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What was meant to be a set of lighthearted and humorous print advertisements have landed Ford India in the proverbial hot water. Tagged “Leave your worries behind” and designed to promote the Ford Figo’s spacious boot, the ad campaign distastefully depicts women in demeaning poses with sexual connotations all loaded up into the car’s cargo area.
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is featured in one the ads, grinning over the trio of bound women in the trunk of the car. Paris Hilton meanwhile winks at a similar situation with the Kardashian sisters. Our favourite however, would be the one with Michael Schumacher giving his signature smirk with Vettel, Hamilton and Alonso all gagged up.
In light of a public query, Ford India has responded to IndianCarsBikes regarding the crude, politically-incorrect ads:
“We deeply regret this incident and agree with our agency partners that it should have never happened. The posters are contrary to the standards of professionalism and decency within Ford and our agency partners. Together with our partners, we are reviewing approval and oversight processes to help ensure nothing like this ever happens again.” – Ford India
Negative connotations aside though, you’d have to admit that it’s a clever, funny and sexy campaign that’s caught in a classic case of being in the wrong place, wrong time. Had the ads been released anywhere else, and not in India with its current sexual crime troubles, they’d be seen in a completely different light. What do you think? Too much?