Dodge Dart sales have been rather disappointing for the brand, so the arrival of the GT version has to be a relief to the dealers. Production started up recently and the vehicle is now available for ordering.

The vehicle debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show and looks pretty sharp as you can see in the photo above. Here are some additional details:

– the GT is powered by the 2.4-liter Tigershark MultiAir2 four-cylinder engine, which produces 184 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque

– premium Nappa leather

– sport suspension with frequency-sensing damping shocks, including standard 18-inch aluminum wheels

– standard class-exclusive features include racetrack LED taillamps, integrated dual exhaust, 8.4-inch touchscreen, 7-inch TFT display, and in-seat storage

– MSRP of $20,995

Let’s see if this helps raise the profile of the vehicle.

Times are good for Chrysler, which provides some good economic news for the administration on a day that the lame job numbers came out.

Chrysler sales jumped 30% in May, which extend an incredible steak of 12 consecutive months where the company has exceed 20& year-over-year sales growth. This is excellent news for the company and for anyone who defended the auto bailout.

And things might get even better for Chrysler soon:

And it comes as Chrysler prepares later this month to roll out its key new car introduction for the year, the Fiat-based Dodge Dart, above, that it aims to get the company back into the small-car game. Dart is an enlarged, Americanized version of Fiat’s sporty Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

All the company’s brands — Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat — posted year-over-year gains in May. Fiat was up most, 128% to a record month as the tiny 500 finally gains some traction.

But the Chrysler brand was heroic — up 81%, as the 200 sedan zoomed 87% and the big 300 rocketed 140% for its best May since 2007.

If the Dart is a hit, then Sergio Marchionne and his team can really celebrate.

Check out the entire article for news on the other automakers.

As Chrysler starts to really get back in the mix with strong sales they now are jumping back in time with an all new 2013 Dodge Dart. This is a great idea and will spark the interest of those who remember or read about past Dart’s. The new model will be based off of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta which is sold in Europe. There are only a few pics available now but if the Dodge dart resembles the Alfa Romeo Giulietta this could be a home run for Chrysler!

From CNN.com:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — Chrysler Group is tapping its history, resurrecting the Dodge Dart name for a new small car being unveiled at next month’s Detroit Auto Show.

The Dodge Dart name was last used on a small car sold in the mid-1970s.

The car will be based on engineering shared with Italy’s Fiat, Chrysler’s parent company.

For now, Chrysler has released only two images of the car. One shows a close-up of the front corner. The other shows the rear of the car with taillights similar to those on the 2011 Dodge Charger.

The car will be built in Chrysler’s Belvidere, Ill., factory. Fuel economy and pricing information for the car are not yet available. It will go on sale in the first half of next year.

Read the full article.