Condensed consolidating guarantor and non-guarantor financial information (Statement of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operations	$ 49	$ 226
Cash flow from investment activities
Net change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	182	(8)
Net sales (purchases) of marketable securities	381	(152)
Capital exprenditures	(204)	(208)
Other Investing activities	(34)	(6)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	325	(374)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt	(400)	(54)
Cash From Other Financing Activities	(110)	(4)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(510)	(58)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(3)	11
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(139)	(195)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	539	585
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	400	390
NIC [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operations	(463)	(84)
Cash flow from investment activities
Net change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	6	0
Net sales (purchases) of marketable securities	374	(34)
Capital exprenditures	0	0
Other Investing activities	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	380	(34)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt	(50)	27
Cash From Other Financing Activities	19	28
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(31)	55
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(114)	(63)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	226	239
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	112	176
Navistar, Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operations	(267)	61
Cash flow from investment activities
Net change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	2	0
Net sales (purchases) of marketable securities	0	0
Capital exprenditures	(115)	(104)
Other Investing activities	(104)	(20)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(217)	(124)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt	519	62
Cash From Other Financing Activities	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	519	62
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	(1)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	35	(2)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	13	22
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	48	20
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operations	248	142
Cash flow from investment activities
Net change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	174	(8)
Net sales (purchases) of marketable securities	7	(118)
Capital exprenditures	(89)	(104)
Other Investing activities	70	14
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	162	(216)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt	(429)	(36)
Cash From Other Financing Activities	(38)	(32)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(467)	(68)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(3)	12
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(60)	(130)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	300	324
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	240	194
Eliminations and Other [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by (used in) operations	531	107
Cash flow from investment activities
Net change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net sales (purchases) of marketable securities	0	0
Capital exprenditures	0	0
Other Investing activities	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt	(440)	(107)
Cash From Other Financing Activities	(91)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(531)	(107)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$ 0	$ 0

Cash From Other Financing Activities

No definition available.

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- Definition

Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation).

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- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in cash and cash equivalents. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a debit balance consistent with its label.

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- Definition

The effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances held in foreign currencies.

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- Definition

The net cash inflow or outflow for the increase (decrease) associated with funds that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as funds held in escrow) and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as investing activities.

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- Definition

The net cash inflow or outflow from financing activity for the period.

+ References

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- Definition

The net cash inflow or outflow from investing activity.

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The net cash from (used in) all of the entity's operating activities, including those of discontinued operations, of the reporting entity. Operating activities generally involve producing and delivering goods and providing services. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value that are not defined as investing or financing activities. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a debit balance consistent with its label.

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The net cash paid (received) associated with the acquisition or disposal of all investments, including securities and other assets.

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The net cash outflow or inflow from other investing activities. This element is used when there is not a more specific and appropriate element in the taxonomy.

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The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

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The net cash inflow or outflow in aggregate debt due to repayments and proceeds from additional borrowings.

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