The Italian government has told Alfa Romeo that it is illegal to build a new car with the 'Milano' name anywhere other than in Italy.
Alfa Romeo is trying to resurrect itself, among other things with the new electric crossover model Milano.
But precisely because the car is called what it does, it is not without problems. The sour remarks come somewhat surprisingly from the Italian government.
For the Italians – just as there was trouble between Denmark and Greece about the name feta cheese – that a car with this name is only built in Italy.
However, it is not the Stellantis group's plan for Alfa Romeo to be built in Italy. Like a number of other cars, it will be built in Poland. But that is completely unacceptable, says the Italian government.
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– A car called Milano cannot be built in Poland.
– There is a law in this area which protects consumers (motorists, ed.) from being misled in this way. A car called Milano is to be built in Italy.
– If it doesn't happen, it is misleading, and it is not allowed according to Italian law, Adolfo Urso told the Reuters news agency this week.
According to the news agency, Urso may also be right. In 2003, the Italians passed a law that protects designations such as Parmesan that are made in Italy.
Interestingly, the Milano is the only model Alfa Romeo does not build in Italy. However, Stellantis' director Carlos Tavares already has a defense ready.
If the Milano were to be built in Italy, it would be as much as 10,000 euros, equivalent to 74,000 kroner, more expensive at the dealers.
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