The news comes as Ford is understood to be pondering an approach to join the Renault-Nissan partnership headed by Carlos Ghosn, a move that could derail General Motors' cautious efforts to join the French-Japanese alliance.

Ford is widely expected to put Jaguar up for sale after a company review that is likely to highlight weakness at its Premier Automotive Group (PAG), which also includes Volvo and Aston Martin.

Sir Anthony would only be interested in buying the loss-making Jaguar on a stand-alone basis. It is thought he would move to scale down Jaguar, including ending production of its X-type model.

Ford paid £1.6 billion for Jaguar in 1989 but has since struggled to make money from the brand. PAG posted losses of $162 million (£86m) in the second quarter, the lion's share accounted for by Jaguar.

Earlier this month Ford said it expects PAG to be unprofitable in 2006 if recent sales trends continue.

Last year, the American group injected another £1.2 billion into Jaguar to cover losses and write-downs in the second recapitalisation in as many years.

It has been speculated that other potential buyers for Jaguar could include Nikolai Smolensky, the Russian businessman who bought rival sports car manufacturer TVR in 2004.

Meanwhile, analysts said a Ford-Renault-Nissan alliance could make sense for the struggling American manufacturer after chief executive Bill Ford Jr reportedly called Mr Ghosn to discuss a deal.

Analysts said a Ford tie-up could deliver greater savings in the US and open up more opportunities in Europe than one with GM.

Ford last week it announced plans to cut output by some 168,000 vehicles by the end of the year. The move will reduce production to its lowest level since 1982.

Ford has appointed Kenneth Leet, a former Wall Street investment banker from Goldman Sachs, as a special strategic adviser reporting directly to Mr Ford, to lead its internal review.

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