| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 204 - Disclosure - Accumulated other comprehensive income (Details) (http://www.caasauto.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetails) |
| Table | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0001157762 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Legal Entity [Axis] | Entity [Domain] |
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] | Period [Axis] | |
|---|---|---|
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31 | 2015-01-01 - 2015-12-31 | |
Balance at beginning of year | 18,412,000 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to parent company | (19,304,000) | (17,707,000) |
Balance at end of year | (892,000) | 18,412,000 |