Europe Has Eight Car Plants Too Many as Chinese Rivals Make Inroads

Slack car demand and new competitors like China’s BYD Co. could force Europe’s manufacturers to shed as many as eight factories as the industry moves through a painful reset, according to consultancy AlixPartners.

Across the continent, car plants are running at just 55% of capacity on average, with sites operating at less than three-quarters full draining company bottom lines, the restructuring advisers said.