Redundancies force Alfa Milano name change

Alfa Romeo has been forced to change the name of its 147 replacement just 48 hours before the car is due to be unveiled.

The family hatchback was known as the Alfa Milano by staff throughout its development, but reports now suggest the name's been abandoned after the company announced lay-offs from its Milan factory and headquarters.

Remaining workers and unions say the Milano name would be insensitive, as Alfa will have almost no staff left working in the city by early next year and has left many ex-employees without a job to return to in the New Year.

The company has laid-off workers and intends to move its final few hundred designers and engineers from Milan to Turin in February, as part of a cost-cutting campaign. The car's new name is expected to be the Giuletta.