliated finance partners, Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (“TMCC”), Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA, LLC (“MBFS”), BMW Financial Services NA, LLC (“BMWFS”) and FMCC as well as several third-party financial institutions (collectively, “Real Estate Notes”). The Real Estate Notes are on specific buildings and/or properties and are guaranteed by the Company. Each loan was made in connection with, and is secured by mortgage liens on, the real property owned by the Company that is mortgaged under the Real Estate Notes. The Real Estate Notes bear interest at fixed rates between 3.67% and 9.00%, and at variable indexed rates plus a spread between 1.90% and 3.35% per annum. The Company capitalized $1.3 million of related debt issuance costs related to the Real Estate Notes that are being amortized over the terms of the notes, $0.6 million of which were still unamortized as of June 30, 2014.
The loan agreements with TMCC consist of eight term loans. As of June 30, 2014, $50.8 million was outstanding under the TMCC term loans, with $7.0 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $0.8 million. These loans will mature by September 2020 and provide for monthly payments based on a 20-year amortization schedule. These eight loans are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted with each other and are cross-defaulted with the Revolving Credit Facility.
The loan agreements with MBFS consist of three term loans. As of June 30, 2014, $44.7 million was outstanding under the MBFS term loans, with $1.7 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $0.8 million. The agreements provide for monthly payments based on a 20-year amortization schedule and will mature by December 2030. These three loans are cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted with each other and are also cross-defaulted with the Revolving Credit Facility.
The loan agreements with BMWFS consist of 14 term loans. As of June 30, 2014, $68.1 million was outstanding under the BMWFS term loans, with $4.2 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $2.0 million. The agreements provide for monthly payments based on a 15-year amortization schedule and will mature September 2019. In the case of three properties owned by subsidiaries, the applicable loan is also guaranteed by the subsidiary real property owner. These 14 loans are cross-collateralized with each other. In addition, they are cross-defaulted with each other, the Revolving Credit Facility, and certain dealership franchising agreements with BMW of North America, LLC.
The loan agreements with FMCC consist of 2 term loans. As of June 30, 2014, $18.9 million was outstanding under the FMCC term loans, with $0.8 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company made additional borrowings and principal payments of $13.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The agreements provide for monthly payments based on an 11-year amortization schedule that will mature by January 2024. These 2 loans are cross-defaulted with the Revolving Credit Facility.
In addition, agreements with third-party financial institutions consist of 14 term loans for an aggregate principal amount of $90.6 million, to finance real estate associated with the Company’s dealerships. The loans are being repaid in monthly installments that will mature by November 2022. As of June 30, 2014, borrowings under these notes totaled $81.2 million, with $4.6 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company made additional borrowings and principal payments of $18.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively. These 14 loans are cross-defaulted with the Revolving Credit Facility.
The Company has also entered into separate term mortgage loans in the U.K. with other third-party financial institutions which are secured by the Company’s U.K. properties. These mortgage loans (collectively, “Foreign Notes”) are being repaid in monthly installments that mature August 2027. As of June 30, 2014, borrowings under the Foreign Notes totaled $30.2 million, with $4.0 million classified as a current maturity of long-term debt in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company made no additional borrowings and made principal payments of $8.5 million.
During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company entered into working capital loan agreements with a third-party financial institution in Brazil for R$22.0 million. The proceeds were used to partially pay off manufacturer-affiliated floorplan borrowings. This loan is to be repaid in full by February 2017.
Fair Value of Long-Term Debt
The Company’s outstanding 2.25% Notes had a fair value of $261.2 million and $231.6 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company’s outstanding 3.00% Notes had a fair value of $52.9 million and $231.2 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company's outstanding 5.00% Notes had a fair value of $351.8 million as of June 30, 2014. Of the $307.7 million and $279.2 million other real estate related and long-term debt as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, $160.2 million and $164.1 million represented fixed interest rate borrowings. The fair value of such fixed interest rate borrowings was $185.8 million and $190.0 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The fair value estimates are based on Level 2 inputs of the fair value hierarchy available as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company determined the estimated fair value of its long-term debt using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, these estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company, or holders of the instruments, could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on estimated fair values. The carrying value of the Company’s variable rate debt approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the interest rates.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; requires disclosure of the extent to which fair value is used to measure financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, the inputs utilized in calculating valuation measurements, and the effect of the measurement of significant unobservable inputs on earnings, or changes in net assets, as of the measurement date; establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy based upon the transparency of inputs utilized in the measurement and valuation of financial assets or liabilities as of the measurement date:
	•Level 1 — unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
	•Level 2 — quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation; and
	•Level 3 — unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
	The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, accounts and notes receivable, investments in debt and equity securities, accounts payable, credit facilities, long-term debt and interest rate swaps. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, contracts-in-transit and vehicle receivables, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, and credit facilities approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments or the existence of variable interest rates.
	The Company periodically invests in unsecured, corporate demand obligations with manufacturer-affiliated finance companies, which bear interest at a variable rate and are redeemable on demand by the Company. Therefore, the Company has classified these demand obligations as cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company determined that the valuation measurement inputs of these instruments include inputs other than quoted market prices, that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable data by correlation. Accordingly, the Company has classified these instruments within level 2 of the hierarchy framework.
	The Company's derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair market value. See Note 3, "Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities" for further details regarding the Company's derivative financial instruments.
	See Note 9, "Long-term Debt" for details regarding the fair value of the Company's long-term debt.
	The Company evaluated its assets and liabilities for those that met the criteria of the disclosure requirements and fair value framework of ASC 820 and identified debt instruments and interest rate derivative financial instruments as having met such criteria. The respective fair values measured on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, were as follows:
		As of June 30, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Total
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Interest rate derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	536	$	536
	Debt securities:
	Demand obligations	$	—	$	74	$	74
	Total	$	—	$	610	$	610
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	27,271	$	27,271
	Total	$	—	$	27,271	$	27,271
		As of December 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Total
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Interest rate derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	3,919	$	3,919
	Total	$	—	$	3,919	$	3,919
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	26,078	$	26,078
	Total	$	—	$	26,078	$	26,078

