v2.4.0.6

Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment Charges (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011
Long-lived assets [Member] |  |  |  |
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment Charges [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | $ 925 | $ 951 | $ 1,817 | $ 1,879
Impairment Charges | 23 | 18 | 54 | 44
Equipment on Operating Leases, Fair Value [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Assets Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Equipment on Operating Leases [Member] |  |  |  |
Depreciation, Amortization and Impairment Charges [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 105 | 128 | 197 | 208
Impairment Charges | 75 | 74 | 130 | 113
Equipment on Operating Leases, Fair Value [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Assets Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 1,067 | 1,359 | 1,915 | 1,920
Estimated Revenue, Fair Value Input | 1,094 |  | 1,961 |
Estimated Cost, Fair Value Input | 1,169 |  | 2,091 |
Level 1 [Member] | Equipment on Operating Leases [Member] |  |  |  |
Equipment on Operating Leases, Fair Value [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Assets Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Level 2 [Member] | Equipment on Operating Leases [Member] |  |  |  |
Equipment on Operating Leases, Fair Value [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Assets Fair Value, Nonrecurring | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Level 3 [Member] | Equipment on Operating Leases [Member] |  |  |  |
Equipment on Operating Leases, Fair Value [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Assets Fair Value, Nonrecurring | $ 1,067 | $ 1,359 | $ 1,915 | $ 1,920

X
- Definition This element represents the aggregate of the assets 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: | gm_AssetsFairValueNonrecurring
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | gm_EquipmentOnOperatingLeasesAbstract
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_EstimatedCostFairValueInput
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The estimated future revenue used for fair value measurment for equipment on operating leases. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gm_EstimatedRevenueFairValueInput
Namespace Prefix: | gm_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of tangible 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 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2921-110230 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration