CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	$ 13,665	$ 14,949
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Capital spending	(5,669)	(4,936)
Acquisitions of finance receivables and operating leases	(48,227)	(43,054)
Collections of finance receivables and operating leases	38,418	32,988
Purchases of marketable and other securities	(14,547)	(20,550)
Sales and maturities of marketable and other securities	17,341	22,953
Settlements of derivatives	290	62
Other	(201)	12
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(12,595)	(12,525)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Cash dividends	(2,308)	(1,988)
Purchases of common stock	(164)	(131)
Net changes in short-term debt	(1,268)	1,899
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	37,211	30,557
Principal payments on long-term debt	(33,935)	(31,378)
Other	(184)	(124)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(648)	(1,165)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(305)	442
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at January 1 (Note 7)	18,638	16,019
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at September 30 (Note 7)	18,562
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	$ 117	$ 1,701