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Restructuring And Other Initiatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Balance at beginning of period | $ 383 | $ 268 | $ 383 | $ 627
Additions, interest accretion and other |  | 330 | 412 | 545
Payments |  | (315) | (490) | (360)
Revisions to estimates and effect of foreign currency |  | (56) | (37) | (429)
Balance at end of period |  | 227 | 268 | 383
GMNA [Member] | Cash Severance Incentive Programs [Member] |  |  |  |
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Additions, interest accretion and other | $ 240 |  | $ 240 |
GMNA [Member] | US Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan [Member] |  |  |  |
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Restructuring accrual reversal |  |  |  | (317)
GMI [Member] | Separation Programs In South Africa And India [Member] |  |  |  |
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges |  | 460 |  |
GMI [Member] | Separation Programs in Australia, Korea, India and Chevrolet Europe [Member] |  |  |  |
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Restructuring cost incurred to date |  | 892 |  |
GMI [Member] | Separation Programs in Australia, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Chevrolet Europe [Member] |  |  |  |
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges |  |  |  | $ 324
Asset Impairments, Sales Incentives, Inventory Provisions and Other Restructuring Costs [Member] | GMI [Member] | Separation Programs In South Africa And India [Member] |  |  |  |
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges |  | 297 |  |
Dealer Restructuring, Employee Severance and Contract Termination Costs [Member] | GMI [Member] | Separation Programs In South Africa And India [Member] |  |  |  |
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges |  | $ 163 |  |

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- Definition Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost including foreign currency translation adjustments, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period and costs settled during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3536-108585 + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 + Details
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- Definition Amount of expense (reversal of expense) which increases (decreases) the restructuring reserve from an adjustment to a previously accrued restructuring liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 + Details
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