Pressed to clarify what DaimlerChrysler meant when it said it was in discussions exploring possible cooperation projects with Nissan, Schrempp told a news conference, "It leaves everything open.

"At this time we are discussing all possibilities," he said. "The only problem is, we are very impatient." He added that the German-American automaker was eager to boost its position in Asia, and viewed equity participation in another company as a quicker means of achieving this than building up its own product and manufacturing base.

"The question is how quickly can we expand our position in Asia," he said. "Now we are looking at Asia as more important than in the past," he said.

He reiterated the company's goal of receiving 20-25 per cent of its global revenues from Asia. He also said efforts to integrate the previous components of thecompany, which was formed by a merger of Daimler-Benz AG and Chrysler Corp last November, should not prevent it from pursuing other goals.

"We do not believe you can concentrate only on integration," he said. He also said he would welcome the challenge of incorporating a Japanese corporate culture into DaimlerChrysler's, if such a need were to arise.