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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Schedule of Truck Reserve
The following table presents our used truck reserve:
 
For the Years Ended October 31,
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at beginning of period
$
110

 
$
208

 
$
110

Additions charged to expense(A)
50

 
111

 
187

Deductions/Other adjustments(B)
(129
)
 
(209
)
 
(89
)
Balance at end of period
$
31

 
$
110

 
$
208

_________________________
(A)
Additions charged to expense reflects the increase of the reserve for inventory on hand. During 2017, we implemented a shift in market mix to include an increase in volume to certain export markets, which have a lower price point as compared to sales through our domestic channels, and lower domestic pricing to enable higher sales velocity.
(B)
Deductions/Other adjustments include reductions of the reserve related to the sale of units.
Property, Plant And Equipment, Useful Life
The ranges of estimated useful lives are as follows:
 
Years
Buildings
20 - 50
Leasehold improvements
3 - 20
Machinery and equipment
3 - 12
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
3 - 15
Equipment leased to others
1 - 10
Intangible Assets, Useful Life
The ranges for the amortization periods are generally as follows:
 
Years
Customer base and relationships
3 - 15
Trademarks
20
Other
3 - 18
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]
Product Warranty Liability
The following table presents accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue activity:
 
For the Years Ended October 31,
(in millions)
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at beginning of period
$
629

 
$
818

 
$
994

Costs accrued and revenues deferred
211

 
199

 
186

Currency translation adjustment
1

 
(1
)
 
3

Adjustments to pre-existing warranties(A)
(9
)
 
(1
)
 
77

Payments and revenues recognized
(303
)
 
(386
)
 
(442
)
Balance at end of period
529

 
629

 
818

Less: Current portion
255

 
307

 
396

Noncurrent accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue
$
274

 
$
322

 
$
422

________________________
(A)
Adjustments to pre-existing warranties reflect changes in our estimate of warranty costs for products sold in prior periods. Such adjustments typically occur when claims experience deviates from historical and expected trends. Our warranty liability is generally affected by component failure rates, repair costs, and the timing of failures. Future events and circumstances related to these factors could materially change our estimates and require adjustments to our liability. In addition, new product launches require a greater use of judgment in developing estimates until historical experience becomes available.
In the second quarter of 2016, we recorded a charge for adjustments to pre-existing warranties of $46 million or a charge of $0.56 per diluted share. The charge primarily relates to increases in both claim frequency and cost of repair across both the Medium Duty and Big Bore engine families. The charge increased the reserve for our standard warranty obligations as well as the loss positions related to our Big Bore extended service contracts. Adjustments to pre-existing warranties in 2016 include a benefit of $1 million related to our Workhorse Custom Chassis operations, which are reported in Discontinued Operations in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The impact of income taxes on the 2018, 2017, and 2016 adjustments are not material due to our deferred tax valuation allowances on our U.S. deferred tax assets.