Fiat EV Gets Slapped on the Wrist by Mamma Italia
Image Credit: Fiat.
Well, it seems the Italians have a flair for the dramatic, even when it comes to tiny electric cars. Our beloved Fiat Topolino, a spunky little EV with a retro vibe, has found itself in a bit of a sticky situation. Not because of its performance, mind you, but because it dared to wear the Italian flag on its fenders while being produced in Morocco.
Apparently, Italy's "Made in Italy" law isn't too keen on products sporting the tricolor if they're not actually made on Italian soil. I guess the Topolino didn't get the memo.
Image Credit: Fiat.
Before you start picturing a high-speed chase involving a fleet of Topolinos and a squadron of Italian police cars (that would be a sight worth paying for), let me clarify. The 134 Topolinos in question were seized at the port of Livorno, not exactly a hotbed of international espionage.
Fiat, ever the good sport, claims they clearly stated the Topolino is made in Morocco. They argue the little flag was just a nod to the car's Italian design roots, like a tiny tattoo saying "Mamma Mia!" But the Italian authorities weren't buying it.
To add a pinch of irony to this whole saga, the Topolino isn't exactly a powerhouse of Italian engineering. It's essentially a rebadged Citroen Ami, sharing its platform and production line with its French cousin. So, it's not just the flag that's a bit misleading.
Image Credit: Fiat.
This isn't the first time Stellantis, Fiat's parent company, has gotten into a scuffle with the Italian government over its "Made in Italy" pride. Just last month, they had to rename the Alfa Romeo Milano to Junior because it wasn't actually made in Milan. Talk about a naming crisis!
In the grand scheme of things, this whole flag fiasco is a bit of a tempest in a teapot. The Topolino is a cute little city car, perfect for zipping around narrow European streets, not a symbol of national identity.
Speaking of zipping around, this little electric runabout measures a mere 8 feet long and 4.9 feet wide, making it perfect for squeezing into tight parking spots. Its 5.5 kWh battery pack gives you a range of 45 miles on a good day, which is plenty for city driving. And with a top speed of 28 mph, you won't be setting any land speed records, but you'll definitely turn heads with the Topolino's retro styling.
Image Credit: Fiat.
The real kicker? This whole kerfuffle could have been avoided if Fiat had just slapped a "Made in Morocco" sticker next to the Italian flag. Maybe a little "From Casablanca With Love" decal for good measure. But hey, who am I to question the intricacies of Italian law?
In the end, Fiat has agreed to remove the offending flags, and the Topolinos will hopefully soon be released from their portside purgatory. As for the future of the "Made in Italy" law, well, that's a story for another day. Thankfully, the Fiat Topolino, with or without its flag, will continue to bring a smile to the faces of city dwellers across Europe. And that's something we can all get behind.
