I think for me, the point is that Jag and Land Rover were considered stylish, rarified, and, as someone said previously, "cool".

Nobody associates luxury brands with India! There's absolutely nothing cool about Indian, as a country. If there were, why would so many people want to leave India - in earnest!? Anybody been to India!? Not much in the way of Parisian elegance or Italian style.

When you buy a Louis Vuitton bag, or Gucci, or whatever luxury brand, you bank on style and inherent coolness.

I've oft considered the Jag X convertible, but now it's not cool enough for me! Maserati, here I come.

Ramone VArona, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The sale is of legitimate concern to British people because it means uncertainty, and because Ford/JLR represented an integrated British car operation, which is now to be broken up. However, I think Tata has a good reputation and would be a better custodian than French or German ownership, which would probably be terrible (as we've seen re GEC Alstom, ERF etc).

What is interesting, however, is all the chippiness about xenophobia and racism in this thread, mainly but not exclusively from people of Asian background. Yet looking through the thread you actually see little or none of this. A reaction against a non-phenomenon, it seems.

Julian B, London, UK

Tata is not exactly a jo-schmo company like some of you might think. It has a strong track record of designing and manufacturing cars, trucks, and SUV's, mostly for the Indian market. If a car can make it in India, it will make it anywhere else, considering the unforgiving conditions. I dont see why they will not do well with this aquisition. FYI both these brands are not British, atleast not anymore. They have been American for a while now, and now they are owned by an Indian company.

I have owned a TATA SUV before. It was caleed SUMO (diesel). It clocked more than 200,000 kms when I sold it, and with minimum maintenance costs. Having owned a Tata SUV before, I will willingly invest in a new Jag made by Tata.

kishore, norwalk, ct

Its really sad to see such comments here...

We have to see this objectively and realize that Ford weren't exactly doing a great job with Jag and Land Rover. With Tata's support, these brands will prosper and hopefully carry on their legacy. People here are talking as if Ford is a "European" company. NO it isn't. Give Tatas a chance. They have already indicated their support for the current management and labour workforce. They plan to keep the brand heritage.

Associating India always with low quality goods is laughable. Its not true for all the spheres of industry. We are AHEAD of not only Britain but many European countries in many fields of technological excellence. Just don't go by stereotypes or the old mindset "How can a country like India takeover one of 'our' brands?" I'm pretty sure Tatas will do a better job than a debt stricken company Ford (12.7 bn at last count).

You can judge my comments as being "from an Indian" or just choose a more rational approach to view this. GL

Ishan, Chennai, India

this is how millions of jobs will be created in india.Its only a matter of time before thousands of factories come up india to provide employment to billions of people.The demand will be both domestic and international.India and China are likely to consume millions of cars in the future.great move by an indian company.I also feel this is the beginning of times when take overs by emerging economies become a weekly affair.

bharat, mumbai, india

It amazes me to no end, people who, as best as I can tell, haven't run or managed as much as a lemonade stand mouthing off advice on how to run a major auto company.

Don't like Jaguar and LR being owned by an Indian conglomorate? Well, guess what, things change.


Wake up and smell the coffee (or tea, if it's Tetley)!

Vinay, Bangalore, India / Karnataka

Just before the East India comany first came to India, India's share of the global trade was 22%. When the British left after more than 300 years in 1947, India's share of the global trade was less than 1%. On the other hand, in the same period Britains's ahre went up from less than 2% to over 9%. Now guess what happened

George, Oxford,

I agree with Pete. A Jaguar sells because it represents Britishness . That is what people buy them for, especially in the US which is their main market. In recent years, Ford has altered the styles and quality, and thus destroyed its character. Its impossible to keep a car British if you are not British yourself. This is nothing against the Indians or anybody else, but simply fact.

Matt, Napoli, Italy

Raymond Liverpool. First globalisation isn't 10 years old

The mechanisms of the globalisation phenomenon have in fact occurred over the past decade. These include the structures and speed of change in the world. Obviously globalisation has existed before, including colonialisation which many disgruntled Indians seem to still hark on about! It is this current gloalisation attempt, that European economists now want to change as it is a beast that they have created but can no longer control. THe oncoming global depression which is also being felt in India will change the world order yet again.

Silvia, Crawley, UK

The problem is that whilst the rest of the globe operates under a protectionist mentality and without the excess of regulation that bogs down European businesses, Europe doesnt permit state intervention in order to help companies in crisis, and those same companies are not allowed an equal playing field with regards to companies say in China and India. For example, if a European company produced the TATA Nano car in the EU, they would literally be imprisoned for flouting regulation!

Dave, Manchester, UK

Would the Indians be happy if say Richard Branson bought Tetley tea? I expect the answer would be NO!!

Gary, London, UK

The Jag was like a rickshaw before TATA bought it, hence the attraction!!!

Christine, Norfolk, UK

I fail to see why the Indians here are getting so testy with the accusations of racism and what not.

The whole point is that the "Britishness" of Jaguar and Land Rover is one of its unique selling points!

Their ownership by Ford did not exactly go unnoticed what with the use of Mondeo chassis on Jags that are five times the price. Yet, Ford's ownership of Jaguar was tolerated because of Ford's automotive pedigree - something distinctly lacking from Tata.

Pete, Cov,

Silvia, Crawley. First globalisation isn't 10 years old. The British started it. Its just that in the last 10 years a lot of economic power and money is shifting east as they have the competitive advantage hence Europeans and Americans are moaning. The "looney lefties" have been saying for years that foreign companies take wealth from the country. Its just happening in reverse from it used to.

Raymond, Liverpool, uk

All this colonialist talk by Indian readers is real rcist claptrap. If it had not been for the British, India would not have any infrastructurre on which to build its economic ambitions, thus it wasnt all bad was it? I dont think any modern day Britian really cares what their ancestors did as none of us were there anyway?
The real debate is about protecting British industry for future generations. We know that Jaguar was bought by the Americans but why was that allowed to hapen? If anybody tries to buy out an American industry or indeed a Japanese one, they will meet a brick wall. For example, Air France has been trying to buy Delta but it is no go. If you dont protect what you have for the future, then that future is bleak. It is not an issure as to whether the buyer is Indian or British, but about where future profits and jobs will be invested, as well as a sense of national pride.

Marc, Bracknell, UK

Its quite an eye opener to see that Indians are still haunted by their colonial past!!! If these are the type of people biulding the new Jaguar company, then I will quite happily by a Lada!

Julia, Sussex, UK

The idiots who suddenly "think" that Jag and Land-Rover have suddenly become rickshaws should think again. All of the design work is done in Whitley, Coventry. They are all assembled in the UK. The respective HQ's are in Gaydon, Warwickshire. The only thing that is Indian is the finance. Tata are not stupid. They know consumers won't accept Jags and Land Rovers made in India. They are not about to waste a billion+ pounds to make elementary mistakes.

Tata have strong ties with Warwick University and will probably CREATE jobs in the UK, not export them!

If the thought of Jag and Land Rover is making your splutter on your Tetley tea, well I've got news for you, that's produced in India and owned by Tata too (along with Corus, the ex-British Steel)!

Dave Cox, Coventry (Home Of Jaguar),

"Quite shocked at some of the comments here, it is what globalisation is/was/will be but there is now a hint of racism creeping in. "

Check the word racism in your dictionary as you opviously have not got a grasp of its meaning. There are no rascist comments in here; only healthy nationalist ones.

Teresa, Deal, UK

Er, Frederick, London,
What about the stink that comes off the plant that makes the electricity for your (oh so stink-free) electric bike?

Ken Leyland, Liverpool, U.K.

I appreciate that there are still some looney lefties in the world who assume that anybody who holds their country dear is a rascist, but what sense does it make to be happy that a once national treasure has been bought by another foreign company? Any foreign owned company may invest in the UK for now, but the profits are going overseas! Besides, what is the point of the EU, if it is not protected European businesses?
As for globalisation, well that short 10 year era is quickly coming to an end thanks to its causes (the credit crunch and global recession), so get ready to be brainwashed by the Governments next quick fix scheme!

Silvia, Crawley, UK

Well, one former colony of Britain (America !!) sells to another former colony (India !!)

samiron, reading,

At least the indians seem to appriciate the heritage .Jaguars need a jaguar engine not a ford iron lump .I was never interested in buying an s type jaguar because the engine design is 50 years old and needs a course with AA it is far too thirsty .The Rover v6 Gave better standards of comfort and better mpg.

g p edlin, london, uk

Historically, over much of the past 2,000 years (say 85-90%) Britain has generally been a backwater and inconsequential region with no tradition for supply or export of quality goods; finished or unfinished, manufactured or extracted from the earth. The regions that make up modern day India and China on the other hand, have traditionally been known for making the finest products in the world, and have long had trade surpluses with the rest of the world, especially with Europe. So I really don't know what all the fuss is about, surely the educated people realise that the European / Anglo Saxon era of dominance was just a blip in history? Why would Indians, traditionally, have a lesser heritage in making anything than Britain, regardless of when a technology was founded or when it was developed. You would think history ended on the day an American company sold a subsidiary for a cheap £1billion to an Indian conglomerate, you probably do if you're British and a fool.

Hema Patel, Mumbai, India

Yo Brits, I seriously appreciate all those folks who will not buy Land Rover and Jaguar in the near future. Becuase, it is now owned by the TATA. I will appreciate and thank you folks if you could STOP buying anything that is not 'Made in UK'. You may have to throw your TV, MP3 Players, Computers, Laptops, Camera, Mobile Phones, Washing Machines, Car, Imported Petrol and so on.

Be a true British folks. Throw all those away, which is not 'Made in UK'. I suspect that will ever happen.

Have a pint and be happy!! (Oh! even making the pint requires imported wheat)

Uma Shankar, UK,

As long as further Jaguars and Land Rovers are designed and/or built by Britons, I think I can safely consider them British.

Lorinc Del Motte, Sackville, NB, Canada

".think your self lucky some chinese company did not buy the company other wise you will see the plant moved to China or Chinese workers working in UK plant ...

Sumit , Tokyo, Japan"

Heaven forbid!

Howard, Manchester,

I am quite confused Jag and Land Rover were owned by Ford which is a American company....where is britishness in this deal and in anycase their is no loss of job ...think your self lucky some chinese company did not buy the company other wise you will see the plant moved to China or Chinese workers working in UK plant ...

Sumit , Tokyo, Japan

It really amazes me to read all the comments bout Jag n LR not being British any more. Well, they were not British in any case when Ford bought it. I dont understand so much debate on britishness when its just a plain business deal. Jobs will be there and even employees of both Jag n LR are happy that it has been taken over by TATA. For all those who says they sold their Jag n bought some German made car, from when did you started liking Germans. In any case, you dont consider yourselves to be europeans. Further more, if you are hate having anything that is made in India or asian sub continent, have a double check on the cloths you are wearing, the bag you are carrying, or even the shoes you are wearing. You might be left with nothing at the end of the day. Do a research bout the company that bought it and then you might want to come up with all your senseless whining. If you still dont agree, think it like this. Indians are taking back a share of what you took from them for 200 yrs.

Nishant, London, UK

Sure there are concerns as to whether or not Indian manufacturing will do justice to the perceived cachet of the Jag & LR brands, and concerns over poor Indian workmanship etc.

Just consider this though - Audi have started manufacturing the A6 in India.

And that's a car that's seen as a benchmark for construction quality...

Hassan Azam, Banbury , Oxfordshire, England

adam, phoenix, arizona

Thats rich...coming from the USA-your car makers have been smashed by the likes of Toyota for the past 20 years.
With your fuel drinking- badly made cars.
And thats why your car makers are losing money alll over the show.
I would like to see a truly America company go under the control of Canada etc and see how many Americans get fired up. Jag and Range rover are British its not just a car its a icon of the country.

Mark, Christchurch, New Zealand

thank god TATA has saved our family's livihood. People should stop being so negative after all nobody forced anyone to accept TATA's 1.15 billion!

K. Rai, Birmingham, UK

Bharat from Mumbai:
Yours is simply a rant. The poverty in India is mind boggling, The estmate of those below the UN-defined poverty line is as high as 350 million, the population of USA. Just walk around mumbai and see the number of shanti estates and watch where people live in those estates. They take bath literally in streets which are also used as toilets. All this happens not far away from the glitzy buildings of Tatas. The basic necessity of providing clean drinking water for Indian masses is yet to be done 60 years after independence. Infant mortality, infectious diseases reign supreme. As some of Indian extraction I am ashamed that priorities in India are so different. Although India earns its foreign exchange through the IT outsourcing work, its dollar reserve is mostly from the remittances of Indian expatriates who work in Gulf States and the USA., Unlike China which has trade balance of payments in its favour. against USA. China's case is different.

Krish, London,

It's hard to find anything made in Britain any more. Even traditional products with good old British names are made abroad. If you're lucky the label will say Designed in Britain.

quentin, reading, uK

It's all hypothetical really. At the end of the day there's only car manufacturer that every other has tried to emulate over the past 30 years. And only one who's business ideology has permeated every management course throughout the world, and that of course is Toyota. I couldn't care less who makes my car as long as it drives OK and doesn't break down!

Jonathan, Auckland, New Zealand

Not that it matters to people that instead of a private equity group buying the company and then asset stripping it, it has been bought by a conglomerate who sees the potential in the brands.

If an Australian company or a Swedish company or any other white nation had bought this, it would have been alright. But its not alright for some when the "natives" buy it. If this is not xenophobia or racism, I dont know what is.

All you xenophobes - Shame on you.

PG, London,

:) Relax :)

Jaguar is a pay-back ... for all the Indian Curry Houses that Britain has been bestowed upon.

What would you have done without that? ... eat European food?

RK, Phoenix, AZ

I don't like the tone of this article: "makers of the world's cheapest car"......"two of Britain’s most highly regarded car brands"....If Jaguar and Land Rover are two of Britain's most highly regarded brands, does that place them with Rolls Royce, Bristol, Bentley, Aston Martin (for crying out aloud)? Are you trying to say that all of Britain's brands are highly regarded? Are they leagues above Vauxhall? I don't think so.

Perhaps I have not put my views as articulately as possible, but I smell snobbery.

Ed, Bradford. West Yorkshire,

I read all the comments very carefully. While i feel that some of the comments were really optimistic and realistic from people who are able to see the changed world, i found some people still living in old mentality probably because not many of those might have actually travelled widely out of britain/europe/US (or perhaps brainwashed outdated school education). True that TATA is an Indian Brand but what difference does that make ? TETLEY TEA is owned by TATA too does it make it any inferior in any sense regarding brand value ? TATA is very vast conglomerate having huge investment in R&D surely they will combine BRAND and R&D advantage of JAG and ROVER with their own to compete in the world market at a new level. Almost all the European Brands have manufacturing facilities in China does that make them uneuropean ? or lower in Brand Value ? VODAFONE, CITIGROUP, PEPSI, MITTAL STEEL ETC are all headed by Indians does that make brand value of any of these things lower ? Give a thought.

ash, Leeds, UK

I can understand that people from UK and US have a hard time digesting the fact that a third world country like india is taking over all there premium stuff but the fact is that we are poor and have more hunger to succed unlike you people.Britain grew rich from colonialism.Killing millions of people.You dint have the talent.Now in this generation hard working people will rise.Indian and chinese have more talent and hard working ability and that is why we will show you.And we are not fat like u americans and brits

bharat, mumbai, india

let the Indians enjoy their economic superiority while they may - after all they've been waiting for it for 200 years. By the time one hundredth of their popualtion can gain any benefit at all, their wealth will be owned by China, a country that thinks in thousands of years, not hundreds. Have a nice day, Indian people. This is what is known as a pyrrhic victory.

John Bull, Wolverhampton, England

All the Brits who are happy that one of our brands has been bought by another foreigner should hang their heads in shame! Have you no sense of heritage or tradition? THe 1984 style brainwashing carried out since 1997 has certainly worked!

Ann, exiting the UK, UK

"And nobody is even talking about the fact that Mr Tata sits on the Board of Fiat!?!? "

He is an administrative consultant and is not as far as I know on the board at FIAT.

Matt, Naples, Italy

TATA and FIAT have entered into a sort of trading partnership but he is not a director of FIAT.

Stefano, Rome, Italy

The racism on display here is shocking and deeply upsetting. Jaguar has not been a British owned brand for many years, and I for one am not concerned that the parent company is now Indian rather than American. In many ways we as a country have closer links to India than the states, and from a business perspective this may open up a new, important emerging market for these great British luxury brands.

Will, Bristol, UK

Carrying out IT outsourcing work is one thing and having enough skills base to manage a luxury car manufacturing is another. I doubt Tata's capability to do this and still they bought the companies to show that they too are global players.

I am of Indian extraction and know the standards of manufacturing goods in India. If Jaguar and Land Rover plants go to India, they are finished.

Inorder to evaluate manufacturing standards just buy Indian postage stamps and try sticking them to envelopes after licking them Just look at the Indian coins particularly lower denomiation ones. That should show what the country can and cannot do.

I can well understand the anxiety of those who express doubts about a company in the third world taking over luxury car company. If I were Brown I would get the British enterpreneurs together to find a buyer.

Krish, London,

Unfortunately the automotive industry in this country has been cursed with always trying to get by with the miniumum investment in r&d and selling the same old rubbish for years and years. There are really good engineers in the uk but they were never given the money by management to produce new inovative designs. It's now come home to roost. By the way, if Rover and JLR were banks Brown would have saw to it that they were saved. Sadly engineers are seen as little more than scum in Britain. Gamblers in the city of London are the way forward!

Chris, Banbury,

And nobody is even talking about the fact that Mr Tata sits on the Board of Fiat!?!?
I am sure Tata & Marchionne have had some interesting thoughts?

J, West Mids, UK

It amazes me how people can accuse others of being "racist" simply because they are showing some more than welcome nationalism? It is such nationalism that is lacking in Britain and thus we have now put our entire country up for sale without a though for what will be left for future generations

Harry, Glasgow, UK

I can see in the future, that these cars will be made in India, not England. After all, whay pay English wages, when in India for a quarter of the English wage these cars can be made, and be 50% less. I would think all this will happen in 4/5 years.

victor arram, wesycliff,

I am selling my Jag, and off to buy an FSO! At least they have a history in modern car production!

Phil, Southampton, UK

Is Jaguar Indian. Wow. What is british now. Britain is so lazy and too proud (of what I wonder). Living in old glories. Well done TATA. I wonder when the Buckingham palace is going to be taken over by a foreign billionaire. Wont be surprised if its going to be some one from her old colonies. The british were smart and very innovative. Whatever happened to the new generation. Wake up guys.

John, cambridge, UK

How long before we see the sale of the houses of parliament of indeed the entire nation? Is anything sacred in Britain? There are too many people that have been brainwashed by new labours global nonsense. If you havent realised yet, globalisation is at the point failure only ten years after its engineering. Both companies should heve been bought back under British control or the brand scrapped. It is misrepresentation selling these as British cars. Already the new Jags look like ugly American cars.

Phil, Southampton, UK

"Tatas have crafted and sustained a tradition of bequeathing much of their personal wealth to the many charitable trusts they have created over the years.

VJ, Oxford, UK"

Yes, it's called tax relief.

Jeff, Manchester,

Tata is a one of India's most professionally managed groups and have extremely strong ethical credentials. If it is the future of Land Rover and Jaguar, any commitments made by the Tata group will be honoured......
The acquisition of Arcelor by Tata Steel earlier was equally smooth and both these companies will do well in the years to come. The Tata work ethic is competitive without compromising the ethical and human viewpoint. They run Tata Steel where there has been no industrial strife for over eight decades !!

Uday, Pune, India, India

The Labour party told British workers : "You don't have to Labour any more...you are entitled to everything for free!" That's how Britain became a consumer nation rather than a producer nation, losing all its industries in the process.

The Great Reality Revolution is coming...to restore British Pride, Industries and Greatness.

Garth Strong, San Diego, USA

It's ta-ta from me and wife. I am selling my Jaguar and my wife is getting rid of her Land Rover. We're thinking of buying Volvo or German makes.

Bill Cousin, Kansas, US

Well, for all those who claim that they are glad that they threw away their Jags and went and bought Mercedes and BMW instead, because it was "European" , well since when did the UK become "European" .. The last time I looked, the currency of UK was still the pound and not the Euro!. There might be a tunnel under the channel, but the channel is still there allright.

Veejay, London, UK

People ..stop your racism.
I very much doubt tata will ever move the plants to india. As they mentioned, the management structure will be kept. It will still remain a british company. Development and manufacturing will still be in britain. The brands will still be european. The alternative was for ford to start cutting costs on these loss making brands.
Get out of this island mentality and embrace the new world.

adam, phoenix, arizona

It ought to be astonishing that no British entrepreneur or private equity group was prepared to buy Jaguar and Land Rover. But, of course, it isn't. We have finally reached the stage when Britain no longer sees itself as a driving force in global manufacturing. We are content these days to see others take the risks, while still hoping that the jobs will remain in the UK. It's pathetic. Once the sell-off is completed ("everything must go"), we will be left to pick at our scabs and rue the day that we thought nothing mattered outside of the Square Mile.

Walter Ellis, New York, USA

All that knowledge and technology for £1bn. Must be the bargain of the year.

Andy, france,

Ratan Tata & Farooq Balsara (Both Indian Parsees) have done wonders for Britain. Farooq was probably the greatest Rock Stars that Britain (or the world) ever had. If the Brits loved FQ so much, I am sure that they will love Tata.

Kara Swart, London, UK

Jaguar was a bad investment for Ford. They wanted it in the 1980's because the Lincoln brand was and is still to a degree driven by the elderly and the brand now has that stigma attached to it. I cannot believe in a country like India with such dire poverty the government allowed TATA to spend so much money on a troubled overseas car brand with oil at over $100/b. That money should have been invested in India creating jobs for the poor masses. Amazing what happens when the world is awash in petro dollars.

James Varela, Sarasota, Florida

As others have stated a few years down the line and the factories will be moved to India. Perhaps all the Indians defending the TATA brand feel they can move back to wonderful India (so why here then) with them but the rest of us have worries.
Lets hope all those Indians complaining about how the British Raj didn't anything for them stop now, we've just sold you a bit of class (through our US masters). Hope when my job in LR is moved to India it can be given to a Dalit (untouchable) or God forbid a Christian, or is that not possible in the worlds 'biggest democracy' ?

Peter, Solihull,

I am proud to be British but I left the country 2 years ago. When I see racist and xenophobic comments posted about a business article like this it truly amazes me how many of the populace in Britain are still so small-minded and blindly stuck to this empirical island mentality. The world has changed! Get over it - Great Britain relinquished most of the colonies over 50 years ago because World War II caused national bankruptcy, both financially and ideologically. This was a logical and natural end of an antiquated world system. Our existence as a human race will only improve when everyone starts thinking of the world as one community and not as a battleground or divided territories. Please - allow yourselves to evolve.

