India's Tata may begin Jaguar due diligence

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's Tata Motors Ltd. (TAMO.BO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) may start due diligence next week to acquire Ford Motor Co's (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Jaguar and Land Rover brands, the Hindustan Times reported on Saturday.

"Senior Tata officials are already in London. They will start due diligence from next week," it quoted a source close to the transaction as saying.

A spokesman for Tata declined comment.

Tata and its local rival Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (MAHM.BO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), along with U.S. buyout firms TPG TPG.UL and Ripplewood, were among those that have expressed interest in the marques, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The Hindustan Times said Citigroup (C.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) was believed to be advising Tata, India's top bus and truck maker, on the deal.

The newspaper said Arun Gandhi, a director in the Tata group who was involved in Tata Steel's (TISC.BO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) acquisition of Corus, was expected to lead the team of negotiators.

Ford said last month it was working with financial advisers on the best options for Jaguar and Land Rover. Sources have said Goldman Sachs (GS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), HSBC (HSBA.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Morgan Stanley (MS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) are the banks on the deal.

Both Tata and Mahindra have declined to comment on the reports that they are in talks with investment banks and private equity firms to craft bids.