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	From time to time, the Company’s dealerships are named in various types of litigation involving customer claims, employment matters, class action claims, purported class action claims, as well as claims involving the manufacturer of automobiles, contractual disputes and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Due to the nature of the automotive retailing business, the Company may be involved in legal proceedings or suffer losses that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. In the normal course of business, the Company is required to respond to customer, employee and other third-party complaints. Amounts that have been accrued or paid related to the settlement of litigation are included in SG&A expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, the manufacturers of the vehicles that the Company sells and services have audit rights allowing them to review the validity of amounts claimed for incentive, rebate or warranty-related items and charge the Company back for amounts determined to be invalid payments under the manufacturers’ programs, subject to the Company’s right to appeal any such decision. Amounts that have been accrued or paid related to the settlement of manufacturer chargebacks of recognized incentives and rebates are included in cost of sales in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations, while such amounts for manufacturer chargebacks of recognized warranty-related items are included as a reduction of revenues in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Legal Proceedings
	Currently, the Company is not party to any legal proceedings that, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows, including class action lawsuits. However, the results of current, or future, matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of such matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
	Other Matters
	The Company, acting through its subsidiaries, is the lessee under many real estate leases that provide for the use by the Company’s subsidiaries of their respective dealership premises. Pursuant to these leases, the Company’s subsidiaries generally agree to indemnify the lessor and other parties from certain liabilities arising as a result of the use of the leased premises, including environmental liabilities, or a breach of the lease by the lessee. Additionally, from time to time, the Company enters into agreements in connection with the sale of assets or businesses in which it agrees to indemnify the purchaser, or other parties, from certain liabilities or costs arising in connection with the assets or business. Also, in the ordinary course of business in connection with purchases or sales of goods and services, the Company enters into agreements that may contain indemnification provisions. In the event that an indemnification claim is asserted, liability would be limited by the terms of the applicable agreement.
	From time to time, primarily in connection with dealership dispositions, the Company’s subsidiaries assign or sublet to the dealership purchaser the subsidiaries’ interests in any real property leases associated with such dealerships. In general, the Company’s subsidiaries retain responsibility for the performance of certain obligations under such leases to the extent that the assignee or sublessee does not perform, whether such performance is required prior to or following the assignment or subletting of the lease. Additionally, the Company and its subsidiaries generally remain subject to the terms of any guarantees made by the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with such leases. Although the Company generally has indemnification rights against the assignee or sublessee in the event of non-performance under these leases, as well as certain defenses, and the Company presently has no reason to believe that it or its subsidiaries will be called on to perform under any such assigned leases or subleases, the Company estimates that lessee rental payment obligations during the remaining terms of these leases were $3.5 million as of June 30, 2014. The Company’s exposure under these leases is difficult to estimate and there can be no assurance that any performance of the Company or its subsidiaries required under these leases would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, or cash flows. The Company and its subsidiaries also may be called on to perform other obligations under these leases, such as environmental remediation of the leased premises or repair of the leased premises upon termination of the lease. However, the Company does not have any known material environmental commitments or contingencies and presently has no reason to believe that it or its subsidiaries will be called on to so perform.
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to numerous laws and regulations, including automotive, environmental, health and safety, and other laws and regulations. The Company does not anticipate that the costs of such compliance will have a material adverse effect on its business, consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows, although such outcome is possible given the nature of its operations and the extensive legal and regulatory framework applicable to its business. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was signed into law on July 21, 2010, established a new consumer financial protection agency with broad regulatory powers. Although automotive dealers are generally excluded, the Dodd-Frank Act could lead to additional, indirect regulation of automotive dealers through its regulation of automotive finance companies and other financial institutions. In addition, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law on March 23, 2010, has the potential to increase the Company’s future annual employee health care costs. Further, new laws and regulations, particularly at the federal level, may be enacted, which could also have a materially adverse impact on its business.

Intangible_Franchise_Rights_an

Intangible Franchise Rights and Goodwill	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS AND GOODWILL	'
	INTANGIBLE FRANCHISE RIGHTS AND GOODWILL
	The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s intangible franchise rights and goodwill accounts:
		Intangible Franchise Rights
		U.S.			U.K.		Brazil			Total
		(In thousands)
	BALANCE, December 31, 2013	$	216,412		$	8,659	$	76,434		$	301,505
	Additions through acquisitions	18,988			—		—			18,988
	Purchase price allocation adjustments	(2,114		)	—		(9,061		)	(11,175		)
	Currency Translation	—			292		4,803			5,095
	BALANCE, June 30, 2014	$	233,286		$	8,951	$	72,176		$	314,413
		Goodwill
		U.S.			U.K.		Brazil			Total
		(In thousands)
	BALANCE, December 31, 2013	$	612,468		$	19,602	$	105,233		$	737,303		(1)
	Additions through acquisitions	34,588			—		—			34,588
	Disposals	(729		)	—		—			(729		)
	Purchase price allocation adjustments	1,446			—		5,975			7,421
	Currency Translation	—			662		7,052			7,714
	Tax adjustments	(33		)	—		—			(33		)
	BALANCE, June 30, 2014	$	647,740		$	20,264	$	118,260		$	786,264		(1)
	(1) Net of accumulated impairment of $40.3 million.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Accumulated foreign currency translation loss			Accumulated loss on interest rate swaps			Total
		(In thousands)
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	(37,827	)	$	(13,850	)	$	(51,677	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:							—
	Pre-tax	14,609			(10,182		)	4,427
	Tax effect	—			3,818			3,818
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to:
	Floorplan interest expense	—			4,884			4,884
	Other interest expense	—			722			722
	Tax effect	—			(2,102		)	(2,102		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income	14,609			(2,860		)	11,749
	Balance, June 30, 2014	$	(23,218	)	$	(16,710	)	$	(39,928	)
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Accumulated foreign currency translation loss			Accumulated loss on interest rate swaps			Total
		(In thousands)
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	(6,126	)	$	(26,931	)	$	(33,057	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
	Pre-tax	(26,724		)	12,304			(14,420		)
	Tax effect	—			(4,614		)	(4,614		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to:
	Floorplan interest expense	—			4,848			4,848
	Other interest expense	—			606			606
	Tax effect	—			(2,045		)	(2,045		)
	Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(26,724		)	11,099			(15,625		)
	Balance, June 30, 2013	$	(32,850	)	$	(15,832	)	$	(48,682	)

Segement_Information_Segment_I

Segement Information Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	As of June 30, 2014, the Company had three reportable segments: (1) the U.S., (2) the U.K., and (3) Brazil. Each of the reportable segments is comprised of retail automotive franchises, which sell new vehicles, used vehicles, parts and automotive services, finance and insurance products, and collision centers. The vast majority of the Company's corporate activities are associated with the operations of the U.S. operating segments and therefore the corporate financial results are included within the U.S. reportable segment.
	The reportable segments identified above are the business activities of the Company for which discrete financial information is available and for which operating results are regularly reviewed by our chief operating decision maker to allocate resources and assess performance. Our chief operating decision maker is our Chief Executive Officer. Reportable segment revenue, income (loss) before income taxes, provision for income taxes and net income (loss) were as follows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014																	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		U.S.					U.K.				Brazil				Total				U.S.					U.K.				Brazil				Total
		(In thousands)
	Total revenues	$	2,060,596				$	251,324			$	199,718			$	2,511,638			$	3,895,222				$	499,025			$	378,254			$	4,772,501
	Income (loss) before income taxes	34,466			(1	)	5,517				(1,789		)		38,194				80,328			(1	)	10,134				(3,055		)		87,407
	Provision for income taxes	(20,235		)			(691		)		(406		)		(21,332		)		(37,063		)			(1,656		)		(523		)		(39,242		)
	Net income (loss)	14,231			(1	)	4,826				(2,195		)		16,862				43,265			(1	)	8,478				(3,578		)		48,165
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013																Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		U.S.				U.K.				Brazil				Total				U.S.				U.K.				Brazil (2)				Total
		(In thousands)
	Total revenues	$	1,881,654			$	207,436			$	246,020			$	2,335,110			$	3,603,440			$	378,514			$	316,988			$	4,298,942
	Income before income taxes	53,226				3,837				3,116				60,179				91,780				5,841				1,806				99,427
	Provision for income taxes	(21,017		)		(865		)		(909		)		(22,791		)		(38,106		)		(1,353		)		(462		)		(39,921		)
	Net income	32,209				2,972				2,207				37,388				53,674				4,488				1,344				59,506
		As of June 30, 2014
		U.S.				U.K.				Brazil				Total
		(In thousands)
	Total assets	$	3,339,609			$	276,336			$	360,945			$	3,976,890
		As of December 31, 2013
		U.S.				U.K.				Brazil				Total
		(In thousands)
	Total assets	$	3,241,192			$	237,960			$	340,326			$	3,819,478
	(1) Includes loss on purchase of long-term debt of $23.6 million.
	(2) Represents financial data from date of acquisition on February 28, 2013.

