CHICAGO, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co. said in a statement Wednesday that it is close to finalizing a deal to sell its Swedish luxury brand Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co..

    Ford confirmed that "all substantive commercial terms relating to the potential sale of (Volvo) have been settled," but added that "some work still remains to be completed before signing -- including final documentation, financing and government approvals."

    The news sent Ford's stock above 10 U.S. dollars a share for the first time since 2005, prompting at least one analyst to raise his outlook for the company.

    "The prospective sale would ensure Volvo has the resources, including the capital investment, necessary to further strengthen the business and build its global franchise, while enabling Ford to continue to focus on and implement its core One Ford strategy," the Dearborn automaker said.

    According to analysts here, while Geely has some financing from Chinese banks, the announcement of Ford Wednesday aimed at helping China's largest private automaker secure additional loans and win government approval for the acquisition.

    Ford said it will continue to work with Volvo after the sale, but it will not retain a stake in the Swedish company.