Latest news with #LotusCars
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Iconic car brand to ‘cut 400 jobs' despite saying it has ‘no plans' to end production in UK
AN iconic sports car manufacturer is reportedly considering axing 400 jobs after saying it had no plans to end production in the UK. The factory set to lose 30 per cent of its work force in Norfolk has been open since the 1960s. 4 4 Lotus has reportedly become the latest car manufacturer to look at slashing its UK workforce. The move comes after the brand held emergency talks and fellow motor manufacturer Nissan said it would be slashing 250 jobs from one of its UK sites. A report in the Daily Mail claims that the sports car specialist is considering cutting 30 per cent of jobs at its plant in Hethel, Norfolk. Of the 1,300 staff at the site up to 390 could now be facing down the prospect of losing their job. A decision on the job losses is expected from the brand in the next few months. Recent reports that the brand was considering closing its factory in Hethel and moving production to the US were denied by the firm. Majority owned by Chinese carmaker Geely, Lotus adamantly rejected the claims, saying in a statement: "The UK is the heart of the Lotus brand—home to our sports car manufacturing, global design centre, motorsport operations, and Lotus Engineering. "It is also our largest commercial market in Europe. "Lotus Cars is continuing normal operations, and there are no plans to close the factory. "We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market. The modern classic Lotus Elise "We have invested significantly in R&D and operations in the UK, over the past six years. " Lotus remains committed to the UK, and its customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, as well as its proud British heritage." The reports of imminent closure however sparked intervention by the government with company executives meeting business secretary Jonathan Reynolds. The meeting on Sunday, June29, reportedly saw the group discuss possible support measures. 4 4 Fears were raised that the brand would fall victim to Donald Trump's import tariffs. These were reportedly not addressed by the news that the tariffs would be reduced from 27.5 per cent to 10 per cent. Despite the emergency meeting, the offer of government support and the reduction in tariffs, the brand is still said to be set to cut a huge number of jobs. The Sun has approached Lotus for comment.
Top Gear
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Lotus isn't closing its UK base, but is 'exploring options' to stay competitive
Business Rumours of the brand's Norfolk plant closing have been dismissed Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Headlines over the weekend suggested Lotus Cars' UK HQ could be facing closures. We can confirm the carmaker has denied the rumours, saying "it's business as usual". Lotus told the Financial Times "it had paused production from mid-May to manage inventories amid supply chain issues related to US tariffs", but this doesn't mean the Hethel factory – responsible for 1,300 jobs – is shutting down. Advertisement - Page continues below In a statement, Lotus Cars said: 'The UK is the heart of the Lotus brand - home to our sports car manufacturing, global design centre, motorsport operations, and Lotus Engineering. It is also our largest commercial market in Europe. "Lotus Cars is continuing normal operations, and there are no plans to close the factory. We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market.' So fear not, more Lotusness is happening. You might like In fairness, it kinda has to. Strong sales haven't yet paid off the development costs for the Lotus Emira, or the fully electric Eletre and Emeya models. Lotus Cars is owned by Geely – Volvo's parent company – and it's been doing well, particularly in the US. In 2020, it sold just 94 cars in the States, but in the first nine months of 2024, Lotus Technology – its EV subsidiary – reported sales of 1,665. In a bid to mitigate the potential impact of its customers facing import duties, it's looking into how best to continue selling its motors. Advertisement - Page continues below The statement continued: "We have invested significantly in R&D and operations in the UK over the past six years. Lotus remains committed to the UK, and its customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, as well as its proud British heritage." More as we get it. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
South Norfolk MP asks Lotus to give clarity to 1,300 workers
An MP has called for the owners of car company Lotus to "step up to the mark" and make the future of its factory clear to its 1,300 emerged on Friday that China-based Geely was considering closing the company's Hethel site, amid uncertainty created in the industry by US President Donald Trump's tariffs.A statement from Lotus Cars on Saturday insisted it had "no plans to close any factory", but added that it was "actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness".South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough was part of a meeting with Geely representatives on Monday and said he emphasised the need for "openness". Goldsborough told the BBC: "Geely [has] made the statement that the site will remain in operation."But there is a big difference between 'remain in operation' and at what capacity."So today's conversation was all about how we secure capacity and as many, if not all, of the 1,300 jobs there."The Labour MP, who was elected last summer, said he could not share full details due to the commercially sensitive nature of the discussions with the continued: "What I want them to do is to have the openness to say what their plans are going forward."It needs to be looking at the commercial aspect of it, the long-term sustainability of the site as well because, as I keep saying, the models that are produced there, the talent that the 1,300 workers have, is second to none."If you lose it, you lose it forever, and that's where Geely need to step up to the mark now."Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds met with Geely on Sunday and said he "was reassured" that the firm has "no plans to close their Hethel plant". Lotus was founded in the early 1950s by engineer Colin Chapman and moved to its Norfolk base at Hethel in the which also owns Volvo, took majority control in 2017 when purchasing a 49.9% stake in previous parent company has overseen the brand's continued transition towards electric and hybrid vehicles, with the Emira launched in 2021 as its last conventional petrol the company announced plans in April to cut 270 jobs in the UK, which followed the loss of 94 jobs last said: "We've seen the ups and downs of Lotus time and time again."Every time it sees challenge and adversity it finds new ways of reinventing itself and that's what we've got to do now. "We've got to give it that springboard to reinvent itself long-term." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Carmaker Lotus says it has no plans to close English factory
LONDON: British-based sportscar company Lotus said it has no plans to close a factory in eastern England, following a report in the Financial Times which said manufacturing there could end with the loss of 1,300 jobs. "Lotus Cars is continuing normal operations, and there are no plans to close the factory," Lotus said in an emailed statement on Saturday. "We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market." Lotus is owned by China's Geely and Malaysia's Etika Automotive and the brand produces cars in Britain and China. Any closure of the factory in Hethel, Norfolk, would have been a blow for Britain's auto industry which is suffering as a result of tariffs imposed by the United States. Britain's vehicle production dropped 32.8 per cent from a year ago industry data showed on Friday. The Financial Times said the government had intervened to signal it would offer Lotus support after news emerged that the factory could shut, but the Department for Business and Trade did not confirm that. "The government does not comment on speculation or the commercial affairs of private companies," a spokesperson for the department said on Saturday. While Britain has negotiated a trade deal with the US which will reduce the tariffs for a quota of exported vehicles, it does not come into force until the end of June. Meanwhile, carmakers have reported lower output and exports to both the US and the European Union, according to economic data.
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Car maker Lotus says it has no plans to close English factory
LONDON: British-based sportscar company Lotus said it has no plans to close a factory in eastern England, following a report in the Financial Times which said manufacturing there could end with the loss of 1,300 jobs. "Lotus Cars is continuing normal operations, and there are no plans to close the factory," Lotus said in an emailed statement on Saturday. "We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market." Lotus is owned by China's Geely and Malaysia's Etika Automotive and the brand produces cars in Britain and China. Any closure of the factory in Hethel, Norfolk, would have been a blow for Britain's auto industry which is suffering as a result of tariffs imposed by the United States. Britain's vehicle production dropped 32.8 per cent from a year ago industry data showed on Friday. The Financial Times said the government had intervened to signal it would offer Lotus support after news emerged that the factory could shut, but the Department for Business and Trade did not confirm that. "The government does not comment on speculation or the commercial affairs of private companies," a spokesperson for the department said on Saturday. While Britain has negotiated a trade deal with the U.S. which will reduce the tariffs for a quota of exported vehicles, it does not come into force until the end of June. Meanwhile, car makers have reported lower output and exports to both the US and the European Union, according to economic data.
