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Who owns Ford and Land Rover?

Ford is owned by Ford Motor Company, a publicly traded automaker. Land Rover is owned by Tata Motors, via Jaguar Land Rover. Ford does not own Land Rover today.


To explain: Ford Motor Company remains an independent, publicly traded automaker headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, overseen by a board of directors and a chief executive. Land Rover operates as a British brand under Tata Motors, routed through Jaguar Land Rover, after Tata completed its acquisition of JLR from Ford in 2008. The brands exist under separate parent companies and governance structures.


Ford Motor Company: Ownership and structure


Current ownership and corporate structure


Key facts about Ford's ownership today are listed below. Ford Motor Company is a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: F) and owned by a broad base of investors. It is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, and operates Ford and Lincoln as its core brands worldwide. While public ownership is broad, the Ford family maintains significant influence through special voting rights via Class B shares, giving them a lasting say in major corporate decisions. Ford is not owned by another automaker or private owner.


Key facts about Ford’s ownership are summarized here to provide a concise snapshot of the company’s governance and control.



  • Publicly traded company (NYSE: F) with a broad base of investors.

  • Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, United States.

  • Brands include Ford and Lincoln; global manufacturing and operations.

  • Governance influenced by Ford family through Class B voting shares (providing controlling interest despite broader public ownership).


These points illustrate Ford's current ownership status and governance, highlighting how the company is structured as a publicly traded automaker with historical family influence.


Land Rover ownership: history and current structure


Past ownership and current structure


Key facts about Land Rover's ownership are summarized below. Land Rover is a British brand owned by Tata Motors of India, operating under Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a subsidiary of Tata Motors. From 2000 to 2008, Ford Motor Company owned Land Rover as part of its Premier Automotive Group; in 2008, Tata Motors completed the acquisition of JLR from Ford for about $2.3 billion. Since then, Land Rover has been under Tata Motors’ ownership via JLR. The brand remains a distinct entity within the Tata group and is not independently publicly traded.


The following list captures the essential points about Land Rover's ownership and corporate structure.



  • Parent company: Tata Motors Limited (India).

  • Brand structure: Land Rover is part of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), a subsidiary of Tata Motors; Jaguar and Land Rover operate under the JLR umbrella.

  • Historical note: Ford owned Land Rover from 2000–2008 as part of the Premier Automotive Group; Tata Motors acquired JLR from Ford in 2008.

  • Public ownership: Tata Motors is publicly traded in India (NSE/BSE) and via US ADRs; Land Rover itself is not a separately traded entity.


Together these points show how Land Rover sits within Tata Motors’ corporate structure today, following Ford’s divestment nearly two decades ago.


Summary


In summary, Ford remains an independent, publicly traded automaker owned by a wide base of investors with the Ford family retaining influence through special voting shares. Land Rover, by contrast, is owned by Tata Motors of India and operates under Jaguar Land Rover, after Tata acquired JLR from Ford in 2008. The two brands are now governed by different parent companies and corporate structures.

Is Land Rover owned by Ford?


No, Ford does not own Land Rover; India's Tata Motors acquired Land Rover from Ford in 2008. Tata Motors then merged it with Jaguar to form Jaguar Land Rover Limited. 

  • Ford's ownership: Ford owned both Jaguar and Land Rover for a period but sold them to Tata Motors in 2008 to focus on its turnaround plan. 
  • Tata Motors' acquisition: Tata Motors bought the brands and created a new subsidiary, Jaguar Land Rover, under which both continue to operate. 
  • Ongoing connection: While ownership has changed, the legacy continues in some engineering, as Ford provided some components and transitional support to Tata Motors after the sale, say The New York Times and The New York Times. 



Is Land Rover built by Toyota?


No, Land Rover is not Toyota; Land Rover is a British brand owned by Jaguar Land Rover, which is a subsidiary of the Indian company Tata Motors. Toyota is a Japanese company that makes its own vehicles, including its own off-road vehicle called the Land Cruiser. 
Land Rover

  • Origin: British, founded in 1948
  • Current Owner: Tata Motors (via Jaguar Land Rover)
  • Production Location: Primarily the United Kingdom, but also in other countries like Slovakia, China, and India 

Toyota
  • Origin: Japanese, founded in 1937
  • Current Owner: Toyota Motor Corporation
  • Production Location: Primarily Japan, with global production facilities 



Which company owns Land Rover?


Tata Motors owns Land Rover, which operates under the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) subsidiary. Tata Motors, an Indian automotive manufacturer, acquired both Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008. 

  • Parent company: Tata Motors
  • Subsidiary: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)
  • Acquisition: Tata Motors purchased the brands from Ford Motor Company in 2008.



Did Ford buy out Land Rover?


No, Ford does not own Land Rover; it sold the brand to Tata Motors in 2008. Ford had previously acquired Land Rover and Jaguar in 1989, but sold them both to the Indian company Tata Motors, which merged them into the single company Jaguar Land Rover. 

  • Acquisition: Ford purchased Land Rover in 1989, along with Jaguar. 
  • Sale: In 2008, Ford sold both Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors for $1.7 billion as part of a turnaround plan. 
  • Current ownership: Tata Motors has owned the brands since the sale and now operates them as a single entity, Jaguar Land Rover. 


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.