Land Rover History: The first Land Rover was fashioned after the WW II Jeep with an aluminum alloy and magnesium body due to steel shortages during the war, creating a reputation for durability. Land Rover was eventually owned by British Leyland, British Aerospace, BMW and the Ford Motor Company. Ford sold Land Rover to Tata Motors in 2007 but competition from Toyota and others has eliminated the U.S. market.