Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	$ 5,103	$ 3,057	$ 10,715	$ 3,592
Available-for-sale securities	1,493	1,447
Carrying Amount
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	5,103	3,057
Restricted cash and short-term investments	189	87
Available-for-sale securities	1,493	1,447
Finance receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	14,146	12,689
Wholesale inventory receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	1,441	1,591
Interest rate swaps-net	235	241
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	5,047	3,988
Foreign currency contracts-net	87	89
Commodity contracts-net	3	7
Guarantees	15	7
Carrying Amount | Machinery and Power Systems
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	10,438	8,973
Carrying Amount | Financial Products
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	23,831	21,631
Fair Value | Level 1
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	5,103	3,057
Restricted cash and short-term investments	189	87
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	5,047	3,988
Fair Value | Level 2
Assets
Finance receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	14,079	12,516
Wholesale inventory receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	1,372	1,505
Interest rate swaps-net	235	241
Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts-net	87	89
Commodity contracts-net	3	7
Fair Value | Level 3
Liabilities
Guarantees	15	7
Fair Value | Level 1 & 2
Assets
Available-for-sale securities	1,493	1,447
Fair Value | Machinery and Power Systems | Level 2
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	12,370	10,737
Fair Value | Financial Products | Level 2
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	24,859	22,674
Carrying amount of assets excluded from measurement at fair value
Assets
Finance leases	$ 7,601	$ 7,324