H—27a

3. The U.S. Forces offered the vehicles for sale through the Munitions Controller at:— G.M.C. trucks .. .. .. $125 = £42 Dodge .. .. .. .. $lOO = £33 Jeeps .. .. .. .. $lOO = £33 The total purchase-price therefore would be : 1,277 trucks at $125 .. .. $159,625 1,010 others at $lOO .. .. $lOl,OOO $260,625 4. The Munitions Controller estimated the costs of reconditioning and putting the vehicles ready for sale as follows : G.M.C. Dodge. Jeepß. £ £ £ Cost of vehicle .. .. 42 33 33 Parts for recondition .. .. .. 250 222 225 Labour for recondition .. .. 350 170 107 642 425 365 Duty .. .. .. ..150 136 106 Sales tax .. .. .. .. 160 118 38 £952 £679 £509 5. The U.S. Forces are prepared to make parts available at published list prices, plus 25 per cent, surcharge. 6. With the approval of the Minister of Finance, the major distributors were approached to see whether they were interested in the purchase. General Motors indicated that they were prepared to purchase 50 G.M.C. trucks under certain conditions, but subsequently withdrew the offer. Neither Fords, Todds, or Dominion Motors are interested in the purchase. 7. Army Department has holdings of — 154 Jeeps. 582 G.M.C. trucks. 8. Attached hereto is a statement showing the approximate number of used trucks available from New Zealand sources, and also authorized importations of new trucks. The figures do not include the Army holdings of Jeeps and G.M.C. trucks not W.D. types, and there is likely to be a fair number of trucks and cars made available from those in use at present by U.S.J.P. Board. 9. The position re tires on the U.S. trucks is as follows : 1,277 G.M.C. trucks at 10 tires per truck .. .. 12,770 Estimated unsaleable .. .. .. .. .. 5,770 Available for sale .. .. .. .. .. 7,000 547 Jeeps at 4 tires each .. .. .. .. 2,188 Estimated unsaleable .. .. .. .. .. 988 1,200 Tires on other trucks not suitable for resale. 10. There are approximately 550 winches with the G.M.C. trucks for which there would be a limited sale of, say, £2O each.

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