Australia is finally to get DaimlerChrysler’s tiny Smart city car line from mid-2003, according to the website drive.com.au.

Initially 200 city-coupe and roadster models will be imported but additional models including a four-seater planned for later should boost annual volume to 1,000, the website says.

Right-hand drive Australia bans LHD imports, as does neighbouring New Zealand, but RHD Smarts were developed a couple of years ago for the UK and Japan.