Flag issue
The cuddly Fiat Topolino may be the last four-wheeler you would expect to see as part of a conflict, but it really is. The Italian police have seized more than 130 Fiats Topolino. And all for a flag.
Stellantis and the Italian authorities recently clashed over the naming of an Alfa Romeo compact crossover. The crossover that was initially supposed to be called Milano is now called Junior. Alfa Romeo had to change the name of the crossover due to a law that prohibits putting an Italian name on a product that is not produced in Italy. The Milano – sorry, the Junior – is produced in Poland and is therefore not allowed to be known as Milano by Italy. Now Fiat also finds itself in a difficult position because of the equally cuddly and electric Topolino.
The culprit: the Italian flag on the flanks.
Automotive News reports that the Guardia di Finanza – the Italian ‘financial police’ – has seized 134 examples of the Fiat Topolino upon arrival at the ports of Livorno, Italy. Stellantis would also not comply with the law with the Fiat Topolino, which ensured that the Alfa Romeo Milano is now called Junior. Not with its model name, but with the display of the Italian flag. Yes: the Fiat Topolino carries the Italian tricolor near the front fenders, and the Italian authorities do not accept that. After all, the Fiat Topolino is not produced in Italy, but, like the Citroën Ami and Opel Rocks Electric, in Morocco.
According to Automotive News, Stellantis has confirmed that Fiat is removing the Italian flag from the Topolino. It is still not known whether the Topolino will also be delivered in the Netherlands.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl