But as worldwide demand for compact cars began growing due to rising fuel costs and stricter controls on emissions, manufacturers began to export cars from India.

VOA: standard.2009.09.25

It is not just domestic sales that jumped. Exports also increased by more than 18 per cent as demand increased for compact, fuel efficient cars in several countries.

VOA: standard.2009.03.13

Providing new vehicles, especially more compact and fuel efficient passenger cars, has helped with sales too.

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All of Kathmandu's taxis are compact, fuel-efficient Maruti cars imported from India. (Fuel shortage or no, Chaudhary prefers to be chauffeur-driven in a gas-guzzling Suzuki SUV to his seven-story group headquarters on the site of a former electronics factory).

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The year 2010 will also see vehicle breakthroughs, like the plug-in Chevrolet Volt and the Chevy Cruze, a zippy, fuel-efficient compact that will usher in a new era of global efficiency in small-car product development.

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