New Delhi, May 18 -- Indian automakers like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Kia, Citroen, Volkswagen, Honda, Nissan and Renault are increasingly finding export markets for their smaller, compact car models even as domestic consumer demand shifts towards SUVs and larger, feature-packed vehicles.

Once dominating India's passenger vehicle market with a nearly 50 per cent share, the small car segment now accounts for less than 30 per cent of total sales as SUV trends have significantly impacted sales of compact cars and sedans in recent years.

In fiscal year 2017-18, small cars made up 47.4 per cent of the Indian market, dropping to 46 per cent in 2018-19 and 46.5 per cent in 2019-20.

However, automakers are witnessing high demand for these smalle...