Close on the heels of the last-week disclosure by Chrysler and Fiat's CEO Sergio Marchionne that the early-April production schedule of the Dodge Dart has been delayed somewhat due to some "important issue" with an unspecified component, it has now been revealed by George Welitschinsky - the president of United Auto Workers Local 1268 - that finished Darts will begin rolling off the assembly line from May 3.

The revelation by Welitschinsky implies that Chrysler Group LLC's Dodge Dart compact - which will be automaker's most significant new model ever since Fiat SpA rescued it during its bankruptcy in 2009 - is apparently on the verge of overcoming parts snags before the commencement of production.

With the forthcoming release of Dart marking the biggest test of Chrysler and Fiat's nearly three-year association, a high-mileage version of the Dart - which will be the first Chrysler car to be based on Fiat architecture - will seemingly be ready in the third quarter.

According to the information shared by the Dodge brand's director Richard Cox last week, the third quarter of the year will witness Chrysler offering a Dart model based on Fiat's Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The model will come with a package called `Aero' which will boast the ability of achieving 41 miles (66 kilometers) per gallon in highway driving.

About the price-tag of the Dart, Chrysler said in an April 16 statement on its website that the car's base model will cost nearly $15,995; while its top-rung trim Dart R/T model will begin start at $22,495.