Norfolk sports car manufacturer Lotus Cars has posted its strongest sales results in seven years.
In the same year as the company's 70th anniversary, Lotus saw a 2pc increase in sales based on figures from 2017 selling 1,630 cars.
The Hethel based company was recently taken over by Geely, a Chinese firm that also owns Volvo, making substantial investments in product development, new facilities, and staff appointments with former Land Rover director, Phil Popham, announced as CEO.
Mr Popham said: 'The year's results show success on many levels, in what is a new dawn for the brand and business. 'Strong sales and an increasing presence in many international markets underline growing confidence as new shareholder backing starts to shape our future.
'The many appointments to the company in the executive team and across the business demonstrate a real confidence and ability to deliver our ambitions for Lotus globally.'
Sales have increased across the board, most noticeably in Sweden, up 87pc, Japan, up 59pc and Australia, up 50pc.
In the UK, Lotus sold seven more cars than in 2017, increasing from 267 to 274.
Lotus currently produces three cars, the Evora, Exige and Elise.
Last year it announced a multi-million pound expansion which will include the addition of a heritage museum celebrating the 70-year history of the famous brand.
The news comes as UK car giant Jaguar Land Rover announced it is to cut 4,500 jobs as part of plans to make £2.5 billion of cost savings.
Most of the cuts are expected to be in the UK, with a voluntary programme being launched.
The savings and 'cashflow improvements' will be made over the next 18 months.
The new job losses are in addition to the 1,500 workers who left the company last year.
Ralf Speth, chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, said: 'We are taking decisive action to help deliver long-term growth, in the face of multiple geopolitical and regulatory disruptions as well as technology challenges facing the automotive industry.'
But the company also announced further investment in electrification, with electric drive units to be built in Wolverhampton and a new battery assembly centre in Birmingham.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here