Segment Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 2,596	$ 1,759	$ 7,535	$ 5,193
All other operating segments	482	234	888	601
Cost centers	9	29	32	30
Corporate costs	(366)	(330)	(1,126)	(901)
Timing	(30)	12	(318)	(157)
Methodology differences:
Inventory/cost of sales	9	(21)	(26)	1
Postretirement benefit expense	(177)	(110)	(508)	(468)
Financing costs	(130)	(116)	(357)	(294)
Equity in profit of unconsolidated affiliated companies	(5)	6	(12)	24
Currency	20	(188)	160	(263)
Interest rate swaps	2		2	(149)
Other income/expense methodology differences	(64)	(54)	(199)	(210)
Other methodology differences	(5)	(8)	(2)	(9)
Consolidated profit before taxes	2,450	1,634	7,324	4,747
Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	2,705	2,180	8,790	6,542
Machinery and Power Systems
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
All other operating segments	482	234	888	601
Cost centers	9	29	32	30
Corporate costs	(366)	(330)	(1,126)	(901)
Timing	(30)	12	(318)	(157)
Methodology differences:
Inventory/cost of sales	9	(21)	(26)	1
Postretirement benefit expense	(177)	(110)	(508)	(468)
Financing costs	(130)	(116)	(357)	(294)
Equity in profit of unconsolidated affiliated companies	(5)	6	(12)	24
Currency	20	(188)	160	(263)
Interest rate swaps	2		2	(149)
Other income/expense methodology differences	(64)	(54)	(199)	(210)
Other methodology differences	(9)	(8)	(3)	(12)
Consolidated profit before taxes	2,256	1,489	6,740	4,291
Machinery and Power Systems | Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	2,515	2,035	8,207	6,089
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	0
Other income/expense methodology differences	0	0	0	0
Other methodology differences	4	0	1	3
Consolidated profit before taxes	194	145	584	456
Financial Products | Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 190	$ 145	$ 583	$ 453