City leader welcomes Tata talks

Tata are in talks over buying Jaguar from Ford

The leader of Coventry City Council has welcomed Ford's announcement that the Indian motoring giant Tata is its preferred bidder to buy Jaguar.

Ken Taylor said the firm would be good for the city's motoring research and development economy.

Ford plans to sell Jaguar, which is based at Whitley, in Coventry, and Solihull-based Land Rover.

Mr Taylor said: "Jaguar has been linked to Coventry for many, many years and we need to ensure that this goes on."

He added: "Ford have put it up for sale and we need to get the right people in.

'More jobs'

"I think Tata will be that. They're a global company, massive in terms of their research and development.

"This research and development site in Coventry is important to us and it will hopefully bring us more jobs, not just retaining the existing ones."

Tata already has links with Warwick Manufacturing Group, at Warwick University, where it has a vehicle development centre.

It was named as the union's preferred bidder last year.