Lotus Technology has launched its global headquarters in Wuhan, China, breaking ground on the facility that is slated to be completed in 2024.
The company also said it plans to launch four electric vehicle (EV) models for global markets including China by 2026. The planned rollout of these vehicles will be staggered:
- Lotus will debut an e-segment SUV codenamed Type 132 in 2022.
- It will be followed by an electric four-door coupe in 2023, codenamed Type 133.
- In 2025, Lotus will debut a d-segment SUV, codenamed Type 134.
- And in 2026, an all-electric sports car will be launched, codenamed Type 135.
A new factory is also being built that will manufacture Lotus EVs later this year. Lotus’ all-electric hypercar and its last petrol-powered sports car, Emira, will be built at Lotus’ Hethel, U.K. facility.
The manufacturing plant that will open later this year will cover an area of more than 1 million m2 with an investment of more than $1.2 billion. The plant will be capable of producing 150,000 vehicles a year. Additionally, the factory will include an intelligent test track where vehicles can be transported into workshops using self-driving technology without human intervention. The track will allow vehicles to travel at up to 140 mph through 16 corners.
