Segment Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 1,218	$ 2,323
All other operating segments	192	218
Cost centers	39	34
Corporate costs	(373)	(360)
Timing	47	(151)
Methodology differences:
Inventory/cost of sales	(36)	(14)
Postretirement benefit expense	(165)	(186)
Financing costs	(124)	(115)
Equity in profit of unconsolidated affiliated companies	(1)	(2)
Currency	15	131
Other income/expense methodology differences	(52)	(61)
Other methodology differences	(2)	3
Consolidated profit before taxes	1,127	2,298
Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	1,587	2,801
Machinery and Power Systems
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
All other operating segments	192	218
Cost centers	39	34
Corporate costs	(373)	(360)
Timing	47	(151)
Methodology differences:
Inventory/cost of sales	(36)	(14)
Postretirement benefit expense	(165)	(186)
Financing costs	(124)	(115)
Equity in profit of unconsolidated affiliated companies	(1)	(2)
Currency	15	131
Other income/expense methodology differences	(52)	(61)
Other methodology differences	(19)	2
Consolidated profit before taxes	837	2,092
Machinery and Power Systems | Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	1,314	2,596
Financial Products
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
All other operating segments	0	0
Cost centers	0	0
Corporate costs	0	0
Timing	0	0
Methodology differences:
Inventory/cost of sales	0	0
Postretirement benefit expense	0	0
Financing costs	0	0
Equity in profit of unconsolidated affiliated companies	0	0
Currency	0	0
Other income/expense methodology differences	0	0
Other methodology differences	17	1
Consolidated profit before taxes	290	206
Financial Products | Reportable segments
Reconciliation of Consolidated profit (loss) before taxes
Total profit from reportable segments	$ 273	$ 205