Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Profit of consolidated companies	$ 124	$ 86
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Depreciation and amortization	174	176
Amortization of receivables purchase discount	(57)	(45)
Provision for credit losses	19	55
Gain on sales of receivables	(1)	(1)
Other, net	(22)	4
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables from others	(6)	(28)
Other receivables/payables with Caterpillar	4	(15)
Payable to dealers and others	6	16
Accrued interest payable	(15)	(11)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities, net	(36)	(33)
Income taxes payable	26	72
Net cash provided by operating activities	216	276
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures for equipment on operating leases and other capital expenditures	(343)	(180)
Proceeds from disposals of equipment	212	294
Additions to finance receivables	(13,916)	(10,297)
Collections of finance receivables	13,388	8,995
Proceeds from sales of receivables	39	33
Net change in variable lending to Caterpillar	0	55
Additions to other notes receivable with Caterpillar	(29)	(25)
Collections on other notes receivable with Caterpillar	9	5
Restricted cash and cash equivalents activity, net	37	10
Other, net	(9)	6
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(612)	(1,104)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on borrowings with Caterpillar	0	(600)
Proceeds from debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)	2,355	1,261
Payments on debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)	(2,101)	(1,624)
Short-term borrowings, net (original maturities three months or less)	355	1,526
Dividend paid to Caterpillar	(250)	(300)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	359	263
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	13	32
(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(24)	(533)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,176	1,676
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,152	$ 1,143