--- title: "Italy Tells Alfa Romeo It’s Illegal to Build the Milano in Poland" description: "Italy prohibits companies from selling products with Italian names that aren't made there, and Alfa's new SUV is in officials' crosshairs." date: "2024-04-12" modified: "2024-04-12" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/italy-tells-alfa-romeo-its-illegal-to-build-the-milano-in-poland" categories: - "Alfa Romeo News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Alfa Romeo" - "Electric Vehicle" - "suv/crossover" --- # Italy Tells Alfa Romeo It’s Illegal to Build the Milano in Poland ![]() *\Stellantis, The Drive\* This past week, [Alfa Romeo]() introduced its new Milano compact crossover. It's a vehicle we're unlikely to see here in the U.S., as it shares bones with Fiat's new 600 as well as the [Jeep Avenger](), and unfortunately for the automaker it's caused a bit of a stir with the local government. See, the Milano is built in Poland, like its Stellantis stablemates, but Italy happens to have rather strict rules about marketing products with Italian-sounding names that aren't actually built there. And now, officials are calling Alfa out. "A car called Milano cannot be produced in Poland," Italy's industry minister, Adolfo Urso, said Thursday per *[Reuters]()*. "\[The\] law stipulates that you cannot give indications that mislead consumers. So a car called Milano must be produced in Italy. Otherwise, it gives a misleading indication which is not allowed under Italian law." ![]() ![]() ![]() According to *Reuters*, the relevant legislation was introduced in 2003 and is the same reason why, for example, parmesan cheese sold in your local supermarket will only be labeled *parmigiano* if it comes from Italy. Interestingly, the Milano will be the only vehicle in the brand's lineup manufactured outside the nation, and Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has been outspoken as to why. If the Milano—which comes in both fully electric and hybrid forms—were made at home, it'd cost 10,000 euros more, according to the CEO. This actually isn't the first time Italy has taken Stellantis to task over parading its roots, while fixing certain badges elsewhere. "If you want to sell a car on the international market by advertising it as an Italian jewel, then that car must be produced in Italy," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said back in January. Tavares fired back at the time by saying the government's emphasis on electric vehicle production makes building cars there cost prohibitive, relative to other parts of the world. Of course, much of Stellantis, particularly its American arm, [arrived rather late to the EV party](); now that it's got many irons in the fire, sales of battery-electric vehicles have started to plateau. It'd really [help Tavares and company to slow the push](), but that won't happen overnight. In the meantime, either the car or the city of Milan might have to pack up and leave. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()