Volkswagen may book up to $4.4 billion in provisions on capacity cuts, Jefferies says

Volkswagen may book up to 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) in provisions for planned capacity cuts as early as the fourth quarter, analysts at brokerage Jefferies said in a note after travelling with company executives in North America.

Volkswagen said earlier this month it was considering shutting plants in Germany for the first time in its history, part of a cost-cutting plan as it struggles to compete with Asian rivals.

"The rationale to re-size VW's namesake (brand) is not new but management's sense of urgency and determination to tackle excess capacity and spending patterns both are," Jefferies analysts wrote in the note.

"Three days on the road in North America with management gave us conviction that there is no plan B that would rule out capacity reduction," they said, adding decisions could lead to provisions of 3 to 4 billion euros in the fourth quarter.

Jefferies did not specify the purpose of the trip.

Volkswagen declined to comment.