Lotus cuts more than half UK workforce after Trump tariffs
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 15:37 · Archive
Lotus has reduced its Norfolk workforce from 1,300 to 600 employees following a 25 per cent tariff on British car imports imposed by Donald Trump. The redundancies were larger than the approximately 550 job cuts the company had announced in August 2025, with most losses affecting the Hethel plant.
The tariffs prompted major manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce to halt their US exports. Lotus stopped production for more than three months to manage its inventory in response to the reduced demand.
A Lotus spokesman said the company would continue normal operations with no plans to close the factory. The firm stated it is 'actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market'. The spokesman emphasised that the UK remains 'the heart of the Lotus brand', housing its sports car manufacturing, global design centre, motorsport operations and engineering division.
How it is being reported
- Trump tariff blow sees more jobs than expected cut at Lotus' Norfolk baseLotus has cut more than half of its UK workforce after Donald Trump’s tariffs hit sales of its cars in the US.Eastern Daily Press · 8 Oct, 14:34
- Trump tariff blow sees more jobs than expected cut at Lotus' Norfolk baseLotus has cut more than half of its UK workforce after Donald Trump’s tariffs hit sales of its cars in the US.Norwich Evening News · 8 Oct, 08:30
In this story: Lotus · Donald Trump · Norfolk · Hethel · Jaguar Land Rover · Rolls-Royce
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