Statement of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net Income	$ 2,057,487	$ 1,640,583	$ 1,159,031
Cost of sales	1,400,330	1,142,455	1,031,078
Gross Profit	657,157	498,128	127,953
Selling, general and administrative	227,968	195,494	209,713
Research and development	63,996	51,575	61,418
Impairment charges	0	0	50,841
Loss on sale of businesses and asset disposals	590	7,632	16,351
Total operating expenses	292,554	254,701	338,323
Operating Income (Loss)	364,603	243,427	(210,370)
Nonoperating income (expenses):
Interest Expense	(22,829)	(50,901)	(50,171)
Interest income	1,679	1,455	1,775
Loss on early retirement of debt	(1,176)	(2,421)	(15,838)
Other, net	(3,094)	3,525	3,369
Nonoperating expenses, net	(25,420)	(48,342)	(60,865)
Income (loss) before income taxes	339,183	195,085	(271,235)
Income tax	79,380	(51,183)	61,019
Net income (loss)	259,803	246,268	(332,254)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	(29,933)	(32,869)	(13,512)
Net income (loss) attributable to Sauer-Danfoss Inc.	$ 229,870	$ 213,399	$ (345,766)
Net income (loss) per common share, basic	$ 4.75	$ 4.41	$ (7.15)
Earnings Per Share, DilutedNet income (loss) per common share, diluted	$ 4.74	$ 4.4	$ (7.15)
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	48,402,059	48,382,860	48,337,923
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	48,478,627	48,469,519	48,337,923