A total of 134 Fiat Topolino microcars are sitting idle in the port of Livorno, Italy because the automaker dared to put Italy’s tricolor flag on them but neglected to produce them in the country.
Italy has recently adopted a strict consumer protection legislation according to which all goods marketed as Italian must first earn a right to it. In particular, the country has forced Alfa Romeo to rename its latest car, the Milano, to Junior.
The story is more or less the same with the Topolino. Aside from being a nearly complete clone of the French Citroen Ami, it is being manufactured in Morocco. That alone would be fine, but the fact that it proudly wears the Italian flag while having nothing to do with the country is an issue. The authorities argue that it is a case of misleading advertising, and we tend to agree.
That said, the government had no issue with the design of the Topolino when it premiered last summer. Stellantis Group has already agreed to remove the offending image from the car, but it may still be liable for a fine ranging from €10,000 to €250,000.