Toyota eyes alliance with GM

CHICAGO: Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor is considering proposing an alliance with General Motors to prevent its US rival from forming a three-way tie-up with Renault and Nissan, BusinessWeek magazine has reported.

Citing “people with knowledge of the Japanese auto maker’s plans,” the magazine said Toyota had war-gamed a proposal to assist struggling GM, the world’s largest auto maker, and head off a deal that would create a monolithic automotive group.

“Toyota has no interest in seeing an alliance like this (linking Renault, Nissan and GM) take place,” an executive who asked not to be identified was quoted as saying.