Both Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. aren't interested in buying or linking up with Daimler Chrysler AG's Chrysler Group, The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday.

Renault and Nissan had been seen as potential partners for Chrysler since Daimler Chrysler said last week that it is considering selling its ailing U.S. arm or putting the division into partnerships with other auto makers.

But the report quoted people familiar with the matter as saying that Renault and Nissan aren't interested in expanding their alliance to include Chrysler in any manner, either by acquiring a stake or by buying it outright.

Carlos Ghosn, who serves as chief executive of both Renault and Nissan, held unsuccessful talks about an alliance with General Motors Corp.

A person familiar with Ghosn's thinking said the Renault and Nissan boss believes the companies must focus on improving their own levels of profitability and sees Chrysler as a less attractive partner than GM because it is much smaller than GM, according to the report.