Debt and Commitments - Debt Instruments Secured Term and Revolving Loan (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended							3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2009 Secured Term Loan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Automotive [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Automotive [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Automotive [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Automotive [Member] Secured Term Loan [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Automotive [Member] Secured Term Loan [Member]	Mar. 31, 2009 Automotive [Member] Secured Term Loan [Member]	Aug. 03, 2010 Automotive [Member] Secured Term Loan [Member] Volvo [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Automotive [Member] Secured Term Loan [Member] Volvo [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Automotive [Member] Maturing in 2011 [Member]	Dec. 15, 2010 Automotive [Member] Maturing in 2013 [Member]	Sep. 09, 2010 Automotive [Member] Maturing in 2013 [Member]	Apr. 06, 2010 Automotive [Member] Maturing in 2013 [Member]	Dec. 15, 2010 Automotive [Member] Maturing in December 2013 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Financial Services [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Financial Services [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Financial Services [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Financial Services [Member] Secured Term Loan [Member]
Secured Term Loan and Revolving Loan [Abstract]
Repayments of Long-term Debt								$ 1,800	$ 2,200	$ 1,100	$ 288	$ 67	$ 838	$ 1,700	$ 2,000	$ 3,000	$ 810
Extinguishment of debt, amount										2,200
Gains (Losses) on extinguishment of debt	(128)	(983)	4,737		(60)	(844)	4,666			1,100								(68)	(139)	71	8
Purchase of sector debt, payment				37
Purchase of sector debt, principal																					45
Transfer of repurchased notes to related party as dividend																					$ 37