Skip advert
Advertisement

Lotus cuts another 200 jobs citing lack of market demand

Evija and electric sports car plans are still on track, according to the brand

Lotus Hethel factory

Lotus has confirmed a new wave of redundancies, with up to 200 jobs expected to be impacted. The move follows significant job cuts in July 2023 and January this year. The Norfolk-based sports car manufacturer says it is still focused on delivering customer cars and “fulfilling our order book”. 

In a statement made to Auto Express, Lotus said: “The latest proposed organisational changes at Lotus Cars are to ensure that the company has the right organisation structure in place to ensure sustainable operations. Following a review of resources in line with market demand and evolving market conditions, the company is optimising its internal processes and structures to achieve its long-term business objectives.”

Those organisational changes were announced to staff yesterday with Lotus anticipating “up to 200 UK-based roles to be impacted”. The firm does say that it will look to support the redeployment of staff and “plan to look for ways to retain specific skills and knowledge within the business”. Lotus UK employed 1,699 people at the end of 2023.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While CEO Qingfeng Feng retains his position, Simon Lane, who was the Executive Director of Lotus’ Advanced Performance programme, left the company last week. The all-electric Evija supercar was presented by the Advanced Performance team and despite Lane’s departure, Lotus says it is still committed to the Evija. 

Lotus also says that it is still expecting to launch the Type 135 electric sports car by 2027, following its unveiling in 2026. The Theory 1 reveal in the summer pointed towards the Type 135’s design, which will be influenced by Lotus’ current internal-combustion engined sports car, the Emira.

Want the latest car news in your inbox? Sign up to the free Auto Express email newsletter...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2024, 2025 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
6 Nov 2024
Razor-sharp Lotus Theory 1 concept points the way to future electric sports car
 Lotus Theory 1 concept - front

Razor-sharp Lotus Theory 1 concept points the way to future electric sports car

The Theory 1 takes inspiration from Lotus’s latest road cars, and its history in Formula One
News
17 Sep 2024
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 - MG sculpture

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights

2024’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was a celebration of over 130 years of engine tech, but it also looked well into the future
News
17 Jul 2024
New electric cars coming soon: the fresh EVs of 2024 and beyond
Future electric cars - header image

New electric cars coming soon: the fresh EVs of 2024 and beyond

The EV explosion has brought a huge range of choice to the market already but it’s only going to get bigger in the coming months
Best cars & vans
4 Jul 2024

Most Popular

A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success
Opinion - cheap EV

A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success

Mike Rutherford thinks there would be demand for an electric car with a modest 100-mile range if it only cost £10k
Opinion
17 Nov 2024
New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys
Opinion - Vauxhall Corsa-e

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys

Editor Paul Barker takes a closer look at our 2024 Used Car Awards
Opinion
20 Nov 2024
New Jaguar logos unveiled as big concept reveal moves closer
New Jaguar logo 1

New Jaguar logos unveiled as big concept reveal moves closer

Jaguar has revealed its new logos and styling details ahead of its transition into a luxury EV brand
News
19 Nov 2024