Ford's pro-euro views were given further airing by chief operating officer Sir Nick Scheele in Coventry last week.

Speaking at the Jaguar diesel launch on Friday, Scheele said it was a 'strategic imperative' for the UK to join the currency. Ford sells around 25 per cent of its European vehicles to the UK.

"The lack of predictability and stability is an inhibitor to future investments.”

Scheele's comments follow a similar theme expressed by Ford Europe president and chief operating officer, Martin Leach. He told Reuters last month that the company was assuming the country would join the euro sometime between 2004 and 2006.