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Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements presented herein include the accounts of Rush Enterprises, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Estimates in Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results

may

differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents generally consist of cash and other money market instruments. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of

ninety

days or less to be cash equivalents.

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables and Repossession Losses

The Company provides an allowance for doubtful receivables and repossession losses after considering historical loss experience and other factors that might affect the collection of accounts receivable and the ability of customers to meet their obligations on finance contracts sold by the Company.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined by specific identification of new and used commercial vehicle inventory and by the

first

-in,

first

-out method for parts and accessories. An allowance is provided when it is anticipated that cost will exceed net realizable value less a reasonable profit margin.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the useful life of the improvement, or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Provision for depreciation of property and equipment is calculated primarily on a straight-line basis. The Company capitalizes interest on borrowings during the active construction period of major capital projects. Capitalized interest, when incurred, is added to the cost of underlying assets and is amortized over the estimated useful life of such assets. The Company capitalized interest of approximately

$353,000

related to major capital projects during

2016.

The cost, accumulated depreciation and amortization and estimated useful lives are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	2016			2015			Estimated Life (Years)
Land	$	126,123		$	134,246			-
Buildings and improvements		377,070			313,706		10	-	39
Leasehold improvements		26,925			28,149		2	-	39
Machinery and shop equipment		67,558			59,455		5	-	20
Furniture, fixtures and computers		73,912			74,201		3	-	15
Transportation equipment		73,156			74,761		2	-	15
Lease and rental vehicles		832,661			825,787		2	-	8
Construction in progress		11,921			66,338
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(453,521	)		(403,819	)

Total	$	1,135,805		$	1,172,824

The Company recorded depreciation expense of

$140.6

million and amortization expense of

$17.0

million for the year ended

December

31,

2016,

and depreciation expense of

$131.8

million and amortization expense of

$13.1

million for the year ended

December

31,

2015.

As of

December

31,

2016,

the Company had

$81.5

million in lease and rental vehicles under various capital leases included in property and equipment, net of accumulated amortization of

$28.7

million. The Company recorded depreciation and amortization expense of

$106.3

million related to lease and rental vehicles in lease and rental cost of products sold for the year ended

December

31,

2016

and

$101.1

million for the year ended

December

31,

2015.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for under the purchase method. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually during the

fourth

quarter, or when indications of potential impairment exist. These indicators would include a significant change in operating performance, or a planned sale or disposition of a significant portion of the business, among other factors. The Company tests for goodwill impairment utilizing a fair value approach at the reporting unit level. The Company has deemed its reporting unit to be the Truck Segment, as all components of the Truck Segment are similar.

The impairment test for goodwill involves comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a

second

step is required to measure the goodwill impairment loss. The

second

step includes hypothetically valuing all the tangible and intangible assets of the reporting unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and comparing the hypothetical implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the hypothetical implied fair value of the goodwill, the Company would recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess, not to exceed the carrying amount. The Company determines the fair values calculated in an impairment test using the discounted cash flow method, which requires assumptions and estimates regarding future revenue, expenses and cash flow projections. The analysis is based upon available information regarding expected future cash flows of its reporting unit discounted at rates consistent with the cost of capital specific to the reporting unit.

impairment write down was required in the

fourth

quarter of

2016.

However, the Company cannot predict the occurrence of certain events that might adversely affect the reported value of goodwill in the future.

The following table sets forth the change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the Company for the years ended

December

31,

2016

and

2015

(in thousands):

Balance December 31, 2014	$	265,145
Acquisitions and adjustments		19,896
Balance December 31, 2015		285,041
Acquisitions and adjustments		5,150
Balance December 31, 2016	$	290,191

Other Assets

The total capitalized costs of the Company’s SAP enterprise software and SAP dealership management system of

$33.0

million, including capitalized interest, are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other Assets, net of accumulated amortization of

$16.5

million. The SAP software is being amortized over a period of

years.

Amortization expense relating to the SAP software, which is recognized in depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income,

was

$3.4

million

for the year ended

December

31,

2016

$3.3

million

for the year ended

December

31,

2015

, and

$3.2

million

for the year ended

December

31,

2014

. The Company estimates that amortization expense relating to the SAP software will be approximately

$3.4

million for each of the next

five

succeeding years.

The Company’s only significant identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill, are rights under franchise agreements with manufacturers. The fair value of the franchise right is determined at the acquisition date by discounting the projected cash flows specific to each acquisition.

The carrying value of the Company’s manufacturer franchise rights was

$7.0

million at

December

31,

2016,

and

$7.9

million at

December

31,

2015,

and is included in Other Assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company has determined that manufacturer franchise rights have an indefinite life as there are no economic or other factors that limit their useful lives and they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely due to the historically long lives of the manufacturers’ brand names. Furthermore, to the extent that any agreements evidencing manufacturer franchise rights have expiration dates, the Company expects that it will be able to renew those agreements in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, the Company does

not amortize manufacturer franchise rights.

Due to the fact that manufacturer franchise rights are specific to geographic region, the Company has determined that evaluating and including all locations acquired in the geographic region is the appropriate level for purposes of testing franchise rights for impairment.

Management reviews indefinite-lived manufacturer franchise rights for impairment annually during the

fourth

quarter, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that an impairment

may

have occurred. The Company is subject to financial statement risk to the extent that manufacturer franchise rights become impaired due to decreases in the fair market value of its individual franchises.

The significant estimates and assumptions used by management in assessing the recoverability of manufacturer franchise rights include estimated future cash flows, present value discount rate, and other factors. Any changes in these estimates or assumptions could result in an impairment charge. The estimates of future cash flows, based on reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections, require management’s subjective judgment. Depending on the assumptions and estimates used, the estimated future cash flows projected in the evaluations of manufacturer franchise rights can vary within a range of outcomes.

impairment write down was required in the

fourth

quarter of

2016.

The Company cannot predict the occurrence of certain events that might adversely affect the reported value of manufacturer franchise rights in the future.

Income Taxes

Significant management judgment is required to determine the provisions for income taxes and to determine whether deferred tax assets will be realized in full or in part. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. When it is more likely than not that all or some portion of specific deferred income tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance must be established for the amount of deferred income tax assets that are determined not to be realizable. Accordingly, the facts and financial circumstances impacting state deferred income tax assets are reviewed quarterly and management’s judgment is applied to determine the amount of valuation allowance required, if any, in any given period.

In determining its provision for income taxes, the Company uses an annual effective income tax rate based on annual income, permanent differences between book and tax income, and statutory income tax rates. The effective income tax rate also reflects its assessment of the ultimate outcome of tax audits. The Company adjusts its annual effective income tax rate as additional information on outcomes or events becomes available. Discrete events such as audit settlements or changes in tax laws are recognized in the period in which they occur.

The Company’s income tax returns are periodically audited by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities. These audits include questions regarding the Company’s tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions. At any time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by the various tax authorities. In evaluating the tax benefits associated with the Company’s various tax filing positions, the Company records a tax benefit for uncertain tax positions. A number of years

may

elapse before a particular matter for which the Company has established a liability is audited and effectively settled. The Company adjusts its liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the period in which it determines the issue is effectively settled with the tax authorities, the statute of limitations expires for the relevant taxing authority to examine the tax position, or when more information becomes available. The Company includes its liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued interest, in accrued liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet and in income tax expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue would require use of the Company’s cash and a charge to income tax expense. Favorable resolution would be recognized as a reduction to income tax expense at the time of resolution.

Additionally, despite the Company’s belief that its tax return positions are consistent with applicable tax law, management expects that certain positions

may

be challenged by taxing authorities. Settlement of any challenge can result in no change, a complete disallowance, or some partial adjustment reached through negotiations. The Company records interest and penalties, if any, related to federal and state unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Revenue Recognition Policies

Income on the sale of a vehicle is recognized when the Company and a customer execute a purchase contract, delivery has occurred and there are no significant uncertainties related to financing or the purchase price is paid by the customer. The Company generally sells finance contracts it enters into with customers to finance the purchase of commercial vehicles to

third

parties. These finance contracts are sold by the Company both with and without recourse. A majority of the Company’s finance contracts are sold without recourse. Finance income is recognized by the Company upon the sale of such finance contracts to the finance companies, net of a provision for estimated repossession losses and early repayment penalties.

Lease and rental income is recognized over the period of the related lease or rental agreement. Contingent rental income is recognized when it is earned. Parts and services revenue is earned at the time the Company sells the parts to its customers or at the time the Company completes, and the customer accepts, the service work order related to service provided to the customer’s vehicle.

Cost of Sales

For the Company’s new and used commercial vehicle operations and its parts operations, cost of sales consists primarily of the Company’s actual purchase price, less manufacturer’s incentives, for new and used commercial vehicles and parts. For the Company’s service and body shop operations, technician labor cost is the primary component of cost of sales. For the Company’s rental and leasing operations, cost of sales consists primarily of depreciation and amortization, rent, maintenance costs and interest expense on the lease and rental fleet owned and leased by the Company. There are no costs of sales associated with the Company’s finance and insurance revenue or other revenue.

Taxes Assessed by a Governmental Authority

The Company accounts for sales taxes assessed by a governmental authority, that are directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction, on a net (excluded from revenues) basis.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of incentive based compensation for sales, finance and general management personnel, salaries for administrative personnel and expenses for rent, marketing, insurance, utilities, research and development and other general operating purposes.

Stock Based Compensation

The Company applies the provisions of

ASC topic

718

10,

“Compensation – Stock Compensation,” which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors including grants of employee stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock awards and employee stock purchases under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan based on estimated fair values.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods.

Compensation expense for all share-based payment awards is recognized using the straight-line single-option method. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized based on awards expected to vest. Accordingly, stock based compensation expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected stock option exercise behaviors. Option-pricing models were developed for use in estimating the value of traded options that have no vesting or hedging restrictions and are fully transferable. Because the Company’s stock options have characteristics that are significantly different from traded options and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, in management’s opinion, the existing valuation models

may

not provide an accurate measure of the fair value that value

may

not be indicative of the fair value observed in a market transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller.

The following table reflects the weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during each period using the Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions used:

	2016			2015			2014
Expected stock volatility		35.63	%		40.90	%		51.51	%
Weighted-average stock volatility		35.63	%		40.90	%		51.51	%
Expected dividend yield		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%
Risk-free interest rate		1.64	%		1.74	%		2.14	%
Expected life (years)		6.0			6.0			6.5
Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted	$	6.54		$	11.27		$	15.86

The Company computes its historical stock price volatility in accordance with ASC topic

718

10.

The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The dividend yield assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts. The expected life of stock options represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising and marketing expense was

$6.8

million for

2016,

$8.8

million for

2015

and

$8.7

million for

2014.

Advertising and marketing expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense.

Accounting for Internal Use Software

The Company’s accounting policy with respect to accounting for computer software developed or obtained for internal use is consistent with ASC topic

350

40,

which provides guidance on accounting for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use and identifies characteristics of internal-use software. The Company has capitalized software costs, including capitalized interest, of approximately

$33.0

million at

December

31,

2016,

net of accumulated amortization of

$16.5

million, and had

$36.1

million, net of accumulated amortization of

$13.4

million at

December

31,

2015.

Insurance

The Company is partially self-insured for a portion of the claims related to its property and casualty insurance programs. Accordingly, the Company is required to estimate expected losses to be incurred. The Company engages a

third

-party administrator to assess any open claims and the Company adjusts its accrual accordingly on an annual basis. The Company is also partially self-insured for a portion of the claims related to its worker’s compensation and medical insurance programs. The Company uses actuarial information provided from

third

-party administrators to calculate an accrual for claims incurred, but not reported, and for the remaining portion of claims that have been reported.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

From

2012

until

2015,

the Company utilized derivative financial instruments to manage its interest rate risk relating to the variability of cash flows and changes in the fair value of its financial instruments caused by movements in interest rates. The Company assessed hedge effectiveness at the inception and during the term of each hedge. Derivatives are reported at fair value on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

December

31,

2016

and

December

31,

2015,

the Company did

not

have any outstanding interest rate swap contracts.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company has various financial instruments that it must measure at fair value on a recurring basis, including certain available for sale securities and derivatives. See

Note

– Financial Instruments and Fair Value of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for further information. The Company also applies the provisions of fair value measurement to various nonrecurring measurements for its financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities.

