Bernard Arnault and Albert Frère, two of Europe’s most prominent billionaires, are considering a bid for Aston Martin, the British luxury sports carmaker that has been put up for sale by Ford Motor.

Mr Arnault, 57, is the chairman, chief executive and controlling shareholder of LVMH, the Paris-based luxury goods multinational that includes Louis Vuitton and Fendi among its brands. He is France’s richest man.