Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Profit of consolidated companies	$ 341	$ 295
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Depreciation and amortization	529	535
Amortization of receivables purchase discount	(181)	(157)
Provision for credit losses	92	124
Gain on sales of receivables	(2)	(2)
Other, net	(20)	(40)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables from others	(61)	30
Other receivables/payables with Caterpillar	16	7
Payable to dealers and others	(12)	9
Accrued interest payable	(14)	(29)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities, net	(12)	(35)
Income taxes payable	24	58
Payments on interest rate swaps	0	(1)
Net cash provided by operating activities	700	794
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures for equipment on operating leases and other capital expenditures	(1,232)	(830)
Proceeds from disposals of equipment	688	878
Additions to finance receivables	(14,195)	(12,192)
Collections of finance receivables	11,255	11,158
Net changes in Caterpillar purchased receivables	366	(833)
Proceeds from sales of receivables	109	106
Net change in variable lending to Caterpillar	(47)	55
Additions to other notes receivable with Caterpillar	(92)	(117)
Collections on other notes receivable with Caterpillar	92	8
Restricted cash and cash equivalents activity, net	47	84
Other, net	(1)	4
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(3,010)	(1,679)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net change in variable lending from Caterpillar	203	0
Payments on borrowings with Caterpillar	0	(600)
Proceeds from debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)	9,617	8,703
Payments on debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)	(6,278)	(6,080)
Short-term borrowings, net (original maturities three months or less)	125	(809)
Dividend paid to Caterpillar	(250)	(600)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	3,417	614
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(95)	48
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,012	(223)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,176	1,676
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 2,188	$ 1,453