VW has pulled a promotional spot in the Corona-crisis urgently needed attention. However, differently than planned. There is a barrage of racism allegations.
VW is going through as the entire automotive industry in the Corona-crisis and difficult times. With an advertising spot on the Internet, the group is responsible for attention, a need to listen to but also racism allegations. The company draws only after a half-baked apology.
Wolfsburg – noise Due to the Corona-crisis* , the car groans the mobile industry, currently anyway, because the sales figures in the basement. the VW makes the life but also on their own initiative particularly difficult. Due to on Instagram and Twitter posted commercials, the group from Wolfsburg racism allegations is exposed.
The short Clip shows how to a dark-skinned man with two light-skinned hands through the area shoved . As if that wasn’t bad enough, it is implied at the end with a great letter from the colonial period and slavery, borrowed from the word “Negro”. Unbelievable!
A black man by a giant white Hand weggeschnippt is, string of letters, which is a racist word suggest could. #VW apologizes for advert: “We distance ourselves from it and apologize. We will explain how this could happen“ pic.twitter.com/cUvGqLnTXA
— EHA News – English (@eha_deutsch) May 20, 2020
racism accusations because of the VW ad: The group finds the Video “wrong and distasteful”
By fierce reactions on the Internet apologized to the car maker and deleted the Video from his Social Media platforms. “No question: The Video is wrong and tasteless ,” the company said. The Clip lead many observers to indignation and anger, he could understand. And more: “ We distance ourselves from it and apologize. , We will explain how this could happen and the consequences of it.“
Volkswagen also stated: “before the Background of our own company’s history, Volkswagen is positioned against any Form of racism, xenophobia and discrimination .”
racism accusations due to VW commercial: the works Council calls for a full explanation
Now in Trouble but also internally. Works Council chief Bernd Osterloh found clear words: “ I’m ashamed of myself for this Spot. Because I am sure I speak for the whole staff.“ The Employee representatives demand a full investigation as to who is for the Insta-Story responsible Osterloh. “The incident must now be completely solved,” said the 63-Year-old. “The works Council will not allow the responsibility for this incident permanently from the Top Management down.”
Clear words also Tahir Della, a spokesman for the Initiative Black people in Germany found : “The Video is borderline, and completely racist in its effect .” It was amazing that it took the violent reactions in the social media, so that VW even see the Video critical.
racism accusations due to VW commercial: the group felt at first miss
understood, First, had shown the car maker is still “surprised and shocked” that “our Instagram-Story be understood in such a way, miss can”. Only in the aftermath of VW rowed back staunch and noted: “Many of the initiatives in the company and in our global workforce to promote diversity, Integration and a prejudice-free cooperation .”
User “Catherine S.” summed up the entire process aptly: “VW wants to be from the last century picked up. VW, please.“ An interesting conclusion drew, meanwhile, is “Peddler Pitter Potter”: “If VW would be smart and backbone would have, would you the Clip again with a black Hand and a white man post .”
On the impact of the Corona-crisis on the German economy, we report in our News Ticker. Also on the development at VW, we will keep you up-to-date.
On merkur.de* we will inform you about what to look for when buying a car. The Portal also provides information about the preparation for the TÜV main study.
*merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
dpa, mg