Additional Balance Sheet And Cash Flow Information (Reconciliation Of Net Income (Loss) To Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities Of Continuing Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Additional Balance Sheet And Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Net income (loss)		$ 599,114	$ 146,545	$ (55,116)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		51,036	(113,124)	(125,757)
Income from continuing operations		548,078	259,669	70,641
Depreciation		180,408	255,171	246,344
Amortization of deferred loan origination costs		78,695	87,223	66,779
Amortization of financing origination fees		10,790	19,618	27,145
Provision for employee long-term benefits		59,441	79,630	80,387
Contributions to pension and postretirement plans		(219,695)	(39,391)	(233,224)
Stock compensation expense		38,192	30,431	17,576
Net change in wholesale finance receivables related to sales		(2,335)	81,527	332,167
Origination of retail finance receivables held for sale				(1,180,467)
Collections on retail finance receivables held for sale				919,201
Impairment of retained securitization interests				45,370
Lower of cost or fair market value adjustment on finance receivables held for sale				5,895
Provision for credit losses		17,031	93,118	169,206
Loss on debt extinguishment	(85,200)	9,608	85,247
Pension and postretirement healthcare plan curtailment and settlement expense		236	31,824	37,814
Goodwill and other impairments				46,411
Deferred income taxes		87,873	(17,591)	6,931
Foreign currency adjustments		10,678	(21,480)	(22,234)
Other, net		(15,807)	11,910	9,665
Accounts receivable, net		43,050	2,905	8,809
Finance receivables - accrued interest and other		5,027	10,083	(3,360)
Inventories		(94,957)	2,516	85,472
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		120,291	215,013	(201,195)
Restructuring reserves		8,072	(32,477)	65,988
Derivative instruments		(2,488)	5,339	4,711
Other		3,103	3,133	2,978
Total adjustments		337,213	903,749	538,369
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations		885,291	1,163,418	609,010
Interest		251,341	346,855	336,453
Income taxes		$ 84,984	$ 47,084	$ 123,232