The much-rumored 12-inch MacBook Air is again in the spotlight, as a new report claims that it will enter mass production in the first quarter of 2015.

Rumors of a sleek new MacBook Air with a 12-inch display have been making rounds for quite some time now, but nothing has materialized so far. The device is expected to make its official debut next year, boasting a next-generation Intel Broadwell processor under the hood.

A new report from DigiTimes now claims that mass production for the 12-inch MacBook Air is set to begin in the first quarter of next year, which doesn't sound too farfetched. The publication may not have the best track record when it comes to the accuracy of its leaks, especially Apple-related ones, but the timing sounds plausible considering that Intel's next-generation Broadwell chipsets are set to become available in early 2015.

The report seemingly confirms that Apple's upcoming MacBook Air with Retina display will indeed pack Intel's Broadwell, and will also boast a sleek new chassis that will allegedly be thinner and lighter than ever. This falls in line with previous reports hinting at a sleek, ultra-portable MacBook Air.

The publication further claims, citing unnamed sources, that mass production has so far been affected by low yield rates. Nevertheless, Apple has apparently started to overcome those hurdles.

"Apple's new MacBook Air features Intel's Broadwell processors and a new chassis design to reduce the device's overall thickness and weight, but the start of mass production has been hampered by low yield rates, the sources said. As the yield issue is gradually being resolved, mass production is expected to come in the first quarter of 2015, the sources explained."

DigiTimes further notes that Quanta Computer will be in charge of building the upcoming 12-inch MacBook Air, and the device will target the high-end segment of the market. At the same time, the report also claims the 12-inch Retina MacBook Air will have limited shipments.

As a reminder, the purported 12-inch MacBook was initially rumored to make its debut this year, but that obviously did not happen. Subsequent reports claimed that it was delayed because Intel's Broadwell chips were not ready in due time. With Intel's Broadwell now expected to become available early next year, the 12-inch MacBook Air could indeed enter production sometime in the first quarter of 2015.

The 12-inch MacBook Air is expected to sport a fanless design to accommodate a slimmer form factor, come with a buttonless trackpad, and feature fewer inputs and outputs.

It's all in the rumor state for now, however, as Apple has not made any official announcement in this regards. As always in such cases, it's best to take all leaks, rumors and reports with a grain of salt.