Hard work and tough decisions have combined with more favourable market conditions to help India's Tata Motors revive Jaguar and Land Rover.

Ah yes, the gap between theory and practice. Science and engineering are littered with examples. And Land Rover may have just added to that list.

The 100 000th Land Rover Freelander 2 recently rolled off the company's production line at Halewood on Merseyside, north west England.

India's truck and car maker Tata Motors announced on Monday it had completed its acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover from ailing United States car maker Ford for $2,3-billion. The company said the deal includes the "ownership of Jaguar and Land Rover, all necessary intellectual property rights, manufacturing plants and two Britain-based advanced designing centres".

India's Tata Motors said on Wednesday it had bought British luxury icons Jaguar and Land Rover from struggling United States carmaker Ford for $2,3-billion as it expands its global reach. The all-cash deal is part of Tata's efforts to grow outside Asia, but analysts have questioned how the Indian firm will absorb the two high-end marques into its operations.

Thousands of workers at Jaguar and Land Rover plants are expected to be told on Wednesday that the marques have been sold to the Indian conglomerate Tata. It is understood that a deal between Tata and Ford over the sale of two of the best known names in British car making was concluded on Tuesday night.