Reports emerged last month that the sports car manufacturer plans to end production in the UK from as early as next year, putting 1,300 jobs at risk.

Lotus has been based at Hethel since 1966 (Image: Denise Bradley) Lotus rebuffed the "rumours", releasing a statement to say it had “no plans” to close its Hethel plant - the home of the company since 1966.

“We are based in the UK, from a creative perspective – beyond design, creative, the brand – everything is based here in its home of the company,” said Ben Payne, vice-president of design at Lotus Group, speaking to Autocar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

“The statement made is that will........

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