CC VKP(b). To Kaganovich. Kuibyshev. Voroshilov.

The deal on used automobiles from General Motors is very suspicious. They may cheat us and try to unload all sorts of junk. Especially since our inspectors have never distinguished themselves by conscientiousness or vigilance. Nevertheless, we should try to purchase no more than 50 thousand automobiles, provided the price is lower, say 100 dollars, and credit of not less than 10 years. If the deal for 50 thousand yields good results and the automobiles prove genuinely serviceable, it will be possible to buy the same quantity again. The question of spare parts must definitely be clarified, and the deal must be understood as meaning the automobiles are sold with spare parts. We mainly need trucks. Therefore, of the 50 thousand automobiles, 45 thousand should be trucks and 5 thousand passenger cars.

Stalin, Molotov, Kalinin

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Source: Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931-1936, p. 296.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 79. L. 61-62.

NOTE

Reply to a cipher telegram of 22 August 1932: "To Stalin, Molotov, Kalinin. In a conversation with Mezhlauk, Cooper proposed on behalf of General Motors to sell us 100-200 thousand used automobiles, trucks and passenger cars, with a guarantee that they will operate for at least another 150 thousand kilometers, fully equipped and fitted with new rubber, at a very low price, an average price of about 200 dollars per automobile, with long-term credit.

Duranty, in a conversation with Mezhlauk, stated that the chairman of General Motors expressed agreement to ten-year credit. The American sales crisis forces the Americans to such terms. General Motors asks through Cooper for permission to send us its man to conduct negotiations on this question.

The proposal is apparently serious. In view of the advantageous terms of sale, we would consider it expedient to answer Cooper, for communication to General Motors, with consent to the sending of their representative.

Please communicate your opinion."