BOSSES at car manufacturer Lotus insisted it’s “business as usual” – despite the Malaysian government selling its controlling stake in its parent company.

Malaysian conglomerate DRB-Hicom Berhad says it is keeping its options open about selling the loss-making British manufacturer after buying its parent company Proton.

Group Lotus, based at Hethel in Norfolk, insisted the deal would not alter plans to turn the company around.

Proton has pledged to fund a £200m plan to create hundreds of new jobs and make Lotus more competitive in the sports car sector.