Fair Value Measurements - Non Recurring (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Automotive [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Total Gains / (Losses)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (157)
Financial Services [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	115	149
Total Gains / (Losses)	(37)	(57)	(166)
Financial Services [Member] | North America [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	76	104
Total Gains / (Losses)	(23)	(32)	(25)
Financial Services [Member] | North America [Member] | Retail [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	70	82
Total Gains / (Losses)	(23)	(29)	(24)
Financial Services [Member] | North America [Member] | Dealer loans [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	6	22
Total Gains / (Losses)	0	(3)	(1)
Financial Services [Member] | International [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	39	45
Total Gains / (Losses)	(14)	(25)	(141)
Financial Services [Member] | International [Member] | Retail [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	39	45
Total Gains / (Losses)	(14)	(25)	(141)
Financial Services [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | North America [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | North America [Member] | Retail [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | North America [Member] | Dealer loans [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | International [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | International [Member] | Retail [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | North America [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | North America [Member] | Retail [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | North America [Member] | Dealer loans [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | International [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | International [Member] | Retail [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables
Financial Services [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	115	149
Financial Services [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | North America [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	76	104
Financial Services [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | North America [Member] | Retail [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	70	82
Financial Services [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | North America [Member] | Dealer loans [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	6	22
Financial Services [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | International [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	39	45
Financial Services [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | International [Member] | Retail [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Finance receivables	39	45
First Aquitaine Industries SAS Member [Member] | Automotive [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Total Gains / (Losses)	0	0	(79)
United States Consolidated Dealerships [Member] | Automotive [Member]
Items measured at fair value [Line Items]
Total Gains / (Losses)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (78)