NEW LIFE BECKONS FOR HETHEL PLANT

THE NEW BOSS of Lotus Europe is seeking to broaden production at the brand's UK base to include new models from the wider Geely group.

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Lotus Cars Europe CEO Matt Windle is keen to boost output at Hethel, which earlier this year announced 270 job cuts as demand for the Emira petrol-engined sports car was hit by the sharp increase in US tariffs.

“It has been a turbulent start to the year, which has had an impact on the business,” he said.

Lotus last year posted record Emira wholesales (sales to dealers) of 5272, up 102%, but Windle is keen to push close to the factory’s production limit of 10,000 cars annually.