| **Commitments and contingencies**            | 6 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           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| **Commitments and contingencies [Abstract]** | Â                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 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| Commitments and contingencies                | Commitments and contingenciesGuaranteesWe occasionally provide guarantees that could obligate us to make future payments if the primary entity fails to perform under its contractual obligations. We have recognized liabilities for some of these guarantees in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as they meet the recognition and measurement provisions of the guidance on guarantor’s accounting and disclosure requirements for guarantees including indirect guarantees of the indebtedness of others. In addition to the liabilities that have been recognized, we are contingently liable for other potential losses under various guarantees. We do not believe that claims that may be made under such guarantees would have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.For certain retail customer sales and leases financed by third parties, we are contingently liable for a portion of the residual values and share in credit losses, see Note 3, Finance Receivables.  In addition, for certain independent dealers’ wholesale inventory financed by third-party banks or finance companies, we provide limited repurchase agreements to the respective financing institution. The amount of losses related to these arrangements has not been material to our Consolidated Statements of Operations and the value of the guarantees and accruals recorded are not material to our Consolidated Balance Sheets.We also have issued limited residual value guarantees in connection with various leases financed by our financial services operations. The amounts of the guarantees are estimated and recorded as liabilities as of April 30, 2011. Our guarantees are contingent upon the fair value of the leased assets at the end of the lease term. The amount of losses related to these arrangements has not been material to our Consolidated Statements of Operations and the value of the guarantees and accruals recorded are not material to our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We obtain certain stand-by letters of credit and surety bonds from third-party financial institutions in the ordinary course of business when required under contracts or to satisfy insurance-related requirements. The amount of available stand-by letters of credit and surety bonds was $52 million at April 30, 2011.We extend credit commitments to certain truck fleet customers, which allow them to purchase parts and services from participating dealers. The participating dealers receive accelerated payments from us with the result that we carry the receivables and absorb the credit risk related to these customers. At April 30, 2011, we have $32 million of unused credit commitments outstanding under this program.In addition, as of April 30, 2011, we have entered into various purchase commitments of $142 million and contracts that have cancellation fees of $30 million with various expiration dates through 2017.In the ordinary course of business, we also provide routine indemnifications and other guarantees, the terms of which range in duration and often are not explicitly defined. We do not believe these will result in claims that would have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.The terms of the settlement agreement reached with Ford in 2009 require us to indemnify Ford with respect to intellectual property infringement claims, if any, that are brought against Ford or others that use the 6.0 liter or 6.4 liter engines on behalf of Ford. The maximum amount of future payments that we could potentially be required to pay under the indemnification would depend upon whether any such claims are alleged in the future and thus cannot currently be determined.Environmental LiabilitiesWe have been named a potentially responsible party (“PRP”), in conjunction with other parties, in a number of cases arising under an environmental protection law, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, popularly known as the “Superfund” law. These cases involve sites that allegedly received wastes from current or former Company locations. Based on information available to us which, in most cases, consists of data related to quantities and characteristics of material generated at current or former Company locations, material allegedly shipped by us to these disposal sites, as well as cost estimates from PRPs and/or federal or state regulatory agencies for the cleanup of these sites, a reasonable estimate is calculated of our share, if any, of the probable costs and accruals are recorded in our consolidated financial statements. These accruals are generally recognized no later than completion of the remedial feasibility study and are not discounted to their present value. We review all accruals on a regular basis and believe that, based on these calculations, our share of the potential additional costs for the cleanup of each site will not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.Three sites formerly owned by us, (i) Solar Turbines in San Diego, California, (ii) the Canton Plant in Canton, Illinois, and (iii) Wisconsin Steel in Chicago, Illinois, were identified as having soil and groundwater contamination. Two