Segment Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 2,616	$ 1,601	$ 4,939	$ 3,434
All other operating segments	188	122	406	367
Cost centers	(11)	(20)	23	1
Corporate costs	(400)	(300)	(760)	(571)
Timing	(137)	(93)	(288)	(169)
Methodology differences:
Inventory/cost of sales	(21)	16	(35)	22
Postretirement benefit expense	(145)	(166)	(331)	(358)
Financing costs	(112)	(89)	(227)	(178)
Equity in profit of unconsolidated affiliated companies	(5)	10	(7)	18
Currency	9	(93)	140	(75)
Interest rate swaps		(124)		(149)
Other income/expense methodology differences	(74)	(97)	(135)	(156)
Other methodology differences	0	(2)	3	(1)
Consolidated profit before taxes	2,576	1,350	4,874	3,113
Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	3,284	2,186	6,085	4,362
Machinery and Power Systems
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
All other operating segments	188	122	406	367
Cost centers	(11)	(20)	23	1
Corporate costs	(400)	(300)	(760)	(571)
Timing	(137)	(93)	(288)	(169)
Methodology differences:
Inventory/cost of sales	(21)	16	(35)	22
Postretirement benefit expense	(145)	(166)	(331)	(358)
Financing costs	(112)	(89)	(227)	(178)
Equity in profit of unconsolidated affiliated companies	(5)	10	(7)	18
Currency	9	(93)	140	(75)
Interest rate swaps		(124)		(149)
Other income/expense methodology differences	(74)	(97)	(135)	(156)
Other methodology differences	4	(3)	6	(4)
Consolidated profit before taxes	2,392	1,177	4,484	2,802
Machinery and Power Systems | Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	3,096	2,014	5,692	4,054
Financial Products
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
All other operating segments	0	0	0	0
Cost centers	0	0	0	0
Corporate costs	0	0	0	0
Timing	0	0	0	0
Methodology differences:
Inventory/cost of sales	0	0	0	0
Postretirement benefit expense	0	0	0	0
Financing costs	0	0	0	0
Equity in profit of unconsolidated affiliated companies	0	0	0	0
Currency	0	0	0	0
Interest rate swaps		0		0
Other income/expense methodology differences	0	0	0	0
Other methodology differences	(4)	1	(3)	3
Consolidated profit before taxes	184	173	390	311
Financial Products | Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 188	$ 172	$ 393	$ 308