Finance Receivables (Finance Receivables) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Finance receivables, gross		$ 824,640	$ 813,997	$ 870,001	$ 1,164,236
Finance receivables, gross		5,087,490
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	5,889,519	5,912,130	6,191,158	4,961,894	1,904,957
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	107,667	125,449	173,589	150,082	40,068
Finance receivables, net	5,781,852	5,786,681	6,017,569	4,811,812	1,864,889
Investment in retained securitization interests	0	0	0	245,350	330,674
Receivables Held-for-sale, Net Amount	0	0	0	0	2,443,965
Total of finance receivables, net and investment in retained securitization interests	5,781,852	5,786,681	6,017,569	5,057,162	2,195,563
Total finance receivables, net	5,781,852	5,786,681	6,017,569	5,057,162	4,639,528
Wholesale [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Finance receivables, gross	816,404	824,640
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	816,404	824,640
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	6,225	9,337	15,798
Wholesale [Member] \| United States [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Finance receivables, gross	776,633	778,320	735,481	787,891	1,074,377
Wholesale [Member] \| Canada [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Finance receivables, gross	39,771	46,320	78,516	82,110	89,859
Retail [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Finance receivables, gross	5,073,115	5,087,490	5,377,161	4,091,893	740,721
Loans and Leases Receivable, Gross	5,073,115	5,087,490
Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance	101,442	116,112	157,791
Retail [Member] \| United States [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Finance receivables, gross	4,850,450	4,858,781	5,126,699	3,835,235	514,637
Retail [Member] \| Canada [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Finance receivables, gross	$ 222,665	$ 228,709	$ 250,462	$ 256,658	$ 226,084

Investment In Retained Securitization

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- Definition

Total Finance Receivables, Net

+ References

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- Definition

Total of finance receivables, net and investment in retained securitization interests

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of allowance to cover probable credit losses on loans and leases. Includes carryover of or adjustments to the allowance for loan losses in connection with business combinations. Excludes allowance for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 8, 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Section S99

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-Publisher OTS

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-Section 563c.102

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph a(ii)

-Chapter V

-Subsection I

-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph d

-Article 9

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section L

-Subsection 1

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- Definition

Amount before allowance of commercial loans and leases receivable includes, but not limited to, commercial and industrial loans, agricultural loans, mortgage loans, promissory notes, interbank and other loans to financial institutions, draws against credit facilities, trade financing, lease financings. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a),(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

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-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 01-6

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph e

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph a, b

-Article 9

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- Definition

Amount before allowance of consumer loans, including, but not limited to, mortgage, home equity, vehicles, credit card, installment, and lease financing. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

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- Definition

Amount before allowance of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of other loans and leases not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 01-6

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

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- Definition

The aggregate of (trade) accounts and loans receivables that will be sold to other entities, at lower of cost or net realizable value.

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-Publisher FASB

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