Finance Receivables, Net Allowance for Loan Losses (Details) (GM Financial [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
GM Financial [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Current	$ 161		$ 136
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	208	65	179	26
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Provisions	48	39
Charge-offs	(51)	(2)
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recoveries	32	2
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Noncurrent	$ 47		$ 43

A valuation allowance relating to a written agreement to receive money (at a specified future date(s) within one year from the reporting date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), consisting of principal as well as any accrued interest) for the portion that is expected to be uncollectible.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForNotesAndLoansReceivableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

A valuation allowance relating to a written agreement to receive money (at a specified future date(s) more than one year from the reporting date, consisting of principal as well as any accrued interest) for the portion that is expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForNotesAndLoansReceivableNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=SL6953423-111524

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Charge to expense for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesProvisions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reduction to the allowance for credit losses related to collections on financing receivables which have been partially or fully charged off as bad debts.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reduction to the allowance for credit losses related to financing receivables deemed uncollectible.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesWriteOffs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration