Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 538,547	$ 695,151
Costs of products sold	401,838	480,488
Gross profit	136,709	214,663
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	86,364	92,465
Operating income	50,345	122,198
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(4,717)	(4,054)
Other	1,308	(507)
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(3,409)	(4,561)
Income before taxes	46,936	117,637
Income tax expense	12,861	42,030
Net earnings	34,075	75,607
Less: net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	263	320
Net earnings attributable to Vishay stockholders	$ 33,812	$ 75,287
Basic earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.46
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Vishay stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.43
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	157,199	165,186
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	163,944	175,661