Italian government says it’s illegal for the Alfa Romeo Milano to be produced outside the country in Poland

Italian government says it’s illegal for the Alfa Romeo Milano to be produced outside the country in Poland

Last week, Alfa Romeo revealed its new crossover called the Milano, which is available with fully electric and mild hybrid powertrains. This makes the Milano the brand’s first electric vehicle (EV), but that’s not the only first that the model represents as it is also the first and (currently) only Alfa Romeo to be produced outside of Italy.

Despite its very Italian-sounding name, the Milano is actually built in Poland at Stellantis’ Tychy plant alongside the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600 which use the same Common Modular Platform (CMP). This fact hasn’t gone down well with Italian officials who criticised the carmaker for producing its first electric vehicle (EV) abroad, reports Reuters.

“A car called Milano cannot be produced in Poland. This is forbidden by Italian law. This law stipulates that you cannot give indications that mislead consumers. So, a car called Milano must be produced in Italy. Otherwise, it gives a misleading indication which is not allowed under Italian law,” said Italy industry minister Adolfo Urso.

The law mentioned by Urdo was introduced in 2003 and states it is illegal to present a foreign-made product as coming from Italy. This is typically invoked against food products, which is why, for example, parmesan cheese sold will only be called parmigiano if it comes from Italy.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares previously defended the decision to build the Milano in Poland, saying that building it outside of Italy will slash 10,000 euros (about RM50k) off the crossover’s retail price that starts at under 30,000 euros (RM153k).

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard's strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Hahahahhahahahhhhhaaaaaa……….
    I guess incompetent government is everywhere and many of them are competing to be the biggest clown among themselves!
    If investors deem where they should set up their production, u should respect that, otherwise u bail out all failing business pls.

    Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
  • Squid on Apr 15, 2024 at 9:50 am

    Just change the name to Alfa Romeo Tychy, where its built. Done.

    Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Imagine what the Korean government has to say for most of Hyundai’s model names

    Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Armenian Street on Apr 15, 2024 at 12:26 pm

    Renamed as Polandia, Lithuanian labourer strongly supports it.

    Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Celup King on Apr 15, 2024 at 2:14 pm

    Wah! Like saying Toyota cars should not be made in Msia bcoz it has a Jepunis sounding name.

    Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • YB Kunta Kinte on Apr 15, 2024 at 3:46 pm

    Sounds exactly like our politicians who scream for Proton to be barang buatan Malaysia when it was being sold to Geely

    Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • Bob Mal on Apr 15, 2024 at 3:56 pm

    Since the Italian Government are so kiasu then change its name to Alfa Romeo Julieto – I am sure it will still sell pretty well.

    Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Sohai on Apr 15, 2024 at 6:41 pm

    Then rename it Alfa Romeo Sohai.
    Breaks no law.

    Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

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