An MP has called for the owners of car company Lotus to "step up to the mark" and make the future of its factory clear to its 1,300 workers. Reports emerged on Friday that China-based Geely was considering closing the company's Hethel site, amiduncertainty created in the industryby US President Donald Trump's tariffs. A statement from Lotus Cars on Saturday insisted it had"no plans to close any factory", but added that it was "actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness". South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough was part of a meeting with Geely representatives on Monday and said he emphasised the need for "openness". Goldsborough told the BBC: "Geely [has] made the statement that the site will remain in operation. "But there is a big difference between 'remain in operation' and at what capacity. "So today's conversation was all about how we secure capacity and as many, if not all, of the 1,300 jobs there." The Labour MP, who was elected last summer, said he could not share full details due to the commercially sensitive nature of the discussions with the company. He continued: "What I want them to do is to have the openness to say what their plans are going forward. "It needs to be looking at the commercial aspect of it, the long-term sustainability of the site as well because, as I keep saying, the models that are produced there, the talent that the 1,300 workers have, is second to none. "If you lose it, you lose it forever, and that's where Geely need to step up to the mark now." Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds met with Geely on Sunday and said he "was reassured" that the firm has "no plans to close their Hethel plant". Lotus was founded in the early 1950s by engineer Colin Chapman and moved to its Norfolk base at Hethel in the 1960s. Geely, which also owns Volvo,took majority control in 2017when purchasing a 49.9% stake in previous parent company Proton. It has overseen the brand's continued transition towards electric and hybrid vehicles, with the Emira launched in 2021 as itslast conventional petrol car. However, the company announced plans in Aprilto cut 270 jobs in the UK, which followed the loss of 94 jobs last November. Goldsborough said: "We've seen the ups and downs of Lotus time and time again. "Every time it sees challenge and adversity it finds new ways of reinventing itself and that's what we've got to do now. "We've got to give it that springboard to reinvent itself long-term." Follow Norfolk news onBBC Sounds,Facebook,InstagramandX.
MP asks Lotus to give clarity to 1,300 workers
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"MP Calls for Clarity on Future of Lotus Factory Amid Job Uncertainty"
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TruthLens AI Summary
An MP has urged the owners of Lotus Cars, a prominent car manufacturer, to clearly communicate the future of their Hethel factory to its 1,300 employees. This call for transparency comes in light of reports suggesting that Geely, the China-based parent company of Lotus, may be considering the closure of the factory due to uncertainties arising from US tariffs on imported goods. In response to these concerns, a statement from Lotus reiterated that there are no current plans to close any facilities, but indicated that the company is actively exploring strategic options to improve efficiency and maintain global competitiveness. South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough emphasized the importance of openness in discussions with Geely, stating that while the company has assured that the site will remain operational, it is crucial to understand the capacity and sustainability of operations moving forward. He highlighted the exceptional talent of the workforce and the potential long-term consequences of losing such expertise.
During a recent meeting with Geely representatives, Goldsborough expressed the need for clarity regarding the company's future plans. He pointed out the historical resilience of Lotus, which has repeatedly reinvented itself in the face of challenges, and stressed that now is a critical moment for the company to secure its future. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, who also met with Geely, reported being reassured that there are no immediate plans to shut down the Hethel plant. Historically, Lotus has undergone significant changes since its founding in the 1950s by engineer Colin Chapman, and under Geely's ownership since 2017, the company has shifted focus towards electric and hybrid vehicles. However, job cuts have occurred in recent months, highlighting the precarious nature of the automotive industry. Goldsborough's call to action reflects a broader concern for the jobs and livelihoods of the workers at the Hethel site, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to ensure the factory's viability in the evolving automotive landscape.
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