sites in Sao Paulo, Brazil, one where we are currently operating and another where we previously had operations, were identified as having soil and groundwater contamination. While investigations and cleanup activities continue at all other sites, we believe that we have adequate accruals to cover costs to complete the cleanup of these sites.We have accrued $21 million for these and other environmental matters that may arise, which are included within Other current liabilities and Other noncurrent liabilities, as of April 30, 2011. The majority of these accrued liabilities are expected to be paid subsequent to 2012.Along with other vehicle manufacturers, we have been subject to an increase in the number of asbestos-related claims in recent years. In general, these claims relate to illnesses alleged to have resulted from asbestos exposure from component parts found in older vehicles, although some cases relate to the alleged presence of asbestos in our facilities. In these claims, we are not the sole defendant, and the claims name as defendants numerous manufacturers and suppliers of a wide variety of products allegedly containing asbestos. We have strongly disputed these claims, and it has been our policy to defend against them vigorously. Historically, the actual damages paid out to claimants have not been material in any year to our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. It is possible that the number of these claims will continue to grow, and that the costs for resolving asbestos related claims could become significant in the future.Legal ProceedingsOverviewWe are subject to various claims arising in the ordinary course of business, and are party to various legal proceedings that constitute ordinary, routine litigation incidental to our business. The majority of these claims and proceedings relate to commercial, product liability, and warranty matters. In addition, from time to time we are subject to various claims and legal proceedings related to employee compensation, benefits, and benefits administration including, but not limited to, compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and Department of Labor requirements. In our opinion, apart from the actions set forth below, the disposition of these proceedings and claims, after taking into account recorded accruals and the availability and limits of our insurance coverage, will not have a material adverse effect on our business or our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.Litigation Relating to Accounting Controls and Financial RestatementIn December 2007, a complaint was filed against us by Norfolk County Retirement System and Brockton Contributory Retirement System (collectively “Norfolk”), which was subsequently amended in May 2008. In March 2008, an additional complaint was filed by Richard Garza (“Garza”), which was subsequently amended in October 2009. Both of these matters were filed in the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois.The plaintiffs in the Norfolk case allege they are shareholders suing on behalf of themselves and a class of other shareholders who purchased shares of our common stock between February 14, 2003 and July 17, 2006. The amended complaint alleges that the defendants, which include the Company, one of its executive officers, two of its former executive officers, and the Company’s former independent accountants, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), violated federal securities laws by making false and misleading statements about the Company’s financial condition during that period. In March 2008, the Court appointed Norfolk County Retirement System and the Plumbers Local Union 519 Pension Trust as joint lead plaintiffs. On July 7, 2008, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint based on the plaintiffs’ failure to plead any facts tending to show the defendants’ actual knowledge of the alleged false statements or that the plaintiffs suffered damages. Deloitte also filed a motion to dismiss on similar grounds. On July 28, 2009, the Court granted Deloitte’s motion to dismiss but denied the motion to dismiss as to all other defendants. The parties then engaged in discovery focused on class certification issues. As reported to the Court on November 4, 2010, the parties have entered into a tentative settlement to resolve the matter. Pursuant to the proposed settlement, the Company has agreed to cause $13 million to be paid to a settlement fund and, in return, plaintiffs would dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice and provide a release of all claims that relate in any manner to the allegations, facts or any other matter whatsoever set forth in or otherwise related, directly or indirectly to the allegations in the complaint. The proposed settlement agreement will also contain, among other provisions, a statement that each of the defendants has denied and continues to deny having committed or intended to commit any violations of law or any wrongdoing whatsoever, that each of the defendants does not make any admission of liability, and that defendants are entering into the settlement solely because it would eliminate the burden, risk and expense of further litigation and would fully and finally resolve all of the claims released by plaintiffs. The Company also reached an agreement with the insurer under its directors’ and officers’ insurance policy that includes a provision for the insurer to reimburse the Company for settlement costs attributable to the defendant