Applicable accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The Company measures its assets and liabilities using inputs from the following

three

levels of the fair value hierarchy:

Level

inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level

inputs include 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, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

Level

includes unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about what factors market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company develops these inputs based on the best information available, including its own data.

Acquisitions

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for the recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed with acquisitions at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Any excess consideration transferred over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to measure the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, the estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which is not to exceed

one

year from the date of acquisition, any changes in the estimated fair values of the net assets recorded for the acquisitions will result in an adjustment to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes

first,

any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Consolidated Statements of Income.

New Accounting Pronouncements

March

2016,

the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No.

2016

09,

“

Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic

718),

” which changes the accounting for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The new guidance requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. In addition, cash flows related to excess tax benefits will no longer be separately classified as a financing activity apart from other income tax cash flows. The standard also allows the Company to repurchase more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting, clarifies that all cash payments made on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares should be presented as a financing activity on its cash flows statement, and provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The new standard is effective for the Company beginning

January

2017.

The Company does not expect the adoption to materially impact its consolidated financial statements.

February

2016,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2016

02,

“

Leases (Topic

842),

” which is intended to increase the transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. In order to meet that objective, the new standard requires recognition of the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. A lessee will be required to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than

months. Accounting by lessors will remain largely unchanged from current U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The new standard is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after

December

15,

2018,

and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this standard will have on our financial statements and related disclosures.

May

2014,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2014

09,

“

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

(Topic

606)

,” which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU

2014

is based on principles that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled to when products are transferred to customers. ASU

2014

will be effective for the Company beginning in its

first

quarter of

2018,

and early adoption is permitted. The ASU provides

two

transition methods: (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this ASU recognized at the date of initial application.

Subsequently, the FASB issued the following standards related to ASU

2014

09:

ASU No.

2016

08,

“

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606):

Principal versus Agent Considerations”

; ASU No.

2016

10,

“

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606):

Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing

”; and ASU No.

2016

12,

“

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606):

Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients.”

The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 on

January

2018.

2016,

the Company established a cross-functional team with representatives from its major revenue streams to review our current accounting policies and practices, assess the effect of the standard on our revenue contracts and identify potential differences. In addition, the Company is in the process of evaluating changes to its business processes and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. While the Company is currently assessing the impact of the new standard, its revenue is primarily generated from the sale of finished products to customers. Those sales predominantly contain a single delivery element and revenue is recognized at a single point in time when ownership, risks and benefits transfer. The timing of revenue recognition for these transactions is not expected to be significantly impacted by the new standard. The Company continues to review the impact of this standard on potential disclosure changes in its financial statements as well as which transition approach will be applied.

Note 3 - Supplier Concentration

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]

SUPPLIER CONCENTRATION

Major Suppliers and Dealership Agreements

The Company has entered into dealership agreements with various manufacturers of commercial vehicles and buses (“Manufacturers”). These agreements are nonexclusive agreements that allow the Company to stock, sell at retail and service commercial vehicles and sell parts from the Manufacturers in the Company’s defined market. The agreements allow the Company to use the Manufacturers’ names, trade symbols and intellectual property and expire as follows:

Manufacturer		Expiration Dates
Peterbilt		May 2017 through March 2019
International		December 2017 through March 2021
Isuzu		Indefinite
Hino		Indefinite
Ford		Indefinite
Blue Bird		July 2017
IC Bus		December 2017 through March 2021

These agreements, as well as agreements with various other Manufacturers, impose a number of restrictions and obligations on the Company, including restrictions on a change in control of the Company and the maintenance of certain required levels of working capital. Violation of these restrictions could result in the loss of the Company’s right to purchase the Manufacturers’ products and use the Manufacturers’ trademarks.

The Company purchases its new Peterbilt vehicles from Peterbilt and most of the parts sold at its Peterbilt dealerships from PACCAR, Inc., the parent company of Peterbilt, at prevailing prices charged to all franchised dealers. Sales of new Peterbilt trucks accounted for approximately

61.0%

of the Company’s new vehicle sales for the year ended

December

31,

2016,

59.6%

of the Company’s new vehicle sales for the year ended

December

31,

2015,

and

63.5%

of the Company’s new vehicle sales for the year ended

December

31,

2014.

Primary Lenders

The Company purchases its new and used commercial vehicle inventories with the assistance of floor plan financing programs as described in Note

to these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s floor plan financing agreements provide that the occurrence of certain events will be considered events of default. In the event that the Company’s floor plan financing becomes insufficient, or its relationship with any of its current primary lenders terminates, the Company would need to obtain similar financing from other sources. Management believes it can obtain additional floor plan financing or alternative financing if necessary.

The Company also acquires lease and rental vehicles with the assistance of financing agreements with PACCAR Leasing Company, Bank of America and Wells Fargo. The financing agreements are secured by a lien on the acquired vehicle. The terms of the financing agreements are similar to the corresponding lease agreements with the Company’s customers.

Concentrations of Credit Risks

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with what it considers to be quality financial institutions based on periodic assessments of such institutions. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents

may

be uninsured or in deposit accounts that exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit.

The Company controls credit risk through credit approvals and by selling a majority of its trade receivables, other than vehicle accounts receivable, without recourse. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are reduced because a large number of geographically diverse customers make up the Company’s customer base; however, substantially all of the Company’s business is concentrated in the United States commercial vehicle markets and related aftermarkets.

The Company generally sells finance contracts it enters into with customers to finance the purchase of commercial vehicles to

third

parties. These finance contracts are sold by the Company both with and without recourse. A majority of the Company’s finance contracts are sold without recourse. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful receivables and a reserve for repossession losses related to finance contracts sold with recourse. Historically, the Company’s allowances and reserves have covered losses inherent in these receivables.

Note 4 - Accounts Receivable

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]

ACCOUNTS

RECEIVABLE

The Company’s accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016			2015

Trade accounts receivable from sale of vehicles	$	83,482		$	76,601
Trade receivables other than vehicles		42,876			43,916
Warranty claims		8,095			8,261
Other accounts receivable		22,409			28,810
Less allowance for bad debt and warranty claims		(663	)		(611	)

Total	$	156,199		$	156,977

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

Note 5 - Inventories

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]

INVENTORIES

The Company’s inventories, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016			2015

New commercial vehicles	$	575,879		$	770,861
Used commercial vehicles		71,429			86,960
Parts and accessories		187,419			201,868
Other		15,564			15,341
Less allowance		(9,987	)		(13,832	)

Total	$	840,304		$	1,061,198

Note 6 - Valuation Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]

VALUATION ACCOUNTS:

Valuation and allowance accounts include the following (in thousands):

	Balance Beginning of Year		Net Charged to Costs and Expenses		Net Write- Offs			Balance End of Year

2016
Reserve for accounts receivable	$	506	$	1,415	$	(1,372	)	$	549
Reserve for warranty receivables		105		833		(824	)		114
Reserve for parts inventory		7,291		3,400		(5,806	)		4,885
Reserve for commercial vehicle inventory		6,541		9,623		(11,062	)		5,102

2015
Reserve for accounts receivable	$	639	$	992	$	(1,125	)	$	506
Reserve for warranty receivables		140		1,677		(1,712	)		105
Reserve for parts inventory		5,067		4,215		(1,991	)		7,291
Reserve for commercial vehicle inventory		10,644		8,417		(12,520	)		6,541

2014
Reserve for accounts receivable	$	821	$	919	$	(1,101	)	$	639
Reserve for warranty receivables		419		411		(690	)		140
Reserve for parts inventory		4,416		2,547		(1,896	)		5,067
Reserve for commercial vehicle inventory		7,395		7,877		(4,628	)		10,644

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables

The Company sells a majority of its customer accounts receivable on a non-recourse basis to a

third

-party that is responsible for qualifying the customer for credit at the point of sale. If the

third

-party approves the customer for credit, then the

third

-party assumes all credit risk related to the transaction. For accounts receivable that the Company does not sell or that are sold with recourse to the Company, an allowance for doubtful receivables is provided after considering historical loss experience and other factors that might affect the collection of such accounts receivable.

The Company provides an allowance for uncollectible warranty receivables. The Company evaluates the collectability of its warranty claims receivable based on a combination of factors, including aging and correspondence with the applicable manufacturer. Management reviews the warranty claims receivable aging and adjusts the allowance based on historical experience. The Company records charge-offs related to warranty receivables after it is determined that a receivable will not be fully collected.

Inventory

The Company provides a reserve for obsolete and slow moving parts. The reserve is reviewed and, if necessary, adjustments are made on a quarterly basis. The Company relies on historical information to support its reserve. Once the inventory is written down, the Company does not reverse any reserve balance until the inventory is sold.

The valuation for new and used commercial vehicle inventory is based on specific identification. A detail of new and used commercial vehicle inventory is reviewed and, if necessary, adjustments to the value of specific vehicles are made on a quarterly basis.

Note 7 - Floor Plan Notes Payable and Lines of Credit

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

FLOOR PLAN NOTES PAYABLE AND LINES OF CREDIT

Floor Plan Notes Payable

Floor plan notes are financing agreements to facilitate the Company’s purchase of new and used commercial vehicle inventory. These notes are collateralized by the inventory purchased and accounts receivable arising from the sale thereof. The Company’s Floor Plan Credit Agreement provides for a loan commitment of up to

$875.0

million and has the interest rate benchmarked to LIBOR, as defined in the agreement.

The interest rate under the Company’s Floor Plan Credit Agreement is the

three

month LIBOR rate plus

1.51%.

The interest rate applicable to the Company’s Floor Plan Credit Agreement was approximately

2.44%

December

31,

2016.

The Company utilizes its excess cash on hand to pay down its outstanding borrowings under its Floor Plan Credit Agreement, and the resulting interest earned is recognized as an offset to the Company’s gross interest expense under the Floor Plan Credit Agreement. The Company is required to pay a monthly working capital fee equal to

0.16%

per annum multiplied by the amount of voluntary prepayments of new and used inventory loans.

The Company finances substantially all of the purchase price of its new commercial vehicle inventory, and the loan value of its used commercial vehicle inventory, under its Floor Plan Credit Agreement, under which BMO Harris pays the manufacturer directly with respect to new commercial vehicles. Amounts borrowed under the Company’s Floor Plan Credit Agreement are due when the related commercial vehicle inventory (collateral) is sold and the sales proceeds are collected by the Company. The Company’s Floor Plan Credit Agreement expires

June

30,

2019,

although BMO Harris has the right to terminate the Floor Plan Credit Agreement at any time upon

120

days’ written notice. The Company

may

terminate the Floor Plan Credit Agreement at any time, although if it does so, it must pay a prepayment processing fee equal to: (i)

2.0%

of the aggregate revolving loan commitments if such termination occurs on or before

January

2018;

(ii)

1.0%

of the aggregate revolving loan commitments if such termination occurs after

January

2018

and on or prior to

July

2018;

and (iii)

$500,000

if such termination occurs after

July

2018

and prior to

June

30,

2019,

subject to specified limited exceptions. On

December

31,

2016,

the Company had approximately

$548.1

million outstanding under its Floor Plan Credit Agreement.

June

2012,

the Company entered into a wholesale financing agreement with Ford Motor Credit Company that provides for the financing of, and is collateralized by, the Company’s new Ford vehicle inventory. This wholesale financing agreement bears interest at a rate of Prime plus

150

basis points minus certain incentives and rebates; however, the prime rate is defined to be a minimum of

3.75%.

As of

December

31,

2016,

the interest rate on the wholesale financing agreement was

5.25%

before considering the applicable incentives. On

December

31,

2016,

the Company had an outstanding balance of approximately

$66.4

million under the Ford Motor Credit Company wholesale financing agreement.

The Company’s weighted average interest rate for floor plan notes payable was

1.58%

for the year ended

December

31,

2016,

and

1.47%

for the year ended

December

31,

2015,

which is net of interest related to prepayments of new and used inventory loans.

Assets pledged as collateral were as follows (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Inventories, new and used vehicles at cost based on specific identification, net of allowance	$	642,205	$	851,280
Vehicle sale related accounts receivable		83,482		76,601

Total	$	725,687	$	927,881

Floor plan notes payable related to vehicles	$	646,945	$	854,758

Lines of Credit

The Company has a secured line of credit that provides for a maximum borrowing of

$17.5

million. There were

advances outstanding under this secured line of credit at

December

31,

2016;

however,

$12.0

million was pledged to secure various letters of credit related to self-insurance products, leaving

$5.5

million available for future borrowings as of

December

31,

2016.

