v2.4.0.6

Basis Of Presentation And Recent Accounting Standards (Policies) | 6 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012
Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Standards [Abstract] |
New Accounting Pronouncements Policy [Policy Text Block] | Recently Adopted Accounting Principles In 2012 we adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (ASU 2011-05) that requires presentation of all non-owner changes in equity in one continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. We elected to provide a separate statement of comprehensive income for all periods presented. The amendments in this update do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income (OCI) or when an OCI item must be reclassified to net income. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not affect our condensed consolidated statements of financial position, results of operations and cash flows. ASU 2011-05 was modified in December 2011 by the issuance of ASU 2011-12, “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” This update indefinitely defers certain provisions of ASU 2011-05 that require the disclosure of the amount of reclassifications of items from OCI to net income by component of net income and by component of OCI.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, which requires the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities at the reporting date and the amounts of revenue and expenses in the periods presented. We believe that the accounting estimates employed are appropriate and the resulting balances are reasonable; however, due to the inherent uncertainties in making estimates actual results could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to these balances in future periods.

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

X
- Definition Disclosure of the adoption of new accounting pronouncements that may impact the company's financial reporting. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_NewAccountingPronouncementsPolicyTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6061-108592 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 94-6 -Paragraph 11, 14 -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 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6143-108592 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6132-108592 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UseOfEstimates
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration