AIfa Romeo boss Jean-Philippe Imparato has urged European politicians to focus on protecting jobs in the automotive industry rather than model names, following a spat that prompted a late rebranding of the firm's new compact crossover.
The Milano was renamed Junior just five days after it was revealed, following claims by Italian industry minister Adolfo Urso that the use of Milano violated an Italian law that geographical names can be used only for products that are produced in the region.
The law is generally applied to products such as Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The Junior will be produced at a Stellantis plant in Tychy, Poland.
Urso's claims followed comments by Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares at the unveiling of the Milano, warning the Italian government against offering incentives to Chinese and other foreign companies to establish battery and car production facilities in Italy.
Speaking to Autocar, Imparato said the decision to change the name of the Milano was made despite legal advice that the name didn't violate the law, and was to avoid being drawn into a political row.
この記事は Autocar UK の April 24, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Autocar UK の April 24, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
DEALER FINANCE UNDER FIRE
Hidden commission faces axe as courts clamp down on secret’ revenue
NEW CAUTION FOR SUZUKI AND ITS ELECTRIC FUTURE
Company president voices concern in wake of EV sales slowdown, casting doubt over upcoming launches
NEXT-GEN CLA IN RECORDBREAKING 24-HOUR EV RUN
Merc saloon racks up 2309.6 miles at an estimated 5.2 miles per kWh
BENTLEY BLITZ TO START WITH URBAN EV CROSSOVER
Run of 10 new models in 10 years will begin with a bold EV in 2026
The venomous nature of the Cobra
Last week, Matt Prior drove a totally new kind of AC Cobra. This is a car with one of the strongest allures of all - but also an incredibly complex and controversial history.
SKODA KAMIQ
A long getting-to-know-you trip to Spain reveals all
THE SEVEN-YEAR TITCH
Outgoing baby Jag is plush, practical and now eminently affordable
'Our time has come'
Honda may be late to the EV party, but a barrage of bold new battery-powered cars is on the way. JAMES ATTWOOD speaks to boss Toshihiro Mibe at its R&D base to find out what's in store
Lion kings
Plush, powerful four-door cars are an endangered species - and now Peugeot has called time on its latest, the 508 PSE. STEPHEN DOBIE compares it with its most significant ancestor, the 505 GTI
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Wolfsburg gives the lesser-known Golf PHEV a big-impact refresh
