A positive outlook has emerged for Lotus in the UK after an urgent government meeting confirmed its Norfolk factory will not be shut down. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds received assurances from the sports car maker that it has no plans to move production to the US, safeguarding 1,300 jobs.

The meeting on Sunday addressed concerns that Lotus, under Chinese ownership, was considering manufacturing its Emira sports car in the US after pausing Hethel production due to tariffs. A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson confirmed Reynolds “was reassured by management that they are committed to their UK operations and have no plans to close their Hethel plant.”

Lotus is now preparing to resume full operations as US tariffs on car imports are set to decrease, making exports of its Emira sports cars to the US, a market accounting for 60% of sales, significantly more viable. The company had previously stated that “the UK is the heart of the Lotus brand.”

This positive development aligns with the government’s industrial strategy to support key sectors like automotive. The government’s commitment to slashing energy costs for manufacturers and providing substantial R&D funding further strengthens the environment for continued high-value production in the UK.