Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives

Overall Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedge Accounting. All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. To ensure consistency in our treatment of derivative and non-derivative exposures with regard to our master agreements, we do not net our derivative position by counterparty for purposes of balance sheet presentation and disclosure. We do, however, consider our net position for determining fair value.

We have elected to apply hedge accounting to certain derivatives. Derivatives that are designated are documented and the relationships are evaluated for effectiveness using regression analysis at the time they are designated and throughout the hedge period. Cash flows and profit impact associated with designated hedges are reported in the same category as the underlying hedged item.

Some derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting; for others, we elect not to apply hedge accounting. Regardless of hedge accounting treatment, we only enter into transactions that we believe will be highly effective at offsetting the underlying economic risk. We report changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments through Automotive cost of sales, Automotive interest income and other non-operating income/(expense), net,or Financial Services other income/(loss), net depending on the sector and underlying exposure. Cash flows associated with non-designated or de-designated derivatives are reported in Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities in our statements of cash flows.

Cash Flow Hedges. Our Automotive sector has designated certain forward contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions with exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges is deferred in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) and is recognized in Automotive cost of sales when the hedged item affects earnings. The ineffective portion is reported currently in Automotive cost of sales. Our policy is to de-designate cash flow hedges prior to the time forecasted transactions are recognized as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and report subsequent changes in fair value through Automotive cost of sales. If it becomes probable that the originally-forecasted transaction will not occur, the related amount also is reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) and recognized in earnings. Our cash flow hedges mature in two years or less.

Fair Value Hedges. Our Financial Services sector uses derivatives to reduce the risk of changes in the fair value of liabilities. We have designated certain receive-fixed, pay-float interest rate swaps as fair value hedges of fixed-rate debt. The risk being hedged is the risk of changes in the fair value of the hedged debt attributable to changes in the benchmark interest rate. If the hedge relationship is deemed to be highly effective, we record the changes in the fair value of the hedged debt related to the risk being hedged in Financial Services debt with the offset in Financial Services other income/(loss), net.The change in fair value of the related derivative (excluding accrued interest) also is recorded in Financial Services other income/(loss), net. Hedge ineffectiveness, recorded directly in earnings, is the difference between the change in fair value of the derivative and the change in the fair value of the hedged debt that is attributable to the changes in the benchmark interest rate.

When a derivative is de-designated from a fair value hedge relationship, or when the derivative in a fair value hedge relationship is terminated before maturity, the fair value adjustment to the hedged debt continues to be reported as part of the carrying value of the debt and is amortized over its remaining life.

NOTE 16.  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES (Continued)

Net Investment Hedges. We have used foreign currency exchange derivatives to hedge the net assets of certain foreign entities to offset the translation and economic exposures related to our investment in these entities. The effective portion of changes in the value of these derivative instruments is included in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) as a foreign currency translation adjustment until the hedged investment is sold or liquidated. When the investment is sold or liquidated, the hedge gains and losses previously reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) are recognized in Automotive interest income and other non-operating income/(expense), net as part of the gain or loss on sale.We have had no derivative instruments in an active net investment hedging relationship since the first quarter of 2007.

Normal Purchases and Normal Sales Classification. We have elected to apply the normal purchases and normal sales classification for physical supply contracts that are entered into for the purpose of procuring commodities to be used in production over a reasonable period in the normal course of our business.