Automotive News : Jaguar Bidders Come out of the Woodwork

Ford's ongoing auction of its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries appears to be attracting widespread interest, including potential bids from some intriguing quarters. European reports said Russian oligarch and would-be auto magnate Oleg Deripaska plans to submit a bid for the two British brands — and might also be interested in acquiring Volvo, which Ford has not yet formally put on the block.

Deripaska controls Russian automaker GAZ, which builds the Volga sedan, and is a shareholder in Canadian parts supplier Magna, which last month saw its bid to acquire Chrysler trumped by private-equity firm Cerberus. In India, the Hindustan Times reported that local automaker Tata may begin due diligence next week on acquiring Ford's British brands. Tata builds heavy trucks as well as a family of low-priced compact cars.

Another Indian automaker, Mahindra & Mahindra, which for long has had ties to Ford, also has expressed an interest in acquiring Jaguar and Land Rover.