Ford has had talks with Renault and Chinese vehicle manufacturer Dongfeng Motor Group over the sale of Volvo, reports Reuters.

The news agency quotes sources as saying Ford and Renault have talked again since their initial discussions last August.

However Ford reiterated its statement made earlier this year that Volvo was not for sale, and that it was focused on improving the brand's business results.

Volvo, which lost $151m in the first quarter of this year, is the only brand remaining from Ford's Premier Automotive Group portfolio after it sold Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors earlier this year.

Last year it sold Aston Martin.