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Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Abstract]  
Basis of Accounting The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which consist of normal recurring adjustments and transactions or events discretely impacting the interim periods, considered necessary by management to fairly state our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2019 Form 10-K. Except for per share amounts or as otherwise specified, dollar amounts presented within tables are stated in millions.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation We consolidate entities that we control due to ownership of a majority voting interest and we consolidate variable interest entities (VIEs) when we are the primary beneficiary. Our share of earnings or losses of nonconsolidated affiliates is included in our consolidated operating results using the equity method of accounting when we are able to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial decisions of the affiliate.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards and Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" (ASU 2016-13), which requires entities to use a new impairment model based on current expected credit losses (CECL) rather than incurred losses. Estimated credit losses under CECL consider relevant information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of financial assets, resulting in recognition of lifetime expected credit losses at initial recognition of the related asset. We adopted ASU 2016-13 on a modified retrospective basis by recognizing an after-tax cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of Retained earnings of $660 million, inclusive of $643 million related to GM Financial. The application of ASU 2016-13 increased our allowance for loan losses related to GM Financial receivables, net by $801 million and had an insignificant impact to our allowance for credit losses for Accounts and notes receivable and no adoption impact to Marketable debt securities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (ASU 2020-04), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP if certain criteria are met to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. ASU 2020-04 became effective March 12, 2020 and may be applied prospectively through December 31, 2022. We do not believe the discontinuance of LIBOR will be a significant event for our Automotive arrangements. A substantial portion of GM Financial’s indebtedness bears interest at variable interest rates, primarily based on USD-LIBOR. We are currently assessing the impact the discontinuance of LIBOR or another reference rate will have on GM Financial’s contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that, once completed, will determine the effect of adopting this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Marketable Debt Securities
Marketable Debt Securities We classify marketable debt securities as either available-for-sale or trading. Various factors, including turnover of holdings and investment guidelines, are considered in determining the classification of securities. Available-
for-sale debt securities are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains, and losses that are not credit related, recorded net of applicable taxes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss until realized. Credit losses are recorded in Interest income and other non-operating income, net.
An evaluation is made quarterly to determine if any portion of unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities is related to credit losses or whether any unrealized losses recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss need to be reclassified. Non-credit related unrealized losses are reclassified to Interest income and other non-operating income, net if we intend to sell the security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of the unrealized loss.
Accounts and Notes Receivable
Accounts and Notes Receivable Accounts and notes receivable primarily consists of amounts that are due and payable from our customers for the sale of vehicles, parts, and accessories. We evaluate the collectability of receivables each reporting period and record an allowance for doubtful accounts to present the net amount expected to be collected on our receivables. Additions to the allowance are charged to bad debt expense and reported in Automotive and other selling, general and administrative expense.
GM Financial Receivables
GM Financial Receivables Finance receivables are carried at amortized cost, net of allowance for loan losses. Provisions for loan losses are charged to operations in amounts sufficient to maintain the allowance for loan losses at levels considered adequate to cover expected credit losses on the finance receivables. For retail finance receivables, GM Financial uses static pool modeling techniques to determine the allowance for loan losses expected over the remaining life of the receivables, which is supplemented by management judgment. The modeling techniques incorporate reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions over the expected remaining life of the finance receivables. The economic forecasts incorporate factors which vary by region that GM Financial believes will have the largest impact on expected losses, including unemployment rates, interest rate spreads, disposable personal income and growth rates in gross domestic product.
Troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) are grouped separately for purposes of measuring the allowance. The allowance for TDRs uses static pool modeling techniques like non-TDR retail finance receivables to determine the expected loss amount. The expected cash flows of the receivables are then discounted at the original weighted average effective interest rate of the pool. Factors considered when estimating the allowance for TDRs are based on an evaluation of historical and current information, which may be supplemented by management judgment. Finance charge income from loans classified as TDRs is accounted for in the same manner as other accruing loans. Cash collections on these loans are allocated according to the same payment hierarchy methodology applied to loans that are not classified as TDRs.
Commercial finance receivables are carried at amortized cost, net of allowance for loan losses and any amounts received under a cash management program. GM Financial establishes the allowance for loan losses based on historical loss experience, as well as the forecast for industry vehicle sales, which is the economic indicator believed to have the largest impact on expected losses.