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