Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Ford Motor Credit Company LLC, its controlled domestic and foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures, and consolidated VIEs in which Ford Motor Credit Company LLC is the primary beneficiary (collectively referred to herein as "Ford Credit", "we", "our" or "us"). Affiliates that we do not consolidate, but for which we have significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. We are an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company ("Ford").

Use of estimates, as determined by management, is required in the preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Because of the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods might be based upon amounts that differ from those estimates. The accounting estimates that are most important to our business include the allowance for credit losses and accumulated depreciation on vehicles subject to operating leases.

We reclassified certainprior year amounts in our consolidated financial statements to conform to current year presentation.

Nature of Operations

We offer a wide variety of automotive financing products to and through automotive dealers throughout the world. Our portfolio consists of finance receivables (see Note 3) and net investment in operating leases (see Note 4). We also service the finance receivables and net investment in operating leases we originate and purchase, make loans to Ford affiliates, and provide insurance services related to our financing programs.

We conduct our financing operations directly and indirectly through our subsidiaries and affiliates. We offer substantially similar products and services throughout many different regions, subject to local legal restrictions and market conditions. See Note 20 for key operating data on our business segments and for geographic information on our regions.

The predominant share of our business consists of financing Ford vehicles and supporting Ford dealers. Any extended reduction or suspension of Ford's production or sale of vehicles due to a decline in consumer demand, work stoppage, governmental action, negative publicity or other event, or significant changes to marketing programs sponsored by Ford, would have an adverse effect on our business.

Certain subsidiaries are subject to regulatory capital requirements requiring maintenance of certain minimum capital levels that limit the ability of the subsidiaries to pay dividends.

Accounting Policies

For each accounting topic that is addressed in its own footnote, the description of the accompanying accounting policy may be found in the related footnote. The remaining accounting policies are described below.

Non-Controlling Interests in Subsidiaries. Our shareholder's interest, net income, and accumulated other comprehensive income will be reflected as attributable to either Ford Credit or our non-controlling interests in subsidiaries (if our non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are more than de minimis). At December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, our non-controlling interests in subsidiaries were de minimis.

Goodwill.We perform annual testing of goodwill during the fourth quarter to determine whether any impairment has occurred. Goodwill impairment testing is also performed following an allocation of goodwill to a business to be disposed, or following a triggering event for the long-lived asset impairment test. Testing is conducted at the reporting unit level, which is the same level as our business segments. To test for goodwill impairment, the carrying value of each reporting unit is compared with its fair value. Fair value is measured relying primarily on the income approach by applying a discounted cash flow methodology. Our goodwill balance was $8 million and $11 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. For the periods presented, we have not recorded any impairment of goodwill.

NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Foreign Currency Translation.Assets and liabilities are translated at end-of-period exchange rates. Translation adjustments are related to foreign subsidiaries using local currency as their functional currency and are reported as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in Shareholder's interest. Upon sale or upon complete or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign subsidiary, the accumulated amount of translation adjustments related to that entity is reclassified to net income as part of the recognized gain or loss on the investment. Gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in currencies other than the affiliate's functional currency and the results of foreign currency hedging activities are reported in Other income, net.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Fair Value Measurement. On January 1, 2012, we adopted the new accounting standard that requires us to report the level in the fair value hierarchy of assets and liabilities not measured at fair value in the balance sheet but for which the fair value is disclosed, and to expand existing disclosures. See Note 18 for further disclosure regarding our fair value measurements.

Comprehensive Income - Presentation. On January 1, 2012, we adopted the new accounting standard that modifies the options for presentation of other comprehensive income. The new accounting standard requires us to present comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or two separate but consecutive statements. We have elected to present comprehensive income in two separate but consecutive statements.

On January 1, 2012, we also adopted the new accounting standards Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, Transfers and Servicing - Repurchase Agreements, and Financial Services - Insurance. The adoption of these new accounting standards did not impact our financial condition or results of operations.

Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

Balance Sheet - Offsetting. In December 2011,the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a new accounting standard that requires disclosures about offsetting and related arrangements for recognized financial instruments and derivative instruments. The new accounting standard is effective for us as of January 1, 2013.