Alfa Romeo just announced their first-ever mass-produced electric car, a subcompact crossover they originally called the Milano.
But that name is getting scrapped thanks to a quirky Italian law.
This isn’t your average name squabble. Italy has a law that protects the good name of Italian products, especially delicious ones like Parmigiano cheese.
The law basically says, “If it sounds Italian, it better be made in Italy.”
Well, the Milano wasn’t going to be built in Italy, so the name became a no-go. To avoid a cheesy legal battle, Alfa Romeo switched gears and renamed its electric cutie the “Junior.”
Imagine a picky soup nazi but for Italian names.
That’s kind of what this law is like. “A car named Milano cannot be produced in Poland,” declared Italy’s Minister of Economic Development, referencing the law. So, buongiorno Junior, and arrivederci Milano.
Now some folks might think this is a bit of a gaffe for an Italian car company. Like shouldn’t they know the rules of the road in their own country?
But Alfa Romeo said they just wanted to keep things smooth and focus on the bigger picture.
The rest remains the same. The Junior shares a chassis with its American cousin, the Jeep Avenger, and won’t be scooting onto US roads anytime soon. You can choose between a fully electric version with some serious kick (240 horsepower) or a hybrid option for a more relaxed pace (136 hp).
