Renault denies interested in Jaguar, Land Rover

Jaguar's new XJR is on display during the first media day of the 77th Geneva car show at the Palexpo in Geneva in this March 6, 2007 file photo. French carmaker Renault on Monday denied a British media report saying it was interested in acquiring Ford's luxury UK car brands Jaguar and Land Rover.

PARIS (Reuters) - French carmaker Renault (RENA.PA) on Monday denied a British media report that said it was a possible bidder for Ford's (F.N) luxury UK car brands Jaguar and Land Rover.

"Of course we absolutely do not confirm this information," a Renault spokesman said. "(Chief Executive) Carlos Ghosn said last week that the acquisition of a luxury brand would bring nothing to Renault or the Nissan alliance, in the short term," he said.

He was commenting following a report in London's City A.M. newspaper on Monday that said private equity firm Alchemy Partners was lining up a 3 billion-pound ($5.9 billion) bid for Land Rover and Jaguar and other possible bidders included Renault.

Renault shares were 1.1 percent higher at 108.84 euros by 0840 GMT, slightly outpacing the rest of the French blue chip index .FCHI but broadly in line with the European car .SXAP sector.