directors and officers. On May 27, 2011, the Court entered an order finally approving the settlement and dismissing the case with prejudice.The plaintiff in the Garza case brought a derivative claim on behalf of the Company against one of the Company’s executive officers, two of its former executive officers, and certain of its directors, alleging that all of the defendants violated their fiduciary obligations under Delaware law by willfully ignoring certain accounting and financial reporting problems at the Company, thereby knowingly disseminating false and misleading financial information about the Company and certain of the defendants were unjustly enriched in connection with their sale of Company stock during the December 2002 to January 2006 period. On November 30, 2009, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint based on plaintiff’s failure to state a claim and based on plaintiff’s failure to make a demand on the Board of Directors. On August 20, 2010, the Court entered an order granting defendants’ motion to dismiss the amended complaint based on plaintiff’s failure to make a demand on the Board of Directors. On August 26, 2010, the Company received from plaintiff a letter demanding that the Board of Directors investigate the matters alleged in the plaintiff’s amended complaint. After plaintiff advised the Court that he did not intend to seek leave to file a second amended complaint, the Court entered final judgment of dismissal on September 15, 2010. In February 2011, a settlement agreement was reached with plaintiff whereby plaintiff agreed to withdraw his demand in consideration for an immaterial amount.Retiree Health Care LitigationIn April 2010, the UAW and others filed a “Motion of Plaintiffs Art Shy, UAW, et al for an Injunction to Compel Compliance with the 1993 Settlement Agreement” (the “Shy Motion”). The Shy Motion sought to enjoin the Company from implementing an administrative change relating to prescription drug benefits under a healthcare plan for Medicare eligible retirees (the “Part D Change”). Specifically, plaintiffs claimed that the Part D Change violates the terms of the 1993 Settlement Agreement previously approved by the Court. That 1993 Settlement Agreement resolved a class action originally filed in 1992 regarding the restructuring of the Company's then applicable retiree health care and life insurance benefits. The Part D Change was effective July 1, 2010, and made the Company's prescription drug coverage for post-65 retirees (“Plan 2” or “Medicare-eligible” retirees) supplemental to the coverage provided by Medicare. Plan 2 retirees now pay the premiums for Medicare Part D drug coverage. For drugs that are covered by Medicare Part D, Plan 2 supplements that coverage through a “buy down” of co-payments to the amounts in place prior to the Part D Change.On February 24, 2011, the Court ruled on the Shy Motion (the “February 2011 Order”). The February 2011 Order sustained Plaintiffs' argument that the Company did not have authority to unilaterally substitute Medicare Part D for the prescription drug benefit that the Plaintiffs had been receiving under the 1993 Settlement Agreement. However, the February 2011 Order denied as moot Plaintiffs' request for injunctive relief to prevent the Company from implementing the Part D Change because the change already had gone into effect. On February 28, 2011, the Company filed a notice of appeal concerning the February 2011 Order. In April 2011, pursuant to the Court's request, the parties submitted position papers regarding whether the Court should grant further relief pursuant to its February 2011 Order and, if so, what form such relief should take. In May 2010, the Company filed its Opposition to the Shy Motion. In June 2010, the Company filed a separate complaint in the Court relating to the 1993 Settlement Agreement (the “Complaint”). In the Complaint, the Company argues that it has not received the consideration that it was promised in the 1993 Settlement Agreement, specifically, that the Company's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (“APBO”) for health benefits would be permanently reduced to approximately $1 billion. The Company, therefore, seeks a declaration from the Court that it is not required to fund or provide retiree health benefits that would cause its APBO to exceed the approximate $1 billion amount provided in the 1993 Settlement Agreement. The Court has ordered and overseen settlement discussions between the parties relating to both the Part D Change and the Company's Complaint.  The parties continue settlement discussions, and a settlement conference with the Court is scheduled for June 10, 2011.  Both the briefing on Navistar's appeal of the February 2011 Order and the Court's consideration of further relief pursuant to that Order have been held in abeyance temporarily during the settlement discussions. The Company does not believe that the potential range of loss on this matter will have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements. FATMA NoticeInternational Indústria de Motores da América do Sul Ltda. (“IIAA”) formerly known as Maxion International Motores S/A (“Maxion”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, received a notice on July 15, 2010 from the State of Santa Catarina Environmental Protection Agency (“FATMA”) in Brazil. The notice alleged that Maxion had sent wastes to a facility owned and operated by a company known as Natureza and that soil and groundwater contamination had occurred