On May 21st, the Italian government cracked down on the automotive industry, rigorously inspecting any signs that could mislead consumers or imply products are made in Italy, covering everything from nameplates to body decals.
Against this backdrop, a batch of Fiat Topolino (meaning "little mouse" in Italian) electric cars that arrived in the country caught the authorities' attention.
Fiat, Italy's largest car manufacturer, adorned the side of these cars with a sticker resembling the Italian flag to showcase its heritage. However, despite the flag-like appearance, the actual origin of the Topolino cars is Morocco, not Italy.
Upon the arrival of the Topolino-laden cargo ship in Tuscany, Italy, customs officials noticed stickers on the car doors matching the colors of the Italian flag. Consequently, they seized 134 Topolino cars, including 15 Dolcevita convertible versions.
According to a law enacted in Italy in 2003, if a product is not manufactured in Italy, it is prohibited to sell any goods that imply they are made in Italy. Italian authorities believed that the stickers on the car bodies could mislead consumers, leading to the confiscation of these vehicles.
A spokesperson for Stellantis, the parent company of Fiat, clarified to local Italian media, "The sole purpose of these stickers is to indicate the manufacturer of the product." They further stated, "To address the issue, we have decided to await approval from the relevant authorities and then remove these small stickers from the cars."
