Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	$ 5,982	$ 5,490	$ 2,864	$ 3,057
Available-for-sale securities	1,624	1,586
Carrying Amount
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	5,982	5,490
Restricted cash and short-term investments	75	53
Available-for-sale securities	1,624	1,586
Finance receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	15,602	15,404
Wholesale inventory receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	1,578	1,674
Interest rate swaps-net	190	219
Commodity contracts-net	0	1
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	4,982	5,287
Foreign currency contracts-net	113	66
Guarantees	16	14
Carrying Amount | Machinery and Power Systems
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	9,779	9,779
Carrying Amount | Financial Products
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	25,725	25,077
Carrying amount of assets excluded from measurement at fair value
Assets
Finance leases	8,001	7,959
Level 1 | Fair Value
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	5,982	5,490
Restricted cash and short-term investments	75	53
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	4,982	5,287
Level 1 & 2 | Fair Value
Assets
Available-for-sale securities	1,624	1,586
Level 2 | Fair Value
Assets
Finance receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	15,509	15,359
Wholesale inventory receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	1,512	1,609
Interest rate swaps-net	190	219
Commodity contracts-net	0	1
Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts-net	113	66
Level 2 | Fair Value | Machinery and Power Systems
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	11,712	11,969
Level 2 | Fair Value | Financial Products
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	26,675	26,063
Level 3 | Fair Value
Liabilities
Guarantees	$ 16	$ 14