Tension is rising between the government of Italy and the automotive company Stellantis. Italy’s financial police seized dozens Fiat Topolino pthe port of Livorno because the Italian government considers that Fiat’s smallest model should not fly the Italian flag as it is manufactured in Morocco.

The government of Georgia Meloni has targeted carmaker Stellantis because it disagrees with the carmaker’s efforts to reduce production capacity at Italian factories and implement a broad program of layoffs and cuts.

Stellantis NV is a multinational Euro-American automobile manufacturing group, established in January 2021 on the basis of a 50% – 50% cross-border merger between the Italian-American group Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French group PSA. It is based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. As of May 2021, Stellantis is the world’s sixth largest automaker (behind Volkswagen Group, Toyota, Renault – Nissan – Mitsubishi Alliance, General Motors and Hyundai Motor Group). The company is listed on the Milan Stock Exchange Borsa Italiana, the Paris Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.

The main activity of Stellantis is the design, development, manufacture and sale of cars of the companies (in alphabetical order) Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Mopar, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall. The Stellantis group has 300,000 employeeswith a presence in more than 130 countries and with production facilities in 30 countries.

The vehicles were blocked at the port of Livorno for alleged violations of the so-called Made in Italy law, which has already forced Fiat’s parent company Stellantis to rename its Alfa Romeo Milano sports car Junior, Bloomberg reports.

A spokesperson for Stellantis confirmed it seizure, which was first reported by Italian media, including La Repubblica.

Italy’s government is at loggerheads with Stellantis following the carmaker’s plans to cut jobs in the country and move production to lower-cost countries. Last month, thousands of Italians joined striking workers near the carmaker’s Turin base in anticipation of a new round of layoffs.

The Fiat Topolino is a new, small electric car, suitable for the urban environment. It has some unique accessories, such as the small shower, which will satisfy those who bathe in the sea.

Thanks to its electrical technological background, it provides a reduced carbon footprint and a reduced sound footprint, respecting the sustainability of urban centers.