General Motors and Ford have approached the Swedish government about aid for their Saab and Volvo car units, the Financial Times reports today.

The newspaper said the carmakers wanted Sweden to bolster the units' finances in anticipation of selling the subsidiaries.

The heads of both companies had spoken to Swedish industry minister Maud Olofsson about securing funds, the FT said, citing people familiar with the discussions.

Last week Olofsson said Sweden wanted clarity about what the U.S. parent firms planned before considering any support.