It was reported long ago that Ford Motor (NYSE: F) was shopping its Jaguar and Land Rover brands. Today it finally announced it has closed the deal to sell these premier British brands to Tata Motors (NYSE: TTM) of India for $2.3 billion. Ford, which has been losing money, found its share price way down, closing yesterday at $5.96 (now up a few cents in premarket trading) and was in need of a cash infusion.

Tata Motors, having just introduced a low-end $2,500 car to the Indian market, is now filling out the upper end of the spectrum by bringing these two well known British brands to a country with a tradition and heritage long ago saturated with British "imperialist" remnants like cricket and tea time. If Jaguar and Land Rover are to be revitalized, then Tata Motors probably has a better chance of success than most.

Ford bought Jaguar for $2.5 billion in 1989 and Land Rover for $2.7 billion in 2000. Nine months ago I posted Chasing Value: Tata Motors LTD - patience, patience, GOT IT! and now Tata has got it! What it hopes to do with these brands is gain some international credibility, based on a solid Indian foundation.

Tata's stock closed yesterday at $17.36, up slightly on the rumors. It is about midway between its 52-week low of $14.71 and its high or $21.30. This deal could send both companies forward humming a new tune. I would even speculate more wildly just for fun that in this world of expanding markets, integrated economies and corporate consolidation, Ford and Tata Motors could one day find reason to unite.

Sheldon Liber is the CEO of a small private investment company and the principal for design and research at an architecture & planning firm. He writes the columns Chasing Value and Serious Money. Disclosure: We own shares in TTM.

Tata Motors pays Ford $2.3 billion for Jaguar and Land Rover originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.