Senior Tata executives began negotiations with US carmakers Ford on Friday to clinch a deal to buy British marquees Jaguar and Land Rover.

The talks, which could run into February, began amid reports that Ford may retain a stake in the business. The Times newspaper reported Friday that Ford is likely to continue to supply engines and components for the cars - already a key demand of the British Ford workers' union Unite.

In addition, the paper said, it may want to strike a deal similar to the one it struck with the Gulf-based consortium that bought Aston Martin.