Interim_Financial_Information_

Interim Financial Information Interim Financial Information (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Interim Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, that raises the threshold for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations to include only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The amendments in this accounting standard update should be applied prospectively and are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the provisions of the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), that amends the accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The amendments in this ASU are intended to provide a framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices, and improve disclosure requirements. The amendments in this accounting standard update are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the provisions of the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block]	'
	Correction of an Immaterial Error in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
	The Company identified an error in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The error had the effect of overstating the Company’s net cash provided by operating activities and overstating the effect of exchange rate changes on cash by $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The corrected net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 should have been $120.7 million. The Company has corrected this error in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the six months ended June 30, 2014, as presented in the consolidated financial statements contained herein. The Company’s management has assessed the error, both quantitatively and qualitatively, and determined that the effect on the prior period is immaterial.
Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Due to seasonality and other factors, the results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Form 10-K”).
	All business acquisitions completed during the periods presented have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and their results of operations are included from the effective dates of the closings of the acquisitions. The preliminary allocations of purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are assigned and recorded based on estimates of fair value. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Business Segment Information
	The Company, through its regions, conducts business in the automotive retailing industry including selling new and used cars and light trucks, arranging related vehicle financing, selling service and insurance contracts, providing automotive maintenance and repair services and selling vehicle parts. The Company has three reportable segments; the U.S., which includes the activities of the Company's corporate office, the U.K. and Brazil.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Variable Interest Entity
	In 2013, the Company entered into arrangements to provide a related-party entity that owns and operates retail automotive dealerships a fixed-interest-rate working capital loan and various administrative services for a variable fee, both of which constitute variable interests in the entity. The Company's exposure to loss as a result of its involvement in the entity includes the balance outstanding under the loan arrangement. The Company holds no equity ownership interest in the entity. The Company has determined that the entity meets the criteria of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). The terms of the loan and services agreements provide the Company with the right to control the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance, the obligation to absorb potentially significant losses of the VIE and the right to receive potentially significant benefits from the VIE. Accordingly, the Company qualified as the VIE's primary beneficiary and consolidated the assets and liabilities of the VIE as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as well as the results of operations of the VIE beginning on the effective date of the variable interests arrangements to June 30, 2014. The floorplan notes payable liability of the VIE is securitized by the new and used vehicle inventory of the VIE. The carrying amounts and classification of assets (which can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE) and liabilities (for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company) are included in the Company's purchase price allocations set forth in Note 2, "Acquisitions and Dispositions." The final allocation of assets and liabilities included in the Company's consolidated statements of financial position for the consolidated VIE as of June 30, 2014, as well as a preliminary allocation as of December 31, 2013, are as follows (in thousands):
		June 30, 2014		31-Dec-13
	Current assets	$	28,734	$	24,170
	Non-current assets	40,659		71,033
	Total assets	$	69,393	$	95,203
	Current liabilities	$	24,498	$	21,653
	Non-current liabilities	24,401		25,374
	Total liabilities	$	48,899	$	47,027

Interim_Financial_Information_1

Interim Financial Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Classification of Assets and Liabilities of VIE[Table Text Block]	'
	The carrying amounts and classification of assets (which can only be used to settle the liabilities of the VIE) and liabilities (for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company) are included in the Company's purchase price allocations set forth in Note 2, "Acquisitions and Dispositions." The final allocation of assets and liabilities included in the Company's consolidated statements of financial position for the consolidated VIE as of June 30, 2014, as well as a preliminary allocation as of December 31, 2013, are as follows (in thousands):
		June 30, 2014		31-Dec-13
	Current assets	$	28,734	$	24,170
	Non-current assets	40,659		71,033
	Total assets	$	69,393	$	95,203
	Current liabilities	$	24,498	$	21,653
	Non-current liabilities	24,401		25,374
	Total liabilities	$	48,899	$	47,027

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Acquisitions and Dispositions [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation [Table Text Block]	'
	Goodwill was assigned to the U.K. and Brazil reportable segments in the amounts of $1.5 million and $130.9 million, respectively.
		As of Acquisition Date
		(In thousands)
	Inventory	$	86,848
	Other Current Assets	26,632
	Property and Equipment	24,865
	Goodwill & Intangible Franchise Rights	214,035
	Other assets	864
	Total Assets	$	353,244
	Current Liabilities	$	116,500
	Deferred Income Taxes	29,898
	Long-term Debt	68,639
	Total Liabilities	$	215,037

Derivative_Instruments_and_Ris1

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Amount of Unrealized Gain, Net of Tax, Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table presents the impact during the current and comparative prior year period for the Company's derivative financial instruments on its Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheets.
		Amount of Unrealized Gain (Loss), Net of Tax, Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
		Six Months Ended June 30,
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship	2014				2013
			(In thousands)
	Interest rate swap contracts		$	(6,364	)	$	7,690
		Amount of Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into
		Statements of Operations
	Location of Loss Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Statements of Operations	Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014				2013
			(In thousands)
	Floorplan interest expense		$	(4,884	)	$	(4,848	)
	Other interest expense		(722		)	(606		)

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_

Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Restricted Stock Awards	'
	A summary of the awards as of June 30, 2014, along with the changes during the six months then ended, is as follows:
		Awards		Weighted Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013	933,740		$	49.87
	Granted	249,440		66.28
	Vested	(148,965	)	46.71
	Forfeited	(40,310	)	51.52
	Nonvested at June 30, 2014	993,905		$	54.39

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Basic and Diluted Earnings per share	'
	The following table sets forth the calculation of EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	23,298		23,315		23,318		22,796
	Dilutive effect of contingently convertible notes and warrants	2,937		1,660		2,513		1,743
	Dilutive effect of employee stock purchases, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock	7		5		6		5
	Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding	26,242		24,980		25,837		24,544
	Basic:
	Net Income	$	16,862	$	37,388	$	48,165	$	59,506
	Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	675		1,689		1,923		2,684
	Earnings available to basic common shares	$	16,187	$	35,699	$	46,242	$	56,822
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.7	$	1.53	$	1.98	$	2.49
	Diluted:
	Net Income	$	16,862	$	37,388	$	48,165	$	59,506
	Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	619		1,592		1,773		2,522
	Earnings available to diluted common shares	$	16,243	$	35,796	$	46,392	$	56,984
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.62	$	1.43	$	1.8	$	2.32

Detail_of_Certain_Balance_Shee1

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Balance Sheet Accounts [Abstract]	'
Accounts and notes receivable	'
	Accounts and notes receivable consisted of the following:
		30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
		(unaudited)
		(In thousands)
	Amounts due from manufacturers	$	78,839			$	78,131
	Parts and service receivables	35,180				31,950
	Finance and insurance receivables	17,886				19,283
	Other	12,631				8,099
	Total accounts and notes receivable	144,536				137,463
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	2,421				2,405
	Accounts and notes receivable, net	$	142,115			$	135,058
Summary of inventories	'
	Inventories consisted of the following:
		30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
		(unaudited)
		(In thousands)
	New vehicles	$	1,103,350			$	1,165,335
	Used vehicles	267,144				231,960
	Rental vehicles	85,255				88,523
	Parts, accessories and other	65,931				64,156
	Total inventories	1,521,680				1,549,974
	Less lower of cost or market reserves	7,406				7,656
	Inventories, net	$	1,514,274			$	1,542,318
Property and equipment	'
	Property and equipment consisted of the following:
		Estimated		30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
		Useful Lives
		in Years
		(unaudited)
				(dollars in thousands)
	Land	—		$	290,303			$	269,778
	Buildings	30 to 40		416,185				405,918
	Leasehold improvements	varies		131,199				120,531
	Machinery and equipment	7 to 20		83,288				79,209
	Furniture and fixtures	3 to 10		75,601				70,918
	Company vehicles	3 to 5		8,701				8,508
	Construction in progress	—		22,873				19,224
	Total			1,028,150				974,086
	Less accumulated depreciation			190,329				177,730
	Property and equipment, net			$	837,821			$	796,356

