Presentation - Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation [Abstract]
Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations	$ 2,075	$ 2,497
Cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations	(4,511)	6,894
Cash flows from financing activities of continuing operations	370	(3,282)
Intersector [Member]
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation [Abstract]
Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations	2,144	3,998
Cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations	(4,334)	6,231
Cash flows from financing activities of continuing operations	124	(4,120)
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Wholesale receivables	45	(1,579)
Finance receivables	(114)	78
Wholesale receivables	(45)	1,579
Finance receivables	114	(78)
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Reclassifications From Investing To Financing Cash Flows Maturity of Debt	201
Reclassifications From Investing To Financing Cash Flows Maturity of Debt Inflow	(201)
Automotive [Member]
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation [Abstract]
Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations	875	2,963
Cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations	(1,979)	5,528
Cash flows from financing activities of continuing operations	315	(2,477)
Financial Services [Member]
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation [Abstract]
Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations	1,269	1,035
Cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations	(2,355)	703
Cash flows from financing activities of continuing operations	(191)	(1,643)
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation - Footnote Narrative: [Abstract]
Percent of cash flows from finance receivables reclassified for consolidated presentation	100.00%
Intersector Eliminations [Member]
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation [Abstract]
Cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations	(45)	(838)
Cash flows from financing activities of continuing operations	$ 45	$ 838

The percent of items reclassified from finance receivables for consolidated presentation.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Reclassifications From Investing To Financing Cash Flows; Maturity of Financial Services sector debt held by Automotive sector

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Reclassifications From Investing To Financing Cash Flows; Maturity of Financial Services sector Debt held by Automotive sector

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Reclassifications of finance receivables inflows from investing to operating activities to capture intersector transactions for the presentation of consolidated financials.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Reclassifications of finance receivables outflows from investing to operating activities to capture intersector transactions for the presentation of consolidated financials.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Reclassifications of wholesale receivables inflows from investing to operating activities to capture intersector transactions for the presentation of consolidated financials.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Reclassifications of wholesale receivables outflows from investing to operating activities to capture intersector transactions for the presentation of consolidated financials.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The net cash from (used in) the entity's financing activities specifically EXCLUDING the cash flows derived by the entity from its discontinued operations, if any. This element is only to be used when the entity reports its cash flows attributable to discontinued operations separately from the cash flow provided by or used in financing activities. Such reporting would necessitate the entity to use the Net Cash provided by or used in Discontinued Operations, Total element provided in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 24

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3521-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

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- Definition

The net cash from (used in) the entity's investing activities specifically EXCLUDING the cash flows derived by the entity from its discontinued operations, if any. This element is only to be used when the entity reports its cash flows attributable to discontinued operations separately from the cash flow provided by or used in investing activities. Such reporting would necessitate the entity to use the Net Cash provided by or used in Discontinued Operations, Total element provided in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 26

-Footnote 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 24

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3521-108585

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-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 230

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- Definition

The net cash from (used in) the entity's continuing operations. This element specifically EXCLUDES the cash flows derived by the entity from its discontinued operations, if any. This element is only to be used when the entity reports its cash flows attributable to discontinued operations separately from the cash flow provided by or used in operating activities. While for technical reasons this element has no balance attribute, the default assumption is a debit balance consistent with its label.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 26

-Footnote 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

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