Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012 Dealerships segments	Oct. 31, 2011 Dealerships	Oct. 31, 2010 Dealerships
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number Of Segments	4
Number of Dealcors	2	4	3
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Advertising Expense	$ 78	$ 71	$ 63
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	(25)	4	7
Customer Concentration Risk [Domain]
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration Risk Number of Customers	1
Number Of Employees Hourly Workers [Member] | Unionized Employees Concentration Risk [Member]
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration Risk Number Of Employees	4,600
concentration risk number of employees percentage	48.00%
Number of Employees Salaried Workers [Member] | Unionized Employees Concentration Risk [Member]
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration Risk Number Of Employees	400
concentration risk number of employees percentage	5.00%
Pension Costs [Member] | Adjustment Year 2009 [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements, Amount			3
Pension Costs [Member] | Adjustment Year 2008 [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements, Amount			2
Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements, Amount			5
Value Added Tax [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount			42
Earnings Per Share, Diluted For VAT tax adjustment			$ 0.58
Correction Of Errors And Effect Of New Accounting Guidance Adoption [Member]
Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restatement of Prior Year Income, Net of Tax			$ (10)