Good news for workers: Lotus has confirmed that its Hethel factory in Norfolk will not be closing, securing 1,300 jobs. This assurance was given to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds during an urgent meeting, effectively ending speculation that the sports car maker was considering moving production to the US.
The concerns arose after Lotus temporarily halted production in mid-May, with reports suggesting a potential relocation due to US tariffs. However, a Department for Business and Trade spokesperson stated that Reynolds “was reassured by management that they are committed to their UK operations and have no plans to close their Hethel plant.”
Lotus is now poised to resume full operations as US tariffs on car imports are set to significantly decrease. The Hethel factory is crucial for Lotus, producing its £75,000 Emira sports car, with 60% of its output exported to the US, and also an electric hypercar. The company has consistently maintained that “the UK is the heart of the Lotus brand.”
This outcome is a significant relief for the local economy and workforce, whose concerns were highlighted by Labour MP Ben Goldsborough. The government’s broader commitment to supporting the automotive sector, including through significant R&D funding, provides a stable environment for Lotus’s continued success in the UK.
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