Allowance for doubtful accounts (Rollforward) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012 segments		Jan. 31, 2011
Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at beginning of period	$ 50		$ 96
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	0		0
Charge-off of accounts	(3)	[1]	(2)	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	47		94
Number of portfolio segments of finance receivables	2
Losses recognized at time of repossession	1		3
Retail [Member]
Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at beginning of period	31		58
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	(2)		(2)
Charge-off of accounts	(1)	[1]	(2)	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	28		54
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	1		0
Charge-off of accounts	0	[1]	0	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	3		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	17		36
Provision for doubtful accounts, net of recoveries	1		2
Charge-off of accounts	(2)	[1]	0	[1]
Allowance for doubtful accounts, at end of period	$ 16		$ 38

[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 $1 million and $3 million for the three months ended January 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.