Fiat 500 to start at $15,500; US dealers named

DETROIT: Italian automaker Fiat is returning to the US market after nearly 30 years.

Fiat named 130 dealers in 39 states Wednesday. It also said the US version of the Fiat 500 subcompact will sell for $15,500. That's almost $5,000 less than the Mini Cooper, one of the cars the tiny 500 is targeting.

Fiat plans to introduce a convertible version of the 500 next year and electric and high-performance versions after that.

The Fiat 500 has been popular in Europe, where it went on sale in 2007. Fiat unveiled the North American version at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Fiat pulled out of the US market in 1983 because of quality problems. But the company has come a long way, and last year took over management of Chrysler Group.