Lotus has claimed a “record breaking” first half of 2023 after production rose 381% to 2,200 Emiras for which there is a two year order backlog.

The Geely owned sportscar maker also claimed a backlog of 17,000 vehicles worldwide for the Eletre and Emira.

Eletre production in China ramped up in the first half with deliveries starting in China at the end of March with UK and European sales starting later this summer.  

The company opened 24 new outlets, taking the dealer count to 193.  

CEO Feng Qingfeng said: “We are firmly on track to becoming a global performance brand by 2028.”

A record full year was also expected.