<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-10-06</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2003-10-07</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000040730</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GENERAL MOTORS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GM &amp; GMH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001197571</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KRESA KENT</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>300 RENAISSANCE CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 300   M/C: 482-C38-B71</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DETROIT</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48265-3000</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>General Motors Common Stock, $1-2/3 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8200</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Duplicate filing being made so as to file Power of Attorney as Exhibit 24.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kent Kresa</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-10-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

