Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012 class	Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2011		Oct. 31, 2010		Oct. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable By Class Number of Portfolio Segments		2
Loss on Contract Termination for Default		$ 6		$ 20		$ 22
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		50		96		104		51
Provision for Loan, Lease, and Other Losses		14		(6)		29
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		(13)	[1]	(40)	[1]	(37)	[1]
Retail Portfolio [Member]
Financing Receivable Number Of Classes Of Receivables In Each Portfolio	1
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		31		58		58		27
Provision for Loan, Lease, and Other Losses		3		(5)		26
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		(7)	[1]	(22)	[1]	(26)	[1]
Wholesale Portfolio [Member]
Financing Receivable Number Of Classes Of Receivables In Each Portfolio		1
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		2		2		1		0
Provision for Loan, Lease, and Other Losses		(2)		0		1
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		0	[1]	0	[1]	0
Trade and Other Receivables [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses		17		36		45		24
Provision for Loan, Lease, and Other Losses		13		(1)		2
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Write-downs		$ (6)	[1]	$ (18)	[1]	$ (11)	[1]

[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 $6 million , $20 million, and $22 million in 2012, 2011, and 2010. respectively.