to avoid upsetting Italy, he changed the name at the last minute!

Alfa Romeo is a brand that has often opened up desires. Not in all phases of its history, but it is clear that the Biscione brand is in the hearts of many fans around the world. So it is certain, the brand new Milano presented on April 10, 2024 may not well represent the passion that a brand of more than a century can stimulate: its style, very sharp if not elegant, its engines, especially electric, are enough. raise the hackles of more than one “alfist”. And yet this is not the thing that shocked the Italian Minister of Economy, Adolfo Urso, with whom the dispute was launched.. In fact, he just said that this Alfa Romeo Milano was illegal!

No, it is not produced in Milan

How did this poor Milano who did not ask for anything attract the wrath of this minister responsible for trade and Made in Italy? Well because it’s not made in Italy. Despite its name that refers to the second most populous city in Italy, Milano is actually produced far from the Lombard city. And even far from Italy: in Poland!

Why the Polish election? Because Alfa Romeo is an important part of the Stellantis group, which has a factory in Tychy, in the south of the country.. And it is there that it mainly produces the Jeep Avenger, whose platform is shared by the new Milano. Perhaps we should remind the Italian minister that the car that most represents Italy internationally, the Fiat 500, was produced in several million copies at this factory in Tychy, and that the new 600 has also been coming off the production lines since last September.

Carlos Tavares has just confirmed some unprecedented news: Milano is changing its name even though it is not yet in the dealership! Sales networks will appreciate this, especially since the physical communication materials are probably already printed. Then they will become collectors items…

“The Alfa Romeo brand is a classic, dear to our hearts. It is a sign of calmness and understanding. There are feelings to consider. Junior is a name that has been very successful in the history of Alfa Romeo“. You will have understood, Milano will eventually be called Alfa Romeo “Junior”.

Ferrari California, produced in California?

Adolfo Urso explained that “a car called Milano cannot be produced in Poland.” This is prohibited by the Italian law that defined the “Italian Voice” in 2003, the law that provides information that misleads the user cannot be provided.. Obviously, if the Milano is not produced in Italy, the name of the car becomes a misleading indication.

If this policy already has consequences for Milano, what can we say about other Italians? A conflict that undoubtedly has its reasons a little related to abuse, when the names of cars are often related to geographical areas, without that being their place of production.. Ferrari Roma is not produced in Rome, although it is actually produced in Italy. So what can we say about the Ferrari California also misleading consumers about its origins? No more certainty…