Rocco, Austin, TX

I dont think that the negativety is towards the Indians, altohugh I would question their pedigree with regards to keeping up the standards expected of such a luxury brand. It is however sad when a company as British as Jaguar falls into foreign hands, whoever they may be. We need to be cementing our own futures and selling everything off to the highest bidder is a mistake. What ever happened to peoples sense of national pride in this country?

Teresa, Crawley, UK

Recently the debate has been whether to ally ourselves with Europe or America and it seems we have completely forgotten about the Commonweath of nations. I think that through all the multiculuralism and racism and xenophibia we should remember that Britain in a member of a club totalling almost two billion people and spanning the globe.

I think it is great news that prestigious British car brands have been taken over by a commonweath country, these historic ties should be being welcomed and strengthened

Pete Wood, Nottingham, UK

Selling Jaguar and Landrover to Tata is the best decision made by the American board of Ford. It will take the skills of Tata to make Jaguar and Landrover profitable.

It is to the credit of Ford that they have kept the brands running despite losing billions in the process. If it was not for Ford, there would not be a Jaguar or Landrover to talk about today nor the UK jobs.

RKK, Stavanger,

Whilst the Italians are fighting to keep Alitalia Italian despite Prodi's treacherous agreement to the French through the back door, the British are happy to see one of their icons sold off to yet another foreign company! How the British have lost their way!!!

Sara, Milan, Italy

I work in IT and have had a lot of experience of working with Tata's IT arm, TCS. If these muttonheads are anything to go by, then I won't be buying a Land Rover again.

Dave, Notts, UK

I'm struggling to see where all this negativity towards Indian ownership of JLR originates? Especially from people who probably bought a BMW or Mercedes "because they are German". Look a little closer, it may have been built in USA (Alabhama - X3, 3-Series, Z4) or South Africa (Mercedes C-Class).

Also Ratan Tata was recently quoted as saying that they will stand-by the current management structure. The fact that they (TATA) have gone on record and said this and that the current business plan will be maintained must give a good indication for the future especially with products like LRX (if it happens) and the new XF...

Why should it matter who owns Jaguar/Land Rover? Ford didn't do a brilliant job with Jaguar, BMW used Land Rover know-how to create the X5, and nationalisation just caused chaos. Why shouldn't an Indian conglomerate be granted the opportunity - or does the reluctance stem from the fact that India is a former colony?

Nathan, Warks, UK

A former coleague of mine has just started work at Brunner Mond, which is another company owned by Tata. He joined them because they are investing at their UK sites and do appear to have a good future.

I think that this is excellent news for Jaguar and Land Rover.

Rob, Wirral, UK

An American company has sold part of it business to an Indian company.... so why are the Brits getting so upset? It has nothing to do with Britain. Its just business.

Vik, London,

Did anyone realise that the deal was fully supported by the trade unions? Selling Jag and Land Rover to TATA is 1000 times better than selling them to a private equity firm solely interested in laying off people, cutting costs and stripping assets. TATA is a highly responsible corporate citizen known to protect the interests of its employees.

TATA bought Tetley and Corus before. Do these companies feel any less British now? And remember, many of the IT systems you access everyday are developed and maintained in India.

India is one of the fastest growing economies and has the third largest concentration of billionaires in the world. Mr. Ratan Tata doesn't figure in this list and has a simple lifestyle even though he heads 98 companies in seven business sectors operating in 80 countries. The reason is simple. Tatas have crafted and sustained a tradition of bequeathing much of their personal wealth to the many charitable trusts they have created over the years.

VJ, Oxford, UK

There are a number of posts suggesting that the sale will remove the Britishness of the cars, sorry to break it to you, Ford and thus Land Rover and Jaguar are American.

Furthermore, so what if the cars are manufactured in India one day, if the UK is ever moving to the service sector, surely we should be the people who are designing the cars? (note however that India has both a very highly skilled and a vast unskilled population, many may argue a perfect mix for any industry).

On one ground at least attempt to be proud they were sold to an ex-colony, or is that the sour point for many?

It is a sad thing that the companies are leaving the UK but the UK has lost it's competitive advantage in almost everything. The free market eventually prevails.

Patel, London, UK

All the racist and xenophobic attitudes coming out here will have to become a thing of the past. You have no choice. You'll have to get used to the fact that you're no longer no.1 in anything anymore.

What happened to the virtues of free trade, capitalism and globalisation you used to spout to the rest of the world? Or was that just when it suited you?

