v2.4.0.6
Equity In Net Assets Of Nonconsolidated Affiliates Equity in net assets of nonconsolidated affiliates (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Mar. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity income, net of tax and gain on disposal of investments $ 423,000,000 $ 2,144,000,000  
Proceeds from Dividends Received 21,000,000 0  
Undistributed Earnings from Equity Method Investees 2,000,000,000   1,600,000,000
Put option, Fair Value 19,046,000,000    
China JVs [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity income, net of tax and gain on disposal of investments 419,000,000 448,000,000  
New Delphi [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity income, net of tax and gain on disposal of investments 0 1,727,000,000  
Direct ownership in investee   100.00%  
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Method Investments   3,800,000,000  
Affiliate equity interest issued and outstanding   100.00%  
Advances to affiliates   500,000,000  
Gain on sale of New Delphi Class A membership interest   1,600,000,000  
Other nonconsolidated affiliates [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity income, net of tax and gain on disposal of investments 4,000,000 (31,000,000)  
SGM [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Direct ownership in investee 49.00% 49.00%  
Parent Ownership Percent In Joint Ventures 51.00%    
SGM Norsom [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Direct ownership in investee 25.00% 25.00%  
SAIC Ownership Percent in Joint Ventures 25.00%    
SGM Ownership Percent of Other JVs 50.00%    
SGM DY [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Direct ownership in investee 25.00% 25.00%  
SAIC Ownership Percent in Joint Ventures 25.00%    
SGM Ownership Percent of Other JVs 50.00%    
SGM DYPT [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Direct ownership in investee 25.00% 25.00%  
SAIC Ownership Percent in Joint Ventures 25.00%    
SGM Ownership Percent of Other JVs 50.00%    
SGMW [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Direct ownership in investee 44.00% 44.00%  
FAW [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Direct ownership in investee 50.00% 50.00%  
PATAC [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Direct ownership in investee 50.00% 50.00%  
Shanghai Onstar [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Direct ownership in investee 40.00% 40.00%  
SGM Ownership Percent of Other JVs 20.00%    
Shanghai Chengxin [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Direct ownership in investee 33.00% 33.00%  
SGM Ownership Percent of Other JVs 33.00%    
SGMS [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Direct ownership in investee 49.00%    
Parent Ownership Percent In Joint Ventures 51.00%    
HKJV [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Parent Ownership Percent In Joint Ventures 50.00%    
Impairment of Equity Investment   39,000,000  
Other Noncash Expense   67,000,000  
Future Capital Injection 173,000,000    
Level 3 [Member] | HKJV [Member]
     
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Put option, Fair Value 88,000,000   88,000,000
Put option, Unrealized Losses $ 64,000,000   $ 64,000,000