Chrysler Group LLC will begin rolling its new Dodge Dart compact car into North American showrooms in May as the Auburn Hills, Mich., auto maker looks to return to the small car market.

Current plans call for the company to produce 2,000 Darts in May, said Dodge brand chief Reid Bigland. Output will grow to 8,000 for the month of June before hitting 12,000 in December, reported The Wall Street Journal.

The Dart, priced at $15,995, is the first vehicle jointly developed by Chrysler and majority owner Fiat SpA. Both companies need a successful introduction to demonstrate how a melded Chrysler-Fiat can design and build competitive vehicles.

Chrysler has been without a small car offering since 2005 when it ended production of the Dodge Neon.

The Dart will be produced at the Belvidere, Ill., assembly plant and shipped to North American and international markets. It is being built alongside the Compass and Patriot.