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Summary of long-term debt	'
	The Company carries its long-term debt at face value, net of applicable discounts. Long-term debt consisted of the following:
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
		(dollars in thousands)
	2.25% Convertible Senior Notes	$	164,556		$	160,334
	3.00% Convertible Senior Notes	16,907			84,305
	Real Estate Credit Facility	66,316			67,719
	5.00% Senior Notes	344,796			—
	Acquisition Line	20,457			60,000
	Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt	307,738			279,167
	Capital lease obligations related to real estate, maturing in varying amounts through June 2034 with a weighted average interest rate of 10.6%	48,321			47,553
		969,091			699,078
	Less current maturities of real estate credit facility and other long-term debt	30,516			35,389
		$	938,575		$	663,689
2.25% Convertible Notes [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Summary of long-term debt	'
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying value of the Company's 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 (“2.25% Notes”), related discount and equity component consisted of the following:
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
		(In thousands)
	Carrying amount of equity component (including temporary equity)	$	65,270		$	65,270
	Allocated underwriter fees, net of taxes	(1,475		)	(1,475		)
	Allocated debt issuance cost, net of taxes	(58		)	(58		)
	Total net equity component	$	63,737		$	63,737
	Deferred income tax component	$	6,524		$	8,023
	Principal amount of 2.25% Notes	$	182,753		$	182,753
	Unamortized discount	(17,511		)	(21,574		)
	Unamortized underwriter fees	(686		)	(845		)
	Net carrying amount of liability component	$	164,556		$	160,334
	Unamortized debt issuance cost	$	27		$	33
Contractual interest expense and the discount amortization	'
	For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the contractual interest expense and the discount amortization, which is recorded as other interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, were as follows:
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013
		(dollars in thousands)
	Year-to-date contractual interest expense	$	2,056		$	2,056
	Year-to-date discount amortization (1)	$	3,998		$	3,689
	Effective interest rate of liability component	7.7		%	7.7		%
	(1)    Represents the incremental impact of the accounting for convertible debt as primarily codified in ASC 470, Debt.
3.00% Convertible Notes [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Summary of long-term debt	'
	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the carrying value of the 3.00% Notes, related discount and equity component consisted of the following
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
		(In thousands)
	Carrying amount of equity component (including temporary equity)	$	4,973		$	25,359
	Allocated underwriter fees, net of taxes	(149		)	(760		)
	Allocated debt issuance cost, net of taxes	(22		)	(112		)
	Total net equity component	$	4,802		$	24,487
	Deferred income tax component	$	1,936		$	10,625
	Principal amount of 3.00% Notes	$	22,550		$	115,000
	Unamortized discount	(5,348		)	(29,094		)
	Unamortized underwriter fees	(295		)	(1,601		)
	Net carrying amount of liability component	$	16,907		$	84,305
	Unamortized debt issuance costs	$	44		$	236
Contractual interest expense and the discount amortization	'
	For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the contractual interest expense and the discount amortization, which is recorded as interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, were as follows:
		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013
		(dollars in thousands)
	Year-to-date contractual interest expense	$	1,679		$	1,725
	Year-to-date discount amortization (1)	$	1,693		$	1,588
	Effective interest rate of liability component	8.6		%	8.6		%
	(1)    Represents the incremental impact of the accounting for convertible debt as primarily codified in ASC 470, Debt.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Asset and liabilities recorded at fair value	'
	The respective fair values measured on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, were as follows:
		As of June 30, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Total
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Interest rate derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	536	$	536
	Debt securities:
	Demand obligations	$	—	$	74	$	74
	Total	$	—	$	610	$	610
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	27,271	$	27,271
	Total	$	—	$	27,271	$	27,271
		As of December 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Total
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Interest rate derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	3,919	$	3,919
	Total	$	—	$	3,919	$	3,919
	Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	26,078	$	26,078
	Total	$	—	$	26,078	$	26,078

Intangible_Franchise_Rights_an1

Intangible Franchise Rights and Goodwill (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Roll-forward of intangible franchise rights and goodwill accounts	'
	The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s intangible franchise rights and goodwill accounts:
		Intangible Franchise Rights
		U.S.			U.K.		Brazil			Total
		(In thousands)
	BALANCE, December 31, 2013	$	216,412		$	8,659	$	76,434		$	301,505
	Additions through acquisitions	18,988			—		—			18,988
	Purchase price allocation adjustments	(2,114		)	—		(9,061		)	(11,175		)
	Currency Translation	—			292		4,803			5,095
	BALANCE, June 30, 2014	$	233,286		$	8,951	$	72,176		$	314,413
		Goodwill
		U.S.			U.K.		Brazil			Total
		(In thousands)
	BALANCE, December 31, 2013	$	612,468		$	19,602	$	105,233		$	737,303		(1)
	Additions through acquisitions	34,588			—		—			34,588
	Disposals	(729		)	—		—			(729		)
	Purchase price allocation adjustments	1,446			—		5,975			7,421
	Currency Translation	—			662		7,052			7,714
	Tax adjustments	(33		)	—		—			(33		)
	BALANCE, June 30, 2014	$	647,740		$	20,264	$	118,260		$	786,264		(1)
	(1) Net of accumulated impairment of $40.3 million.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014										Jun. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'										'
Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income	'										'
	Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
												Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014										Accumulated foreign currency translation loss			Accumulated loss on interest rate swaps			Total
		Accumulated foreign currency translation loss			Accumulated loss on interest rate swaps			Total				(In thousands)
		(In thousands)									Balance, December 31, 2012	$	(6,126	)	$	(26,931	)	$	(33,057	)
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	(37,827	)	$	(13,850	)	$	(51,677	)	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:							—			Pre-tax	(26,724		)	12,304			(14,420		)
	Pre-tax	14,609			(10,182		)	4,427			Tax effect	—			(4,614		)	(4,614		)
	Tax effect	—			3,818			3,818			Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to:
											Floorplan interest expense	—			4,848			4,848
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to:
											Other interest expense	—			606			606
	Floorplan interest expense	—			4,884			4,884
											Tax effect	—			(2,045		)	(2,045		)
	Other interest expense	—			722			722
											Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income	(26,724		)	11,099			(15,625		)
	Tax effect	—			(2,102		)	(2,102		)
											Balance, June 30, 2013	$	(32,850	)	$	(15,832	)	$	(48,682	)
	Net current period other comprehensive income	14,609			(2,860		)	11,749
	Balance, June 30, 2014	$	(23,218	)	$	(16,710	)	$	(39,928	)

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	Reportable segment revenue, income (loss) before income taxes, provision for income taxes and net income (loss) were as follows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014																	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		U.S.					U.K.				Brazil				Total				U.S.					U.K.				Brazil				Total
		(In thousands)
	Total revenues	$	2,060,596				$	251,324			$	199,718			$	2,511,638			$	3,895,222				$	499,025			$	378,254			$	4,772,501
	Income (loss) before income taxes	34,466			(1	)	5,517				(1,789		)		38,194				80,328			(1	)	10,134				(3,055		)		87,407
	Provision for income taxes	(20,235		)			(691		)		(406		)		(21,332		)		(37,063		)			(1,656		)		(523		)		(39,242		)
	Net income (loss)	14,231			(1	)	4,826				(2,195		)		16,862				43,265			(1	)	8,478				(3,578		)		48,165
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013																Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		U.S.				U.K.				Brazil				Total				U.S.				U.K.				Brazil (2)				Total
		(In thousands)
	Total revenues	$	1,881,654			$	207,436			$	246,020			$	2,335,110			$	3,603,440			$	378,514			$	316,988			$	4,298,942
	Income before income taxes	53,226				3,837				3,116				60,179				91,780				5,841				1,806				99,427
	Provision for income taxes	(21,017		)		(865		)		(909		)		(22,791		)		(38,106		)		(1,353		)		(462		)		(39,921		)
	Net income	32,209				2,972				2,207				37,388				53,674				4,488				1,344				59,506
		As of June 30, 2014
		U.S.				U.K.				Brazil				Total
		(In thousands)
	Total assets	$	3,339,609			$	276,336			$	360,945			$	3,976,890

