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Fiat and its parent company, Stellantis, are facing scrutiny over alleged violations of the “Made in Italy” law. This has led to the Italian government taking action against a shipment of Fiat Topolino electric vehicles (EVs), which was blocked upon arrival in Italy. Reports indicate that the Topolinos were displaying Italian flags, raising concerns since they are actually assembled in Morocco, as outlined by Automotive News.
The Italian financial police and customs officials seized 134 Fiat Topolino EVs at the Port of Livorno in Tuscany. According to La Repubblica, authorities stated, “They are not Italian; they cannot display the tricolor on their side; they violate the law.” The compact EVs are manufactured in Morocco, not in “Il Bel Paese,” Italy’s affectionate name. This overseas production is perceived as a cost-saving strategy, with Stellantis previously stating that manufacturing vehicles abroad can significantly reduce prices for models, like the Alfa Romeo Junior, which was renamed due to its production location in Poland.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has emphasized the necessity of foreign production to keep EV prices competitive in Europe, aiming to prevent cheap Chinese EVs from taking over the market.
The Italian government is particularly sensitive about foreign manufacturing for two main reasons. First, it fiercely protects the “Made in Italy” brand, which signifies products designed, produced, and packaged in Italy. A dedicated branch of the government oversees compliance with this branding, in addition to celebrating a national holiday on April 15, the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci. Secondly, Italy has invested millions in Stellantis through public subsidies to maintain domestic production and protect jobs in the auto sector.
As some Fiat models are now produced internationally, tensions have arisen between the government and Stellantis, prompting increased scrutiny of the automaker’s branding practices. This includes pressure for Stellantis to eliminate any branding that might imply models like the Alfa Romeo Junior and Fiat Topolino are Italian-made.
Given that the Topolinos are manufactured in Morocco, they cannot legally display symbols that could mislead consumers into thinking they are “Made in Italy,” such as the Italian flag. Interestingly, the Topolinos featured flag stickers intended to honor Italy, as Stellantis claims these EVs were designed in Turin but produced in Morocco to achieve a more affordable price of €9,890 (around $10,749 at current rates). It’s important to note that the Topolino is classified as a quadricycle rather than a standard car, differing from models like the Citroën Ami, which was not developed in Italy.
Stellantis disputes any wrongdoing and plans to remove the stickers to facilitate the Topolinos’ legal entry into Italy. It will be intriguing to see how the aftermarket responds, possibly offering OEM+ stickers of the Italian flag that enthusiasts may wish to use to restore their Topolinos to what they perceive as their original form..
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