Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Ford Motor Co.'s U.K. union today endorsed India-based Tata Group's bid to buy the Jaguar and Land Rover units.

Unite union shop stewards at Jaguar and Land Rover said that if the U.K.-based units are sold it should to be to a company ``with an established presence and background in manufacturing,'' the union said in a statement.

Closely held Tata, which has interests ranging from steel to software, best matches ``these criteria,'' the union said. Unite said it preferred the units remain part of Ford, the world's third-largest automaker.

Ford wants to sell Jaguar and Land Rover by early 2008 as the company unwinds a 20-year strategy of acquiring European- based luxury brands. Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford wants to concentrate on reviving its North American operations, the main source of a record $12.6 billion loss in 2006.

The automaker sold its U.K.-based Aston Martin unit earlier this year and announced this month it would keep the Sweden- based Volvo unit.

John Gardiner, a U.K.-based Ford spokesman, declined to discuss bidders for Jaguar and Land Rover. ``These are complex commercial discussions and we feel they are best carried out in a confidential manner,'' he said. Gardiner said Ford understands ``our responsibility to our employees'' as it considers a sale.

Ford has been reviewing bids including proposals from Tata; India-based manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra; and private-equity firm One Equity Partners LLC, people familiar with the offers said earlier this year.

Arun Jaura, Mahindra senior vice president, told the Wall Street Journal yesterday that his company is bidding for Jaguar and Land Rover with private-equity firm Apollo Management LP.

Ford fell 29 cents, or 4 percent, to 6.95 at 4:01 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. It was the shares' lowest closing price this year.

To contact the reporters on this story: Kari Lundgren in London at klundgren2@bloomberg.net; Bill Koenig in Southfield, Michigan, at wkoenig@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 21, 2007 16:20 EST