I'm constantly amazed at how deluded people in the UK are when it comes to their global position. The French dress and eat better, the Germans make things better, the Americans have more ambition, the Russians have more balls, the Chinese are rising as are the Indians.

Where does that leave poor old Blighty? In oblivion and get used to it.

Alex , London, UK

Is the Honda any less a car because it's built in Wiltshire?

Mike L, Chippenham, Wilts

I am looking forward to taking delivery of my XF next month and dumping my frumpy "British" S-Type! I don't care who owns Jaguar or where the cars are made as long as they meet my personal criteria, both rational and emotional.

David Payne, Thonon les Bains, France

For the guys who commented,"Im glad I bought a Mercedes - its European". I wonder if it was a M, R or ML class - built in the USA?? I work in the Automotive industry and you would be amazed how many "Foreign" parts make up a car, who owns the brands and where in the world different cars are made (maybe the Times on line could do a feature).
With Landrover and Jaguar in particular, do you know that a high % of the work force are skilled ASIAN workers - as with many car producing companies around the world. I think some people should look at their oen comments as there appear to be some dark undertones.

Peter H, Cannock, UK

well,its a globalised world,either you are in or u are out,stop cribing about indians buying uk company and get on to survive in competative world,otherwise you will loose more companies before you are aware

truman, london,

Why are the Germans able to to maintain their strong position and produce a wide variety of quality cars and we can't even manage one?

JP, Newport, Wales

I'm with Pete is San Francisco. The sale could have some very positive benefits for both brands. As for Britain, the shift post-war has been from manufacturing to service industries and is likely to continue.

Carfiend, london,

"I'm pleased I sold my Jaguar and bought a Mercedes, at least I can say it is European"

Pathetic...whatever your name is check the label on your clothes, 90% chance they're made in China,Mexico,Bangladesh etc...maybe you should walk around nude...

Quite shocked at some of the comments here, it is what globalisation is/was/will be but there is now a hint of racism creeping in. And thank god nothing is made in Britain any more, i'd be bankrupt overnight. So folks, instead of moaning about brands, english,european, white etc be prepared for more. You never know you just may end up working for an Indian company someday....actually no that wont happen because you lot would rather be unemployed, wouldnt you?

And if any family member of the Raheja's is reading this, come over and take over all these B&Bs in the UK, i just got ripped off for £100 for one night down in Devon.

Anand, Reading, UK

I think that these companies should not be allowed to carry on using the logo, as this is a type of false advertising. The Jaguar logo is a representation of Britishness, which sadly, is no longer the case.

Matt, Naples, Italy

As a Disco owner and engineer, I always considered that Landrover failed in part because the design moved away from its roots to capture mostly the middle and top end markets.

Surely there is a huge international market for a basic Landrover devoid of complicated electronics and niceties, particularly in the lesser-developed countries? From my global experience nothing beats a Landrover "in the field" when the going gets really tough.

Perhaps Tata will now fill this niche with a simple and cost effective variation. That they are capable is not in question.

Rod, Lyneham, Wilts UK

Anyway guys, the world once was in one piece and its not the acquisition of trade marks or brands that will differ our life style in any kind.Tata will just add some more spice in his own brand...clever.

nash, vocoas, mauritius

Short term this may secure jobs at Land Rover in the UK. But it is a sad day for what remains of the British Car industry. Hopefully as a pedigree brand Land Rover will have many more successful years, as long as the UK green taxes don't cripple it first.

Good luck to the boys at Lode Lane, Sollihull. Keep up the good work. :-)

Conrad, Newcastle, UK.

SO what has Tony Blairs much coveted globalisation given ther UK? We are now paying higher prices for our vital goods as demand outstrips supply. All our well paid manufacturing jobs have gone as companies move production to the sub-continent. The environment is suffering due to mass movement of goods and people as well as the increase in consumption by the developing nations. Recession thanks to the credit crunch that drove globalisation. Now we are seeing our once great companies sold off to the econmica menaces that we created. Its good to see that Tony knew what he was talking about!!!!!!

Elisa, Naples, Italy

I feel it is gone to the right people-hard working, not relying on state benefits. The public and the government have to wake up otherwise, every manufacturing company have the right to move out where they can make profitable business. May be oneday, the parliment itself will be sold to Private company to make money and pay the work shy !

sundaram, Essex,

"British jobs for British workers...."

Yeah, right.

Bry Barnes, Somerset, Uk

Well, now Jaguar is not distinctively British anymore.
I'd rather purchase a true European car rather than an Indian one.

Frank, Leicester,

Don't blame anything on politicians,it's simple economics- without a huge empire to suck money from Britain is just an island with very little resources .Soon the population in India and China buying cars will be much more than most other countries-shouldn't then they own the car companies too?.Believe me today it's cars, tomorrow it'll be planes,it's a matter of market economics/free trade and size of consumer market.

