Sergio Marchionne is still considering potential carmaking partnerships and a spin-off of Fiat's auto division, reports the Financial Times.

The Italian auto group's chief executive still believes world carmakers need to join forces and build scale to withstand the industry downturn, despite having been rebuffed in his attempt to create a new group including Opel.

Marchionne would not say which carmakers he is talking to, but said Fiat's alliance with Chrysler is his primary objective.

His stated aim is to build a group selling up to six million units globally. Currently Fiat sells 2.2 million while Chrysler sells 1.8 million.