at the Natureza facility. The notice asserted liability against Maxion and assessed an initial penalty in the amount of R$2 million (the equivalent of approximately US$1.3 million at April 30, 2011), which is not due and final until all administrative appeals are exhausted. Maxion was one of numerous companies that received similar notices. IIAA filed an administrative defense on August 3, 2010 and has not yet received a decision following that appearance. IIAA disputes the allegations in the notice and intends to vigorously defend itself.6.0 Liter Diesel Engine LitigationIn November 2010, Brandon Burns filed a putative class action lawsuit against Navistar, Inc. and Ford in federal court for the Southern District of California (the “Burns Action”). The Burns Action sought to certify a class of California owners and lessees of model year 2003-07 Ford vehicles powered by the 6.0L Power Stroke® engine that Navistar, Inc. previously supplied to Ford. Burns alleges that the engines in question have design and manufacturing defects. Burns asserted claims against Navistar, Inc. for negligent performance of contractual duty (related to Navistar's former contract with Ford), unfair competition, and unjust enrichment. For relief, the Burns Action sought dollar damages sufficient to remedy the alleged defects, compensate the alleged damages incurred by the proposed class, and compensate plaintiffs' counsel. The Burns Action also asked the Court to award punitive damages and restitution/disgorgement. After the Burns Action was filed, nineteen additional putative class action lawsuits making materially identical allegations against Navistar, Inc. were filed in federal courts across the country (the “Additional Actions” and, collectively with the Burns Action, the “6.0 L Diesel Engine Litigation”). The Additional Actions sought to certify in several different states classes similar to the proposed California class in the Burns Action. The theories of liability and relief sought in the Additional Actions were substantially similar to the Burns Action.  In December 2010, Navistar, Inc. filed a motion to dismiss the Burns Action. Burns filed a response on February 14, 2011, and Navistar, Inc. filed a reply on February 22, 2011. Navistar, Inc. has filed answers and affirmative defenses in six of the Additional Actions.  In April 2011, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred fifteen of the matters to the Northern District of Illinois for consolidated pre-trial proceedings, and “tag-along” notices were filed for the remaining Additional Actions so that they would likewise be transferred to the Northern District of Illinois. On May 18, 2011, all plaintiffs filed a voluntary Notice of Dismissal dismissing Navistar, Inc. without prejudice, leaving Ford as the only defendant in the 6.0L Diesel Engine Litigation. On May 20, 2011 9046-9478 Quebec Inc. ("Quebec") filed a motion to authorize the bringing of a class action against Navistar, Inc. and Navistar Canada, Inc. (collectively, "Navistar Defendants"), as well as Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited (collectively, "Ford Defendants") in Superior Court in Quebec, Canada (the "Quebec Action"). The Quebec Action seeks authorization to bring a claim on behalf of a class of Canadian owners and lessees of model year 2003-07 Ford vehicles powered by the 6.0L Power Stroke® engine that Navistar, Inc. previously supplied to Ford. Quebec alleged that the engines in question have design and manufacturing defects, and that Navistar Defendants and Ford Defendants are solidarily liable for those defects. For relief, the Quebec Action sought dollar damages sufficient to remedy the alleged defects, compensate the alleged damages incurred by the proposed class, and compensate plaintiffs' counsel. The Quebec Action also asked the Court to order Navistar Defendants and Ford Defendants to recall, repair, or replace the Ford vehicles at issue free of charge. The motion to authorize the bringing of the class action is noticed for presentment on August 2, 2011. We have also been made aware of the Kruse Technology Partnership vs. Ford Motor Company lawsuit filed against Ford regarding potential patent infringement of three patents in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. An amended complaint against Ford was filed by Kruse in August 2010. The amended complaint alleges that Ford has infringed the patents by sale or use of engines, such as the Power Stroke diesel engines. The general subject matter of the patents is pilot injection of fuel in the combustion cycle. Navistar formerly supplied Power Stroke diesel engines to Ford, although today Ford manufactures its own Power Stroke engines. In the Ford Navistar Settlement Agreement of January 9, 2009, Navistar agreed to indemnify Ford for claims of infringement based upon Ford's manufacture, sale or use of the 6.0 and 6.4 liter Power Stroke engines sold by Navistar to Ford. Ford has not requested Navistar to defend Ford at this time. The judge assigned to the Kruse Technology Partnership v. Ford Motor Company case has stayed the case pending resolution of a similar suit against Daimler Chrysler, Detroit Diesel, Freightliner, Western Star, Volkswagen, Cummins, and Chrysler Group.Lis Franco de Toledo, et. al. vs. Syntex do Brasil and MWMIn 1973 Syntex do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda. (“Syntex”), a predecessor of our Brazilian engine manufacturing subsidiary later known as MWM International Industria de Motores da