Interim_Financial_Information_2

Interim Financial Information (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Business and Organization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Immaterial Error of Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents	$12,500	$1,087	($629)	'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	120,700	130,933	87,308	'
Number of domestic regions	'	2	'	'
Number of international regions	'	2	'	'
Assets, Current	'	2,024,203	'	1,967,938
Total assets	'	3,976,890	'	3,819,478
Liabilities, Current	'	1,813,047	'	1,865,176
East [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business and Organization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of dealerships	'	46	'	'
West [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business and Organization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of dealerships	'	72	'	'
UNITED STATES	'	'	'	'
Business and Organization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of States in which Entity Operates	'	15	'	'
UNITED KINGDOM	'	'	'	'
Business and Organization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of Towns in which Entity Operates	'	13	'	'
Number of dealerships	'	14	'	'
BRAZIL	'	'	'	'
Business and Organization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of States in which Entity Operates	'	2	'	'
Number of dealerships	'	19	'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business and Organization [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets, Current	'	28,734	'	24,170
Long-Lived Assets	'	40,659	'	71,033
Total assets	'	69,393	'	95,203
Liabilities, Current	'	24,498	'	21,653
Liabilities, Noncurrent	'	24,401	'	25,374
Liabilities	'	$48,899	'	$47,027

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_1

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill	$786,264,000		'	$786,264,000		'	$737,303,000
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid	'		'	129,300,000		58,300,000	'
Other Expenses	0		0	0		789,000	'
Inventories, net	1,514,274,000		'	1,514,274,000		'	1,542,318,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	837,821,000		'	837,821,000		'	796,356,000
Total assets	3,976,890,000		'	3,976,890,000		'	3,819,478,000
Liabilities, Current	1,813,047,000		'	1,813,047,000		'	1,865,176,000
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Business	500,000		8,400,000	'		9,000,000	'
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses	9,600,000		'	'		'	'
Real Estate Held-for-sale	90,000,000		'	90,000,000		'	'
Total	'		'	'		'	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquisition Costs, Cumulative	'		6,500,000	'		6,500,000	'
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price	'		'	'		138,200,000	'
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Shares Transfered	'		1.39	'		1.39	'
Debt assumed as part of consideration paid	'		65,100,000	'		65,100,000	'
Inventories, net	86,848,000		'	86,848,000		'	'
Other Assets, Current	26,632,000		'	26,632,000		'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	24,865,000		'	24,865,000		'	'
Intangible Assets, Net (Including Goodwill)	214,035,000		'	214,035,000		'	'
Other Assets	864,000		'	864,000		'	'
Total assets	353,244,000		'	353,244,000		'	'
Liabilities, Current	116,500,000		'	116,500,000		'	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	29,898,000		'	29,898,000		'	'
Long-term Debt	68,639,000		'	68,639,000		'	'
Liabilities	215,037,000		'	215,037,000		'	'
Brazil [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Number of dealerships acquired	'		'	1		'	'
BRAZIL	'		'	'		'	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Number of dealerships acquired	'		'	'		18	'
Number of franchises acquired	'		'	'		22	'
BRAZIL | Collision Centers [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Number of franchises acquired	'		'	'		5	'
UNITED KINGDOM	'		'	'		'	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Number of dealerships acquired	'		'	'		4	'
U.S. [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Number of dealerships acquired	'		'	4		'	'
Number of franchises acquired	'		'	1		'	'
Number of dealerships disposed	2		'	'		4	'
Number of franchises sold	'		'	'		1	'
U.S. [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Total assets	3,339,609,000		'	3,339,609,000		'	3,241,192,000
U.K. [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill	'		1,500,000	'		1,500,000	'
Brazil [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill	118,260,000	[1]	'	118,260,000	[1]	'	105,233,000	[1]
Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'	'		'	'
Total assets	360,945,000		'	360,945,000		'	340,326,000
Brazil Acquisitions [Member]	'		'	'		'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'
Goodwill	'		$130,900,000	'		$130,900,000	'
[1]	1) Net of accumulated impairment of $40.3 million.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Ris2

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Floor Plan Interest Expense	($10,329,000)	($10,873,000)	($21,242,000)	($20,237,000)
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationship	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	-3,844,000	7,704,000	-6,364,000	7,690,000
Increase Decrease In Floor Plan Interest Expense Due To Interest Rate Hedges	2,500,000	2,400,000	'	'
Floorplan Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Floor Plan Interest Expense	'	'	-4,884,000	-4,848,000
Other Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Location of Loss Reclassified from OCI into Statements of Operations	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense	'	'	-722,000	-606,000
Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationship	'	'	'	'
Interest rate swap contracts	'	'	($6,364,000)	$7,690,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Ris3

Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate hedges weighted average rate	2.60%	'	2.60%	'	'	'
Increase in floor plan interest expense due to impact of interest rate hedges	$2,500,000	$2,400,000	'	'	'	'
Floor Plan Interest Expense	10,329,000	10,873,000	21,242,000	20,237,000	'	'
Aggregate notional value of nineteen additional forward interest rate swaps	450,000,000	'	450,000,000	'	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	'	'	'	'	3,919,000	'
Amount expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive loss into earnings	10,900,000	'	10,900,000	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	-16,710,000	-15,832,000	-16,710,000	-15,832,000	-13,850,000	-26,931,000
Interest Rate Swaps Forward Starting [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest rate hedges weighted average rate	2.70%	'	2.70%	'	'	'
Number of additional forward interest rate swaps	10	'	10	'	'	'
Aggregate notional value of nineteen additional forward interest rate swaps	525,000,000	'	525,000,000	'	'	'
Maximum Notional Amount Of Derivatives In Effect At Any Time	$600,000,000	'	$600,000,000	'	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Forward swaps start date	'December 2014	'	'	'	'	'
Forward swaps expiration date	'December 2017	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Additional Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Forward swaps start date	'December 2016	'	'	'	'	'
Forward swaps expiration date	'December 2019	'	'	'	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_1

Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
		Restricted Stock [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]
Restricted Stock Awards	'	'	'
Awards, Nonvested at December 31, 2012	933,740	993,905	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested, December 31, 2011	$49.87	'	$54.39
Awards, Granted	'	249,440	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	$66.28	'
Awards, Vested	'	-148,965	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	$46.71	'
Awards, Forfeited	'	-40,310	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	$51.52	'

