Jaguar

It has been confirmed that Tata is now the preferred organisation in the race to buy Jaguar and Land Rover.

As a result, the Indian company is within touching distance of its goal of buying the two English marques.

In a statement, Ford's Executive Vice President, Lewis Booth said "Ford is committed to focused negotiations at a more detailed level with Tata, concerning the potential sale of the combined business of Jaguar and Land Rover."

"There is still a considerable amount to do," he added. While no fixed decision has been made with Tata, a secure agreement is expected over the coming weeks.

Auto Express understands that with just one firm left in the running for the keys to both companies, these final negotiations represent little more than a formality and that a sale should be completed in the near future.