Note 8 - Long Term Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Long-term Debt [Text Block]

LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt was comprised of the following (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016			2015

Variable interest rate term notes	$	107,894		$	127,508
Fixed interest rate term notes		495,326			520,247

Total debt		603,220			647,755

Less: current maturities		(130,717	)		(151,024	)

Total long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	472,503		$	496,731

As of

December

31,

2016,

debt maturities were as follows (in thousands):

2017		130,717
2018		125,226
2019		123,353
2020		118,913
2021		59,567
Thereafter		45,444

Total	$	603,220

The interest rates on the Company’s variable interest rate notes are based on various LIBOR benchmark rates. The interest rates on the notes range from approximately

2.3%

2.7%

December

31,

2016.

Payments on the notes range from approximately

$3,111

$125,833

per month, plus interest. Maturities of these notes range from

May

2017

June

2025.

The Company’s fixed interest rate notes had interest rates that ranged from approximately

2.75%

7.61%

December

31,

2016.

Payments on the notes range from

$255

$27,607

per month. Maturities of these notes range from

January

2017

October

2024.

The proceeds from the issuance of the notes were used primarily to acquire land, buildings and improvements, transportation equipment and leasing vehicles. The notes are secured by the assets acquired with the proceeds of such notes.

The Company’s long-term real estate debt agreements and floor plan financing arrangements require the Company to satisfy various financial ratios such as the debt to worth ratio, leverage ratio, the fixed charge coverage ratio and certain requirements for tangible net worth and GAAP net worth. As of

December

31,

2016,

the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants. The Company does not anticipate any breach of the covenants in the foreseeable future.

Note 9 - Financial Instruments and Fair Value

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE

The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. Financial instruments consist primarily of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and floor plan notes payable. The carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments approximate fair value due either to their short-term nature or existence of variable interest rates, which approximate market rates.

Certain methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of financial instruments at

December

31,

2016,

and

2015.

The carrying value of current assets and current liabilities approximates the fair value due to the short maturity of these items.

The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is based on

secondary

market indicators. Because the Company’s debt is not quoted, estimates are based on each obligation’s characteristics, including remaining maturities, interest rate, credit rating, collateral and liquidity. Accordingly, the Company concluded the valuation measurement inputs of its long-term debt to represent, at its lowest level, current market interest rates available to the Company for similar debt and the Company’s current credit standing and has categorized such debt within Level

of the hierarchy framework. The carrying amount approximates fair value.

If investments are deemed to be impaired, the Company determines whether the impairment is temporary or other than temporary. If the impairment is deemed to be temporary, the Company records an unrealized loss in other comprehensive income. If the impairment is deemed other than temporary, the Company records the impairment in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

In prior years, the Company invested in interest-bearing short-term investments primarily consisting of investment-grade auction rate securities classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. These types of investments were designed to provide liquidity through an auction process that reset the applicable interest rates at predetermined periods ranging from

days. This reset mechanism was intended to allow existing investors to continue to own their respective interest in the auction rate security or to gain immediate liquidity by selling their interests at par.

Auctions for investment grade securities held by the Company have failed. However, a failed auction does not represent a default by the issuer. The auction rate securities continue to pay interest in accordance with the terms of the underlying security; however, liquidity will be limited until there is a successful auction or until such time as other markets for these investments develop. The Company has the intent and ability to hold these auction rate securities until liquidity returns to the market. The Company does not believe that the lack of liquidity relating to its auction rate securities will have a material impact on its ability to fund operations.

As of

December

31,

2016,

the Company held auction rate securities with underlying tax-exempt municipal bonds that mature in

2030

and have a fair value of

$6.2

million and a cost basis of

$6.7

million. As of

December

31,

2015,

the Company held auction rate securities with underlying tax-exempt municipal bonds that mature in

2030

and have a fair value of

$6.7

million and a cost basis of

$7.2

million. The issuer redeemed

$150,000

of the auction rate securities during the

second

quarter of

2014,

$275,000

during the

second

quarter of

2015,

$250,000

during the

second

quarter of

2016,

and

$200,000

during the

third

quarter of

2016.

These bonds have credit wrap insurance and a credit rating of A by a major credit rating agency.

The Company valued the auction rate securities at

December

31,

2016

using a discounted cash flow model based on the characteristics of the individual securities, which the Company believes yields the best estimate of fair value. The

first

step in the valuation included a credit analysis of the security which considered various factors including the credit quality of the issuer, the instrument’s position within the capital structure of the issuing authority, and the composition of the authority’s assets including the effect of insurance and/or government guarantees. Next, the future cash flows of the instruments were projected based on certain assumptions regarding the auction rate market significant to the valuation including the auction rate market will remain illiquid and auctions will continue to fail causing the interest rate to be the maximum applicable rate. This assumption resulted in discounted cash flow analysis being performed through

2019,

the point at which the Company estimates the securities will be redeemed by the municipality. The projected cash flows were then discounted using the applicable yield curve plus a

225

basis point liquidity premium added to the applicable discount rate.

The Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of

$1.0

million on these auction rate securities in

2011

and a subsequent pre-tax increase in fair value of

$427,000

during

2014.

The Company believes that the impairment is temporary and has included the impairment in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The table below presents disclosures about the auction rate securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s financial statements as follows (in thousands):

	At December 31, 2016						At December 31, 2015
	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs
Investment in auction rate securities		-		-	$	6,231		-		-	$	6,650

	C ost Basis Amount		Gross Unrealized Loss In Accumulated OCI		Fair Value
December 31, 201 6
Investment in auction rate securities	$	6,700	$	469	$	6,231

December 31, 201 5
Investment in auction rate securities	$	7,150	$	500	$	6,650

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

January

2012,

the Company entered into swap agreements to hedge against the potential impact of increases in interest rates on its floating-rate debt instruments. All interest rate swap contracts expired by

July

2015,

therefore, at

December

31,

2016

and

2015,

the Company did not have any interest rate swap contracts. Swap agreements that hedge exposures to changes in interest rates exposed the Company to credit risk and market risk.

These swap contracts were designated as cash flow hedges to pay fixed rates of interest and received a floating interest rate based on LIBOR. The fixed interest rates specified in the interest rate swap contracts became effective on or about

January

2012.

The Company’s interest rate swaps qualified for cash flow hedge accounting treatment. Unrealized gains or losses were recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts received or paid under the contracts were recognized as interest expense over the life of the contracts.

The derivative instruments described above are on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands):

Gain (Loss) Recognized in
OCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)
during the

Year

Ended

Location of Loss

Loss Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
during the

Year

Ended

December 31,

201

December 31,

201

Reclassified into
Income

December 31,

201

December 31,

201

Interest rate swaps

−

235

Interest Expense

−

(55

)

Long-Lived Assets

During the

first

quarter of

2016,

the Company instituted plans to consolidate its dealership network. In

2016,

the Company recorded an impairment charge related to the value of the real estate in the affected locations in the amount of

$7.5

million. The Company also classified certain excess real estate as held for sale, which resulted in an additional impairment charge.

The fair value measurements for the Company’s long-lived assets are based on Level

inputs. Fair values were based on evaluations by a

third

-party real estate broker that utilized its knowledge and historical experience in real estate markets and transactions. During the

third

and

fourth

quarter of

2016,

the Company sold

four

properties with a fair value of

$6.1

million. The Company is actively marketing the remaining real estate held for sale.

The following table presents long-lived assets measured and recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (in thousands):

Description		Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs December 31 , 2016				Loss D uring the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Long-lived assets held for sale		$	13,955			$	(7,481	)

For further discussion of assets held for sale, see Note

– Restructuring Costs of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The loss was reported in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and was reported under the Truck Segment for

2016.

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

Note 10 - Leasing Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]

10.

LEASING ACTIVITIES

Vehicle Leases as Lessee

The Company leases vehicles, as lessee, primarily over periods ranging from

one

ten

years under operating lease and capital lease arrangements. Generally, the Company is required to incur all operating costs and pay a minimum rental. The Company usually guarantees the residual value of vehicles under operating lease and capital lease arrangements. At

December

31,

2016,

the Company guaranteed vehicle residual values of

$0.5

million under operating lease arrangements and

$34.0

million under capital lease arrangements. Historically, the Company purchases these vehicles at the end of the lease term and recognizes a gain on the subsequent sale of the vehicle. The residual values are not reflected in the future minimum lease payments for operating leases. Vehicle lease expenses were approximately

$1.3

million for the year ended

December

31,

2016,

$2.4

million for the year ended

December

31,

2015,

and

$4.1

million for the year ended

December

31,

2014.

As discussed below, these vehicles are then subleased by the Company to customers under various agreements. Future minimum sublease rentals to be received by the Company under non-cancelable subleases, as described below, are

$75.2

million.

Future minimum lease payments under capital and non-cancelable vehicle leases as of

December

31,

2016,

are as follows (in thousands):

	Capital Leases			Operating Leases
2017	$	17,029		$	819
2018		17,657			672
2019		18,264			602
2020		16,977			342
2021		10,936			342
Thereafter		11,659			190

Total minimum lease payments	$	92,522		$	2,967
Less amount representing interest		(8,029	)
Present value of net minimum capital lease payments		84,493
Less current portion		(14,449	)
Obligations under capital leases less current portion	$	70,044

Customer Vehicle Leases as Lessor

The Company leases both owned and leased vehicles to customers, through its PacLease and Idealease franchises, primarily over periods of

one

ten

years, under operating lease arrangements, which require a minimum rental payment and a contingent rental payment based on mileage. Rental income during the year ended

December

31,

2016,

consisted of minimum rental payments of approximately

$182.1

million and contingent rental payments of

$27.8

million. Rental income during the year ended

December

31,

2015,

consisted of minimum rental payments of approximately

$175.0

million and contingent rental payments of

$27.4

million. Rental income during the year ended

December

31,

2014,

consisted of minimum rental payments of approximately

$154.8

million and contingent rental payments of

$24.5

million. Minimum rental payments to be received for non-cancelable leases and subleases in effect at

December

31,

2016,

are as follows (in thousands):

2017	$	121,335
2018		103,092
2019		81,532
2020		58,660
2021		34,083
Thereafter		17,257

Total	$	415,959

As of

December

31,

2016,

the Company had

$570.1

million of lease vehicles included in property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of

$262.6

million. As of

December

31,

2015,

the Company had

$592.0

million of lease vehicles included in property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of

$233.8

million.

Other Leases - Land and Buildings

The Company leases various assets under operating leases with expiration dates ranging from

February

2017

through

May

2045.

Monthly rental payments range from approximately

$275

per month to

$46,479

per month. Rental expense was

$10.3

million for the year ended

December

31,

2016,

$11.8

million for the year ended

December

31,

2015,

and

$12.8

million for the year ended

December

31,

2014.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable leases at

December

31,

2015,

are as follows (in thousands):

2017	$	8,180
2018		6,341
2019		4,639
2020		3,404
2021		1,899
Thereafter		16,336

Total	$	40,799

Note 11 - Share Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

11.

SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

AND

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT

PLANS

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company’s

2004

Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated (the “Employee Stock Purchase Plan”) allows eligible employees to contribute up to

$10,625

of their base earnings every

six

months toward the semi-annual purchase of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. The employee’s purchase price is

85%

of the lesser of the closing price of the Class A Common Stock on the

first

business day or the last business day of the semi-annual offering period, as reported by The NASDAQ Global Select Market. Employees

may

purchase shares having a fair market value of up to

$25,000

(measured as of the

first

day of each semi-annual offering period) for each calendar year. On

May

17,

2016,

the Company’s shareholders approved the amendment and restatement of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance thereunder by

500,000

shares. Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, there are approximately

528,000

shares remaining of the

1,400,000

shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock that have been reserved for issuance. The Company issued

137,360

shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan during the year ended

December

31,

2016

and

85,263

shares during the year ended

December

31,

2015.

Of the

6,180

employees eligible to participate,

1,011

elected to participate in the plan as of

December

31,

2016.

Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan

May

16,

2006,

the Board of Directors and shareholders adopted the Rush Enterprises, Inc.

2006

Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the “Director Plan”), reserving

1,500,000

shares of Class A Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of any awards granted under the plan. This Director Plan was Amended and Restated on

May

20,

2008

to expand the type of awards that

may

be granted under the plan to include Class A Common Stock awards. The Director Plan was also amended on

May

18,

2010

to reduce the number of shares reserved for issuance under the plan by

1,000,000

shares of Class A Common Stock.

