Plastic Omnium is to end bumper production at its Eisenach-Thuringia plant in Germany, with the loss of 200 jobs, but has angrily criticised European automakers for the situation.

A tersely-worded statement blames the “decline in the European automobile market and the carmakers’ industrial strategies,” with Plastic Omnium saying these policies have led to “persistent excess production capacity in Western Europe.”

Local management has started consultations with employee representatives, while the move does not affect the plant’s fuel tank and fuel system operations.

Plastic Omnium will continue to maintain a presence in Germany with nine production facilities and four development centres employing a total of 1,400 people.