Lotus reassures business secretary it has no plans to shut Norfolk factory | Automotive industry

Lotus has reassured the UK business secretary at an urgent meeting on Sunday that it has no intention of shutting its Norfolk factory, as the British sports car maker prepares to resume production as US tariffs are reduced.

Jonathan Reynolds contacted Lotus bosses after it emerged that the carmaker was considering ending production of its sports cars in the UK and moving it to the US – a move that would jeopardise 1,300 jobs. Lotus’s Chinese owner, Geely, was thought to be looking at options including manufacturing its Emira sports car in the US, and permanently stopping production at its factory in Hethel, Norfolk.

A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said Reynolds met with Lotus and Geely on Sunday to clarify the company’s situation, and “was reassured by management…