Ford has assured Jaguar and Land Rover fleet customers that business will continue as usual while the sale of the brands goes through.

Indian conglomerate Tata agreed last week to buy the two brands from Ford for around £1.14 billion.

The sale is subject to terms and conditions and various regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed by the end of the second quarter of this year.

John Gardiner, Ford’s head of communications, said: “Fleet customers need to look at this as business as usual.

"We’re talking of the custodianship of the brands passing from Ford to Tata and customers shouldn’t be looking to any changes in terms of their relationship with Jaguar and Land Rover.”