CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	$ 3,544	$ 3,514
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Capital spending	(1,633)	(1,779)
Acquisitions of finance receivables and operating leases	(12,595)	(15,683)
Collections of finance receivables and operating leases	12,336	12,956
Purchases of marketable and other securities	(3,923)	(7,867)
Sales and maturities of marketable and other securities	4,441	6,040
Settlements of derivatives	(14)	(61)
Other	54	(150)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(1,334)	(6,544)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Cash payments for dividends and dividend equivalents	(597)	(1,113)
Purchases of common stock	0	(89)
Net changes in short-term debt	420	(909)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	15,411	16,953
Principal payments on long-term debt	(13,277)	(12,360)
Other	(84)	(68)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	1,873	2,414
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	29	115
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at January 1 (Note 7)	16,907	18,638
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at March 31 (Note 7)	20,848
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	$ 4,112	$ (501)