Though long predicted by industry pundits, it still came as a shock when Ford announced its intention to sell Jaguar and Land-Rover.

This is the sad state of our remaining British marques: now they are second-strings for global manufacturers with no particular allegiance to this country or its workers, and when their financial state is parlous, its inevitable that they will put their home brands and staff first.

Land-Rover is profitable and successful, despite recent negative publicity towards gas-guzzling 4x4s much of which is misguided, as the exceptionally long life of most Land-Rover vehicles actually makes them less harmful overall to the environment than many so-called green cars.

As to Jaguar, the luxury marque has seen major investment by Ford but the move downmarket with the Mondeo-derived X-type was always going to be a short-term gain for long-term pain, once the initial thrill of being able to afford a Jaguar was replaced by the disappointment that they were appearing everywhere and really were not as much Jaguar as Ford.

The intention is said to be to sell the two marques as one package, which may or may not be a good thing.

There is little crossover in technology or parts between the two and combining them limits the likely buyers.

We wouldnt be surprised if they end up being split. Its been suggested that Fiat or Renault might be interested, but they have denied it.

Private equity is said to be the most likely buyer, but thats worrying as private equity firms rarely buy manufacturing companies to invest in them and develop new models theyre more likely to asset-strip, sell off property, lay off workers and, at best, streamline model ranges.

Have the Japanese had their fingers too badly burnt in the past to consider saving Jaguar and Land-Rover?

We've not seen Japanese manufacturers mentioned as likely partners, yet they have been the biggest investors in car manufacture in the UK for decades, both Nissan and Toyota having huge plants in the UK and Honda having dedicated years and a small fortune to joint ventures that turned Rover around, only to see it slip through their fingers into BMWs hands and be, ultimately, destroyed. 

China has rescued MG can Japan, where both Jaguars and Land-Rovers are revered for their traditional British values, rescue our prestige marques? This Editor, for one, would like to see it.

Malcolm McKay, Motorbase News Editor