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Short-term borrowings (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Advances from financial institutions: |  |
At fixed interest rates | $ 1,181,133 | $ 1,005,357
At floating interest rates | 267,890 | 318,109
Total short-term borrowings | 1,449,023 | 1,323,466
Average outstanding balance during the year | 967,629 | 1,100,059
Maximum balance at any month-end | 1,449,023 | 1,323,466
Weighted average interest rate at end of the year | 1.48% | 1.84%
Weighted average interest rate during the year | 1.79% | 1.22%
Euros [Member] |  |
Advances from financial institutions: |  |
Total short-term borrowings | 39,633 | 38,850
Range of fixed interest rates on borrowings | 0.70% | 2.98%
Peso [Member] |  |
Advances from financial institutions: |  |
Total short-term borrowings | 43,890 | 93,109
Range of floating interest rates on borrowings |  | 5.70%
Renminbis [Member] |  |
Advances from financial institutions: |  |
Total short-term borrowings | 0 | 10,307
Range of fixed interest rates on borrowings | 0.00% | 6.65%
U S Dollar [Member] |  |
Advances from financial institutions: |  |
Total short-term borrowings | $ 1,365,500 | $ 1,181,200
Maximum [Member] |  |
Advances from financial institutions: |  |
Range of fixed interest rates on borrowings | 1.92% | 2.64%
Range of floating interest rates on borrowings | 1.99% | 2.01%
Maximum [Member] | Peso [Member] |  |
Advances from financial institutions: |  |
Range of floating interest rates on borrowings | 5.25% |
Minimum [Member] |  |
Advances from financial institutions: |  |
Range of fixed interest rates on borrowings | 0.75% | 0.84%
Range of floating interest rates on borrowings | 1.06% | 1.11%
Minimum [Member] | Peso [Member] |  |
Advances from financial institutions: |  |
Range of floating interest rates on borrowings | 5.14% |

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- Definition Reflects the total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),16(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph a(1) -Article 7 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph 2, 3 -Article 9 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 + Details
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