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.
Fears have been raised that the factory could close altogether[/caption]
Up to 30 per cent of the factory’s workforce could lose their jobs[/caption]
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.
“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.
The Norfolk Lotus factory has been open since the 1960s[/caption]
Concerns have been raised over American imposed tariffs[/caption]
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.
Lotus’ history
Lotus – founded by engineer Colin Chapman in 1948 – began production at Hethel in 1966.
It has shifted hands multiple times over the years in various bids to stave off financial instability.
Geely bought a majority stake in 2017, before investing £3 billion in UK production, but later switched much of its focus to a plant in Wuhan, China.
The manufacturer announced 270 job cuts in the UK in April and said last week sales for the first three months of 2025 had fallen 42%, racking up a net loss of $183 million (£134 million).
