The British government is in contact with Ford over the possible sale of the US carmaker's Jaguar and Land Rover brands.
Jaguar production line, Castle Bromwich plant in Birmingham, David Jones/PA Wire.
"We are in touch with the company. We still believe both Land Rover and Jaguar are highly successful companies and will have a highly successful future," a spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said on Tuesday.
Sources familiar with the matter said yesterday that Ford had hired investment banks to explore options including the sale of the two luxury British brands.
"The government talks to companies about the possible impact on jobs," the spokesman added.