v2.4.0.6

Depreciation, Amortization and Impairments Property, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment [Abstract]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring	$ 0	$ 0
Fair Value Measuement Range	937,000,000	926,000,000
fair value input level 3 estimated revenue of equipment on operating leases	960,000,000
Equipment on operating leases cost	1,015,000,000
Level 1 [Member]
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment [Abstract]
Fair Value Measuement Range	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment [Abstract]
Fair Value Measuement Range	0	0
Level 3 [Member]
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment [Abstract]
Fair Value Measuement Range	937,000,000	926,000,000
Long-lived assets [Member]
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment [Abstract]
Depreciation	892,000,000	928,000,000
Asset Impairment Charges	31,000,000	26,000,000
Equipment on Operating Leases [Member]
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment [Abstract]
Depreciation	92,000,000	80,000,000
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 55,000,000	$ 39,000,000

X

- Details

Name:	gm_DepreciationAmortizationAndImpairmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	gm_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Equipment on operating leases cost

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gm_EquipmentOnOperatingLeasesCost
Namespace Prefix:	gm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

fair value input level 3 estimated revenue of equipment on operating leases

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gm_FairValueInputLevel3EstimatedRevenueOfEquipmentOnOperatingLeases
Namespace Prefix:	gm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Fair Value of Equipment on Operating Leases

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gm_FairValueOfEquipmentOnOperatingLeases
Namespace Prefix:	gm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6390789&loc=d3e2420-110228



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 45, 46, 47

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 5

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

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