A report in the New York Times suggests that FCA chief Sergionne Marchionne approached General Motors’ CEO Mary Barra to discuss combining the two corporations, but was rebuffed.

The NYT report cited anonymous sources and said that Marchionne had emailed Barra with the email setting out the potential benefits of an industrial consolidation between the two automakers. The email reportedly suggested that there would be large cost-savings to follow such a combination.

However, Marchionne’s request for a meeting was turned down by Barra, the report said.

Marchionne has been very vocal in his belief that the auto industry will see more consolidation and is believed to be looking for partners for FCA.