| **CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | Common stock [Member] | Additional paid-in capital [Member] | Retained earnings [Member] | Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Noncontrolling interests [Member] | Total   | Comprehensive income (loss) [Member] |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|---------|--------------------------------------|
| Balance at Dec. 31, 2008                                                                                      | $ 745                 | $ 0                                 | $ 2,803                    | $ (37)                                          | $ 61                              | $ 3,572 |                                 |
| Profit of Consolidated Companies                                                                              |                  |                                | 259                        |                                            | 16                                | 275     | 275                                  |
| Dividend paid to Cat Inc.                                                                                     |                  |                                |                       |                                            |                              | 0       |                                 |
| Foreign currency transalation, net of tax                                                                     |                  |                                |                       | 268                                             | 1                                 | 269     | 269                                  |
| Change in ownership for noncontrolling interests                                                              |                  | 2                                   |                       |                                            | (8)                               | (6)     | 0                                    |
| **Derivative financial instruments**                                                                          |                  |                                |                       |                                            |                              |    |                                 |
| Derivative financial instruments: Gains (losses) deferred, net of tax                                         |                  |                                |                       | (26)                                            |                              | (26)    | (26)                                 |
| Derivative financial instruments: (Gains) losses reclassified to earnings, net of tax                         |                  |                                |                       | 55                                              |                              | 55      | 55                                   |
| **Retained interests**                                                                                        |                  |                                |                       |                                            |                              |    |                                 |
| Retained interests: Gains (losses) deferred, net of tax                                                       |                  |                                |                       | (16)                                            |                              | (16)    | (16)                                 |
| Retained interests: (Gains) losses reclassified to earnings, net of tax                                       |                  |                                |                       | 20                                              |                              | 20      | 20                                   |
| Balance at Dec. 31, 2009                                                                                      | 745                   | 2                                   | 3,062                      | 264                                             | 70                                | 4,143   | 577                                  |
| Adjustment to adopt consolidation of variable-interest entities                                               |                  |                                | (6)                        | 3                                               |                              | (3)     |                                 |
| Profit of Consolidated Companies                                                                              |                  |                                | 278                        |                                            | 11                                | 289     | 289                                  |
| Dividend paid to Cat Inc.                                                                                     |                  |                                | (600)                      |                                            |                              | (600)   | 0                                    |
| Foreign currency transalation, net of tax                                                                     |                  |                                |                       | (77)                                            | 2                                 | (75)    | (75)                                 |
| **Derivative financial instruments**                                                                          |                  |                                |                       |                                            |                              |    |                                 |
| Derivative financial instruments: Gains (losses) deferred, net of tax                                         |                  |                                |                       | (6)                                             |                              | (6)     | (6)                                  |
| Derivative financial instruments: (Gains) losses reclassified to earnings, net of tax                         |                  |                                |                       | 33                                              |                              | 33      | 33                                   |
| Balance at Dec. 31, 2010                                                                                      | 745                   | 2                                   | 2,734                      | 217                                             | 83                                | 3,781   | 241                                  |
| Profit of Consolidated Companies                                                                              |                  |                                | 378                        |                                            | 15                                | 393     | 393                                  |
| Dividend paid to Cat Inc.                                                                                     |                  |                                | (600)                      |                                            |                              | (600)   | 0                                    |
| Foreign currency transalation, net of tax                                                                     |                  |                                |                       | (109)                                           | 4                                 | (105)   | (105)                                |
| Change in ownership for noncontrolling interests                                                              |                  |                                |                       |                                            | (7)                               | (7)     | 0                                    |
| **Derivative financial instruments**                                                                          |                  |                                |                       |                                            |                              |    |                                 |
| Derivative financial instruments: Gains (losses) deferred, net of tax                                         |                  |                                |                       | (1)                                             |                              | (1)     | (1)                                  |
| Derivative financial instruments: (Gains) losses reclassified to earnings, net of tax                         |                  |                                |                       | 9                                               |                              | 9       | 9                                    |
| Balance at Dec. 31, 2011                                                                                      | $ 745                 | $ 2                                 | $ 2,512                    | $ 116                                           | $ 95                              | $ 3,470 | $ 296                                |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Cumulative effect of initial adoption of consolidation of variable-interest entities guidance on retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Increase or decrease in noncontrolling interest balances due to change in ownership for noncontrolling interest.
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                               |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Change in accumulated gains and losses from retained interest, net of tax effect.
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Net of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from retained interests included in accumulated comprehensive income that was realized in net income during the period.
+ References
No definition available.
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents disclosure of the total aggregate cash dividends paid to the entity by consolidated subsidiaries, by unconsolidated subsidiaries, and by 50% or less owned persons accounted for using the equity method.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph b -Article 12Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 06 -Article 9
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|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity, net of tax.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 52 -Paragraph 13, 20, 31Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3)Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 24 -Subparagraph bReference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 14, 17, 19, 26
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Net of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive income that was realized in net income during the period.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 18, 19Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3)Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 24 -Subparagraph bReference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 31, 46
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|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Change in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges, net of tax effect. The after tax effect change includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 17, 20Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 121Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3)Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 24 -Subparagraph bReference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 46
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| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A1, A4, A5Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph bReference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph aReference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1)
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|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 25Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 26Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A
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