Sports car manufacturer Lotus has announced the production of a new concept car that will create 250 jobs.The company said it was investing £ 100 million at its headquarters in Hethel, near Norwich.But three of the company's models will be discontinued this year, including the Elise, which was released in 1995.

Phil Popham, slotxo Chief Executive of Lotus Cars, said, "Despite continuing global challenges, Lotus is growing strongly and moving forward in 2020."It follows announcements last year that it is moving some of its production to a new facility in Norwich from existing facilities in Norwich and Worcester.The company said that role will be in engineering and manufacturing for both Lotus Cars and Lotus Engineering, which are scheduled to open near Warwick later this year.

In addition to the new prototype, called the Type 131, the company will continue to build electric Evija models this year.Lotus will stop producing the Exige and Evora models, including Elise.Matt Windle, Lotus Executive Director of Engineering, said that many current teams of engineers, designers and technicians are It was "at the stage when Elise was developing" more than 25 years ago.

The announcement from Lotus comes after Japanese automaker Nissan said the Sunderland plant was safe for the long term as a result of a trade deal between the UK and the European Union.But last year, sales of new cars fell to their lowest levels in nearly three decades as factories and showrooms initially closed.