EuropaSman

Article published by BBC News AM 8th July 2025. BBC News - Calls for 'written commitment' over Lotus's Norfolk factory - BBC News BBC NewsCalls for 'written commitment' over Lotus's Norfolk factoryA county council leader is worried 1,300 jobs could be at risk, despite reassurances over the site.

@Rambo already posted that one further up the thread ^^^^^^. Seems like Autocar had a busy afternoon publishing two articles just about back to back.

@jonwat t already article already posted above an hour ago. ^^^ 🙂

Autocar are banging out articles this afternoon. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/business-corporate/what-hethel-really-going-lotus-uk

Just published by Autocar. https://www.autocar.co.uk/opinion/new-cars/why-did-geelys-lotus-go-so-wrong

Agreed regarding the rhetoric. What hasn't been said is that the Hethel facility in its entirety is being consideted for closure. If that was going to be the case then that would be very sad indeed. A physical link to Colin & Hazel Chapman and their legacy would be lost as well. My fear is that Hethel will be built on if the factory closed, but I hope it will not come to that. With the engineering facilities and the test track it could become an automotive technology development business park a bit like what's happening at MIRA. Alternatively it could become the Bicester Heritage of the East, or Hethel Heritage if you will, just as long as the housing developers don't get their hands on it. Hoping things work out and that Hethel remains at the heart of Lotus for the sake of the employees both there and at Lotus Advanced Structures up at Norwich Airport, the UK based component suppliers, the enthusiasts, and the owners like me.

Published earlier in the FT, but behind a pay wall. Here's The Guardian's version of the news item. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/27/lotus-uk-production-jobs-carmaker-geely-norfolk#:~:text=Lotus%20is%20planning%20an%20end,to%20the%20British%20car%20industry.

That Persian blue Evora TVR Glen has for sale has been on the market for a couple of months now. I've been watching it on Ebay. Looks like it's not been written off by an insurance company according to the listing. It would make a good track day/sprint car for a budget of about £20k to £22k as just about all the damage doesn't look too challenging to repair, although I'd like to the front end clam off if I was interested in purchasing. I would also hope that all the parts, new and used could be sourced. I've got the feeling though that it might hang around for a bit like the Elises he's got for sale at the time of writing.

Looks to me like a NA IPS with Tech & Sport pack options only, plus what looks to be the non-valved Stage 1 back box (with the blue titanium finish polished off - doesn't look like an aftermarket back box e.g. 2bular). IIRC, as well as the rear diffuser being different & valved "pig snout" exhaust from factory, most S models had black door mirrors. I believe some later supercharged Evora S1s had body colour mirrors (2015 run out models?). Unable to remember what colour the door mirror covers are on the NA Sports Racer, but probably black as part of the black pack.

@GTK there's a chap on the Lotus Owners Facebook group who says he's got a pair of S2 seats and door cards. Not sure if he's on TLF, but possibly worth contacting on FB. Will DM you the name.

Could Lotus follow Volvo at some point? This was posted on the BBC News website today. It will be interesting to see if they do.

FJ20EYZ. Black Evora GT410 at the A511 Tesco roundabout Ashby-de-la-Zouch, 8.40am 15 May 2024. I followed it in my Leon FR daily down the Lount Road until it turned off for Melbourne as I headed towards Breedon On The Hill.

Elise (with friend) at PJS Sports Cars for annual service, new gear shift cables and shifter.

Latest install on an Elise (April 2024), with new Simply Sports Cars shift cables; my MY11 Elise R (1.8 2ZZ powered).

A little homage to a motorsport TV programme title sequence for those who know. Best single lap time 43.43 seconds that day. Lots to learn and quicker times to get. Looking forward to getting the Dolomiti shifter fitted at the end of April because I think the fluffed change from 2nd to 3rd on the finish straight cost me half a second I reckon.