Italian auto brand Alfa Romeo has unveiled the world’s first car to be equipped with an NFT (non-fungible token) digital certificate.

The Tonale, Alfa Romeo’s compact SUV, boasts “state-of-the-art technology, software and electrification systems created to serve the brand’s DNA aimed at enhancing the driving experience, the customer experience and at protecting residual value,” the company said in a statement.

Alfa Romeo, owned by Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler), said the Tonale NFT certifies the car upon purchase then essentially records and stores data during the car’s life cycle.

Francesco Calcara, head of Alfa marketing and communication, said: “Digitalization is a key enabler of our metamorphosis. Tonale is the first car ever to keep a blockchain, non-fungible token. NFTs are based on the same distributed information logic that protects your Bitcoin. It records all data on the blockchain.”

The NFT will record vehicle data, generating a certificate that can be used to assure the car has been properly maintained, with a positive impact on its residual value. However, the car must be serviced by a certified Alfa Romeo dealer to record the data.

An Alfa Romeo statement read: “Upon customer’s consent, the NFT will record vehicle data, generating a certificate that can be used as a guarantee of the car’s overall status, with a positive impact on its residual value.” 

The brand believes this will give buyers confidence in the second-hand market.

The Tonale offers two levels of electrification – hybrid and plug-in Hybrid Q4, developed to guarantee best-in-class performance. Alfa Romeo plans to exclusively sell electric vehicles by 2027.

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