Ford could put Volvo up for sale within the next year and a half according to a major shareholder’s advisor.

Jerry York, advisor to Kirk Kerkorian who has a 4.7% stake in Ford, said he expected Alan Mulally, Ford’s chief executive, to get rid of Volvo and Mercury before by autumn 2009.

York told Automotive News Europe: "There's no rational reason for keeping Volvo and Mercury."

York, who had served as Kerkorian's representative on the General Motors's board in 2005 and 2006, unsuccessfully lobbied for GM to get rid of its Saab and Hummer brands.