Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Rollforward (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011 segments		Oct. 31, 2010		Oct. 31, 2009
Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at beginning of period	$ 96		$ 104		$ 113
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	(6)		29		50
Charge-off of accounts	(40)	[1]	(37)	[1]	(59)	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	50		96		104
Number of portfolio segments of finance receivables	2
Losses recognized at time of repossession	20		22		44
Retail [Member]
Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at beginning of period	58		58		47
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	(5)		26		39
Charge-off of accounts	(22)	[1]	(26)	[1]	(28)	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	31		58		58
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		1		2
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	0		1		1
Charge-off of accounts	0	[1]	0	[1]	(2)	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	2		2		1
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	36		45		64
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	(1)		2		10
Charge-off of accounts	(18)	[1]	(11)	[1]	(29)	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	$ 17		$ 36		$ 45

[1] We repossess sold and leased vehicles on defaulted finance receivables and leases, and place them into Inventories. Losses recognized at the time of repossession and charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts were $20 million, $22 million, and $44 million in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.