Though there are reports that Tata will announce winning the bid for Jaguar and Land Rover today, we tend to believe those that say the company is merely going to get "preferred-bidder status," meaning that Tata will get the bid unless negotiations falter. Also, it's kind of a big story so unless Ford is trying to bury the news we'd think they'd announce the deal in the new year.

Granted, in India the winter break isn't exactly as big of a deal. But the Brits are certainly inclined towards taking a holiday. This whole thing has sort of amused us. India is finally taking its last step towards independence by purchasing Land Rover, which was the company on the frontlines of Britain's empire in its waning days. Oh, and nuclear weapons. That was another way to declare independence. But this is less scary. [Indo-Asian News Service via NDTV]

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