Tag: Lotus

Light bites, stiff drinks: celebrating 50 years of a Lotus legend

We think of the Porsche 911 as being the stalwart of the junior supercar world, but after 28 years and more than 10,000 sales, the Lotus Esprit in all its guises was probably the closest contender. And this year marks half a century since it broke cover at the 1975 Paris motor show, where its… Continue reading Light bites, stiff drinks: celebrating 50 years of a Lotus legend

Why did Geely’s Lotus go so wrong?

The story of Geely entering the Western market began a positive one. It has been showered with praise for how it handled Volvo for its first decade in charge, making it a mainstream premium player more than ever before. But as time has gone on, there’s been little evidence to back up that early success… Continue reading Why did Geely’s Lotus go so wrong?

What the Hethel is really going on with Lotus in the UK?

The heart-stop moment came on early Friday morning. A source with impeccable connections to Lotus UK told Autocar that the order had come from China to prepare its historic manufacturing facility in Hethel for closure.  A second source backed up that bombshell. Lotus was investigating moving sports car production to the US. Separately, the Financial… Continue reading What the Hethel is really going on with Lotus in the UK?

Volvo owner to launch Geely EV brand in UK

Geely, the Chinese firm that owns LEVC, Lotus, Polestar and Volvo, is launching its eponymous car brand in the UK. The first model bound for UK showrooms will be the Geely EX5, an electric crossover pitched against the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV3 and Renault Megane. UK specifications have yet to be confirmed, but Geely said the EX5… Continue reading Volvo owner to launch Geely EV brand in UK

Lotus assures dealers it is not shutting down Norfolk production

Lotus said this week it had no plans to shut its manufacturing base in Norfolk and assured dealers it was business as usual. The carmaker was responding to a report over the weekend in the Financial Times suggesting it was to shift manufacturing to the US in order to bypass tarriffs. Lotus is controlled by… Continue reading Lotus assures dealers it is not shutting down Norfolk production

Lotus in urgent talks with business secretary but has ‘no plans’ to shut Norfolk factory

Lotus says: ‘We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market.’ Photograph: Darrin Jenkins/Alamy View image in fullscreen Lotus says: ‘We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market.’ Photograph: Darrin Jenkins/Alamy Lotus in urgent talks with business secretary… Continue reading Lotus in urgent talks with business secretary but has ‘no plans’ to shut Norfolk factory

Business secretary to meet Lotus chiefs amid doubts over future of operations

Lotus sought to ease concerns with a statement that it remains ‘committed’ to the UK. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters View image in fullscreen Lotus sought to ease concerns with a statement that it remains ‘committed’ to the UK. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters Business secretary to meet Lotus chiefs amid doubts over future of operations Jonathan Reynolds to… Continue reading Business secretary to meet Lotus chiefs amid doubts over future of operations

Lotus plans to close UK plant in Norfolk and shift production to US

The company will pivot instead to Hyper Hybrid PHEVs with Lotus sports cars also in-line for an electrified drivetrain. The first Lotus plug-in hybrid will be the Eletre and will go on sale in the first quarter of next year, starting in China. Hethel was to build a planned electric sports car when Emira production ended… Continue reading Lotus plans to close UK plant in Norfolk and shift production to US