#Xiaomi #Modena #ends #governments #table
The Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, sides with the mayor of Modena, Gian Carlo Muzzarelli, in defense of the brand represented by the city, i.e. the capital of the Motor Valley. The Chinese giant Xiaomi, which has recently combined the smartphone business with that of electric cars, has in fact named «Modena» its first model, the SU7 four-seater coupé (pictured). Decision made, Mayor Muzzarelli’s outburst relaunched by the newspaper, without warning or requests for authorization. The mayor, on the occasion of the recent Motor Valley Fest, declared himself “very angry” and ready to take legal action for what is considered an insult and, above all, the appropriation of a name that is symbolic of the Made in Italy of four wheels .
The dispute between Modena and the giant Xiaomi thus it also becomes a political case. Urso in fact assured Muzzarelli of the ministry’s maximum support for the protection of the “Modena” name used for a car entirely produced in China, also “on the basis of current legislation against the use of Italian symbols or names in products made in other countries ».
In a note, it is underlined that Minister Urso also «illustrated to the mayor what was introduced by the new European regulation on geographical indications for artisanal and industrial products, which can allow greater protection of productions linked to the model of Motor Valley, pride of Made in Italy cars.” Hence the ministry’s initiative to carry out «an initial survey of over two hundred places in Italy, typical for their production, which can claim the recognition of “geographical indication” provided for in the new regulation to protect consumers and producers of the EU”. Here then is Urso, on the one hand reaching out to the Chinese automotive big names to invest in Italy, but on the other reminding them that Made in Italy is not to be trifled with.
Il Codaconsmeanwhile, has presented a complaint to the authorities: in Italy, 553 thousand cars are certified as historic, but only 20% would have the requirements to obtain the recognition required by current regulations and, therefore, enjoy total or partial exemptions on car taxes.
For Codacons, the fiscal damage and the negative impacts on the environment and safety are evident.
