Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	$ 2,864	$ 3,057	$ 4,869	$ 3,592
Available-for-sale securities	1,498	1,447
Carrying Amount
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	2,864	3,057
Restricted cash and short-term investments	51	87
Available-for-sale securities	1,498	1,447
Finance receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	13,276	12,689
Wholesale inventory receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	1,519	1,591
Interest rate swaps-net	233	241
Commodity contracts-net	1
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	4,774	3,988
Foreign currency contracts-net	51	89
Commodity contracts-net		7
Guarantees	7	7
Carrying Amount | Machinery and Power Systems
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	8,966	8,973
Carrying Amount | Financial Products
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	22,213	21,631
Fair Value | Level 1
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	2,864	3,057
Restricted cash and short-term investments	51	87
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	4,774	3,988
Fair Value | Level 2
Assets
Finance receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	13,099	12,516
Wholesale inventory receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	1,448	1,505
Interest rate swaps-net	233	241
Commodity contracts-net	1
Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts-net	51	89
Commodity contracts-net		7
Fair Value | Level 3
Liabilities
Guarantees	7	7
Fair Value | Level 1 & 2
Assets
Available-for-sale securities	1,498	1,447
Fair Value | Machinery and Power Systems | Level 2
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	10,566	10,737
Fair Value | Financial Products | Level 1 & 2
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	23,265	22,674
Carrying amount of assets excluded from measurement at fair value
Assets
Finance leases	$ 7,452	$ 7,324