Ford has exercised its right to acquire the Rover brand name from BMW. When the American automaker purchased Land Rover from BMW, it obtained the right to buy the related Rover name if BMW ever elected to sell it. When BMW announced it had come to an agreement to sell Rover to Chinese automaker Shanghai Automotive in late August, Ford was given 90 days to intervene and make the acquisition itself.
While most industry observers didn’t expect Ford to buy the brand, the company says it did so in part to protect the Land Rover name.
Ford does not intend to resell the brand to another automaker.
It’s unclear if there are any plans to build cars under the Rover name.
The acquisition is being handled by the Premier Automotive Group. [LeftlaneNews]