Italian Police Seize 134 Fiat EVs Due to Unauthorized Flag Display

May 25, 2024 12:25 AM EDT

SMALL TWO-SEATER ELECTRIC CAR WITH DOOR — (Photo : AI IMAGE/DABBIE DAVIS)

Fiat EVs were confiscated due to Italian flag violation amid Stellantis-government dispute. Interestingly, this happens a week after Stellantis rebranded Alfa Romeo Milano to Junior after prior legal threats.

Illegal Flag Display on 134 Fiat Topolino EVs

In Tuscany's Port of Livorno, Italy's financial police and customs officials confiscated 134 Fiat Topolino EVs. This action was taken because of tiny Italian flag decals on the vehicles. The seized cars are currently held at the port, and it is uncertain whether Stellantis will be held accountable for the flag decals.

The cars in question, not being made in Italy, are prohibited from showcasing the tricolor on their vehicles, thus infringing upon the law. These 134 Fiat Topolino EVs are manufactured in Morocco. According to Jalopnik, the Fiat Topolino is a compact electric urban vehicle derived from the Citroen Ami and unavailable in the United States.

Moreover, the report claimed that describing it as a city car may be generous, as it's officially classified as a quadricycle with a limited range of 46 miles and a maximum speed of 28 mph. Fiat affixed a small Italian flag on the Topolino close to the door handle.

Under Italian law, regardless of the company's Italian heritage, it is illegal to display a product with an Italian flag if it is not made in Italy. Reportedly, the company included the minor emblem on the 134 Fiat Topolino EVs due to its development in Turin, Italy.

Fiat also informed La Repubblica that it considers the placement of a small decal showcasing the Italian flag colors on the doors as potentially misleading regarding the product's origin. As reported by CarScoops, a representative from Stellantis acknowledged the confiscation but refuted any misconduct, emphasizing that Fiat had explicitly stated that the Topolino is manufactured in Morocco.

The automaker clarified that the presence of the small Italian flag on the EV's fenders was meant to highlight the entrepreneurial lineage of the product, symbolizing its design by the Fiat Centro Stile in Turin. Despite believing they adhered to regulations, Fiat has decided to eliminate the badges to satisfy the Italian government.

As per InsideEVs, it remains uncertain whether all Topolinos will cease to feature the small emblem or if Fiat intends to globally eliminate them. Nevertheless, Italy is asserting its stance that it will not condone any form of replication, regardless of the intent behind it.

Fiat Topolino, Stellantis

As highlighted by The Drive, due to their origin in Morocco, the Topolinos are prohibited from displaying any symbols that could mislead consumers into believing they are of Italian origin, such as the flag or tricolore.

Interestingly, the Topolinos feature the flag in sticker form, intended as a tribute to the country where the Topolino was developed-Stellantis asserts that these small EVs were designed in Turin, Italy, but manufactured in Morocco to reduce their price to a budget-friendly €9,890, equivalent to $10,749 based on current exchange rates.

Stellantis refutes any legal infractions and has stated its intention to eliminate the stickers from the Topolinos to ensure the electric vehicles can enter the country in compliance with the law. Derived from the Citroen Ami city car, the Fiat Topolino brings a much-needed touch of traditional Italian flair to the compact two-seater EV segment.

It has been available for purchase in the UK since 2022, with prices starting from £7,695. As per This is Money, the Fiat Topolino EV comes equipped with a compact 5.4kWh lithium-ion battery and a single 6kW electric motor, which explains its modest performance compared to standard cars.

However, this distinction is due to its classification as a 'light quadricycle' rather than a conventional car. Consequently, in certain European nations like France, individuals as young as 14 can operate it. In the UK, those with an 'AM' moped license can legally drive it from the age of 16.