Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	$ 6,357	$ 5,490	$ 5,689	$ 3,057
Available-for-sale securities	1,611	1,586
Carrying Amount
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	6,357	5,490
Restricted cash and short-term investments	50	53
Available-for-sale securities	1,611	1,586
Finance receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	16,077	15,404
Wholesale inventory receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	1,616	1,674
Foreign currency contracts - net	51	0
Interest rate swaps-net	136	219
Commodity contracts-net	0	1
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	5,847	5,287
Foreign currency contracts-net	0	66
Commodity contracts-net	1	0
Guarantees	15	14
Carrying Amount | Machinery and Power Systems
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	9,061	9,779
Carrying Amount | Financial Products
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	24,629	25,077
Carrying amount of assets excluded from measurement at fair value
Assets
Finance leases	8,132	7,959
Level 1 | Fair Value
Assets
Cash and short-term investments	6,357	5,490
Restricted cash and short-term investments	50	53
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	5,847	5,287
Level 1 & 2 | Fair Value
Assets
Available-for-sale securities	1,611	1,586
Level 2 | Fair Value
Assets
Finance receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	15,952	15,359
Wholesale inventory receivables-net (excluding finance leases)	1,542	1,609
Foreign currency contracts - net	51	0
Interest rate swaps-net	136	219
Commodity contracts-net	0	1
Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts-net	0	66
Commodity contracts-net	1	0
Level 2 | Fair Value | Machinery and Power Systems
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	10,337	11,969
Level 2 | Fair Value | Financial Products
Liabilities
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)	25,239	26,063
Level 3 | Fair Value
Liabilities
Guarantees	$ 15	$ 14