Tatas bid $2 bln for Jaguar, Land Rover - report
MUMBAI, Dec 19 (Reuters) - India's Tata Motors (TAMO.BO) has offered $2.05 billion for Ford Motor Co's (F.N) Jaguar and Land Rover brands, according to a Press Trust of India report carried in local newspapers on Wednesday.
A Tata Group spokesman declined comment on the report.
The report, quoting sources close to the development, said rival Indian car firm Mahindra & Mahindra (MAHM.BO) had offered $1.90 billion.
A person close to the matter told Reuters this week that Tata Motors was most likely to become preferred bidder in the talks with Ford, as it has the backing of the UK-based brands' unions and was viewed as a long-term owner that would invest in the units.
Ford is expected to choose a frontrunner to buy the brands around the end of this week.
India's Tata Group has led the M&A drive of Indian corporates which have global ambitions and are seeking new markets, brands and technology.
The group's major acquisitions include Tata Steel's (TISC.BO) $13 billion purchase of Corus this year and Tata Tea's (TTTE.BO) acquisition of Tetley in 2000. (Reporting by Himangshu Watts; Editing by John Mair)
