Chrysler Begins Dodge Dart Production This Week

Chrysler Group LLC says it will launch production of the Fiat-based Dart small car at its plant in Belvidere, Ill., on May 3, Bloomberg News reports.

Production was to begin in early April. Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne attributes the delay to an unspecified parts problem.

The Dart is Chrysler's most important new model since the company emerged from bankruptcy in mid-2009. It is the first vehicle to ride on a Fiat platform, the one that carries the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in Europe.

The $16,800 car satisfies a goal set by the U.S. government to produce a model in the U.S. that delivers at least 40 mpg. Pledging to do so entitled Fiat to another 5% stake in Chrysler, thus raising its equity in the American company to 58.5%.

Chrysler says a Dart equipped with a special "Aero" package will be rated at 41 mpg or more by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Aerodynamic features on all Dart models include underbody paneling, tire "spats" in front of the wheelwells, rear deck integrated spoiler and Dodge's first use of an active grille shutter system.

The Dart succeeds the poorly received Caliber, which went out of production in November. That left Chrysler without a small-car entry just as that segment gained popularity amid soaring gasoline prices. The Dart will face very tough competition from such models as the Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

The Dart will be offered in 12 colors with 14 interior color and trim options, three powerplants, three six-speed transmissions, six wheel options and five trim levels. The company, which says customization was a key part of the Dart's development, figures that buyers will be able to create 100,000 variations of the car. CEO Sergio Marchionne concedes that actually trying to build that many combinations would be a "bloody nightmare." Chrysler plans to coach its dealers on how to encourage channel customers with a yen for customizing into higher-priced models.

Engine options include a standard 2.0-liter "Tigershark" engine that produces 160 hp and, when mated to a six-speed manual transmission, has an EPA rating of 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. An optional 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir mill also produces 160 hp and has a fuel economy rating of 27/39/29.

The most powerful engine is a 2.4-liter Tigershark four-banger with MultiAir technology. Chrysler has not disclosed a fuel economy rating for the 184-hp powerplant.

Chrysler says standard features on the Dart include brake assist, electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, trailer-sway control and 10 airbags. Among the options are an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, 506-watt audio system, keyless entry, blind-spot monitor, backup camera and a rear cross path detection system.