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Organization and Basis of Presentation | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2012
Organization and Basis of Presentation [Abstract] |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] | ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Organization American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (Holdings) and its subsidiaries (collectively, we, our, us or AAM) is a Tier I supplier to the automotive industry. We manufacture, engineer, design and validate driveline and drivetrain systems and related components and chassis modules for light trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), passenger cars, crossover vehicles and commercial vehicles. Driveline and drivetrain systems include components that transfer power from the transmission and deliver it to the drive wheels. Our driveline, drivetrain and related products include axles, chassis modules, driveshafts, power transfer units, transfer cases, chassis and steering components, driveheads, transmission parts and metal-formed products. In addition to locations in the United States (U.S.) (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania), we also have offices or facilities in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, Scotland, South Korea, Sweden and Thailand. Basis of Presentation We have prepared the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all normal recurring adjustments, which we consider necessary for a fair presentation of the information set forth herein. Results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full fiscal year. The balance sheet at December 31, 2011 presented herein has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for complete consolidated financial statements. In order to prepare the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Effect of New Accounting Standards On January 1, 2012, we adopted new accounting guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. The new guidance allows an entity to present components of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement, referred to as the statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate, but consecutive statements. We have elected to present the components of other comprehensive income in a separate statement immediately following the statement of income. The guidance eliminates the previous option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. Other than the change in presentation, the adoption of this new guidance has had no impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. On January 1, 2012, we also adopted new accounting guidance on testing goodwill for impairment. This new guidance allows us the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this amendment, we are not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless we determine, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The amendment includes a number of events and circumstances to consider in conducting the qualitative assessment. We do not believe that the adoption of this new accounting guidance will have a significant effect on our goodwill impairment assessments in the future. On July 27, 2012, the FASB issued new accounting guidance, which amends the previous accounting guidance on testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment. This new guidance allows us the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to calculate the fair value of the asset being tested. This new guidance will be effective for us as of January 1, 2013, with early adoption permitted. We do not believe that the adoption of this new accounting guidance will have a significant effect on our indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessments in the future.

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