IT is something of an irony that both this week’s test cars are made by companies whose futures were secured as a result of investment from Indian motor conglomerates.

India’s Tata conglomerate today looked to be in pole position to complete the £1bn (€1.4bn) acquisition of Ford’s Jaguar and Land Rover car marques.

Ford Motor Co. is still evaluating bids from three suitors for its Jaguar and Land Rover units, and a sale is not likely until early in 2008, according to sources briefed on the negotiations.