The Director Plan is designed to attract and retain highly qualified non-employee directors. Prior to

2008,

each non-employee director received options to purchase

20,000

shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock upon their respective date of appointment and each year on the date that they are elected or reelected by the shareholders to serve on the Board of Directors. Each option has a

ten

year term from the grant date and vested immediately. Currently, each non-employee director receives a grant of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, or up to

40%

cash, equivalent to a compensation value of

$125,000.

2015,

three

non-employee directors received a grant of

4,725

shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock,

one

non-employee director received a grant of

3,780

shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and

$25,000

cash and

three

non-employee directors received a grant of

2,835

shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and

$50,000

cash, for total compensation equivalent to

$125,000

each. In

2016,

two

non-employee directors received a grant of

6,145

shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and

four

non-employee director received a grant of

3,687

shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and

$50,000

cash, for total compensation equivalent to

$125,000

each. Under the Director Plan, there are approximately

165,000

shares remaining for issuance of the

500,000

shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock that have been reserved for issuance. The Company granted

27,038

shares of Class A Common Stock under the Director Plan during the year ended

December

31,

2016

and

26,460

shares of Class A Common Stock under the Director Plan during the year ended

December

31,

2015.

Employee Incentive Plans

May

2007,

the Board of Directors and shareholders adopted the Rush Enterprises, Inc.

2007

Long-Term Incentive Plan (the

“2007

Incentive Plan”). The

2007

Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options (which

may

be nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options for tax purposes), stock appreciation rights issued independent of or in tandem with such options (“SARs”), restricted stock awards and performance awards. The

2007

Incentive Plan replaced the Rush Enterprises, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”) effective

May

22,

2007.

The

2007

Incentive Plan was amended and restated on

May

20,

2014

to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the plan to

6,050,000

shares of Class A Common Stock and

1,450,000

shares of Class B Common Stock.

The aggregate number of shares of common stock subject to stock options or SARs that

may

be granted to any

one

participant in any year under the

2007

Incentive Plan is

100,000

shares of Class A Common Stock or

100,000

shares of Class B Common Stock. Each option granted pursuant to the

2007

Incentive Plan has a

ten

year term from the grant date and vests in

three

equal annual installments beginning on the

third

anniversary of the grant date. The Company has

6,050,000

shares of Class A Common Stock and

1,450,000

shares of Class B Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of any awards granted under the Company’s

2007

Incentive Plan. As of

December

31,

2016,

approximately

856,000

shares of Class A Common Stock and

539,000

shares of Class B Common Stock are available for issuance upon the exercise of any awards granted under the Company’s

2007

Incentive Plan. The Company issues new shares of its Class A or Class B Common Stock upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock units.

During the year ended

December

31,

2016,

the Company granted

493,088

options to purchase Class A Common Stock and

268,890

restricted Class B Common Stock units under the

2007

Incentive Plan. During the year ended

December

31,

2015,

the Company granted

485,838

options to purchase Class A Common Stock and

259,490

restricted Class B Common Stock units under the

2007

Incentive Plan.

Valuation and Expense Information

Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases was

$12.9

million for the year ended

December

31,

2016,

$12.4

million for the year ended

December

31,

2015,

and

$11.3

million for the year ended

December

31,

2014.

Cash received from options exercised and shares purchased under all share-based payment arrangements was

$6.5

million for the year ended

December

31,

2016,

$4.3

million for the year ended

December

31,

2015,

and

$12.5

million for the year ended

December

31,

2014.

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the year ended

December

31,

2016,

follows:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
				Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Options	Shares			Price		Life (in Years)		Value

Balance of Outstanding Options at January 1, 2016		3,475,115		$	20.95
Granted		493,088			17.65
Exercised		(466,877	)		13.82
Forfeited		(11,500	)		25.55
Balance of Outstanding Options at December 31, 2016		3,489,826		$	21.42		5.86	$	36,573,365
Expected to vest after December 31, 2016		1,823,896		$	24.79		7.63	$	12,969,933
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2016		1,608,248		$	17.48		3.80	$	23,198,547

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on the weighted-average of the closing price as of

December

30,

2016,

of the Company’s Class A common of

$31.90.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised was

$4.8

million during the year ended

December

31,

2016,

$2.6

million during the year ended

December

31,

2015,

and

$18.7

million during the year ended

December

31,

2014.

A summary of the status of the number of shares underlying Company’s non-vested stock options as of

December

31,

2016,

and changes during the year ended

December

31,

2016,

is as follows:

				Weighted
				Average
	Number of			Grant Date
Non-vested Shares	Shares			Fair Value

Non-vested at January 1, 2016		1,919,873		$	12.30
Granted		493,088			6.54
Vested		(527,883	)		10.56
Forfeited		(3,500	)		9.24

Non-vested at December 31, 2016		1,881,578		$	11.28

The total fair value of vested options was

$5.6

million during the year ended

December

31,

2016,

$5.1

million during the year ended

December

31,

2015,

and

$3.3

million during the year ended

December

31,

2014.

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted was

$6.54

per share during the year ended

December

31,

2016,

$11.27

per share during the year ended

December

31,

2015,

and

$15.86

per share during the year ended

December

31,

2014.

Stock Awards

The Company granted restricted stock units to certain of its employees under the

2007

Incentive Plan and unrestricted stock awards to its non-employee directors under the Director Plan during the year ended

December

31,

2016.

The restricted stock units granted to employees vest in

three

equal installments on the

first,

second

and

third

anniversary of the grant date and are forfeited in the event the recipient’s employment or relationship with the Company is terminated prior to vesting. The fair value of the restricted stock units to the Company’s employees is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the restricted stock’s vesting period. The shares granted to non-employee directors are expensed on the grant date.

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s non-vested restricted stock units outstanding at

December

31,

2016:

				Weighted
				Average				Weighted
				Remaining		Aggregate		Average
				Contractual		Intrinsic		Grant Date
Stock Awards and Units	Shares			Life (in Years)		Value		Fair Value

Outstanding Non-vested shares at January 1, 2016		483,335						$	24.73
Granted		268,890							17.57
Vested		(233,052	)						24.32
Forfeited		−							−

Outstanding Non-vested at December 31, 2016		519,173			8.6	$	16,561,618	$	21.21

Expected to vest after December 31, 2016		516,649			8.6	$	16,481,103

The total fair value of the shares issued upon the vesting of stock awards during the year ended

December

31,

2016

was

$5.7

million. The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock awards and units granted was

$17.57

per share during the year ended

December

31,

2016,

$24.75

per share during the year ended

December

31,

2015,

and

$26.81

per share during the year ended

December

31,

2014.

As of

December

31,

2016,

there was

$13.3

million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Incentive Plan and the

2007

Incentive Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of

2.2

years.

Defined Contribution Plan

The Company has a defined contribution plan (the “Rush

401k

Plan”), which is available to all Company employees and the employees of certain affiliates. Each employee who has completed

days of continuous service is entitled to enter the Rush

401k

Plan on the

first

day of the following month. Participating employees

may

contribute from

50%

of total gross compensation. However, certain highly compensated employees are limited to a maximum contribution of

15%

of total gross compensation. Effective

February

2012,

for the

first

10%

of an employee’s contribution, the Company contributed an amount equal to

20%

of the employees’ contributions for those employees with less than

five

years of service and an amount equal to

40%

of the employees’ contributions for those employees with more than

five

years of service. The Company incurred expenses related to the Rush

401k

Plan of approximately

$6.5

million during the year ended

December

31,

2016,

$6.2

million during the year ended

December

31,

2015,

and

$5.2

million during the year ended

December

31,

2014.

Deferred Compensation Plan

November

2010

the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Rush Enterprises, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) pursuant to which selected employees and directors

may

elect to defer a portion of their annual compensation. The Deferred Compensation Plan also provides the Company with the discretion to make matching contributions to participants’ accounts. The Company established a rabbi trust to finance obligations under the Deferred Compensation Plan with corporate-owned variable life insurance contracts. Participants are

100%

vested in their respective deferrals and the earnings thereon. The

first

deferral election period began on

January

2011.

The Company’s liability related to the Deferred Compensation Plan was

$7.2

million on

December

31,

2016

and

$4.9

million on

December

31,

2015.

The related cash surrender value of the life insurance contracts was

$6.8

million on

December

31,

2016

and

$4.8

million on

December

31,

2015.

The Company currently does not provide any post-retirement benefits nor does it provide any post-employment benefits.

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

12.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) were computed by dividing income from continuing operations by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS differs from basic EPS due to the assumed conversions of potentially dilutive options and restricted shares that were outstanding during the period.

Each share of Class A Common Stock ranks equal to each share of Class B Common Stock with respect to receipt of any dividends or distributions declared on shares of common stock and the right to receive proceeds on liquidation or dissolution of us after payment of our indebtedness and liquidation preference payments to holders of any preferred shares. However, holders of Class A Common Stock have

1/20th

one

vote per share on all matters requiring a shareholder vote, while holders of Class B Common Stock have

one

full vote per share.

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing operations (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	2016		2015		2014

Numerator-
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share -
Net income available to common shareholders	$	40,582	$	66,053	$	79,957
Denominator-
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares		39,938		40,271		39,783
Effect of dilutive securities-
Employee and director stock options and restricted share awards		665		822		1,111
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions		40,603		41,093		40,894
Basic earnings per common share	$	1.02	$	1.64	$	2.01
Diluted earnings per common share and common share equivalents	$	1.00	$	1.61	$	1.96

Options to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding for the years ended

December

31,

2016,

2015

and

2014

that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive are as follows (in thousands):

		2016				2015				2014
Anti-dilutive options – weighted average			2,043				1,186				482

Note 13 - Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

13.

INCOME TAXES

Provision for Income Taxes

The tax provisions are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014

Current provision-
Federal	$	15,236	$	7,513	$	21,826
State		2,300		2,592		3,531

		17,536		10,105		25,357

Deferred provision-
Federal		8,260		29,561		23,243
State		71		2,084		1,986

		8,331		31,645		25,229

Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	25,867	$	41,750	$	50,586

A reconciliation of taxes based on the federal statutory rates and the provisions (benefits) for income taxes are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014

Income taxes at the federal statutory rate	$	23,255	$	37,733	$	45,691
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		1,552		3,053		3,398
Tax effect of permanent differences		887		959		1,069
Other, net		173		5		428

Provision for income taxes	$	25,867	$	41,750	$	50,586

The components of income taxes recorded in other comprehensive income and paid in capital consisted of the following (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Income tax expense (benefit) related to components of other comprehensive income:
Change in fair value of cash flow swaps	$	−	$	92	$	308
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities		13		7		166
Total	$	13	$	99	$	474

Paid in capital – stock based compensation	$	294	$	337	$	(5,207	)

The following summarizes the components of net deferred income tax liabilities included in the balance sheet (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016			2015
Deferred income tax (assets) liabilities:
Inventory	$	(5,074	)	$	(6,039	)
Accounts receivable		(203	)		(187	)
Capital lease obligations		(31,263	)		(30,993	)
Stock options		(11,655	)		(10,719	)
Accrued liabilities		(3,610	)		(3,685	)
State net operating loss carry forward		(1,921	)		(1,570	)
State tax credit		(380	)		(382	)
Other		(5,170	)		(2,606	)
Difference between book and tax basis- Depreciation and amortization		256,352			244,716
		197,076			188,535
Valuation allowance		255			452

Net deferred income tax liability	$	197,331		$	188,987

December

31,

2016,

the Company had approximately

$44.6

million in state net operating loss carry forwards that expire from

2016

through

2036.

The Company has a valuation allowance of

$255,000

associated with state net operating losses. The valuation allowance decreased by

$197,000

due to uncertainty regarding the ability to utilize the losses.

The Company had unrecognized income tax benefits totaling

$2.4

million as a component of accrued liabilities at

December

31,

2016,

and

$2.3

million at

December

31,

2015,

the total of which, if recognized, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. An unfavorable settlement would require a charge to income tax expense and a favorable resolution would be recognized as a reduction to income tax expense. The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. During the years ended

December

31,

2016,

2015

and

2014,

the Company recognized approximately

$34,800,

$11,600,

and

$17,500

in interest. No amounts were accrued for penalties. The Company had approximately

$145,000,

$110,100

and

$98,500

for the payment of interest accrued at

December

31,

2016,

2015

and

2014,

respectively.

