Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Profit of consolidated companies	$ 144	$ 124
Adjustments for non-cash items:
Depreciation and amortization	179	174
Amortization of receivables purchase discount	(58)	(57)
Provision for credit losses	16	19
Gain on sales of receivables	(1)	(1)
Other, net	0	(22)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables from others	(36)	(6)
Other receivables/payables with Caterpillar	8	4
Payable to dealers and others	(1)	6
Accrued interest payable	(29)	(30)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities, net	(50)	(36)
Income taxes payable	24	26
Net cash provided by operating activities	196	201
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures for equipment on operating leases and other capital expenditures	(320)	(343)
Proceeds from disposals of equipment	154	212
Additions to finance receivables	(3,337)	(4,759)
Collections of finance receivables	2,939	4,188
Net changes in Caterpillar purchased receivables	(14)	43
Proceeds from sales of receivables	66	39
Net change in variable lending to Caterpillar	32	0
Additions to other notes receivable with Caterpillar	0	(29)
Collections on other notes receivable with Caterpillar	6	9
Restricted cash and cash equivalents activity, net	(20)	37
Other, net	2	(9)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(492)	(612)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)	2,665	2,355
Payments on debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)	(2,576)	(2,087)
Short-term borrowings, net (original maturities three months or less)	386	356
Dividend paid to Caterpillar	0	(250)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	475	374
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(3)	13
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	176	(24)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,080	1,176
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 2,256	$ 1,152