CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	$ 14,949	$ 17,052
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Capital spending	(4,936)	(4,912)
Acquisitions of finance receivables and operating leases	(43,054)	(43,746)
Collections of finance receivables and operating leases	32,988	30,254
Purchases of equity and debt securities	(20,550)	(22,049)
Sales and maturities of equity and debt securities	22,953	22,022
Settlements of derivatives	62	330
Other	(5)	43
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(12,542)	(18,058)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Cash dividends	(1,988)	(2,780)
Purchases of common stock	(131)	(145)
Net changes in short-term debt	1,899	1,200
Proceeds from issuance of other debt	30,557	31,956
Principal payments on other debt	(31,378)	(30,019)
Other	(124)	(102)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(1,165)	110
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	442	(36)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	15,905	14,272
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,684	(932)
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30	$ 17,589	$ 13,340