Like rats fleeing the sinking ship, Livedoor Co. subsidiaries moved closer to severing ties with their beleaguered parent Thursday, aggravating its bid to recover under new President Kozo Hiramatsu.

Used-car dealer Livedoor Auto Co. said Thursday its board decided to terminate its capital and operational tieup with Livedoor and it will ask the company to part with its stake.

Media Exchange Inc., another Livedoor group firm, said the same day it would try to cut ties by asking Livedoor to sell its stake to a company of its choosing. President Shin Yoshimura told reporters the network connection firm is getting offers from several potential buyers but didn't elaborate.