Clash with the government, Alfa Romeo changes name to Milano: it will be called Junior
Minister Adolfo Urso had defined the choice of the brand as "illegal" "because it violates the law on Italian Sounding"
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After the controversy with the government, the new Alfa Romeo Milano changes its name: the first sports compact car from Biscione will be called Junior.
«While believing that the name Milano complies with all legal requirements, and in consideration of the fact that there are strictly topical issues more relevant than the name of a new car, Alfa Romeo decides to change the name from Milano to Junior, with a view to to promote a climate of serenity and relaxation ", explained Jean-Philippe Learnato, CEO of the brand, who confirmed the production in Cassino of the new Stelvio in 2025 and the new Giulia in 2026, while nothing has yet been decided on the models of 2027.
The Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, was satisfied, having in recent days defined as "illegal" the choice of the Stellantis brand to produce the new Alfa Romeo model in Poland with the name Milano "because it violates the law on Italian Sounding ». «I think it is good news - commented Urso - which arrives precisely on Made in Italy day which enhances the work, the enterprise, the typicality and peculiarity of the Italian product that everyone envies us in the world. Good news, which I think can enhance work and enterprise and allow us to reverse course, also with regards to car production in our country."
For Learnato, "the case is closed" : "We are not proceeding legally, we have work to do. The name will be changed in all markets where the car will be sold. For us the meaning is not to create controversy, but to do business", explained the manager who also met with the dealers. «In one of the most important weeks for the future of Alfa Romeo - said the CEO of the Biscione brand - an exponent of the Italian government declares that the use of the name Milano, chosen by the brand to call the new sports compact car just presented, is prohibited by law. The name Milan, among the public's favorites, was chosen to pay tribute to the city where everything originated in 1910." The new junior name is a tribute to the past: «A completely natural choice, being strongly linked to the history of the brand and having been among our favorites and among the public's favorites from the beginning. It was in second place after Milan."
(Unioneonline/D)
