Autoblog

It looks as if Ford is finally putting a fork in the sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors... it's done. According to a statement from Ford, which can be read after the break, the sale of the two British automakers has been officially finalized as of today. Ford also wishes the best for its recently departed companies and their employees. Awww, isn't that sweet? We're glad we can all still be friends.

At Jaguar Land Rover, things seem to be business as usual. The company has announced that its new proud papa, Tata Motors, has named former CFO David Smith the new CEO for Jaguar and Land Rover. You may recall the untimely death of Geoff Polites, the company's previous CEO. Today's announcement of Smith's new appointment comes right on schedule based on past information provided by the company. Smith has already been the acting CEO since Polites' death late last April.

[Sources: Ford and Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Still mourning the untimely passing of CEO Geoff Polites, Jaguar and Land Rover have been managed in the interim by chief financial officer David Smith. But as the British automakers transition ownership from Ford to Indian automaker Tata, the twin companies are preparing to name a new chief executive.

Since initially announcing the deal, Tata has reiterated that it wanted to retain as much of the current management as possible. However, many of the jobs that were once managed by Ford and its Premier Auto Group, under which Jaguar and Land Rover fell, will need to be filled. As a result, the automakers are reportedly recruiting externally for several senior positions. Whether Tata ultimately decides to promote from within or hire a new chief executive from outside the company remains to be seen, but an announcement is expected as early as June 2.

[Source: Automotive News Europe – sub. req'd]

Geoff Polites, who's stewardship of Land Rover and Jaguar improved the health of both properties, has succumbed after a long illness. Polites led Jaguar and Land Rover back to collective profitability, and kept a steady hand on the helm during the upheaval surrounding the sale to Tata a month ago. While rumors swirled and pundits punned, it was Polites leadership that kept Jaguar and Land Rover on an even keel, with heads down and concentrating, instead of freaking out. Polites spent 40 years in the automotive business, and rose to CEO at Jaguar Land Rover in 2005. Both brands have strong, stylish product portfolios with name cachet, and David Smith, CFO of Jaguar Land Rover will step in as acting CEO for now. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]