Premier used to export these cars to Dubai during mid-late 90s, under the Padmini brand name. They even introduced an upgrade called the Padmini S1 i think, claiming it had an improved AVL engine. They were aimed at NRIs as these cars could be taken back home duty free after two years and since Dubai had negligible duty/taxes on cars, new A/C Padminis could be bought for approx. 17,000 dhs (comes to abt 1.8 lacs) making them look like a bargain. Also the car could easily be converted from LHD to RHD.
The car came as a shock on Middle East roads with its 1960s looks against Japanese and American cars. Friends from other countries used to make fun of the latest automotive introduction from India
(oddly enough it was the first Indian car to be introduced into the Middle East). The engine used to have a really sporty note to it when it was struggling to keep up with normal traffic with the A/C on.
I remember my friend Shyju,s dad buying one and traveling in it once. What an experience it was, I loved every second i spent in it. It was cramped, narrow and noisy, Add to it that the Dubai public was staring at us whenever we passed by, Never in my life did I receive so much attention in a car.
When Shyju and family returned to India after three years, they took their trusted car alongwith, only to relise India had moved on from the days of the Padmini.