StockBased_Compensation_Plans_2

Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Additional Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash received from option exercises and employee stock purchase plan purchases	'	'	$3,200,000	$3,000,000
Tax benefit realized for the tax deductions	'	'	700,000	1,100,000
Share-based Compensation	$4,200,000	$3,600,000	$7,886,000	$6,960,000
2007 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Maximum number of shares available for issuance under the plan	7,500,000	'	7,500,000	'
2014 Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Maximum number of shares available for issuance under the plan	1,200,000	'	1,200,000	'
Expiry date for stock options grant	21-May-24	'	'	'
Shares available for granted under the incentive plan	1,764,044	'	1,764,044	'
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Expiry date for stock options grant	'	'	6-Mar-16	'
Shares authorized for issuance	3,500,000	'	3,500,000	'
Employee stock purchase price in percentage of fair market value	85.00%	'	'	'
Shares remaining in reserve for future issuance	563,138	'	563,138	'
Shares issued to employee under purchase plan	56,826	58,525	'	'
Weighted average fair value of employee stock purchase rights issued	$14.54	$13.40	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Range Of Forfeiture Provisions	'	'	'5 years	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation Plans (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Range Of Forfeiture Provisions	'	'	'6 months	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Basic and Diluted Earnings per share	'	'	'	'
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding	23,298	23,315	23,318	22,796
Dilutive effect of contingently convertible notes and warrants	2,937	1,660	2,513	1,743
Dilutive effect of employee stock purchases, net of assumed repurchase of treasury stock	7	5	6	5
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding	26,242	24,980	25,837	24,544
Basic:	'	'	'	'
Net income	$16,862	$37,388	$48,165	$59,506
Less: Earning allocated to participating securities	675	1,689	1,923	2,684
Earnings available to basic common shares	16,187	35,699	46,242	56,822
Basic earnings per common share	$0.70	$1.53	$1.98	$2.49
Diluted:	'	'	'	'
Net income	16,862	37,388	48,165	59,506
Less: Earning allocated to participating securities	619	1,592	1,773	2,522
Earnings available to diluted common shares	$16,243	$35,796	$46,392	$56,984
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.62	$1.43	$1.80	$2.32

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_Tex

Earnings Per Share (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
2.25% Convertible Notes [Member]	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Debt interest rate	2.25%
Dividend Threshold for Adjustment to Conversion Price	$0.14
2.25% Warrants [Member]	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Debt interest rate	2.25%
2.25% Purchased Options [Member]	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Debt interest rate	2.25%
3.00% Notes [Member]	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Debt interest rate	3.00%
3.00% Warrants [Member]	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Debt interest rate	3.00%
3.00% Purchased Options [Member]	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Debt interest rate	3.00%
3.00% Convertible Notes [Member]	'
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount	$92.50

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'	'	'	'	$0
Income Tax (Textual) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate	55.90%	37.90%	44.90%	40.20%	'
U.S. federal statutory corporate tax rate	35.00%	'	'	'	'

Detail_of_Certain_Balance_Shee2

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Accounts and Notes Receivable) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts and notes receivable	'	'
Total accounts and notes receivable	$144,536	$137,463
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	2,421	2,405
Accounts and notes receivable, net	142,115	135,058
Amounts due from manufacturers [Member]	'	'
Accounts and notes receivable	'	'
Total accounts and notes receivable	78,839	78,131
Parts and service receivables [Member]	'	'
Accounts and notes receivable	'	'
Total accounts and notes receivable	35,180	31,950
Finance and insurance receivables, net [Member]	'	'
Accounts and notes receivable	'	'
Total accounts and notes receivable	17,886	19,283
Other [Member]	'	'
Accounts and notes receivable	'	'
Total accounts and notes receivable	$12,631	$8,099

Detail_of_Certain_Balance_Shee3

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Inventories) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of inventories	'	'
Lower of cost or market reserves	$7,406	$7,656
Inventories, net	1,514,274	1,542,318
Inventory, Gross	1,521,680	1,549,974
New vehicles [Member]	'	'
Summary of inventories	'	'
Inventory, Gross	1,103,350	1,165,335
Used vehicles [Member]	'	'
Summary of inventories	'	'
Inventory, Gross	267,144	231,960
Rental vehicles [Member]	'	'
Summary of inventories	'	'
Inventory, Gross	85,255	88,523
Parts, accessories and other [Member]	'	'
Summary of inventories	'	'
Inventory, Gross	$65,931	$64,156

Detail_of_Certain_Balance_Shee4

Detail of Certain Balance Sheet Accounts (Property and Equipment) (Details) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Land [Member]

Land [Member]

Buildings [Member]

Buildings [Member]

Buildings [Member]

Buildings [Member]

Leasehold improvements [Member]

Leasehold improvements [Member]

Leasehold improvements [Member]

Machinery and equipment [Member]

Machinery and equipment [Member]

Machinery and equipment [Member]

Machinery and equipment [Member]

Furniture and fixtures [Member]

Furniture and fixtures [Member]

Furniture and fixtures [Member]

Furniture and fixtures [Member]

Company vehicles [Member]

Company vehicles [Member]

Company vehicles [Member]

Company vehicles [Member]

Construction in progress [Member]

Construction in progress [Member]

Land and Building [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Property and Equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'P30Y

'P40Y

'

'

'varies

'

'

'P7Y

'P20Y

'

'

'P3Y

'P10Y

'

'

'P3Y

'P5Y

'

'

'

Total

$1,028,150,000

$974,086,000

$290,303,000

$269,778,000

$416,185,000

$405,918,000

'

'

$131,199,000

$120,531,000

'

$83,288,000

$79,209,000

'

'

$75,601,000

$70,918,000

'

'

$8,701,000

$8,508,000

'

'

$22,873,000

$19,224,000

'

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

190,329,000

177,730,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property and equipment, net

837,821,000

796,356,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital expenditures incurred for purchase and construction of assets

38,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition of fixed assets

'

'

21,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29,800,000

Assets Held-for-sale, Long Lived

$32,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit_Facilities_Details

Credit Facilities (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Outstanding balances under financing arrangements	'	'
Floorplan Offset	($64,614)	($56,198)
Floorplan notes payable - manufacturer affiliates	$298,656	$346,572

Credit_Facilities_Details_Text

Credit Facilities (Details Textual) (USD $)

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Brazil Credit Facilities [Member]

Brazil Credit Facilities [Member]

FMCC Facility [Member]

FMCC Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Rental Vehicle Credit Facility [Member]

UK Credit Facilities [Member]

UK Credit Facilities [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

loan

Acquisition Line [Member]

Acquisition Line [Member]

Acquisition Line [Member]

Acquisition Line [Member]

Acquisition Line [Member]

Acquisition Line [Member]

Acquisition Line [Member]

Acquisition Line [Member]

Acquisition Line [Member]

Acquisition Line [Member]

Floorplan Line [Member]

Floorplan Line [Member]

Floorplan Line [Member]

Floorplan Line [Member]

Floorplan Line [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

United States of America, Dollars

United States of America, Dollars

United States of America, Dollars

Euros or Pound Sterling [Member]

Euros or Pound Sterling [Member]

United Kingdom, Pounds

Maximum [Member]

Used Vehicle [Member]

New Vehicle [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Credit Facility (Textual) [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

'

'

1.50%

'

'

'

'

1.00%

0.00%

2.50%

1.50%

'

'

'

'

1.50%

1.25%

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity under line of credit facility

'

'

'

'

$300,000,000

$300,000,000

$1,700,000,000

$1,350,000,000

'

'

$320,000,000

$100,000,000

'

'

'

$125,000,000

'

'

'

'

$1,600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, increase in borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of financial institution

'

'

'

'

'

'

25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Manufacturer-affiliated finance companies

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expiry date of Revolving Credit Facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

20-Jun-18

1-Jun-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of tranches

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity can be extended, amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,950,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment fees, Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.45%

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.20%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition Line Minimum Commitment

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, unamortized cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

174,700,000

174,700,000

'

'

20,457,000

60,000,000

'

'

20,500,000

'

'

'

'

12,000,000

1,042,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available amount under borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

125,300,000

125,300,000

'

'

220,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

337,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Floorplan Offset

-64,614,000

-56,198,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-64,614,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.40%

1.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum period for outstanding borrowing

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year 0 months 0 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letters of credit outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

