Overview

• Lotus has begun a formal consultation on proposals to eliminate up to 550 roles across its UK operations, with affected staff able to apply for other positions.
• The reductions represent roughly 40% of the approximately 1,300-strong UK workforce, with the largest impact expected at the Hethel headquarters.
• Production at Hethel has been paused since mid-May due to US trade measures, and a spokesperson said output is expected to restart in early September after a UK–US deal lowered tariffs to 10% for a limited quota.
• Lotus says it remains committed to Britain, keeping Norfolk as the base for sports cars, motorsport and engineering consulting, while exploring third‑party manufacturing to diversify its business.
• The company plans tighter global integration, with reports that Lotus Technology aims to acquire 100% of Lotus UK in 2025, as local leaders pledge support for workers and note the factory is not closing.