Lotus suspends production of its Emira sports cars

Headline of article just published in local (East Anglia, England) newspaper. But don't worry, it's temporary.

Text reads:

Lotus has suspended the production of one of its sports cars at its Norfolk factory, sending staff home.

The Hethel-based car manufacturer has temporarily paused production of its Emira sports cars after announcing this week that new models will replace its first editions.

It comes after Lotus finally received US emissions certification to sell its Emira sports cars across the Atlantic.

Emira was first announced for the US market in 2021, but despite hundreds being shipped to the country they had been stuck at dealerships as Lotus awaited certification by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) - the emissions approval needed in 14 states.

A Lotus spokesman said: "With the latest Emira model year now certified, Lotus Cars has temporarily paused Emira production in the factory to prepare manufacturing for this.

"During this time, the business is focused on improving production operations to restart operations at optimised efficiency.

"We are working through these updates to get full production resuming as soon as possible."

 

[EspritGuy]

Headline of article just published in local (East Anglia, England) newspaper. But don't worry, it's temporary.

Text reads:

Lotus has suspended the production of one of its sports cars at its Norfolk factory, sending staff home.

The Hethel-based car manufacturer has temporarily paused production of its Emira sports cars after announcing this week that new models will replace its first editions.

It comes after Lotus finally received US emissions certification to sell its Emira sports cars across the Atlantic.

Emira was first announced for the US market in 2021, but despite hundreds being shipped to the country they had been stuck at dealerships as Lotus awaited certification by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) - the emissions approval needed in 14 states.

A Lotus spokesman said: "With the latest Emira model year now certified, Lotus Cars has temporarily paused Emira production in the factory to prepare manufacturing for this.

"During this time, the business is focused on improving production operations to restart operations at optimised efficiency.

"We are working through these updates to get full production resuming as soon as possible."

Appreciate you making this available.
The editor chose to use 'halts' production versus the more truthful 'pauses' production...., no doubt to infuse drama into the story.
Cue hysteria.
Only immediate upside I can see is putting attention on current sales inventory, then further on regaining new model momentum.
IMO sloppy Lotus communications feeds reckless journalism.
What is the famous line: Nothing to see here?

 

[Nick Sticks]

Lotus halts production of sports cars at Norfolk factory

Lotus has suspended the production of its Emira sports cars at its Hethel factory in Norfolk, sending staff home.

www.edp24.co.uk

 

[JimH]

Our local paper's online presence is nothing but paywall articles/popup ads and is full of clickbait headlines like this......

 

[Nick Sticks]

Our local paper's online presence is nothing but paywall articles/popup ads and is full of clickbait headlines like this......

Just disable JavaScript to read the site, certainly not worth paying for what is usually "reported".

 

[Tod]

Good catch— “Halt vs Pauses”

 

[JimH]

Just disable JavaScript to read the site, certainly not worth paying for what is usually "reported".

It's really not worth the effort.....

 

[Jimbrodie1]

Perhaps I’ll get my replacement door now then

 

[netsinah]

I'm trying to ignore the "Trump orchestrated tariff hysteria" as much as possible...but is the US imposing a 10% or 25% tariff on UK-made vehicles? I see a Forum thread on this already (referenced below), which is speculation and doesn't provide an answer. Maybe that's the closest we'll get for an answer (what day is it today?) on a Thursday...

Perhaps Geely is being optimistic, focusing on the now-granted US certification, rather than pending tariffs which could halt (not pause) sales?

D

Thread 'Tariffs on Emira in US?'

Feb 25, 2025

So, I have an Emira on order, and it is not expected until late summer. However, in light of recent developments, I am now really concerned about the car being tariffed upon arrival.

If a 25% tariff is enacted before arrival, will I be on the hook for an additional $25k? I am hoping that they would honor the current pricing, but I unsure of that would be possible. I would really prefer my custom configuration, however, not for an additional 25% tax.

Is there anyone else in this situation that has heard anything about their pricing? Obviously, it's still speculation as to if...

