LONDON (AP) _ The chairman of privately held construction machinery group JCB is interested in buying carmaker Jaguar from Ford if the brand were split from stablemate Land Rover, the company confirmed Thursday.

The Financial Times reported that Anthony Bamford said that JCB would consider buying the troubled auto unit as a stand-alone company.

``If they (Ford) can separate Jaguar out (from Land Rover), then I'd like to buy it,'' he was quoted as saying, adding that the division would need to be downsized.

``The little car (X-type) needs to go. The S-type is critical and the XJ is a very good car, but it needs a re-skin,'' he said.

Bamford said he had not approached Jaguar or Ford about his interest.

British-based JCB confirmed that the interview with Bamford had taken place in the United States.