The Indian government may seek to bolster its auto industry if sales continue to slow due to rising interest rates and tighter credit for consumers who rely on loans for most vehicle purchases.

”In the first four months of this [fiscal] year, the performance of the automobile sector has been lower than what we had envisaged,” said Sontosh Mohan Dev, minister for heavy industries. “We are keenly watching the outcome in the second quarter. If need be, we will intervene to sustain growth.”