Finance Receivables (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jul. 01, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Restricted finance receivables held as collateral	$ 2,420,000,000		$ 2,860,000,000	$ 2,710,000,000
Allowance for credit losses	113,126,000	114,248,000	125,449,000	132,619,000	144,404,000	173,589,000
FICO score for determining credit risk	640
Greater Than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Wholesale finance receivables, gross	500,000		900,000	600,000
Retail [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for credit losses	105,858,000	106,180,000	116,112,000	124,980,000	130,948,000	157,791,000
Retail financing receivables, gross	5,243,470,000		5,087,490,000	5,321,403,000
Retail [Member] | Greater Than 90 Days Past Due [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Retail financing receivables, gross	19,390,000		27,469,000	23,343,000
Related To Finance Receivables Held By Vies [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for credit losses	49,500,000			64,700,000
Wholesale [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for credit losses	7,268,000	8,068,000	9,337,000	7,639,000	13,456,000	15,798,000
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Nonaccrual Status	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0