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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>0001127602-09-005143.txt : 20090227
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-09-005143.hdr.sgml : 20090227
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090227144532
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-09-005143
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090227
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090227
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090227

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DAVIS ERROLL B JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001209075

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00043
		FILM NUMBER:		09641958

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		608-250-5742

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		155 E WILSON STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 501
		CITY:			MADISON
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53703

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-02-27</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001209075</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DAVIS ERROLL B JR</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>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1159</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>GM Stock $1-2/3 Par Value Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>118</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <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>118</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15058</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </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 usually credited annually on each December 31; however, on 2/27/2009, General Motors credited an additional two months of compensation related to my audit committee membership during 2008 that was not credited as of 12/31/2008.  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 Mr. Davis</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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