43,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

$167,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Limit of Restricted Payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'$125.0 million plus (or minus if negative) (a) one-half of the aggregate consolidated net income for the period beginning on January 1, 2013 and ending on the date of determination and (b) the amount of net cash proceeds received from the sale of capital stock on or after January 1, 2013 and ending on the date of determination less (c) cash dividends and share repurchases (“Restricted Payment Basket”)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cancellation of agreement

'

'

'

'

'0 years 0 months 30 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt interest rate

'

'

19.56%

15.10%

4.75%

4.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.75%

3.95%

1.14%

Debt Instrument Maturity Date Period

'

'

'12 months

'1 month

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LongTerm_Debt_Details

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 25, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 [Member]

2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 [Member]

3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]

3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]

3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]

Mortgages [Member]

Mortgages [Member]

5.00% Senior Note [Member]

5.00% Senior Note [Member]

5.00% Senior Note [Member]

Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]

Other Real Estate Related Long-Term Debt [Member]

Other Real Estate Related Long-Term Debt [Member]

Capital Lease Obligations [Member]

Capital Lease Obligations [Member]

Third Party Financial Institution [Member]

Foreign Note [Member]

Ford Motor Credit Company [Member]

Ford Motor Credit Company [Member]

Bmw Financial Services [Member]

Mercedes Benz Financial Services [Member]

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Third Party Financial Institution [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings Under Amended And Restated Mortgage Facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

92,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings Of Long Term Debt Related To Real Estate Loans

'

'

32,559,000

6,008,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,700,000

0

'

13,800,000

0

0

0

'

Repayments of Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,800,000

8,500,000

300,000

'

2,000,000

800,000

'

'

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000

'

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

182,753,000

182,753,000

22,550,000

115,000,000

115,000,000

'

'

350,000,000

350,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Maturity Date Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Jun-22

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Nov-22

1-Aug-27

1-Jan-24

'

1-Sep-19

1-Dec-30

1-Sep-20

27-Feb-17

Repayments of Convertible Debt

'

'

210,356,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

210,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Secured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent

'

'

'

'

'

'

164,556,000

160,334,000

16,907,000

'

84,305,000

'

'

344,796,000

344,796,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

66,316,000

67,719,000

'

'

'

'

307,738,000

279,167,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital lease obligations related to real estate, maturing in varying amounts through June 2034 with a weighted average interest rate of 10.6%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,321,000

47,553,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net carrying amount of liability component

969,091,000

'

969,091,000

'

699,078,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less current maturities of mortgage facility and other long-term debt

30,516,000

'

30,516,000

'

35,389,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities

938,575,000

'

938,575,000

'

663,689,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.60%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allocated Underwriter Fees Net Of Taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,475,000

1,475,000

149,000

'

760,000

'

'

5,300,000

5,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized Loan Commitment and Origination Fees and Unamortized Discounts or Premiums

'

'

'

'

'

'

686,000

845,000

295,000

'

1,601,000

'

'

5,200,000

5,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capitalization Of Debt Issuance Costs

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

1,500,000

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

27,000

33,000

44,000

'

236,000

'

'

1,500,000

1,500,000

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt

-23,614,000

0

-23,614,000

0

'

'

'

'

23,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Warrant Exercises

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$26,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LongTerm_Debt_Details_1

Long-Term Debt (Details 1) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 25, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 [Member]	'	'	'
Carrying value of Notes related discount and equity component	'	'	'
Carrying amount of equity component	$65,270	'	$65,270
Allocated underwriter fees, net of taxes	-1,475	'	-1,475
Allocated debt issuance cost, net of taxes	-58	'	-58
Total net equity component	63,737	'	63,737
Deferred income tax component	6,524	'	8,023
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	182,753	'	182,753
Unamortized discount	-17,511	'	-21,574
Unamortized underwriter fees	-686	'	-845
Secured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	164,556	'	160,334
Unamortized debt issuance cost	27	'	33
3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]	'	'	'
Carrying value of Notes related discount and equity component	'	'	'
Carrying amount of equity component	4,973	'	25,359
Allocated underwriter fees, net of taxes	-149	'	-760
Allocated debt issuance cost, net of taxes	-22	'	-112
Total net equity component	4,802	'	24,487
Deferred income tax component	1,936	'	10,625
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	22,550	115,000	115,000
Unamortized discount	-5,348	'	-29,094
Unamortized underwriter fees	-295	'	-1,601
Secured Long-term Debt, Noncurrent	16,907	'	84,305
Unamortized debt issuance cost	$44	'	$236

LongTerm_Debt_Details_2

Long-Term Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 [Member]	'		'
Contractual interest expense and the discount amortization	'		'
Year-to-date contractual interest expense	$2,056		$2,056
Year-to-date discount amortization	3,998	[1]	3,689	[1]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	7.70%		7.70%
3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]	'		'
Contractual interest expense and the discount amortization	'		'
Year-to-date contractual interest expense	1,679		1,725
Year-to-date discount amortization	$1,693	[2]	$1,588	[2]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	8.60%		8.60%
[1]	Represents the incremental impact of the accounting for convertible debt as primarily codified in ASC 470, Debt.
[2]	Represents the incremental impact of the accounting for convertible debt as primarily codified in ASC 470, Debt

LongTerm_Debt_Details_Textual

Long-Term Debt (Details Textual)

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 25, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 03, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]

3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]

3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]

3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]

3.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]

5.00% Senior Note [Member]

Other Real Estate Related Long Term Debt [Member]

Other Real Estate Related Long Term Debt [Member]

2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 [Member]

2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 [Member]

2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 [Member]

2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 [Member]

2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2036 [Member]

Two Point Two Five Percent Warrants [Member]

Three Point Zero Zero Percent Notes [Member]

2.25% Warrants [Member]

3.00% Warrants [Member]

3.00% Purchased Options [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Real Estate Related Debt [Member]

Foreign Note [Member]

Brazilian third party financial institution [Member]

Third-party financial institution [Member]

Third-party financial institution [Member]

Third-party financial institution [Member]

Third-party financial institution [Member]

Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]

Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]

Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]

Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]

2.25% Purchased Options [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Federal Funds Rate [Member]

Fixed interest rate debt [Member]

Fixed interest rate debt [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Minimum [Member]

USD ($)

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation [Member]

Toyota Motor Credit Corporation [Member]

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services [Member]

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services [Member]

BMW Financial Services [Member]

BMW Financial Services [Member]

Ford Motor Credit Company [Member]

Ford Motor Credit Company [Member]

USD ($)

BRL

USD ($)

USD ($)

Ford Motor Credit Company [Member]

Ford Motor Credit Company [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]

Real Estate Credit Facility [Member]

Other Real Estate Related Long Term Debt [Member]

Other Real Estate Related Long Term Debt [Member]

3.00% Purchased Options [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization period of underwriters fees and debt issuance costs

'8 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Original Debt Instrument Interest Rate Effective Percentage

'

'

'

8.25%

8.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.50%

7.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$160,200,000

$164,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

185,800,000

190,000,000

'

Assessment Period For Fair Value

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.25%

2.25%

'

'

'

2.25%

3.00%

'

3.00%

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.25%

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend threshold for adjustment to conversion price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum trading days for conversion price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum trading days for conversion price under redemption condition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'30 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum percentage of conversion price to be considered to redeem all or part of the notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

130.00%

'

'

'

130.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial conversion price per share

'

'

'

$48.26

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$77.05

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of business days after trading day period

'

'

'

'5 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of trading days as observation period for determined weighted price of company's common stock

'

'

'

'10 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount of note to be considered under conversion rate

'

'

'

1,000

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum closing sale price under condition two

'

'

'

98.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

98.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion value in cash

'

'

'

