August 30, 2025

Hold on tight, Lotus fans! The British car legend is trimming its UK workforce by a whopping 550 jobs—that’s almost 42% of their 1,300-strong team. Why this shakeup? Falling sales, tight money, and the stormy wave of global uncertainty, including Donald Trump’s tough tariffs on UK cars, have forced Lotus to act, according to reports. Most job cuts will land on the Hethel, Norfolk site—the heart of Lotus’s factory and HQ. The engineering office in Wellesbourne, Warwickshire, isn’t safe either. The company has kicked off a consultation process, offering affected workers a chance to apply for other Lotus roles, Sky News shares. Here’s the scoop on production: Lotus’s Hethel factory paused car making since mid-May. The reason? A supply chain mess and sky-high inventories caused by a 27.5% tariff slapped on British cars by Trump himself! The UK government fought back, negotiating this down to 10% on up to 100,000 cars yearly—which almost matches Britain’s total exports to the US, reveals The Guardian. Lotus plans to rev up production again by early September. Lotus’s statement is clear: these tough steps are essential for a “sustainable future” amid today’s super-fast changing global car market, blasted by tariffs and shifting policies everywhere. But wait, there’s a silver lining! Lotus wants to become quicker and smarter, adjusting staff and operations like a nimble sports car. It plans to share resources across the global Lotus family and work closely with its big boss, Geely, aiming for bold future moves—including possibly building cars for other brands. Big changes are coming in 2025 when Lotus Technology will fully own Lotus UK, uniting all parts into one powerhouse. Despite job cuts, Lotus promises it’s still here to stay, with Norfolk as the vibrant base for sports cars, motorsports, and engineering consulting. A little history thrill: Lotus, founded in 1948 by Colin Chapman, wowed the world with its light and lively British sports cars. Since 2017, Geely—the giant Chinese group owning Volvo, Aston Martin, and London black cabs—has called the shots. Geely’s billionaire boss, Li Shufu, also runs cool brands like Lynk & Co and Zeekr in China. FAQs: Q1. Why is Lotus cutting 550 jobs in the UK? A1. Lotus says falling sales, money troubles, and challenges like Trump’s tariffs forced these cuts. Q2. Will Lotus continue UK car production after cuts? A2. Yes! Lotus is committed to Norfolk, keeping sports car making alive and kicking. So, the British legend is shifting gears fast, battling tariffs and cash crunches, but aiming to roar back stronger, with a touch of Chinese muscle under Geely!

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Tags: Lotus, Job cuts, Uk manufacturing, Trump tariffs, Geely, Car industry,