• daSchtick
• Replies: 34
• Forum: Lotus Emira Purchasing

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

This article sounds old and from an archive.

Why is it talking about CARB approval and the cars waiting at US ports that can’t be sold?

Why is it mentioning we’ve finally received US approval?

This is old news.

 

[Biggles of Norwich]

This article sounds old and from an archive.

Why is it talking about CARB approval and the cars waiting at US ports that can’t be sold?

Why is it mentioning we’ve finally received US approval?

This is old news.

The article was published yesterday, but I agree that it contains both dated and up to date information (which is typical for the Eastern Daily Press!). I thought the temporary suspension of production to gear up for the "new" models might be of interest.

 

[Nick Sticks]

You can book a factory tour for the 12th, Wednesday next week so it looks like it will be up and running by at least then.

 

[EspritGuy]

You can book a factory tour for the 12th, Wednesday next week so it looks like it will be up and running by at least then.

Be the first to see the 'optimized production.'

 

[Orchardbike]

Be the first to see the 'optimized production.'

Maybe they’re now going to build them properly?

 

[Nick Sticks]

Be the first to see the 'optimized production.'

Will be interesting but I bet you wouldn't see much difference. Low volume car manufacturing doesn't exactly fly by.
I've been on the factory tour 3 times now, once a year, and the only thing I really noticed was less people.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

The article was published yesterday, but I agree that it contains both dated and up to date information (which is typical for the Eastern Daily Press!). I thought the temporary suspension of production to gear up for the "new" models might be of interest.

I think its one of those old SEO tricks. Take an old article and publish as new to drive traffic.

 

[Lotustoronto]

I'm trying to ignore the "Trump orchestrated tariff hysteria" as much as possible...but is the US imposing a 10% or 25% tariff on UK-made vehicles? I see a Forum thread on this already (referenced below), which is speculation and doesn't provide an answer. Maybe that's the closest we'll get for an answer (what day is it today?) on a Thursday...

Perhaps Geely is being optimistic, focusing on the now-granted US certification, rather than pending tariffs which could halt (not pause) sales?

D

Thread 'Tariffs on Emira in US?'

Feb 25, 2025

So, I have an Emira on order, and it is not expected until late summer. However, in light of recent developments, I am now really concerned about the car being tariffed upon arrival.

If a 25% tariff is enacted before arrival, will I be on the hook for an additional $25k? I am hoping that they would honor the current pricing, but I unsure of that would be possible. I would really prefer my custom configuration, however, not for an additional 25% tax.

Is there anyone else in this situation that has heard anything about their pricing? Obviously, it's still speculation as to if...

• daSchtick
• Replies: 34
• Forum: Lotus Emira Purchasing

If trump goes ahead with reciprocal tariffs on April 2nd - then UK cars go from the current 2.5% to 10% (increase of 7.5% - since the UK charges 10% for American Cars) - But who knows? The UK could also remove the import tariff on American cars to zero. That should satisfy the "reciprocal" part at least.

 

[EspritGuy]

I think its one of those old SEO tricks. Take an old article and publish as new to drive traffic.

Whatever happened to investigative journalism?
If that publication needs ideas:
- state of the business: what's driving Lotus?
- how are downward EV trends affecting Lotus product plans?
- what impact might tariffs have on the business?
- what impact will emissions regulations have near term?
- generational shifts in sports car interest: are you car-curious?
- is tech putting the brakes on the 3rd pedal?
- automation versus the artisan in assembly
- the soul of a car and emotion of its use
- Lotus expands brand-loyalty bandwidth

Otherwise, the media credo remains 'Add tritness and amplify.'
Rant over.

 

[Medic518]

Why is it talking about CARB approval

Because the i4 just received CARB approval a month ago? just a guess..

 

[centerpunch]

Because the i4 just received CARB approval a month ago? just a guess..

Actually November 15th, almost 4 months ago.

But maybe they needed to do everything again for a new model year.