Toyota open to Ford alliance, if asked

Toyota would consider a partnership with Ford if approached by the U.S. automaker, Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe told Japan's Nikkei business daily. Such an alliance would focus on developing and sharing technologies, he said.

Toyota spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto told Reuters Toyota executives routinely meet with top executives from other companies, and such meetings did not mean they would form an alliance.

In December, Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported executives from Toyota and Ford met in Tokyo to discuss a potential partnership between the companies. The meeting was reportedly held at Ford's request. Toyota Chairman Fujio Cho and Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally. The two parties are expected to meet again this month.