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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-08-003030.txt : 20080513
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-08-003030.hdr.sgml : 20080513
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080513150919
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-08-003030
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080512
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080513
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080513

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENERAL MOTORS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000040730
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTOR VEHICLES & PASSENGER CAR BODIES [3711]
		IRS NUMBER:				380572515
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 RENAISSANCE CTR
		STREET 2:		MAIL CODE: 482-C34-D71
		CITY:			DETROIT
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48265-3000
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3135565000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 RENAISSANCE CTR
		STREET 2:		MAIL CODE: 482-C34-D71
		CITY:			DETROIT
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48265-3000

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Marinello Kathryn V
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001378931

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00043
		FILM NUMBER:		08827251

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		952-853-8100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CERIDIAN CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		3311 EAST OLD SHAKOPEE ROAD
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55425
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-12</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000040730</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENERAL MOTORS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001378931</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Marinello Kathryn V</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 RENAISSANCE CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DETROIT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48265-3000</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-05-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>20.42</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value Stock Units</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>2780</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2780</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock Units credited pursuant to Rule 16b-3 qualified GM Compensation Plan for Non-employee Directors.  Deferred compensation, equal to the retainers earned during the year, is credited annually on each December 31.  The deferred compensation is converted into Stock Units at the average daily closing market price of GM Common Stock for such year.  The amounts credited during the year also include dividend equivalents on such Stock Units.  Pursuant to such Plan, the Stock Units are deferred until after the director's retirement from GM and are paid in cash.  The Stock Units convert on a one for one basis.  The price of Zero is nominal and only used for purposes of facilitating the electronic filing of this Form.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Martin I. Darvick, Attorney-in-Fact for Ms. Marinello</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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