Stellantis has decided to remove the Italian flag from the rear bumper of the Fiat 600, a model produced in Poland, following repeated accusations by the government of offering misleading indications about the origin of its vehicles.

The automotive group explains that the decision was made autonomously and with the aim of "operating in complete and absolute transparency regarding the place of assembly of its products and to avoid any misunderstanding in this regard."

Stellantis in a note says it is "firmly convinced that it has always acted with absolute fairness in this regard."

The news was initially reported by Milano Finanza on its website. The green, white, and red colors of the Italian flag appeared as horizontal stripes in three small indentations on the car's rear bumper.

The decision is part of a broader clash between the Italian government and Stellantis due to the carmaker's declining production in the country. The Meloni government has openly criticized Stellantis for producing cars of historic Italian brands such as Fiat or Alfa Romeo in countries where labor costs are lower than in Italy.

Stellantis last month had decided to change the name of Alfa Romeo's new model, also produced in Poland, from " Milano" to "Junior" after Minister of Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso said the name violated the law on so-called "Italian sounding" products, or those improperly presented as Italian.

Also last week, the Guardia di Finanza seized more than 130 Fiat Topolino minicars imported from Morocco because they bore an insert with the colors of the Italian flag on the doors.

Stellantis explained that the colors of the Italian flag on the Fiat 600, as well as on the Topolino, are only meant to "indicate the entrepreneurial origin of the product," which was designed and engineered in Italy.

Stellantis added that he has always clearly stated that the Fiat 600, officially launched last year, is assembled in Poland.

(Translated by Luca Fratangelo, editing Stefano Bernabei)