28,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

76,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of common shares to be issued for per $ 1,000 principal amount of note

'

'

'

26.9352

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16.8653

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion price per share

'

'

'

$37.13

$37.13

'

'

'

'

'

'

$59.27

$59.27

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise price per common stock under warrants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80.09

54.55

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum number of shares of common stock required to be issued under warrants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,100,000

'

'

'

'

600,000

purchase options settled

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

Maturity date of of notes

'

'

'

15-Mar-20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Note agreement with a third party financial institution

'

'

'

22,550,000

22,550,000

'

115,000,000

115,000,000

350,000,000

'

'

182,753,000

182,753,000

'

182,753,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term loans provided under credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,600,000

90,600,000

'

'

74,100,000

74,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capitalization Of Debt Issuance Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount available to be expanded

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

99,100,000

99,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized debt issuance cost

'

'

'

44,000

44,000

'

'

236,000

1,500,000

'

'

27,000

27,000

'

33,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate under condition second

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.95%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate under sub-condition three of condition second

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.05%

'

'

'

'

Percentage of principal payments to make its quarterly payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending date of installments to be repaid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Jun-22

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Sep-20

'

1-Dec-30

'

1-Sep-19

'

1-Jan-24

1-Aug-27

1-Feb-17

'

1-Nov-22

'

'

'

'

29-Dec-15

27-Feb-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings under amended and restated mortgage facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal payments on outstanding borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current maturities of long-term debt

30,516,000

'

36,225,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,000,000

7,000,000

1,700,000

1,700,000

4,200,000

4,200,000

'

'

4,000,000

'

4,600,000

4,600,000

800,000

800,000

3,500,000

3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest on real estate notes, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.67%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest on real estate notes, maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total interest expense excluding amortization cost

'

'

'

'

1,679,000

1,725,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,056,000

2,056,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization schedule

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 years

'

'20 years

'

'15 years

'

'11 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization cost of the 3.00% notes, 2.25% Notes and 8.25% Notes

'

'

'

'

1,693,000

[1]

1,588,000

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,998,000

[2]

3,689,000

[2]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable Interest Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.90%

3.35%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

Total borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,800,000

50,800,000

44,700,000

44,700,000

68,100,000

68,100,000

'

'

30,200,000

22,000,000

81,200,000

81,200,000

18,900,000

18,900,000

66,300,000

66,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures

'

'

'

52,900,000

52,900,000

'

'

231,200,000

351,800,000

'

'

261,200,000

261,200,000

'

231,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Real Estate Related and Long-Term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

307,738,000

279,167,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of loans as per loan agreements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8

'

3

'

14

'

'

'

'

'

14

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings Of Long Term Debt Related To Real Estate Loans

$32,559,000

$6,008,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

$0

'

$0

'

'

$0

'

'

$18,700,000

'

$13,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Represents the incremental impact of the accounting for convertible debt as primarily codified in ASC 470, Debt

[2]

Represents the incremental impact of the accounting for convertible debt as primarily codified in ASC 470, Debt.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	'	$3,919
Level 1[Member] | Demand Obligation [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	'	0
Level 1[Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	0	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Interest rate derivative financial instruments	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Demand Obligation [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	74	'
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	536	3,919
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	610	3,919
Liabilities:	'	'
Interest rate derivative financial instruments	27,271	26,078
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,271	26,078
Total | Demand Obligation [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	74	'
Total | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	536	3,919
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	610	3,919
Liabilities:	'	'
Interest rate derivative financial instruments	27,271	26,078
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$27,271	$26,078

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]	'
Rental payment obligations during the remaining terms of these leases	$3.50

Intangible_Franchise_Rights_an2

Intangible Franchise Rights and Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]	'		'
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	($729,000)		'
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	7,421,000		'
Ending Balance	786,264,000		737,303,000
Intangible Franchise Rights	'		'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	-11,175,000		'
Accumulated Impairments	40,300,000		'
United Kingdom [Member]	'		'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'		'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0		'
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0		'
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	662,000		'
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	0		'
Ending Balance	20,264,000	[1]	19,602,000	[1]
Intangible Franchise Rights	'		'
Beginning Balance	8,659,000		'
Additions through acquisitions	0		'
Currency Translation	292,000		'
Ending Balance	8,951,000		'
United States [Member]	'		'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'		'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	34,588,000		'
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	-729,000		'
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	1,446,000		'
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	0		'
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	-33,000		'
Ending Balance	647,740,000	[1]	612,468,000	[1]
Intangible Franchise Rights	'		'
Beginning Balance	216,412,000		'
Additions through acquisitions	18,988,000		'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	-2,114,000		'
Currency Translation	0		'
Ending Balance	233,286,000		'
Brazil [Member]	'		'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'		'
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	5,975,000		'
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	7,052,000		'
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	0		'
Ending Balance	118,260,000	[1]	105,233,000	[1]
Intangible Franchise Rights	'		'
Beginning Balance	76,434,000		'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	-9,061,000		'
Currency Translation	4,803,000		'
Ending Balance	72,176,000		'
Consolidated Total [Member]	'		'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'		'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	34,588,000		'
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	7,714,000		'
Goodwill, Subsequent Recognition of Deferred Tax Asset	-33,000		'
Ending Balance	786,264,000	[1]	737,303,000	[1]
Intangible Franchise Rights	'		'
Beginning Balance	301,505,000		'
Additions through acquisitions	18,988,000		'
Currency Translation	5,095,000		'
Ending Balance	$314,413,000		'
[1]	1) Net of accumulated impairment of $40.3 million.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	'	'	'	($26,724)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, before Tax	'	'	-10,182	12,304
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	'	'	4,427	-14,420
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	'	'	-2,102	-2,045
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	6,395	-19,268	14,609	-26,724
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	-2,080	9,405	-2,860	11,099
Changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Translation, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	'	'	-37,827	-6,126
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Translation, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	-23,218	-32,850	-23,218	-32,850
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Swaps, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	'	'	-13,850	-26,931
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Swaps, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	-16,710	-15,832	-16,710	-15,832
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	'	'	-51,677	-33,057
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	'	'	11,749	-15,625
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	-39,928	-48,682	-39,928	-48,682
Floorplan Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax	'	'	4,884	4,848
Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax	'	'	722	606
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Swaps | Tax effect on other comprehensive income loss before reclassification [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	'	'	3,818	-4,614
Total | Tax effect on other comprehensive income loss before reclassification [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	'	'	$3,818	($4,614)

Segement_Information_Segment_I1

Segement Information Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Reportable Segments	'	'	3	'	'
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	($23,614)	$0	($23,614)	$0	'
Assets	3,976,890	'	3,976,890	'	3,819,478
Revenues	2,511,638	2,335,110	4,772,501	4,298,942	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	38,194	60,179	87,407	99,427	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-21,332	-22,791	-39,242	-39,921	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	16,862	37,388	48,165	59,506	'
U.S. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	3,339,609	'	3,339,609	'	3,241,192
Revenues	2,060,596	1,881,654	3,895,222	3,603,440	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	34,466	53,226	80,328	91,780	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-20,235	-21,017	-37,063	-38,106	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	14,231	32,209	43,265	53,674	'
U.K. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	276,336	'	276,336	'	237,960
Revenues	251,324	207,436	499,025	378,514	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	5,517	3,837	10,134	5,841	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-691	-865	-1,656	-1,353	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	4,826	2,972	8,478	4,488	'
Brazil [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	360,945	'	360,945	'	340,326
Revenues	199,718	246,020	378,254	316,988	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	-1,789	3,116	-3,055	1,806	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-406	-909	-523	-462	'
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	($2,195)	$2,207	($3,578)	$1,344	'