Alfa Romeo Renames Milano Model to 'Junior' Amid Legal Dispute with Italian Government
The Italian carmaker, under pressure from Italy's laws against misleading product names, has changed its new EV's name to avoid legal and political controversy.
- Alfa Romeo's decision to rename its Milano SUV to Junior comes after Italy's industry minister cited a law against misleading 'Italian-sounding' product names.
- The controversy centers on the vehicle being manufactured in Poland, not Italy, conflicting with a 2003 law originally aimed at food products.
- Stellantis, Alfa Romeo's parent company, argues that producing the car in Italy would significantly increase costs, affecting market competitiveness.
- The renaming to 'Junior' is seen as a move to sidestep potential consumer confusion and government criticism over national identity in branding.
- This legal and branding issue highlights ongoing tensions between Stellantis and the Italian government, with broader implications for national pride and economic strategies.
The Telegraph 
Electrek 