Ford plans sweeping dealer closures in Europe to accelerate rebound

Ford's plan to shrink its European retail network to help the unit return to profit in the region will result in deep cuts to its dealers, particularly in the U.K.

Ford of Europe President Stuart Rowley declined to say how many dealers will be slashed. “It will be appropriate for the market,” he told Automotive News Europe.

Up to 180 of the 400 dealers in the U.K., Ford's biggest market in Europe, are at risk of closure, the Auto Retail Agenda newsletter reported last month.