British sports car maker Lotus Group International plans to make the Lotus Esprit at the plant of Malaysian parent Proton Holdings, manufacturing outside of Britain for the first time, a report said today.

Lotus Group spokesman Robert Tickner told the New Straits Times that a final decision would be taken within the next year.

The last Esprit rolled out of the Hethel production lines in Norfolk, Britain, last year, and new vehicles are likely to be built at a facility of the Proton group, it said.

"Lotus is not moving anything anywhere. This is about expansion. We are seeking to increase capacity and the new volume will be taken by a new model," Tickner said.

Lotus is committed to at least 10 more years in Norfolk and no jobs would be lost as a result of the Malaysia plans, he said.

"This is not a start of relocating the whole company; this is a very common occurrence in the motor vehicle industry. If anything, Lotus is one of the last companies to expand production beyond its established home."

Tickner also said that production of the Lotus Elise will stay at Hethel where the factory is planning to increase production from 5,000 to 8,000 cars a year.

Proton acquired an 80 percent controlling stake in Lotus Group in October 1996. The firm produces high-performance sports cars as well as automotive engineering consultancy services.