1. How did the original JV agreement balance out strate- gic needs versus financial needs for the two JV part- ners? Do you believe the JV partners were aligned in terms of the strategic interests? Moscow-General Motors Corp., the world's largest automaker has sealed a $332 million deal to build cars in Russia, a move seen as a show of confidence that Western companies are ready to take a chance here again, three years after the financial crisis that drove many of them away. GM's president, Rick Wagoner, flew to Moscow to meet Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov of Russia and then signed documents Wednesday creating a joint venture with AvtoVAZ, Russia's largest domestic car manufacturer, culminat- ing years of difficult negotiations. -"GM Joint Venture Shows Confidence in Russia," The Washington Post, June 28, 2001.