Alfa Romeo's "Milano" SUV Naming Faces Legal Scrutiny in Italy

The Italian Government has raised legal concerns with Alfa Romeo for naming its new SUV "Milano," which is manufactured in Poland.

According to Italian law enacted in 2003, the use of Italian-sounding names on products not made in Italy is prohibited to prevent consumer deception about product origins.

Italy's Minister of Industry, Adolfo Urso, highlighted that the naming of the vehicle as "Milano" breaches this law, as it implies an Italian origin that is not accurate.

The legislation mandates clear labelling of the actual country of manufacture on products to maintain transparency about origins.

Minister Urso stated that automotive products are not exempt from this regulation, emphasising that misleading indications are not permissible under Italian law. The European Union has also shown support for this regulation, with plans to enforce it across member states.

At the unveiling of the Milano, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares reported that the decision to manufacture the vehicle in Poland resulted in a reduction of production costs by €10,000 (Approximately $16,450 Australian Dollars).

The vehicle is part of Alfa Romeo’s strategic move towards electrification and includes both electric and the last of the new petrol-engine models.

The production of the Milano in Tychy, Poland, marks the first time an Alfa Romeo model is entirely produced outside Italy, highlighting a shift in the company’s manufacturing strategy. This model shares the production line with other vehicles like the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600e.