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