"We're selling the business because we need the money and we need the focus," Booth said. "So, we're not going out there with the intention of keeping an equity stake." Ford did retain a small stake in Aston Martin when it sold it earlier this year and may do the same with Volvo, if that brand is eventually sold. According to Booth, Ford is continuing its "strategic review" of Volvo and hopes to finish by the end of the year reports The Detroit News.
Experts are doubtful that Ford would be able to pull off a clean getaway from Jaguar and Land Rover. Both brands are heavily integrated with Ford and share many components with the rest of the Ford Empire, meaning and new buyer will still need to supply parts for them.