Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	$ 5,689	$ 3,057	$ 3,229	$ 3,592
Available-for-sale securities	1,561	1,447
Carrying Amount
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	5,689	3,057
Restricted cash and short-term investments	112	87
Available-for-sale securities	1,561	1,447
Finance receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	14,503	12,689
Wholesale inventory receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	1,677	1,591
Interest rate swaps-net	239	241
Commodity contracts-net	1	0
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	5,067	3,988
Foreign currency contracts-net	84	89
Commodity contracts-net	0	7
Guarantees	17	7
Carrying Amount | Machinery and Power Systems
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	10,276	8,973
Carrying Amount | Financial Products
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	24,509	21,631
Fair Value | Level 1
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	5,689	3,057
Restricted cash and short-term investments	112	87
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	5,067	3,988
Fair Value | Level 2
Assets
Finance receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	14,508	12,516
Wholesale inventory receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	1,611	1,505
Interest rate swaps-net	239	241
Commodity contracts-net	1	0
Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts-net	84	89
Commodity contracts-net	0	7
Fair Value | Level 3
Liabilities
Guarantees	17	7
Fair Value | Level 1 & 2
Assets
Available-for-sale securities	1,561	1,447
Fair Value | Machinery and Power Systems | Level 2
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	12,620	10,737
Fair Value | Financial Products | Level 2
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	25,607	22,674
Carrying amount of assets excluded from measurement at fair value
Assets
Finance leases	$ 7,974	$ 7,324