Jim Press, who runs Toyota Motor Corp.'s North American operations, said Wednesday the company had no interest in any Chrysler assets, though he noted Toyota would always consider an alliance if it presented a "win-win" for both sides. He cited his company's longtime joint manufacturing venture with General Motors in Fremont, Calif.

Bank of America analyst Ronald Tadross said he "would not be surprised if there is good interest in Chrysler. We see Chrysler as a decent business, at least relative to the other U.S. domestic manufacturers."

Chrysler said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter earnings plunged on weaker demand at the Chrysler unit, where sales fell 7 percent. DaimlerChrysler's profit fell to $761 million, or 74 cents per share, as revenue slipped to $53.7 billion.

DaimlerChrysler earned $4.26 billion, or $4.17 per share, in 2006 compared with 2005 earnings of $3.76 billion, or $3.70 per share.

LaSorda said the company expects to lose money again in 2007, but less on an operating basis than in 2006. He also said the company expects to take a $1.3 billion charge this year for restructuring expenses.

The job cuts at Chrysler will reduce by 400,000 the number of vehicles that operations can produce each year.

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Contributing: Matt Moore; Randall Chase; James Prichard; Jeff Karoub; Ken Thomas