Champagne, a sparkling wine exclusive to France’s Champagne region, finds a parallel in Parmigiano Reggiano, an Italian cheese specific to Parma and Reggio Emilia provinces.
Italian Parliament enacted Law 350/2003 in December 2003, making it illegal to label imported and exported products falsely or misleadingly regarding their origin. Stellantis faced scrutiny over the Alfa Romeo Milano, a B-segment crossover produced in Tychy, Poland, based on a platform developed by French automaker PSA.
Industry Minister Adolfo Urso challenged Stellantis on April 11, prompting CEO Carlos Tavares to defend Milano’s production location, citing cost considerations. However, Stellantis eventually acquiesced, renaming the Milano on April 15 to comply with Italian regulations and consumer expectations.
Interestingly, the press release announcing the name change adopts a somewhat passive-aggressive tone. While asserting legal compliance, Alfa Romeo emphasizes the change’s aim to foster mutual understanding, reflecting the sensitivity surrounding products with protected designations of origin.
Alfa Romeo and the Junior nameplate share a rich history, dating back to the introduction of the GT Junior range in 1966. The legacy continues with the Milano, preserving Alfa Romeo’s heritage amidst evolving regulatory and consumer preferences.
The Milano, currently marketed under the renamed Junior moniker, continues to be advertised by Alfa Romeo Italia. Prices start at €29,900 or $32,150 for both the Milano Ibrida and Milano Elettrica variants, with the latter offering up to 240 ps (237 hp) for the Veloce specification. Future updates include an electric drive unit for the hybrid’s rear axle.
