Presentation - Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation [Abstract]
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	$ 9,406	$ 10,019
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(12,623)	991
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(382)	(9,214)
Intersector [Member]
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation [Abstract]
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	7,737	9,977
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(9,959)	3,622
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(1,377)	(11,803)
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Wholesale receivables (Reclasifications to operating cash flows)	1,671	(26)
Finance receivables (Reclassifications to operating cash flows)	(2)	68
Wholesale receivables (Reclassifications from investing cash flows)	(1,671)	26
Finance receivables (Reclassifications from investing cash flows)	2	(68)
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Maturity of Financial Services sector debt held by Automotive sector (Reclassifications from investing cash flows)	(201)
Maturity of Financial Services sector debt held by Automotive sector (Reclassifications to financing cash flows)	201
Automotive [Member]
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation [Abstract]
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	4,113	6,783
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(6,086)	1,508
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	233	(6,276)
Financial Services [Member]
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation [Abstract]
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	3,624	3,194
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(3,873)	2,114
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	(1,610)	(5,527)
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation - Footnote Narrative: [Abstract]
Percent of cash flows from wholesale finance receivables reclassified for consolidated presentation	100.00%
Intersector Eliminations [Member]
Sector to Consolidated Cash Flow Reconciliation [Abstract]
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	(794)	(2,589)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	$ 794	$ 2,589

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

No definition available.

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- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Reclassifications of wholesale receivables (inflows)/outflows from investing to operating activities related to net collections/(acquisitions) to capture intersector transactions for the presentation of consolidated financials.

+ References

No definition available.

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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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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/(outflows) from investing to operating activities to capture intersector transactions for the presentation of consolidated financials.

+ References

No definition available.

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Reclassifications of wholesale receivables inflows/(outflows) from investing to operating activities related to net collections/(acquisitions) to capture intersector transactions for the presentation of consolidated financials.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of net cash from (used in) the entity's financing activities, excluding cash flows derived by the entity from its discontinued operations.

+ 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

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 26

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3574-108585

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- Definition

Amount of net cash from (used in) the entity's investing activities, excluding cash flows derived by the entity from its discontinued operations.

+ 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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 24

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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 26

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3574-108585

Reference 4: 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.

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- Definition

Amount of net cash from (used in) the entity's continuing operations, excluding cash flows derived by the entity from its discontinued operations.

+ 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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

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

Reference 4: 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 5: 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.

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