Remember that the brand's new entry-level model should Alfa Romeo actually appointed Milan? The small SUV was renamed to Junior, after the Italian authorities were not satisfied with the original name. Local law banned the brand Stellantis using an Italian name for a vehicle manufactured outside the country. Something similar is happening now Fiat.
Fiat has sales problems in Italy the cute Topolin. The small electric city car (maximum speed 45 km/h) has kept its own historical name, but must be without small Italian flags on a plastic body. The Italian police are in the port city Livorno in Tuscany seized just 134 Topolins. The culprit? The side flag next to the door handle has nothing to look for in this place and also elsewhere in Topolin.
The small electric car is not made in Italy, but in a factory Kenitra in Morocco. The sister models are also assembled there Citroen Friend in Opel Rocks Electric. A law banning Fiat from using the Italian flag on a product made abroad has been passed December 2003 and provides:
"Importing and exporting products with false or misleading indications of origin for the purpose of marketing or placing on the market, or performing actions with the clear purpose of marketing products, is a criminal offense and is punishable in accordance with Article 517 of the Criminal Code. It is misleading to label products and goods with the "Made in Italy" stamp that do not originate in Italy, as required by European rules of origin. It is a misleading statement, even if the origin and provenance are indicated as foreign origin of the products or goods. The violator will be fined between EUR 10.000 and EUR 250.000."
Stellantis there is no choice but to yes remove the flag, so that he could sell the seized cars Mickey mouse. Although the small electric car is not manufactured domestically, the Italian motif was added because it was reportedly Fiat a four-wheeled vehicle developed in Turin. Stellantisov the spokesman is for the newspaper La Repubblica said that Fiat “acted completely in accordance with the regulations" and explained where he was Mickey mouse manufactures without trying to mislead customers. The company agreed that it would removed the problematic sticker and thus freed 134 vehicles stuck in the port.
Fiat Topolino Disney
The odd thing about this story is that it is Fiat renovated Mickey mouse presented a year ago. That means they had the Italian authorities enough time, that they are Stellantis informed about the possibility of impounding their vehicles. It appears to be Fiat expected to get away with it as it did Alfa Romeo thought it would be fine if she used the name 'Milano' for her little crossbreed.
