The sale of storied British luxury makes Jaguar and Land Rover to Indian-owned Tata Motors marks a historic change in the global automotive landscape. India's Economic Times notes that, soon, and for the first time in over a century, there will be no British-owned automakers. "Once this deal is done, UK's pioneering automotive industry and the brands that they built will all be foreign-owned." Just over two years ago, when China's Nanjing Automotive bought MG Rover, "Attempts were made by British car industry veterans...to retain UK ownership of the company." However, according to the Economic Times, "Tata Motors has been welcomed with open arms by everyone from the workers and upward" in the deal for Land Rover and Jaguar.
The AP reports that much of that positive reception may be due to Tata's stated intention to honor the brands' heritage. "Tata Chairman Ratan N. Tata said his company will try to build on the brands' heritage, keeping their identities intact. ‘We aim to support their growth, while holding true to our principles of allowing the management and employees to bring their experience and expertise to bear on the growth of the business,' he said in a statement."
Reuters, meanwhile, notes that "after selling its famed Aston Martin brand last year and now shedding these two British nameplates, Ford is left with just one non-U.S. brand - the Swedish unit Volvo." While Ford limits its efforts to North America, "U.S. auto sales fell to their lowest level in a decade last year and are expected to fall further this year," but "countries like India, China, Russia and parts of Europe and South America are proving to be markets of rapid growth with a healthy appetite for foreign brands."
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