America do Sul Ltda (“MWM”), filed a lawsuit against Dr. Lis Franco de Toledo and others (collectively, “Lis Franco”). Syntex claimed Lis Franco had improperly terminated a contract which provided for the transfer from Lis Franco to Syntex of a patent for the production of a certain vaccine. Lis Franco filed a counterclaim, alleging that he was entitled to royalties under the contract. In 1975, the Brazilian trial court ruled in favor of Lis Franco, a decision which was affirmed on appeal in 1976. In 1984, while the case was still pending, Syntex’ owner, Syntex Comercio e Participacoes Ltds (“Syntex Parent”) sold the stock of Syntex to the entity later known as MWM, and in connection with that sale Syntex Parent agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the entity later known as MWM for any and all liabilities of Syntex, including its prior pharmaceutical operations (which had been previously spun-off to another subsidiary wholly-owned by the Syntex Parent) and any payments that might be payable under the Lis Franco lawsuit. In the mid to late 1990s, Syntex Parent was merged with an entity now known as Wyeth Industrica Farmaceutica Ltds (“Wyeth”).In 1999, Lis Franco amended its pleadings to add MWM to the lawsuit as a defendant. In 2000, Wyeth acknowledged to the Brazilian court its sole responsibility for amounts due in the Lis Franco lawsuit and MWM asked the Court to be dismissed from that action. The judge denied that request. MWM appealed and lost.In his pleadings, Lis Franco alleges that the royalties payable to him were approximately R$42 million. MWM believed the appropriate amount payable was approximately R$16 million. In December 2009, the Court appointed expert responsible for the preparation of the royalty calculation filed a report with the Court indicating royalty damages of approximately R$70 million. MWM challenged the expert’s calculation. In August 2010, the Court asked the parties to consider the appointment of a new expert. MWM agreed with this request but Lis Franco objected and, in December 2010, the Court accepted and ratified the expert’s calculation as of May 30, 2010 in the amount of R$74 million (the equivalent of approximately US$47.1 million at April 30, 2011) and entered judgment against MWM. In May 2010, MWM filed a lawsuit against Wyeth seeking recognition that Wyeth is liable for any and all liabilities, costs, expenses, and payments related to the Lis Franco lawsuit. In September 2010, MWM filed a motion for clarification of the decision which would suspend the enforcement of the decision. The Court denied this motion and MWM appealed the matter to the State Court of Appeals. In January 2011, the State Court of Appeals granted the appeal and issued an injunction suspending the lower Court’s decision and judgment in favor of Lis Franco. The State Court of Appeals will now review the expert’s calculation criteria. In January 2011, MWM merged into IIAA and is now known as IIAA.Deloitte & Touche LLPIn April 2011, the Company filed a complaint against Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois County Department, Law Division for fraud, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, professional malpractice, negligence, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. The matters giving rise to the allegations contained in the complaint arise from Deloitte's service as the Company's independent auditor prior to April 2006 and the Company is seeking monetary damages against Deloitte. On May 25, 2011, Deloitte filed a Notice of Removal to remove the case to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.Westbrook v. Navistar. et. al.In April 2011, a False Claims Act qui tam complaint against Navistar, Inc.; Navistar Defense, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company; and unrelated third parties was unsealed by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.  The complaint was initially filed on August 13, 2010 by a qui tam relator on behalf of the federal government. The complaint alleged violations of the False Claims Act based on allegations that parts of vehicles delivered by Navistar Defense were not painted according to the contract specification, and of improper activities in dealing with one of the vendors who painted certain of the vehicle parts. The complaint seeks monetary damages and civil penalties on behalf of the federal government, as well as costs and expenses. The U.S. government has notified the court that it has declined to intervene at this time. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself in this action but has not yet been served with the complaint.Based on our assessment of the facts underlying the claims in the above action and the degree to which we intend to defend the Company in this matter, we are unable to provide meaningful quantification of how the final resolution of these claims may impact our future consolidated financial condition, results of operatio |

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Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
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Includes disclosure of commitments and contingencies. This element may be used as a single block of text to encapsulate the entire disclosure including data and tables.
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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 14 -Paragraph 3Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12
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