Hyundai expects alliance talks on Daimler CEO visit

SEOUL, April 9 Reuters reports that Hyundai Motor Co expects to discuss the possibility of a broader alliance with DaimlerChrysler when the German-American automaker's chief executive visits South Korea next month, a Hyundai official said on Tuesday.

DaimlerChrysler owns 10 percent of Hyundai and chief executive Juergen Schrempp is scheduled to attend an advisers' meeting in Seoul on May 4, the high-ranking Hyundai official told Reuters by telephone.

The two companies formed a joint venture to make diesel engines last year and Hyundai is seeking to sell a 50-percent stake in its commercial vehicle plant in Chonju, southwestern Korea, to DaimlerChrysler.

"General discussions over a tie-up will be made during this visit," the Hyundai official said. "But decisions will not be made during the visit."