Introduction

Tata Motors is the largest multi-holding automobile company in India and it is the fourth largest truck producer in the world. In addition, Tata Motors is also the second largest bus producer in the world, with the revenues of US$ 8.8 billion in the financial year 2008. Since its establishment in 1945, Tata Motors has grown significantly in the past 60 years with the strategies of joint venture, acquisition and launched new products in different market segments (i.e. passenger cars, commercial vehicles and utility vehicles). A significant breakthrough for Tata was the development and commercialization of the truly Indian cars and they are Tata Indica (1998) and Tata Indigo (2002). Tata Motors has experienced many joint ventures with Daimler Benz, Cummis Engine Co. Inc., and Fiat and successfully acquired Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co. Ltd. In the year 2008, there were two most significant events which have had a momentous impact on the scale of the Companys operations and its global image. The launching of Tata Nano, the world cheapest car and the acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover, the two iconic British brand have made Tata Motors well known to the people in the world. Tata Motors has proven excellence over the years through continuous strong financial results, market expansion, acquisition, joint ventures and improvement and introduction of new products, it seems to have a promising future. But it failed the expectation as the company was in trouble right after the acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) in June 2008 due to the arrival of global financial crisis. The bridge loan of US$ 3 billion which used to fund the acquisition of JLR was due on June 2009 and yet at the end of the year 2008, Tata was only able to repay the US$ 1billion. The declining revenues and a tight credit conditions was hurting the companys cash flow.

Reasons behind Ford Motors decision to sell JLR

In 2006, reports said that losses at Jaguar stood at USD 715 million. Jaguar was not performing well as it was unable to provide any profit for Ford due to high manufacturing costs in United Kingdom. The wellbeing of Land Rover's profit, on the other hand, was boost up by the record sale of 226,000 vehicles, an 18% year over year growth in 2007. "Bringing down production costs and turning around the company successfully will be the challenge, analysts said. It was a test that Ford failed. Ford is combining both the brands since the products and manufacturing of vehicles for Land Rover and Jaguar is so intertwined.