v2.4.0.6

Variable Interest Entities Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated VIE [Abstract] |  |  |
Total net sales and revenue | $ 37,328 | $ 35,899 |
Non-consolidated VIE [Abstract] |  |  |
Accounts and notes receivable, net | 12,485 |  | 9,964
Equity in net assets of nonconsolidated affiliates | 6,793 |  | 6,790
Other assets | 3,411 |  | 2,928
Automotive [Member] | Consolidated VIE [Member] |  |  |
Consolidated VIE [Abstract] |  |  |
Total Assets | 493 |  | 463
Total Liabilities | 309 |  | 298
Total net sales and revenue | 236 | 110 |
Total Net Income (loss) | (5) | 3 |
Automotive [Member] | Consolidated VIE [Member] | GM Korea [Member] |  |  |
Consolidated VIE [Abstract] |  |  |
Nonrecourse Short Term Debt | 116 |  | 171
Nonrecourse Current Derivative Liabilities | 26 |  | 44
Nonrecourse Long-term Debt | 6 |  | 7
Automotive [Member] | Nonconsolidated VIE [Member] |  |  |
Non-consolidated VIE [Abstract] |  |  |
Accounts and notes receivable, net | 8 |  | 1
Equity in net assets of nonconsolidated affiliates | 193 |  | 190
Other assets | 1 |  | 1
Total Assets | 202 |  | 192
Accounts and Notes Receivables Maximum Exposure to loss | 8 |  | 1
Equity in Net Assets of Nonconsolidated Affiliates Maximum Exposure to loss | 189 |  | 186
Other Assets Maximum Exposure to loss | 1 |  | 1
Total Assets Maximum Exposure to loss | 198 |  | 188
Other Liabilities | 197 |  | 198
Loan Commitment Maximum Exposure to loss | 15 |  | 15
Other Liquidity Arrangement Maximum Exposure to loss | 227 |  | 220
Total Off-balance Sheet Arrangements Maximum Exposure to loss | $ 242 |  | $ 235

X
- Definition The maximum exposure to loss of the accounts and notes receivables related to VIE + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_AccountsNotesReceivablesMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | gm_ConsolidatedVieAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total net income of consolidated variable interest entities included in reporting entity's statements of income + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_ConsolidatedVieTotalNetIncome
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
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Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The maximum exposure to loss of the equity investment related to VIE + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_EquityInvestmentMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The maximum exposure to loss of the loan commitment related to VIE + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_LoanCommitmentMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | gm_NonConsolidatedVieAbstract
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Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
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X
- Definition Fair values as of the balance sheet date of VIE's non-recourse liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, and which are expected to be extinguished or otherwise disposed of within a year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, net of the effects of master netting arrangements. + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
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X
- Definition Including VIE's nonrecourse aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_NonrecourseLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Reflects the non-recourse portion of the VIE's total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_NonRecourseShortTermDebt
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Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The maximum exposure to loss of all off balance sheet arrangements related to VIE + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The maximum exposure to loss of the other assets related to VIE + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_OtherAssetsMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The maximum exposure to loss of other liquidity arrangement related to VIE + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The maximum exposure to loss of the total assets related to VIE + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_TotalAssetsMaximumExposure
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Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The aggregate of amounts due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer), for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business and an amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date within one year of the balance sheet, reduced to their estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection and net of any write-downs taken for collection uncertainty on the part of the holder, respectively. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 3, 4 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3,4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382870&loc=d3e33749-111570 + Details
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- Definition Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 17 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 5 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (bb) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=d3e5710-111685 + Details
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- Definition The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (bb) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=d3e5710-111685 + Details
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- Definition The carrying amount of the assets in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph a -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=d3e5728-111685 + Details
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- Definition The carrying amount of the liabilities in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph a -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=d3e5728-111685 + Details
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