Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Profit of consolidated companies	$ 229	$ 198
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Depreciation and amortization	351	357
Amortization of receivables purchase discount	(120)	(102)
Provision for credit losses	53	86
Gain on sales of receivables	(1)	(2)
Other, net	(27)	(44)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables from others	(29)	13
Other receivables/payables with Caterpillar	(11)	0
Payable to dealers and others	3	16
Accrued interest payable	(7)	(35)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities, net	(31)	(53)
Income taxes payable	59	93
Net cash provided by operating activities	469	527
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures for equipment on operating leases and other capital expenditures	(800)	(519)
Proceeds from disposals of equipment	486	603
Additions to finance receivables	(10,012)	(7,734)
Collections of finance receivables	8,017	7,008
Net changes in Caterpillar purchased receivables	117	(1,056)
Proceeds from sales of receivables	85	104
Net change in variable lending to Caterpillar	0	55
Additions to other notes receivable with Caterpillar	(66)	(31)
Collections on other notes receivable with Caterpillar	81	6
Restricted cash and cash equivalents activity, net	36	80
Other, net	(6)	12
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(2,062)	(1,472)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on borrowings with Caterpillar	0	(600)
Proceeds from debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)	7,357	5,799
Payments on debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)	(4,822)	(4,638)
Short-term borrowings, net (original maturities three months or less)	444	105
Dividend paid to Caterpillar	(250)	(300)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,729	366
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(102)	73
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,034	(506)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,176	1,676
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 2,210	$ 1,170