SP, Texas, US

Not so much the empire strikes back as the empire is stricken back. How long before an Indian enterprise called The Honourable NW European Islands company opens 'factories' in, say, Bristol, Manchester and Newcastle ? Or The Peoples' Republic of China 'liberates' the Isle of Wight, plus some additional New Territories, on a 99 year leasing arrangement, without, hopefully, having to flood Britannia with opium or loot one of Queen Victoria's summer palaces.

Leonard Colquhoun, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

a very sad day.

Phil Barnes, preston, england

Never owned a Jaguar or a gas guzzling L. Rover. Who cares who makes the stinking things. I have just bought an electric bike and it is heaven.

Frederick, London, UK

Just sold my Jag and bought a BMW - thank goodness I got out before the brand value plummets to nothing.

When they move production out of the UK, as no doubt they will, then Jaguar and Land Rover will be worthless as global brands.

It is a tragedy that this has been allowed to happen.

Danny, Leeds, UK

Its actually funny when you start equating worlds cheapest car maker to worlds worst car maker.Manufacturing the cheapest car would have required the same R&D skills and engineering, if not more, than producing a luxury car.Before commenting on Tata's ability, one should look into the R&D put into the nano and also the group's credibility as a century old manufacturing giant which is continuosly reinventing itself decade after decade. Remember survival of the fittest ?? UK has failed to plan a long term strategy for its auto manufacturing industry and these are bound to happen in a globalised world.

Neo, Durham, UK

The purchase of Jaguar & Land Rover moves the brand into the 'un-cool' zone. Welcome back Lancia to the Uk to join the other Italian 'sub-zero' brands ie Alpha, Fiat (Grande+500) & Maserati. Lets protect our get Euro brands.

RWilliams, London, UK

Forget it.....I won't buy a Tata-Jag or Tata-Rover.

Derek, Bellevue, USA

It's okay for BMW to buy out Rolls etc., or the Russians to buy out football clubs, or Ford an American to have bought out Jag and Rover. But not an Indian company. It is this kind of silly, racist attitude and management incompetance that scuttled British industry.

Billoo Bhai, London, UK

Bye bye.

gwilym rhys-jones, costa del sol, spain

C Ronn - Are you kidding? That's right, nationalisation REALLY worked well in the 1970s didn't it? Sounds like Tata will give Jaguar the investment and support that a great brand needs. The sooner the Brits stop whining and hand-wringing and start to realise how much they have to offer the world in great design, innovation and creativity (example - the Jaguar XF) the better it will be for the British economy - and their children's future. You should be proud, not full of self-pity.

Pete (ex-pat Brit), San Francisco, California

Does Britain actually own anything anymore or does China, Saudi Arabia and now India own everything? Good old capitalism supported and financed by communist money....

Luke, perth, australia

Sad...

Paul B Kelley, Columbia, USA

United Kingdom requires not ONE, not TWO, but TRIPLE Industrial revolutions to become what it was before. Sadly, as a society, we have been obsessed in getting on the so called property ladder than building large industrial factories to produce goods 'Made in Britain' to sell them to the world. The so called THIRD world countries are marching ahead. Where are we standing? Do we know what to do???

Uma Shankar, UK,

i can assure C Ron that the UK produces far more cars than it did in the days of nationalised industries. The cars are also higher in quality. Foreign owned car manufacturers employ many UK citizens.

A Smith, bristol, UK

I'm not sure if this purchase will have a knock on effect to the brand values - personally I love both Jag and Land Rover but would have to think twice about buying any car with Indian parentage no matter how well its made.

Bye bye two great car marques.

jimmy, London, UK

R.P.Dixon,

Check all your equipemts and gadgets in your home for where it was made. Keep alll those 'Made in EU'. Throw away all those not 'Made in EU'. Do let me know what equipments and gadgets you have at the end. Get a life...

Uma Shankar, UK,

It is only a matter of time before Tata takes Jaguar out of the UK, give it 4/5 years. It will join the call centers etc... Does the UK make anything anymore?

It is a symbol of how bad things are in the UK now through successive bad management and being masters to the city of london... Sad realy.

James G, Shanghai,

I'm pleased I sold my Jaguar and bought a Mercedes, at least I can say it is European.

R. P. Dixon., London,

That a good idea C Ronn unfortunately the labour party and Tony Been had already thought of it way back in the 60s and 70s. Not only did nationalisation destroy the car industry it also took care of ship building, Mining and steel.

Dave, Phuket , Thailand

Its pitiful that nationalisation is not an option , britain finally has become a consumer nation rather than a producer one.

C Ronn, cumbernauld, uk