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The total net income of consolidated variable interest entities included in reporting entity's statements of income

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	gm_
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Period Type:	duration

- Details

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- Definition

Fair values as of the balance sheet date of VIE's non-recourse liabilities resulting from contracts that meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments, and which are expected to be extinguished or otherwise disposed of within a year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, net of the effects of master netting arrangements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Including VIE's nonrecourse aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Reflects the non-recourse portion of the VIE's total carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of debt having initial terms less than one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (bb)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=d3e5710-111685

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's liabilities included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph b

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=d3e5728-111685

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS140-4/FIN46(R)

-Paragraph C6

-Subparagraph b

-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 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6970148&loc=d3e5747-111685

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The carrying amount of the assets in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying amount of the liabilities in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the reporting entity's variable interest in the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Variable Interest Entities (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	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Total net sales and revenue	$ 37,127	$ 39,043	$ 74,455	$ 74,942
Automotive [Member]
Consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Nonrecourse Short Term Debt	116		116		171
Nonrecourse Current Derivative Liabilities	31		31		44
Automotive [Member] \| Consolidated VIE [Member]
Consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Total Assets	446		446		463
Total Liabilities	267		267		298
Total net sales and revenue	226	227	462	337
Total Net Income (loss)	10	21	7	25
Automotive [Member] \| Consolidated VIE [Member] \| GM Korea [Member]
Consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Nonrecourse Short Term Debt	116		116		171
Nonrecourse Current Derivative Liabilities	31		31		44
Nonrecourse Long-term Debt	4		4		7
Accounts and Notes Receivable [Member] \| Automotive [Member]
Non-consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	9		9		1
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	9		9		1
Equity In Net Assets Of Nonconsolidated Affiliates [Member] \| Automotive [Member]
Non-consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	141		141		190
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	137		137		186
Other Assets [Member] \| Automotive [Member]
Non-consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	21		21		1
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	21		21		1
Total Assets [Member] \| Automotive [Member]
Non-consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	171		171		192
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	167		167		188
Other Liabilities [Member] \| Automotive [Member]
Non-consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	201		201		198
Loan Commitments [Member] \| Automotive [Member]
Non-consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	15		15		15
Other Liquidity Arrangements [Member] \| Automotive [Member]
Non-consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	216		216		220
Total Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements [Member] \| Automotive [Member]
Non-consolidated VIE [Abstract]
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	$ 231		$ 231		$ 235