The Company does not anticipate a significant change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next

months. As of

December

31,

2016,

the tax years ended

December

31,

2013

through

2016

remained subject to audit by federal tax authorities and the tax years ended

December

31,

2012

through

2016,

remained subject to audit by state tax authorities.

A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	2016			2015			2014
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period	$	2,332		$	2,087		$	1,545
Gross increases – tax positions in current year		429			692			815
Gross increases – tax positions in a prior year					−			−
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations		(360	)		(447	)		(273	)
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period	$	2,401		$	2,332		$	2,087

Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES : From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation arising out of its operations in the ordinary course of business. The Company maintains liability insurance, including product liability coverage, in amounts deemed adequate by management. To date, aggregate costs to the Company for claims, including product liability actions, have not been material. However, an uninsured or partially insured claim, or claim for which indemnification is not available, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The Company believes that there are no claims or litigation pending, the outcome of which could have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations. However, due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, there can be no assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations for the fiscal period in which such resolution occurred. The Company has purchase obligations of approximately $8.1 million at December 31, 2016 related to the Company’s construction contracts for a facility in Houston, Texas and a real estate purchase agreement for Las Vegas, Nevada. The Company also has contractual obligations of $14.9 million with IBM for management services related to the Company’s SAP enterprise software and dealership management system and SAP America, Inc. with respect to the Software License Agreement for the SAP enterprise software and dealership management system.

Note 15 - Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

15.

ACQUISITIONS

All of the following acquisitions, unless otherwise noted, were considered business combinations accounted for under ASC

805

“Business Combinations.” Pro forma information is not included in accordance with ASC

805

since no acquisitions were considered material individually or in the aggregate.

May

27,

2016,

we acquired certain assets of Transwest Truck Center Las Vegas, LLC, which included a Ford truck franchise in Las Vegas, Nevada

. The transaction was valued at approximately

$0.8

million, with the purchase price paid in cash.

September

28,

2015,

in connection with the divestiture of the Company’s Peterbilt dealership in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Company acquired certain assets of Peterbilt of Las Vegas, Inc., which operated a commercial vehicle dealership in Las Vegas, Nevada. This location is operating as a Rush Truck Center and is a full-service Peterbilt dealership. The acquisition also included a PacLease commercial vehicle rental and leasing business. The dealership swap was a like-kind exchange for tax purposes and enabled the Company to be consistent with its strategy of not having dealerships representing multiple Class

manufacturers in the same market as the Company continues to operate a facility representing International, Hino and Isuzu trucks in Charlotte. The sale price for the assets in Charlotte, North Carolina was approximately

$6.4

million, which was offset by floor plan and accounts payable of

$5.9

million.

The purchase price for the assets in Las Vegas, Nevada was approximately

$3.4

million, which was paid in cash. The operations of Peterbilt of Las Vegas, Inc. are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. The purchase price was allocated based on the fair values of the assets at the date of acquisition as follows (in thousands):

Property, equipment and capital lease assets	$	17,241
Inventory		3,662
Prepaid expenses		295
Other		37
Accrued expenses		(960	)
Capital lease obligations		(16,925	)

Total	$	3,350

July

27,

2015,

the Company acquired certain assets of Dallas Truck Center, Inc., which included real estate and used truck inventory, in Dallas, Texas

. This location is operating as Rig Tough Used Trucks, Dallas. The transaction was valued at approximately

$3.3

million, with the purchase price paid in cash.

Property	$	2,308
Inventory		949

Total	$	3,257

May

2015,

the Company acquired certain assets of Yancey Truck Centers, LLC, which operated commercial vehicle dealerships in Albany, Blackshear, Tifton, Valdosta, Augusta, Columbus and Macon, Georgia. Certain of these locations are operating as Rush Truck Centers and offer commercial vehicle sales, parts and service for International trucks. The acquisition also included an Idealease commercial vehicle rental and leasing business.

The purchase price for the assets, goodwill, franchise rights and dealership properties was approximately

$30.1

million, which was paid in cash. The operations of Yancey Truck Centers, LLC are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. The purchase price was allocated based on the fair values of the assets at the date of acquisition as follows (in thousands):

Goodwill	$	11,670
Property and equipment		11,316
Inventory		7,206
Other		85
Accrued expenses		(220	)

Total	$	30,057

All of the goodwill acquired in the Yancey Truck Centers, LLC

acquisition will be amortized over

years for tax purposes.

February

2015,

the Company acquired certain assets of Effingham Truck Sales, Inc. The acquisition included International commercial truck dealerships and an Idealease commercial vehicle rental and leasing business in Effingham and Mount Vernon, Illinois.

The purchase price for the assets, membership interests, goodwill, and dealership properties was approximately

$25.3

million, which was paid in cash. The operations of Effingham Truck Sales, Inc. are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. The purchase price was allocated based on the fair values of the assets at the date of acquisition as follows (in thousands):

Goodwill	$	9,159
Inventory		7,622
Property and equipment		7,090
Accounts receivable		1,306
Prepaid expenses		80
Other		4

Total	$	25,261

All of the goodwill acquired in the Effingham Truck Sales, Inc.

acquisition will be amortized over

years for tax purposes.

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

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Note 16 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]

16.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table shows the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss (in thousands):

	Cash Flow Swaps			Available for Sale Securities			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(143	)	$	(317	)	$	(460	)
Changes in fair value		235			19			254
Income tax expense		(92	)		(7	)		(99	)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	−		$	(305	)	$	(305	)
Reclassification of gain into income		−			32			32
Income tax expense		−			(13	)		(13	)
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	−		$	(286	)	$	(286	)

The following table shows the amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings (in thousands):

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Losses on cash flow swaps to:
Interest expense	$	−	$	(55	)	$	(196	)
Income tax benefit		−		21			76
Total reclassifications	$	−	$	(34	)	$	(120	)

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

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Note 17 - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]

17.

UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

(In thousands, except per share amounts.)

	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
201 6

Revenues	$	1,070,840	$	1,026,462	$	1,096,041	$	1,021,271
Gross profit		183,270		180,478		181,316		172,948
Operating income		8,181		21,572		27,588		23,387
Income before income taxes		3,942		17,809		24,303		20,395
Net income	$	2,395	$	10,817	$	14,880	$	12,490

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.06	$	0.27	$	0.38	$	0.32
Diluted	$	0.06	$	0.27	$	0.37	$	0.31

2015

Revenues	$	1,193,535	$	917,878	$	1,294,076	$	1,161,819
Gross profit		193,622		207,633		208,008		175,684
Operating income		30,329		35,560		36,030		19,357
Income before income taxes		27,388		31,962		32,462		15,991
Net income	$	16,781	$	19,576	$	19,883	$	9,813

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.42	$	0.49	$	0.49	$	0.24
Diluted	$	0.41	$	0.48	$	0.48	$	0.24

Note 18 - Segments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

18.

SEGMENTS

The Company currently has

one

reportable business segment - the Truck Segment. The Truck Segment includes the Company’s operation of a nationwide network of commercial vehicle dealerships that provide an integrated

one

-stop source for the commercial vehicle needs of its customers, including retail sales of new and used commercial vehicles; aftermarket parts, service and body shop facilities; and a wide array of financial services, including the financing of new and used commercial vehicle purchases, insurance products and truck leasing and rentals. The commercial vehicle dealerships are deemed a single reporting unit because they have similar economic characteristics. The Company’s chief operating decision maker considers the entire Truck Segment, not individual dealerships or departments within our dealerships, when making decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assessing its performance.

The Company also has revenues attributable to

three

other operating segments. These segments include a retail tire company, an insurance agency and a guest ranch operation and are included in the All Other column below. None of these segments has ever met any of the quantitative thresholds for determining reportable segments.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company evaluates performance based on income before income taxes, not including extraordinary items.

The Company accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to

third

parties, that is, at current market prices. There were no material intersegment sales during the years ended

December

31,

2016,

2015

2014.

The following table contains summarized information about reportable segment revenue, segment income or loss from continuing operations and segment assets for the periods ended

December

31,

2016,

2015

and

2014

(in thousands):

	Truck		All
	Segment		Other			Totals
201 6
Revenues from external customers	$	4,199,348	$	15,266		$	4,214,614
Interest income		621		–			621
Interest expense		14,740		160			14,900
Depreciation and amortization		50,771		490			51,261
Segment operating income		81,483		(756	)		80,728
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes		67,364		(915	)		66,449
Segment assets		2,570,016		33,031			2,603,047
Goodwill		287,631		2,560			290,191
Expenditures for segment assets		196,704		261			196,965

201 5
Revenues from external customers	$	4,964,642	$	15,091		$	4,979,733
Interest income		490		–			490
Interest expense		13,814		149			13,963
Depreciation and amortization		43,355		504			43,859
Segment operating income		122,907		(1,631	)		121,276
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes		109,583		(1,780	)		107,803
Segment assets		2,818,255		33,753			2,852,008
Goodwill		282,481		2,560			285,041
Expenditures for segment assets		367,482		308			367,790

201 4
Revenues from external customers	$	4,708,978	$	18,378		$	4,727,356
Interest income		239		–			239
Interest expense		11,278		159			11,437
Depreciation and amortization		40,283		503			40,786
Segment operating income		142,074		(333	)		141,741
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes		131,035		(492	)		130,543
Segment assets		2,646,018		29,857			2,675,875
Goodwill		262,585		2,560			265,145
Expenditures for segment assets		262,613		510			263,123

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Note 19 - Asset Impairment	12 Months Ended
Note 19 - Asset Impairment	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block]	19. ASSET IMPAIRMENT : During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company initiated a plan to sell its corporate aircraft and met all of the initial criteria of ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment” to classify the corporate asset as an asset held for sale. It was determined that the carrying value of the corporate aircraft was no longer recoverable, and the Company recognized a $3.4 million in pre-tax non-cash asset impairment charge during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. As a result, the Company adjusted the carrying value of its corporate aircraft to its estimated fair market value less costs to sell in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” The impairment loss is included in depreciation and amortization expense as of December 31, 2014, on the Consolidated Statements of Income. This aircraft was sold in connection with the purchase of a replacement aircraft in 2015 and no additional loss was incurred.

Note 20 - Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Note 20 - Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS : During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company entered into a loan agreement with CCTTS, a related party, that provides for advances up to $16.0 million to finance commercial vehicle inventory. Borrowings under this loan agreement bear interest at the three month LIBOR rate plus 4.0% and the interest is payable monthly. Amounts advanced under the loan agreement are due when the related commercial vehicle inventory is sold by the related party. The Company had a $10.2 million receivable under the loan agreement at December 31, 2016 and $10.6 million at December 31, 2015.

Note 21 - Restructuring Costs	12 Months Ended
Note 21 - Restructuring Costs	Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	21. RESTRUCTURING COSTS : During the first quarter of 2016, the Company instituted plans to consolidate its dealership network. The Company incurred pre-tax expense of approximately $9.0 million related to costs associated with the restructuring activities, including asset impairment charges. The restructuring costs included $3.2 million associated with impairment charges to certain fixed assets and the value of the real estate underlying the affected locations, which was reported in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. See Note 9 – Financial Instruments and Fair Value, for further discussion on the impairment charge related to the value of real estate in the affected locations. The restructuring costs also included $0.7 million associated with severance benefits for the reduction of approximately 100 employees, lease cancellation fees and contract termination costs that were reported as selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. In addition, the Company classified certain excess real estate as held for sale, which resulted in an impairment charge of $5.0 million that was reported in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for 2016. During the third and fourth quarters of 2016, the Company sold four of the properties with a fair value of $6.1 million. As of December 31, 2016, the remaining real estate associated with the dealership consolidation and owned by the Company and the Company’s excess real estate is included in assets held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The restructuring costs and the assets held for sale are reported under the Truck Segment.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Estimates in Financial Statements

may

differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents generally consist of cash and other money market instruments. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of

ninety

days or less to be cash equivalents.

Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy [Policy Text Block]

Allowance for Doubtful Receivables and Repossession Losses

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined by specific identification of new and used commercial vehicle inventory and by the

first

-in,

first

-out method for parts and accessories. An allowance is provided when it is anticipated that cost will exceed net realizable value less a reasonable profit margin.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment

$353,000

related to major capital projects during

2016.

The cost, accumulated depreciation and amortization and estimated useful lives are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	2016			2015			Estimated Life (Years)
Land	$	126,123		$	134,246			-
Buildings and improvements		377,070			313,706		10	-	39
Leasehold improvements		26,925			28,149		2	-	39
Machinery and shop equipment		67,558			59,455		5	-	20
Furniture, fixtures and computers		73,912			74,201		3	-	15
Transportation equipment		73,156			74,761		2	-	15
Lease and rental vehicles		832,661			825,787		2	-	8
Construction in progress		11,921			66,338
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(453,521	)		(403,819	)

Total	$	1,135,805		$	1,172,824

The Company recorded depreciation expense of

$140.6

million and amortization expense of

$17.0

million for the year ended

December

31,

2016,

and depreciation expense of

$131.8

million and amortization expense of

$13.1

million for the year ended

December

31,

2015.

As of

December

31,

2016,

the Company had

$81.5

million in lease and rental vehicles under various capital leases included in property and equipment, net of accumulated amortization of

$28.7

million. The Company recorded depreciation and amortization expense of

$106.3

million related to lease and rental vehicles in lease and rental cost of products sold for the year ended

December

31,

2016

and

$101.1

million for the year ended

December

31,

2015.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill

fourth

second

step is required to measure the goodwill impairment loss. The

second

impairment write down was required in the

fourth

quarter of

2016.

However, the Company cannot predict the occurrence of certain events that might adversely affect the reported value of goodwill in the future.

The following table sets forth the change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the Company for the years ended

December

31,

2016

and

2015

(in thousands):

Balance December 31, 2014	$	265,145
Acquisitions and adjustments		19,896
Balance December 31, 2015		285,041
Acquisitions and adjustments		5,150
Balance December 31, 2016	$	290,191

Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Assets

The total capitalized costs of the Company’s SAP enterprise software and SAP dealership management system of

$33.0

million, including capitalized interest, are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Other Assets, net of accumulated amortization of

$16.5

million. The SAP software is being amortized over a period of

years.

Amortization expense relating to the SAP software, which is recognized in depreciation and amortization expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income,

was

$3.4

million

for the year ended

December

31,

2016

$3.3

million

for the year ended

December

31,

2015

, and

$3.2

million

for the year ended

December

31,

2014

. The Company estimates that amortization expense relating to the SAP software will be approximately

$3.4

million for each of the next

five

succeeding years.

The carrying value of the Company’s manufacturer franchise rights was

$7.0

million at

December

31,

2016,

and

$7.9

million at

December

31,

2015,

not amortize manufacturer franchise rights.

Management reviews indefinite-lived manufacturer franchise rights for impairment annually during the

fourth

quarter, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that an impairment

may

impairment write down was required in the

fourth

quarter of

2016.

The Company cannot predict the occurrence of certain events that might adversely affect the reported value of manufacturer franchise rights in the future.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

may

Additionally, despite the Company’s belief that its tax return positions are consistent with applicable tax law, management expects that certain positions

may

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition Policies

third

Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cost of Sales

Sales Taxes, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Taxes Assessed by a Governmental Authority

The Company accounts for sales taxes assessed by a governmental authority, that are directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction, on a net (excluded from revenues) basis.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock Based Compensation

The Company applies the provisions of

ASC topic

718

10,

may

not provide an accurate measure of the fair value that value

may

not be indicative of the fair value observed in a market transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller.

	2016			2015			2014
Expected stock volatility		35.63	%		40.90	%		51.51	%
Weighted-average stock volatility		35.63	%		40.90	%		51.51	%
Expected dividend yield		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%
Risk-free interest rate		1.64	%		1.74	%		2.14	%
Expected life (years)		6.0			6.0			6.5
Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted	$	6.54		$	11.27		$	15.86

The Company computes its historical stock price volatility in accordance with ASC topic

718

10.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising and marketing expense was

$6.8

million for

2016,

$8.8

million for

2015

and

$8.7

million for

2014.

Advertising and marketing expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense.

Internal Use Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounting for Internal Use Software

The Company’s accounting policy with respect to accounting for computer software developed or obtained for internal use is consistent with ASC topic

350

40,

$33.0

million at

December

31,

2016,

net of accumulated amortization of

$16.5

million, and had

$36.1

million, net of accumulated amortization of

$13.4

million at

December

31,

2015.

Unpaid Policy Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Insurance

third

-party administrators to calculate an accrual for claims incurred, but not reported, and for the remaining portion of claims that have been reported.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

From

2012

until

2015,

December

31,

2016

and

December

31,

2015,

the Company did

not

have any outstanding interest rate swap contracts.

Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value Measurements

The Company has various financial instruments that it must measure at fair value on a recurring basis, including certain available for sale securities and derivatives. See

Note

three

levels of the fair value hierarchy:

Level

inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level

Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Acquisitions

one

first,

any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Consolidated Statements of Income.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Pronouncements

March

2016,

the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No.

2016

09,

“

Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic

718),

January

2017.

The Company does not expect the adoption to materially impact its consolidated financial statements.

February

2016,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2016

02,

“

Leases (Topic

842),

December

15,

2018,

May

2014,

the FASB issued ASU No.

2014

09,

“

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

(Topic

606)

,” which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU

2014

is based on principles that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled to when products are transferred to customers. ASU

2014

will be effective for the Company beginning in its

first

quarter of

2018,

and early adoption is permitted. The ASU provides

two

Subsequently, the FASB issued the following standards related to ASU

2014

09:

ASU No.

2016

08,

“

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606):

Principal versus Agent Considerations”

; ASU No.

2016

10,

“

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606):

Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing

”; and ASU No.

2016

12,

“

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic

606):

Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients.”

The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 on

January

2018.

2016,

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

	2016			2015			Estimated Life (Years)
Land	$	126,123		$	134,246			-
Buildings and improvements		377,070			313,706		10	-	39
Leasehold improvements		26,925			28,149		2	-	39
Machinery and shop equipment		67,558			59,455		5	-	20
Furniture, fixtures and computers		73,912			74,201		3	-	15
Transportation equipment		73,156			74,761		2	-	15
Lease and rental vehicles		832,661			825,787		2	-	8
Construction in progress		11,921			66,338
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(453,521	)		(403,819	)

Total	$	1,135,805		$	1,172,824

Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]

Balance December 31, 2014	$	265,145
Acquisitions and adjustments		19,896
Balance December 31, 2015		285,041
Acquisitions and adjustments		5,150
Balance December 31, 2016	$	290,191

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

	2016			2015			2014
Expected stock volatility		35.63	%		40.90	%		51.51	%
Weighted-average stock volatility		35.63	%		40.90	%		51.51	%
Expected dividend yield		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%
Risk-free interest rate		1.64	%		1.74	%		2.14	%
Expected life (years)		6.0			6.0			6.5
Weighted-average fair value of stock options granted	$	6.54		$	11.27		$	15.86

Note 3 - Supplier Concentration (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Major Suppliers and Dealership Agreements [Table Text Block]

Manufacturer		Expiration Dates
Peterbilt		May 2017 through March 2019
International		December 2017 through March 2021
Isuzu		Indefinite
Hino		Indefinite
Ford		Indefinite
Blue Bird		July 2017
IC Bus		December 2017 through March 2021

Note 4 - Accounts Receivable (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2016			2015

Trade accounts receivable from sale of vehicles	$	83,482		$	76,601
Trade receivables other than vehicles		42,876			43,916
Warranty claims		8,095			8,261
Other accounts receivable		22,409			28,810
Less allowance for bad debt and warranty claims		(663	)		(611	)

Total	$	156,199		$	156,977

Note 5 - Inventories (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2016			2015

New commercial vehicles	$	575,879		$	770,861
Used commercial vehicles		71,429			86,960
Parts and accessories		187,419			201,868
Other		15,564			15,341
Less allowance		(9,987	)		(13,832	)

Total	$	840,304		$	1,061,198

Note 6 - Valuation Accounts (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Summary of Valuation Allowance [Table Text Block]

	Balance Beginning of Year		Net Charged to Costs and Expenses		Net Write- Offs			Balance End of Year

2016
Reserve for accounts receivable	$	506	$	1,415	$	(1,372	)	$	549
Reserve for warranty receivables		105		833		(824	)		114
Reserve for parts inventory		7,291		3,400		(5,806	)		4,885
Reserve for commercial vehicle inventory		6,541		9,623		(11,062	)		5,102

2015
Reserve for accounts receivable	$	639	$	992	$	(1,125	)	$	506
Reserve for warranty receivables		140		1,677		(1,712	)		105
Reserve for parts inventory		5,067		4,215		(1,991	)		7,291
Reserve for commercial vehicle inventory		10,644		8,417		(12,520	)		6,541

2014
Reserve for accounts receivable	$	821	$	919	$	(1,101	)	$	639
Reserve for warranty receivables		419		411		(690	)		140
Reserve for parts inventory		4,416		2,547		(1,896	)		5,067
Reserve for commercial vehicle inventory		7,395		7,877		(4,628	)		10,644

Note 7 - Floor Plan Notes Payable and Lines of Credit (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Assets Pledged As Collateral [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Inventories, new and used vehicles at cost based on specific identification, net of allowance	$	642,205	$	851,280
Vehicle sale related accounts receivable		83,482		76,601

Total	$	725,687	$	927,881

Floor plan notes payable related to vehicles	$	646,945	$	854,758

Note 8 - Long Term Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2016			2015

Variable interest rate term notes	$	107,894		$	127,508
Fixed interest rate term notes		495,326			520,247

Total debt		603,220			647,755

Less: current maturities		(130,717	)		(151,024	)

Total long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	472,503		$	496,731

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]

2017		130,717
2018		125,226
2019		123,353
2020		118,913
2021		59,567
Thereafter		45,444

Total	$	603,220

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 3
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
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Note 9 - Financial Instruments and Fair Value (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]

	At December 31, 2016						At December 31, 2015
	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs
Investment in auction rate securities		-		-	$	6,231		-		-	$	6,650

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	C ost Basis Amount		Gross Unrealized Loss In Accumulated OCI		Fair Value
December 31, 201 6
Investment in auction rate securities	$	6,700	$	469	$	6,231

December 31, 201 5
Investment in auction rate securities	$	7,150	$	500	$	6,650

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]

Gain (Loss) Recognized in
OCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)
during the

Year

Ended

Location of Loss

Loss Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
during the

Year

Ended

December 31,

201

December 31,

201

Reclassified into
Income

December 31,

201

December 31,

201

Interest rate swaps

−

235

Interest Expense

−

(55

)

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

Description		Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs December 31 , 2016				Loss D uring the Year Ended December 31, 2016
Long-lived assets held for sale		$	13,955			$	(7,481	)

Note 10 - Leasing Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases and Operating Leases [Table Text Block]

	Capital Leases			Operating Leases
2017	$	17,029		$	819
2018		17,657			672
2019		18,264			602
2020		16,977			342
2021		10,936			342
Thereafter		11,659			190

Total minimum lease payments	$	92,522		$	2,967
Less amount representing interest		(8,029	)
Present value of net minimum capital lease payments		84,493
Less current portion		(14,449	)
Obligations under capital leases less current portion	$	70,044

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Receivable for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]

2017	$	121,335
2018		103,092
2019		81,532
2020		58,660
2021		34,083
Thereafter		17,257

Total	$	415,959

Operating Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Table Text Block]

2017	$	8,180
2018		6,341
2019		4,639
2020		3,404
2021		1,899
Thereafter		16,336

Total	$	40,799

Tabular disclosure of a lessee's leasing arrangements including: (1) the basis on which contingent rental payments are determined, (2) the existence and terms of renewal or purchase options and escalation clauses, (3) restrictions imposed by lease arrangements, such as those concerning dividends, additional debt, and further leasing, (4) rent holidays, rent concessions, or leasehold improvement incentives and unusual provisions or conditions. Disclosure may also include the specific period used to amortize material leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease or during the lease term. Additionally, for operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year: (a) future minimum rental payments required as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, in the aggregate and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) the total of minimum rentals to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, and (c) for all operating leases, rental expense for each period for which an income statement is presented, with separate amounts for minimum rentals, contingent rentals, and sublease rentals. Rental payments under leases with terms of a month or less that were not renewed need not be included.

Note 11 - Share Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
				Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Options	Shares			Price		Life (in Years)		Value

Balance of Outstanding Options at January 1, 2016		3,475,115		$	20.95
Granted		493,088			17.65
Exercised		(466,877	)		13.82
Forfeited		(11,500	)		25.55
Balance of Outstanding Options at December 31, 2016		3,489,826		$	21.42		5.86	$	36,573,365
Expected to vest after December 31, 2016		1,823,896		$	24.79		7.63	$	12,969,933
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2016		1,608,248		$	17.48		3.80	$	23,198,547

Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]

				Weighted
				Average
	Number of			Grant Date
Non-vested Shares	Shares			Fair Value

Non-vested at January 1, 2016		1,919,873		$	12.30
Granted		493,088			6.54
Vested		(527,883	)		10.56
Forfeited		(3,500	)		9.24

Non-vested at December 31, 2016		1,881,578		$	11.28

Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]

				Weighted
				Average				Weighted
				Remaining		Aggregate		Average
				Contractual		Intrinsic		Grant Date
Stock Awards and Units	Shares			Life (in Years)		Value		Fair Value

Outstanding Non-vested shares at January 1, 2016		483,335						$	24.73
Granted		268,890							17.57
Vested		(233,052	)						24.32
Forfeited		−							−

Outstanding Non-vested at December 31, 2016		519,173			8.6	$	16,561,618	$	21.21

Expected to vest after December 31, 2016		516,649			8.6	$	16,481,103

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	2016		2015		2014

Numerator-
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share -
Net income available to common shareholders	$	40,582	$	66,053	$	79,957
Denominator-
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares		39,938		40,271		39,783
Effect of dilutive securities-
Employee and director stock options and restricted share awards		665		822		1,111
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions		40,603		41,093		40,894
Basic earnings per common share	$	1.02	$	1.64	$	2.01
Diluted earnings per common share and common share equivalents	$	1.00	$	1.61	$	1.96

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block]

		2016				2015				2014
Anti-dilutive options – weighted average			2,043				1,186				482

Note 13 - Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014

Current provision-
Federal	$	15,236	$	7,513	$	21,826
State		2,300		2,592		3,531

		17,536		10,105		25,357

Deferred provision-
Federal		8,260		29,561		23,243
State		71		2,084		1,986

		8,331		31,645		25,229

Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	25,867	$	41,750	$	50,586

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014

Income taxes at the federal statutory rate	$	23,255	$	37,733	$	45,691
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		1,552		3,053		3,398
Tax effect of permanent differences		887		959		1,069
Other, net		173		5		428

Provision for income taxes	$	25,867	$	41,750	$	50,586

Schedule of Income Taxes Related to Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Income tax expense (benefit) related to components of other comprehensive income:
Change in fair value of cash flow swaps	$	−	$	92	$	308
Change in fair value of available-for-sale securities		13		7		166
Total	$	13	$	99	$	474

Paid in capital – stock based compensation	$	294	$	337	$	(5,207	)

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	December 31,
	2016			2015
Deferred income tax (assets) liabilities:
Inventory	$	(5,074	)	$	(6,039	)
Accounts receivable		(203	)		(187	)
Capital lease obligations		(31,263	)		(30,993	)
Stock options		(11,655	)		(10,719	)
Accrued liabilities		(3,610	)		(3,685	)
State net operating loss carry forward		(1,921	)		(1,570	)
State tax credit		(380	)		(382	)
Other		(5,170	)		(2,606	)
Difference between book and tax basis- Depreciation and amortization		256,352			244,716
		197,076			188,535
Valuation allowance		255			452

Net deferred income tax liability	$	197,331		$	188,987

Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]

	2016			2015			2014
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period	$	2,332		$	2,087		$	1,545
Gross increases – tax positions in current year		429			692			815
Gross increases – tax positions in a prior year					−			−
Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations		(360	)		(447	)		(273	)
Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period	$	2,401		$	2,332		$	2,087

Note 15 - Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]

Property, equipment and capital lease assets	$	17,241
Inventory		3,662
Prepaid expenses		295
Other		37
Accrued expenses		(960	)
Capital lease obligations		(16,925	)

Total	$	3,350

Property	$	2,308
Inventory		949

Total	$	3,257

Goodwill	$	11,670
Property and equipment		11,316
Inventory		7,206
Other		85
Accrued expenses		(220	)

Total	$	30,057

Goodwill	$	9,159
Inventory		7,622
Property and equipment		7,090
Accounts receivable		1,306
Prepaid expenses		80
Other		4

Total	$	25,261

Note 16 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

	Cash Flow Swaps			Available for Sale Securities			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	(143	)	$	(317	)	$	(460	)
Changes in fair value		235			19			254
Income tax expense		(92	)		(7	)		(99	)
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$	−		$	(305	)	$	(305	)
Reclassification of gain into income		−			32			32
Income tax expense		−			(13	)		(13	)
Balance as of December 31, 2016	$	−		$	(286	)	$	(286	)

Reclassifications [Member]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

	Year Ended
	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Losses on cash flow swaps to:
Interest expense	$	−	$	(55	)	$	(196	)
Income tax benefit		−		21			76
Total reclassifications	$	−	$	(34	)	$	(120	)

Note 17 - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
201 6

Revenues	$	1,070,840	$	1,026,462	$	1,096,041	$	1,021,271
Gross profit		183,270		180,478		181,316		172,948
Operating income		8,181		21,572		27,588		23,387
Income before income taxes		3,942		17,809		24,303		20,395
Net income	$	2,395	$	10,817	$	14,880	$	12,490

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.06	$	0.27	$	0.38	$	0.32
Diluted	$	0.06	$	0.27	$	0.37	$	0.31

2015

Revenues	$	1,193,535	$	917,878	$	1,294,076	$	1,161,819
Gross profit		193,622		207,633		208,008		175,684
Operating income		30,329		35,560		36,030		19,357
Income before income taxes		27,388		31,962		32,462		15,991
Net income	$	16,781	$	19,576	$	19,883	$	9,813

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.42	$	0.49	$	0.49	$	0.24
Diluted	$	0.41	$	0.48	$	0.48	$	0.24

Note 18 - Segments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

	Truck		All
	Segment		Other			Totals
201 6
Revenues from external customers	$	4,199,348	$	15,266		$	4,214,614
Interest income		621		–			621
Interest expense		14,740		160			14,900
Depreciation and amortization		50,771		490			51,261
Segment operating income		81,483		(756	)		80,728
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes		67,364		(915	)		66,449
Segment assets		2,570,016		33,031			2,603,047
Goodwill		287,631		2,560			290,191
Expenditures for segment assets		196,704		261			196,965

201 5
Revenues from external customers	$	4,964,642	$	15,091		$	4,979,733
Interest income		490		–			490
Interest expense		13,814		149			13,963
Depreciation and amortization		43,355		504			43,859
Segment operating income		122,907		(1,631	)		121,276
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes		109,583		(1,780	)		107,803
Segment assets		2,818,255		33,753			2,852,008
Goodwill		282,481		2,560			285,041
Expenditures for segment assets		367,482		308			367,790

201 4
Revenues from external customers	$	4,708,978	$	18,378		$	4,727,356
Interest income		239		–			239
Interest expense		11,278		159			11,437
Depreciation and amortization		40,283		503			40,786
Segment operating income		142,074		(333	)		141,741
Segment income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes		131,035		(492	)		130,543
Segment assets		2,646,018		29,857			2,675,875
Goodwill		262,585		2,560			265,145
Expenditures for segment assets		262,613		510			263,123

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Depreciation		$ 140,600,000	$ 131,800,000
Amortization		17,000,000	13,100,000
Capitalized Computer Software, Net	$ 33,000,000	33,000,000	36,100,000
Capitalized Computer Software, Accumulated Amortization	16,500,000	16,500,000	13,400,000
Indefinite-Lived Franchise Rights	7,000,000	7,000,000	7,900,000
Advertising Expense		6,800,000	8,800,000	$ 8,700,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	3,400,000	3,400,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	0	0	0
Vehicles [Member]
Depreciation		106,300,000	101,100,000
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Other Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net	81,500,000	81,500,000
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Property, Plant, and Equipment Other, Accumulated Depreciation	28,700,000	28,700,000
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Interest Costs Capitalized		$ 353,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		15 years
Amortization of Intangible Assets		$ 3,400,000	$ 3,300,000	$ 3,200,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	3,400,000	3,400,000
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	3,400,000	3,400,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	3,400,000	3,400,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	$ 3,400,000	$ 3,400,000

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 453,521	$ 403,819
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(453,521)	(403,819)
Total	1,135,805	1,172,824
Land [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	126,123	134,246
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(126,123)	(134,246)
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	377,070	313,706
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ (377,070)	$ (313,706)
Building and Building Improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)	10 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)		39 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 26,925	$ 28,149
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ (26,925)	$ (28,149)
Leasehold Improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)	2 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)		39 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 67,558	$ 59,455
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ (67,558)	$ (59,455)
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)	5 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)		20 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 73,912	$ 74,201
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ (73,912)	$ (74,201)
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)	3 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)		15 years
Transportation Equipment [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 73,156	$ 74,761
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ (73,156)	$ (74,761)
Transportation Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)	2 years
Transportation Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)		15 years
Vehicles [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 832,661	$ 825,787
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ (832,661)	$ (825,787)
Vehicles [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)	2 years
Vehicles [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Buildings and improvements (Year)		8 years
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 11,921	$ 66,338
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	$ (11,921)	$ (66,338)

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill, balance	$ 285,041	$ 265,145
Acquisitions and adjustments	5,150	19,896
Goodwill, balance	$ 290,191	$ 285,041

Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Assumption (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Expected stock volatility	35.63%	40.90%	51.51%
Weighted-average stock volatility	35.63%	40.90%	51.51%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.64%	1.74%	2.14%
Expected life (years) (Year)	6 years	6 years	6 years 182 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 6.54	$ 11.27	$ 15.86

Note 3 - Supplier Concentration (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
Note 3 - Supplier Concentration (Details Textual)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Product Concentration Risk [Member] \| Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	61.00%	59.60%	63.50%

Note 4 - Accounts Receivable - Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Warranty claims	$ 8,095	$ 8,261
Other accounts receivable	22,409	28,810
Less allowance for bad debt and warranty claims	(663)	(611)
Total	156,199	156,977
Trade Accounts Receivable From Sale of Vehicles [Member]
Trade receivables	83,482	76,601
Trade Receivable Other Than Vehicles [Member]
Trade receivables	$ 42,876	$ 43,916

Note 5 - Inventories - Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
New commercial vehicles	$ 575,879	$ 770,861
Used commercial vehicles	71,429	86,960
Parts and accessories	187,419	201,868
Other	15,564	15,341
Less allowance	(9,987)	(13,832)
Total	$ 840,304	$ 1,061,198

Note 6 - Valuation Accounts - Valuation and Allowance Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for Trade Receivables [Member]
Balance	$ 506	$ 639	$ 821
Net Charged to Costs and Expenses	1,415	992	919
Net Write-Offs	(1,372)	(1,125)	(1,101)
Balance End of Year	549	506	639
Allowance for Warranty Receivables From Manufacturers [Member]
Balance	105	140	419
Net Charged to Costs and Expenses	833	1,677	411
Net Write-Offs	(824)	(1,712)	(690)
Balance End of Year	114	105	140
Parts Inventory [Member]
Balance	7,291	5,067	4,416
Net Charged to Costs and Expenses	3,400	4,215	2,547
Net Write-Offs	(5,806)	(1,991)	(1,896)
Balance End of Year	4,885	7,291	5,067
Commercial Vehicle Inventory [Member]
Balance	6,541	10,644	7,395
Net Charged to Costs and Expenses	9,623	8,417	7,877
Net Write-Offs	(11,062)	(12,520)	(4,628)
Balance End of Year	$ 5,102	$ 6,541	$ 10,644

Note 7 - Floor Plan Notes Payable and Lines of Credit (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 17,500,000
Floor Plan Notes Payable	$ 646,945,000	$ 854,758,000
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	1.58%	1.47%
Line of Credit Amount Pledged to Secure Letters of Credit	$ 12,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	5,500,000
Long-term Line of Credit	0
BMO Harris Bank N.A. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 875,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	2.44%
Debt Instrument, Working Capital Fee Percentage	0.16%
Floor Plan Notes Payable	$ 548,100,000
BMO Harris Bank N.A. [Member] \| If Termination Occurs on or Before January 1, 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Prepayment Processing Fee, Percent	2.00%
BMO Harris Bank N.A. [Member] \| If Termination Occurs after January 1, 2018 and on or Prior to July 1, 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Prepayment Processing Fee, Percent	1.00%
BMO Harris Bank N.A. [Member] \| IfTermination Occurs after July 1, 2018 and Prior to June 30, 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Prepayment Processing Fee Amount	$ 500,000
BMO Harris Bank N.A. [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.51%
Ford Motor Financing Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	5.25%
Floor Plan Notes Payable	$ 66,400,000
Ford Motor Financing Agreement [Member] \| Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Debt Instrument, Variable Rate, Minimum Reference Rate	3.75%

