Overview

• Lotus opened a consultation on plans to cut up to 550 roles from its roughly 1,300-strong UK workforce at its Hethel headquarters.
• The company cites market uncertainty and tariff changes as the primary drivers, noting that US levies were reduced under a UK–US deal but remain above pre-tariff levels.
• Production at Hethel has been paused since mid-May, and a spokesperson said assembly is scheduled to resume in early September.
• Executives briefed local MPs and council leaders on the proposal as South Norfolk officials pledged support for affected employees.
• Lotus says Norfolk will remain the home of its sports car, motorsports and engineering consulting operations, and it is exploring third-party manufacturing and greater integration across the group.