The Norfolk-based automotive manufacturer Lotus, which makes the Elise, Evora and Exige sports-cars, has announced that as many as 325 jobs are under threat — approximately 25% of the total global workforce — as a result of a major restructuring programme.

A 45-day consultation process has begun. The company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Malaysian group DRB-Hicom, said it needs to build a “strong sustainable future” and this is likely to lead to compulsory redundancies.

In an e-mailed statement, chief executive Jean-Marc Gales said: “We have worked very hard to avoid the need to make the proposal, but do believe that it is now essential. Lotus should be a leaner, more competitive organisation, focusing on both producing class-leading sports cars and innovative engineering”.

Mr Gales said that the company, which has its HQ in Hethel, has made “significant progress” to turn itself around over the past year, but added: “The harsh truth is that if Lotus is to prosper in the long term it must do even better, at lower cost.”