---
title: "Lotus Nearly Abandoned 60 Years of British Manufacturing to Move to the US"
date: "2025-06-30"
modified: "2025-06-30"
authors:
  - name: "Byron Hurd"
    job_title: "Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/byron-hurd"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/lotus-nearly-abandoned-60-years-of-british-manufacturing-to-move-to-the-us"
categories:
  - "Lotus News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "Coupe"
  - "Lotus"
  - "sports car"
---

# Lotus Nearly Abandoned 60 Years of British Manufacturing to Move to the US

![Lotus Exige Cup 380 in front of an English country estate.](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/04/lotus-exige-cup-380-front-3qtrs-1_tn.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Multiple outlets reported this weekend that Lotus considered (and may still be considering) shutting down production at the British assembly plant it has occupied since the mid-1960s and potentially relocating to the United States. The move comes in response to tariffs, which, despite the administration's recent backpedaling, remain at 25% for the time being.

Per a [report](<https://www.autonews.com/geely/lotus/ane-lotus-uk-factory-closure-us-production-0628/>) released in the UK last week, the country's automotive exports to the United States are down approximately 50% so far this year. The new tariff rates won't take effect until the end of June.

According to the BBC, Lotus was already exploring the move when the UK government intervened. The situation remains "under review" at Lotus, sources told the news network, but for the time being, it appears the company's Hethel assembly facility will remain in operation.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/lotus-emira-1.jpg>)
**Lotus**

It's a sign of desperation for the small automaker whose only immediately available alternative would be to produce cars in China, where it has a second facility. The Wuhan plant comes courtesy of Lotus's parent company, Geely. Lotus is currently under pressure not only to maintain the flow of exports to the United States—a market it considers critical—but to [keep its newest offers compliant](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-lotus-emiras-v6-cant-pass-emissions-so-it-may-get-a-v8-instead>) with U.S. regulations. The unlikely outcome of this would be a V8-powered Lotus Emira built in the United States.

There's some [pretty awesome historical precedent](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/5119/9-new-original-spec-ac-cobras-to-be-built>) for overpowered British sports cars, but in this case, Lotus would likely source a biturbo engine and automatic transmission from Mercedes-Benz, rather than a thumping Detroit V8. We're not sure what that does for the whole "simplify and add lightness" mantra espoused by the company's [long-departed founder](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/44570/why-some-people-think-lotus-founder-colin-chapman-faked-his-death>), but let's just say we're open to the idea.

Lotus isn't the only low-volume builder feeling the pinch. Ineos, which builds heritage-style Land Rover Defender knock-offs with modern amenities, has [hiked prices this year](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/ineos-raises-prices-up-to-11-to-offset-new-traiffs>) in response to the ongoing trade war.

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## Author
Byron is an editor at The Drive with a keen eye for infrastructure, sales and regulatory stories. He brings a light, punchy style to all of his content, believing that there's plenty out there to be laughed at—himself included. Born and raised in Maryland but now based just a stone's throw from Detroit, Byron is an auto enthusiast and generalist who enjoys building and tinkering with things of all kinds, from cars, computers and digital cityscapes, to the new garage that will soon house his fleet (a CT4-V Blackwing, a JK Wrangler and an NA Miata). Inspired by an early love of rollercoasters, Byron quickly caught the high-performance driving itch. He's been tracking and auto-crossing his cars since 2007. In his downtime, Byron enjoys reading, playing city builders, and studying the history of the Motor City.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/byron-drives.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/byronhurd/>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/byron-hurd-252653a/>)