Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows - operating activities
Net earnings	$ 6,693	$ 2,307	$ 1,628
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	127	16	15
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company	6,566	2,291	1,613
(Earnings) loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(17)	867	(288)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings attributable to the Company to cash provided from operating activities
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment	7,114	7,749	8,303
Deferred Income taxes	(41)	1,116	(2,320)
Decrease (increase) in inventories	15	5	(6)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	106	(221)	(506)
Provision for losses on financing receivables	4,083	7,176	10,585
All other operating activities (Note 19)	2,165	1,305	(12,387)
Cash from (used for) operating activities - continuing operations	19,991	20,288	4,994
Cash from (used for) operating activities - discontinued operations	767	712	1,775
Cash from (used for) operating activities	20,758	21,000	6,769
Cash flows - investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(9,882)	(7,674)	(6,442)
Dispositions of property, plant and equipment	5,612	7,199	6,734
Net decrease (increase) in financing receivables (Note 19)	14,392	23,061	36,927
Proceeds from sales of discontinued operations	8,950	2,510	0
Proceeds from principal business dispositions	2,623	1,171	9,088
Payments for principal businesses purchased	(50)	(559)	(7,414)
All other investing activities (Note 19)	8,055	11,217	5,441
Cash from (used for) investing activities - continuing operations	29,700	36,925	44,334
Cash from (used for) investing activities - discontinued operations	(746)	(2,197)	1,806
Cash from (used for) investing activities	28,954	34,728	46,140
Cash flows - financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in borrowings (maturities of 90 days or less)	4,322	(840)	(27,076)
Net increase (decrease) in bank deposits	6,748	4,603	(3,784)
Newly issued debt (maturities longer than 90 days) (Note 19)	43,248	37,627	81,288
Repayments and other reductions (maturities longer than 90 days) (Note 19)	(85,403)	(97,235)	(81,615)
Capital contribution and share issuance	0	0	8,750
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	(275)	(633)	0
All other financing activities (Note 19)	(1,356)	(2,904)	(2,215)
Cash from (used for) financing activities - continuing operations	(32,716)	(59,382)	(24,652)
Cash from (used for) financing activities - discontinued operations	(42)	(337)	(1,602)
Cash from (used for) financing activities	(32,758)	(59,719)	(26,254)
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	(791)	(208)	619
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents	16,163	(4,199)	27,274
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year	59,680	63,879	36,605
Cash and equivalents at end of year	75,843	59,680	63,879
Less cash and equivalents of discontinued operations at end of year	121	142	1,965
Cash and equivalents of continuing operations at end of year	75,722	59,538	61,914
Supplemental disclosure of cash flows information
Cash paid during the year for interest	(15,156)	(16,189)	(18,742)
Cash recovered (paid) during the year for income taxes	$ (1,049)	$ (1)	$ 207