v2.4.0.6

Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] |
Commitment and contingencies [Table Text Block] | The following tables summarize information related to commitments and contingencies (dollars in millions):
| March 31, 2012 |  | December 31, 2011
| Liability Recorded |  | Maximum Liability(a) |  | Liability Recorded |  | Maximum Liability(a)
Guarantees(b) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating leases | $ | — |  |  | $ | 9 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 26 |
Ally Financial commercial loans | $ | — |  |  | $ | 28 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 24 |
Third party commercial loans and other obligations | $ | 8 |  |  | $ | 279 |  |  | $ | 7 |  |  | $ | 210 |
Other product-related claims | $ | 54 |  |  | $ | 773 |  |  | $ | 53 |  |  | $ | 838 |
__________
(a) | Calculated as future undiscounted payments.
(b) | Excludes residual support and risk sharing programs and vehicle repurchase obligations related to Ally Financial.
| March 31, 2012 |  | December 31, 2011
| Liability Recorded |  | Liability Recorded
Environmental liability(a) | $ | 171 |  |  | $ | 169 |
Product liability | $ | 547 |  |  | $ | 514 |
Other litigation-related liability and tax administrative matters(b) | $ | 1,274 |  |  | $ | 1,196 |
__________
(a) | Includes $32 million and $34 million recorded in Accrued liabilities at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and the remainder was recorded in Other liabilities and deferred income taxes.
(b) | Consists primarily of indirect tax-related litigation as well as various non-U.S. labor related matters.
Contract Cancellations [Table Text Block] |

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- Definition Tabular disclosure of commitment and contingencies that were disclosed as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

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- Definition Tabular disclosure of contract cancellation charges during the reporting periods + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_ContractCancellationsTableTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration