Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Basis of Accounting and Intercompany Transactions [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting and Intercompany Transactions, Policy [Policy Text Block]	We show certain of our financial statements on both a consolidated and a sector basis for our Automotive and Financial Services sectors. Intercompany items have been eliminated in both the consolidated and sector balance sheets. Where the presentation of these intercompany eliminations or consolidated adjustments differs between the consolidated and sector financial statements, reconciliations of certain line items are explained below in this Note or in the related financial statements and footnotes.
Reclassifications [Abstract]
Reclassifications, Policy [Policy Text Block]	We reclassified certain prior year amounts in our consolidated financial statements to conform to current year presentation.
Financing Receivable Impaired [Abstract]
Impaired Financing Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impaired consumer receivables include accounts that have been rewritten or modified in reorganization proceedings pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that are considered to be troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), as well as all accounts greater than 120 days past due. Impaired non-consumer receivables represent accounts with dealers that have weak or poor financial metrics or dealer financing that has been modified in TDRs.
Finance Loans and Leases Receivable [Abstract]
Finance Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	A restructuring of debt constitutes a TDR if we grant a concession to a debtor for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties that we otherwise would not consider. Consumer and non-consumer receivables that have a modified interest rate below market rate or that were modified in reorganization proceedings pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, except non-consumer receivables that are current with minimal risk of loss, are considered to be TDRs. We do not grant concessions on the principal balance of our receivables. If a receivable is modified in a reorganization proceeding, all payment requirements of the reorganization plan need to be met before remaining balances are forgiven. Finance receivables involved in TDRs are specifically assessed for impairment. The accrual of revenue is discontinued at the time a receivable is determined to be uncollectible. Accounts may be restored to accrual status only when a customer settles all past-due deficiency balances and future payments are reasonably assured. For receivables in non-accrual status, subsequent financing revenue is recognized only to the extent a payment is received. Payments are generally applied first to outstanding interest and then to the unpaid principal balance. For all finance receivables, we define “past due” as any payment, including principal and interest, that is at least 31 days past the contractual due date.
Inventories footnote [Abstract]
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost for a substantial portion of U.S. inventories is determined on a last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis. LIFO was used for 34% and 28% of total inventories at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Cost of other inventories is determined by costing methods that approximate a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis.
Employee Separation Actions [Abstract]
Employee Separation Actions [Policy Text Block]	We record costs associated with voluntary separations at the time of employee acceptance, unless the acceptance requires explicit approval by the Company. We record costs associated with involuntary separation programs when management has approved the plan for separation, the affected employees are identified, and it is unlikely that actions required to complete the separation plan will change significantly. When a plan of separation requires approval by or consultation with the relevant labor organization or government, the costs are recorded after the required approval or consultation process is complete. Costs associated with benefits that are contingent on the employee continuing to provide service are accrued over the required service period.
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	For interim tax reporting we estimate one single effective tax rate for tax jurisdictions not subject to a valuation allowance, which is applied to the year-to-date ordinary income/(loss). Tax effects of significant unusual or extraordinary items are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate calculation and recognized in the interim period in which they occur.
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	We present both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) amounts in our financial reporting. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to Common and Class B Stock holders by the weighted-average number of Common and Class B Stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the maximum potential dilution that could occur from our share-based compensation, including “in-the-money” stock options and unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Potential dilutive shares are excluded from the calculation if they have an anti-dilutive effect in the period.
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Guarantees and indemnifications are recorded at fair value at their inception. We accrue obligations for warranty costs and field service actions (i.e., safety recalls, emission recalls, and other product campaigns) at the time of sale. We establish estimates for warranty and field service action obligations using a patterned estimation model using historical information regarding the nature, frequency, and average cost of claims for each vehicle line by model year. We reevaluate the adequacy of our accruals on a regular basis and any revisions to our estimated obligation for warranties and field service actions are reported as Changes in accrual related to pre-existing warranties in the table below. We accrue for matters when losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable

Summary of Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Basis of Accounting and Intercompany Transactions [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting and Intercompany Transactions, Policy [Policy Text Block]

We show certain of our financial statements on both a consolidated and a sector basis for our Automotive and Financial Services sectors. Intercompany items have been eliminated in both the consolidated and sector balance sheets. Where the presentation of these intercompany eliminations or consolidated adjustments differs between the consolidated and sector financial statements, reconciliations of certain line items are explained below in this Note or in the related financial statements and footnotes.

Reclassifications [Abstract]

Reclassifications, Policy [Policy Text Block]

We reclassified certain prior year amounts in our consolidated financial statements to conform to current year presentation.

Financing Receivable Impaired [Abstract]

Impaired Financing Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impaired consumer receivables include accounts that have been rewritten or modified in reorganization proceedings pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that are considered to be troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”), as well as all accounts greater than 120 days past due. Impaired non-consumer receivables represent accounts with dealers that have weak or poor financial metrics or dealer financing that has been modified in TDRs.

Finance Loans and Leases Receivable [Abstract]

Finance Loans and Leases Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

A restructuring of debt constitutes a TDR if we grant a concession to a debtor for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties that we otherwise would not consider. Consumer and non-consumer receivables that have a modified interest rate below market rate or that were modified in reorganization proceedings pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, except non-consumer receivables that are current with minimal risk of loss, are considered to be TDRs. We do not grant concessions on the principal balance of our receivables. If a receivable is modified in a reorganization proceeding, all payment requirements of the reorganization plan need to be met before remaining balances are forgiven. Finance receivables involved in TDRs are specifically assessed for impairment.

The accrual of revenue is discontinued at the time a receivable is determined to be uncollectible. Accounts may be restored to accrual status only when a customer settles all past-due deficiency balances and future payments are reasonably assured. For receivables in non-accrual status, subsequent financing revenue is recognized only to the extent a payment is received. Payments are generally applied first to outstanding interest and then to the unpaid principal balance.

For all finance receivables, we define “past due” as any payment, including principal and interest, that is at least 31 days past the contractual due date.

Inventories footnote [Abstract]

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost for a substantial portion of U.S. inventories is determined on a last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis. LIFO was used for 34% and 28% of total inventories at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Cost of other inventories is determined by costing methods that approximate a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis.

Employee Separation Actions [Abstract]

Employee Separation Actions [Policy Text Block]

We record costs associated with voluntary separations at the time of employee acceptance, unless the acceptance requires explicit approval by the Company. We record costs associated with involuntary separation programs when management has approved the plan for separation, the affected employees are identified, and it is unlikely that actions required to complete the separation plan will change significantly. When a plan of separation requires approval by or consultation with the relevant labor organization or government, the costs are recorded after the required approval or consultation process is complete. Costs associated with benefits that are contingent on the employee continuing to provide service are accrued over the required service period.

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

For interim tax reporting we estimate one single effective tax rate for tax jurisdictions not subject to a valuation allowance, which is applied to the year-to-date ordinary income/(loss). Tax effects of significant unusual or extraordinary items are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate calculation and recognized in the interim period in which they occur.

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

We present both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) amounts in our financial reporting. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to Common and Class B Stock holders by the weighted-average number of Common and Class B Stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the maximum potential dilution that could occur from our share-based compensation, including “in-the-money” stock options and unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Potential dilutive shares are excluded from the calculation if they have an anti-dilutive effect in the period.

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Guarantees and indemnifications are recorded at fair value at their inception.

We accrue obligations for warranty costs and field service actions (i.e., safety recalls, emission recalls, and other product campaigns) at the time of sale. We establish estimates for warranty and field service action obligations using a patterned estimation model using historical information regarding the nature, frequency, and average cost of claims for each vehicle line by model year. We reevaluate the adequacy of our accruals on a regular basis and any revisions to our estimated obligation for warranties and field service actions are reported as Changes in accrual related to pre-existing warranties in the table below.

We accrue for matters when losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable