Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Rollforward (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011		Jul. 31, 2010		Jul. 31, 2011		Jul. 31, 2010
Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at beginning of period	$ 76		$ 119		$ 96		$ 104
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	(3)		(1)		(5)		33
Charge-off of accounts	(6)	[1]	(11)	[1]	(24)	[1]	(30)	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	67		107		67		107
Number of portfolio segments of finance receivables					2
Losses recognized at time of repossession	2		4		17		21
Retail [Member]
Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at beginning of period	40				58
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	(1)				(1)
Charge-off of accounts	(2)	[1]			(20)	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	37				37
Number of classes of receivables in each portfolio					1
Wholesale [Member]
Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at beginning of period	2				2
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	0				0
Charge-off of accounts	0	[1]			0	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	2				2
Number of classes of receivables in each portfolio					1
Trade and Other Receivables [Member]
Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at beginning of period	34				36
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	(2)				(4)
Charge-off of accounts	(4)	[1]			(4)	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	$ 28				$ 28

[1] We repossess sold and leased vehicles on defaulted finance receivables and leases, and place them into Inventories.