Note 7 - Floor Plan Notes Payable and Lines of Credit - Assets Pledged as Collateral (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventories, new and used vehicles at cost based on specific identification, net of allowance	$ 642,205	$ 851,280
Vehicle sale related accounts receivable	83,482	76,601
Total	725,687	927,881
Floor Plan Notes Payable	$ 646,945	$ 854,758

Note 8 - Long Term Debt (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
Note 8 - Long Term Debt (Details Textual)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Minimum [Member]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate	2.30%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	2.75%
Minimum [Member] \| Variable Interest Rate Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 3,111
Minimum [Member] \| Fixed Interest Rate Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 255
Maximum [Member]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate	2.70%
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	7.61%
Maximum [Member] \| Variable Interest Rate Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 125,833
Maximum [Member] \| Fixed Interest Rate Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 27,607

Note 8 - Long Term Debt - Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Variable interest rate term notes	$ 107,894	$ 127,508
Fixed interest rate term notes	495,326	520,247
Total	603,220	647,755
Less: current maturities	(130,717)	(151,024)
Total long-term debt, net of current maturities	$ 472,503	$ 496,731

Note 8 - Long Term Debt - Debt Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
2017	$ 130,717
2018	125,226
2019	123,353
2020	118,913
2021	59,567
Thereafter	45,444
Total	$ 603,220	$ 647,755

Note 9 - Financial Instruments and Fair Value (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Asset Impairment Charges						$ 8,247,000			$ 1,000,000
Available-for-sale Debt Securities Gross Unrealized Gain								$ 427,000
Impairment of Real Estate						7,500,000
Number of Real Estate Properties Sold During Period					4
Real Estate Held-for-sale					$ 6,100,000	6,100,000
Auction Rate Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities					6,231,000	6,231,000	6,650,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis					$ 6,700,000	$ 6,700,000	$ 7,150,000
Auction Rate Securities Redeemed	$ 200,000	$ 250,000	$ 275,000	$ 150,000
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					2.25%	2.25%

Note 9 - Financial Instruments and Fair Value - Investment in Auction Rate Securities - Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 6,231	$ 6,650

Note 9 - Financial Instruments and Fair Value - Investment in Auction Rate Securities (Details) - Auction Rate Securities [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 6,700,000	$ 7,150,000
Gross unrealized loss in accumulated OCI	469,000	500,000
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 6,231,000	$ 6,650,000

Note 9 - Financial Instruments and Fair Value - Fair Values of Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest rate swaps	$ 14,900	$ 13,963	$ 11,437
Interest rate swaps	(14,900)	(13,963)	$ (11,437)
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Interest rate swaps		235
Interest rate swaps		55
Interest rate swaps		$ (55)

Note 9 - Financial Instruments and Fair Value - Pre-tax Effect of Interest Rate Swaps (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Long-lived assets held for sale, Fair value	$ 13,955
Long-lived assets held for sale, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	$ (7,481)

Note 10 - Leasing Activities (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 182,040,000	$ 176,891,000	$ 152,967,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Future Minimum Sublease Rentals	75,200,000
Land and Building [Member]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	10,300,000	11,800,000	12,800,000
Vehicle Leases as Lessee 1 [Member]
Guaranteed Residual Value Under Operating Lease Arrangements	500,000
Guaranteed Residual Value Under Capital Lease Arrangements	34,000,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	1,300,000	2,400,000	4,100,000
Vehicle Leases as Lessor [Member]
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Minimum Lease Revenue	182,100,000	175,000,000	154,800,000
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Contingent Revenue	27,800,000	27,400,000	$ 24,500,000
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Net	570,100,000	592,000,000
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Accumulated Depreciation	262,600,000	$ 233,800,000
Minimum [Member] \| Land and Building [Member]
Monthly Rental Payment Operating Lease	$ 275
Minimum [Member] \| Vehicle Leases as Lessee 1 [Member]
Lease Term	1 year
Minimum [Member] \| Vehicle Leases as Lessor [Member]
Lease Term	1 year
Maximum [Member] \| Land and Building [Member]
Monthly Rental Payment Operating Lease	$ 46,479
Maximum [Member] \| Vehicle Leases as Lessee 1 [Member]
Lease Term	10 years
Maximum [Member] \| Vehicle Leases as Lessor [Member]
Lease Term	10 years

Note 10 - Leasing Activities - Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital and Non-cancelable Vehicle Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
2017	$ 17,029
2017	819
2018	17,657
2018	672
2019	18,264
2019	602
2020	16,977
2020	342
2021	10,936
2021	342
Thereafter	11,659
Thereafter	190
Total minimum lease payments	92,522
Total minimum lease payments	2,967
Less amount representing interest	(8,029)
Present value of net minimum capital lease payments	84,493
Less current portion	(14,449)	$ (14,691)
Obligations under capital leases less current portion	$ 70,044	$ 69,074

Note 10 - Leasing Activities - Future Minimum Rental Receivable (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
2017	$ 121,335
2018	103,092
2019	81,532
2020	58,660
2021	34,083
Thereafter	17,257
Total	$ 415,959

Note 10 - Leasing Activities - Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Operating Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
2017	$ 819
2018	672
2019	602
2020	342
2021	342
Thereafter	190
Total	2,967
Land and Building [Member]
2017	8,180
2018	6,341
2019	4,639
2020	3,404
2021	1,899
Thereafter	16,336
Total	$ 40,799

Note 11 - Share Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans (Details Textual) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
	May 17, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May 20, 2014	May 18, 2010	May 16, 2006
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		493,088
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense		$ 12,900,000	$ 12,400,000	$ 11,300,000
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised		6,500,000	4,300,000	12,500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value		4,800,000	2,600,000	18,700,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value		$ 5,600,000	$ 5,100,000	$ 3,300,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 6.54	$ 11.27	$ 15.86
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$ 17.57	$ 24.75	$ 26.81
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized		$ 13,300,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		2 years 73 days
Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Vested Percentage		100.00%
Deferred Compensation Liability, Current		$ 7,200,000	$ 4,900,000
Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance		$ 6,800,000	4,800,000
Rush 401 Plan [Member]
Contribution Plan Period for Eligibility		90 days
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay		10.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		$ 6,500,000	$ 6,200,000	$ 5,200,000
Rush 401 Plan [Member] \| Highly Compensated Employees [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent		15.00%
Rush 401 Plan [Member] \| Employees with Less than Five Years of Service [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match		20.00%
Rush 401 Plan [Member] \| Employees with More Than Five Years of Service [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match		40.00%
Rush 401 Plan [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent		1.00%
Rush 401 Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent		50.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value		$ 5,700,000
Common Class A [Member]
Share Price		$ 31.90
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Purchase Price of Common Stock, Percent		85.00%
Maximum Fair Value for Employee Stock Purchase Per Year		$ 25,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized	500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		528,000
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance		1,400,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans		137,360	85,263
Number of Employees Eligible to Participate in Stock Purchase Plan		6,180
Number of Employees Participating in Stock Purchase Plan		1,011
The 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized							1,500,000
Reduction in Number of Shares Reserved for Issuance						1,000,000
Number of Shares Available for Purchase With Options by Nonemployee Director Each Year		20,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period		10 years
The 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		165,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized		500,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		27,038	26,460
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		493,088	485,838
The 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Shares Issued to Four Non-employee Directors [Member]
Issuance of Cash for Non-employee Director Compensation, Percent		40.00%
Issuance of Stock and Cash for Non-employee Director Compensation		$ 125,000
The 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Shares Issued to Three Non-employee Directors [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Quantity of Securities Issued			4,725
The 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Shares Issued to One Nonemployee Director [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Quantity of Securities Issued			3,780
Payment to Nonemployee Directors			$ 25,000
The 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Shares Issued to Three Non-employee Directors 2 [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
Issuance of Stock and Cash for Non-employee Director Compensation			$ 125,000
Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Quantity of Securities Issued			2,835
Payment to Nonemployee Directors			$ 50,000
The 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Shares Issued to Two Nonemployee Directors [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Quantity of Securities Issued		6,145
The 2006 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan [Member] \| Shares Issued to Four Non-employee Directors 2 [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
Issuance of Stock and Cash for Non-employee Director Compensation		$ 125,000
Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Quantity of Securities Issued		3,687
Payment to Nonemployee Directors		$ 50,000
Amended and Restated 2007 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period		10 years
Amended and Restated 2007 Incentive Plan [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		3 years
Amended and Restated 2007 Incentive Plan [Member] \| Common Class A [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		856,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized					6,050,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee		100,000
Amended and Restated 2007 Incentive Plan [Member] \| Common Class B [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		539,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized					1,450,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Number of Shares Per Employee		100,000
Amended and Restated 2007 Incentive Plan [Member] \| Common Class B [Member] \| Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		268,890	259,490
Every 6 Months [Member] \| Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Amount		$ 10,625

Note 11 - Share Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans - Stock Option (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Balance of Outstanding Options at January 1, 2016 (in shares) \| shares	3,475,115
Balance of Outstanding Options at January 1, 2016 (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 20.95
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross \| shares	493,088
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 17.65
Exercised (in shares) \| shares	(466,877)
Exercised (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 13.82
Forfeited (in shares) \| shares	(11,500)
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 25.55
Balance of Outstanding Options at December 31, 2016 (in shares) \| shares	3,489,826
Balance of Outstanding Options at December 31, 2016 (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 21.42
Balance of Outstanding Options at December 31, 2016 (Year)	5 years 313 days
Balance of Outstanding Options at December 31, 2016 \| $	$ 36,573,365
Expected to vest after December 31, 2016 (in shares) \| shares	1,823,896
Expected to vest after December 31, 2016 (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 24.79
Expected to vest after December 31, 2016 (Year)	7 years 229 days
Expected to vest after December 31, 2016 \| $	$ 12,969,933
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2016 (in shares) \| shares	1,608,248
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2016 (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 17.48
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2016 (Year)	3 years 292 days
Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2016 \| $	$ 23,198,547

Note 11 - Share Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans - Non-vested Options (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Non-vested at January 1, 2016 (in shares)	1,919,873
Non-vested at January 1, 2016 (in dollars per share)	$ 12.30
Granted (in shares)	493,088
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 6.54	$ 11.27	$ 15.86
Vested (in shares)	(527,883)
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 10.56
Forfeited (in shares)	(3,500)
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 9.24
Non-vested at December 31, 2016 (in shares)	1,881,578	1,919,873
Non-vested at December 31, 2016 (in dollars per share)	$ 11.28	$ 12.30

Note 11 - Share Based Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans - Non-vested Restricted Stock Awards and RSU's (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 17.57	$ 24.75	$ 26.81
Restricted Stock [Member]
Outstanding Non-vested shares at January 1, 2016 (in shares)	483,335
Outstanding Non-vested shares at January 1, 2016 (in dollars per share)	$ 24.73
Granted (in shares)	268,890
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 17.57
Vested (in shares)	(233,052)
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 24.32
Outstanding Non-vested at December 31, 2016 (in shares)	519,173	483,335
Outstanding Non-vested at December 31, 2016 (Year)	8 years 219 days
Outstanding Non-vested at December 31, 2016	$ 16,561,618
Outstanding Non-vested at December 31, 2016 (in dollars per share)	$ 21.21	$ 24.73
Expected to vest after December 31, 2016 (in shares)	516,649
Expected to vest after December 31, 2016 (Year)	8 years 219 days
Expected to vest after December 31, 2016	$ 16,481,103

Note 12 - Earnings Per Share (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
Note 12 - Earnings Per Share (Details Textual)	Dec. 31, 2016
Common Class A [Member]
Common Stock, Voting Rights	1/20th of one vote per share
Common Class B [Member]
Common Stock, Voting Rights	One full vote per share

Note 12- Earnings Per Share - Earnings Per Share Calculation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 40,582	$ 66,053	$ 79,957
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares (in shares)	39,938	40,271	39,783
Employee and director stock options and restricted share awards (in shares)	665	822	1,111
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	40,603	41,093	40,894
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 1.64	$ 2.01
Diluted earnings per common share and common share equivalents (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1.61	$ 1.96

The amount of net income (loss) from continuing operations per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

The amount of net income (loss) derived from continuing operations during the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.