A CENTURY-old West Midlands manufacturing firm which provides parts for the car industry was taken over by an Indian automotive giant.

Mahindra & Mahindra bought 98.6 per cent of shares in Stokes Forgings, which has two factories in Dudley and one in Walsall, for an undisclosed sum.

Stokes forges a range of metal parts for vehicles, from axles and chassis to door parts, and was founded in 1908. It employs about 240 people.

Among the manufacturers it provides parts for are Land Rover, Ford and Jaguar, as well as Koyo Bearings, which supplies Toyota, General Motors and Daimler.

Stokes had combined sales of £25m in 2004, Mahindra told the Bombay Stock Exchange yesterday.

Mahindra & Mahindra is part of the Mahindra Group and is India's market leader in multi-utility vehicles and tractors, employing about 11,500 people.

The group also has a presence in technology, engineering, marketing and distribution, including a joint venture with BT which provides software and services.

A spokesman for Stokes said he was unable to comment on any implications the deal would have on jobs in the UK.

Mahindra & Mahindra managing director Anand Mahindra said the deal would boost his company's plans to offer "a full range of services from design to delivery and strategic sourcing of components" to automotive manufacturers.