TOKYO (AP) -- Nissan Motor Co.'s president signaled his willingness Thursday to consider a capital tie-up with DaimlerChrysler AG should such a proposal be put forward by the German-American automaker, according to a published report.
"If they propose entering a capital tie-up with us, we would consider it seriously," Nissan President Yoshikazu Hanawa was quoted as saying by Kyodo News agency.Nissan officials were unavailable for comment Thursday.
The reported remark by the head of Japan's debt-laden No. 2 automaker came just days after DaimlerChrysler co-Chairman Juergen Schrempp was reported saying his company might be interested in acquiring an equity stake in Nissan.
Schrempp plans to fly to Tokyo next week for an exhibition of DaimlerChrysler vehicles.
Nissan has been in negotiations with DaimlerChrysler and its German predecessor, Daimler-Benz AG, for a possible expanded alliance -- including sharing technology -- in commercial vehicle production.
Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler Corp. in November.
Nissan and Daimler-Benz had agreed in July to jointly build a light truck starting in 2002 as the first step toward broader cooperation. Daimler also said at that time it was considering obtaining a stake in Nissan's truck-making subsidiary, Nissan Diesel Motor Co.
Nissan also has been reportedly discussing possible linkups with Renault of France and Ford Motor Co.
Nissan reported in November it suffered a net loss of $291 million for the six months ended in September, partly due to a deepening slump in demand for vehicles in Japan.