PROTON Cars (UK) is relocating to offices at Lotus Cars' Hethel base in Norfolk from Bristol as part of a streamlining operation for the two firms. Both businesses are subsidiaries of Proton in Malaysia.

All Lotus parts distribution and warranty processing is already handled by its new neighbour, while Lotus has done chassis engineering work for the Malaysian cars, notably the new Impian, and will be developing engines for Proton's cars.