Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 573,993	$ 564,742
Cost of sales	383,763	375,483
Gross profit	190,230	189,259
Selling, general and administrative	60,045	54,256
Research and development	16,296	14,095
Other	(12)	310
Total operating expenses	76,353	68,041
Income from operations	113,877	121,218
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(4,371)	(6,101)
Other, net	432	(4,499)
Nonoperating expenses, net	(3,939)	(10,600)
Income before income taxes	109,938	110,618
Income tax expense	(31,939)	(26,083)
Net income	77,999	84,535
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax	(13,205)	(13,981)
Net income attributable to Sauer-Danfoss Inc.	$ 64,794	$ 70,554
Net income per common share, basic and diluted	$ 1.34	$ 1.46
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	48,407,694	48,396,557
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	48,480,736	48,478,248