Maruti Suzuki Trims Output by 8%

India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., lowered its production by 8% last month as January-February retail sales stalled.

Analysts predict the Indian car market’s growth will slow to its weakest pace in five years, with virtually no gains likely until after this year’s elections in April-May.

Maruti Suzuki has lowered its own sales forecast for the second time in the fiscal year that began last April 1, this time to 6% from 8% predicted in December.

Maruti Suzuki says it built 326,000 vehicles in the first two months of 2019. But its dealers retailed fewer than 277,000 units over the same period. The company’s assembly plants currently have combined capacity to make about 1.8 million vehicles per year.