The novel coronavirus has paralysed much of the world’s automotive industry, sending automakers and suppliers scrambling to bolster their balance sheets and shore up enough of a cash cushion to see them through the worst of the crisis. Sales are all but paralysed and production is halted—and that can be financially devastating. AlixPartners estimates that every 1-million-unit reduction in vehicle sales hits takes €5bn (US$5.5bn) out of automaker cash flow. Given the scope of the potential downturn, the impact could be huge….