I guess the folks in the marketing department of Mercedes-Benz were appealing to rich, liberal Hollywood types when they used the image of mass murderer Che Guevara for an ad campaign. But wait, it was a car sharing program, so maybe they were just looking for commie customers. Maybe they thought Che would soften their capitalist image. Whatever the reasons, they’ve had to apologize after a public outcry.
Che Guevara, the famous Argentinian-born revolutionary and military theorist, wore many hats – including that of physician, author, and guerrilla leader.
But he almost certainly never wore one with a Mercedes-Benz logo.
The high-end car company, known for its impeccable – and pricey – motor vehicles, used the late leader to promote a new car-sharing program, much to the horror of Cuban activists and political conservatives.
During an annual Consumer Electronics Show, the company’s chairman Dieter Zetsche said some colleagues ‘still think that car-sharing borders on communism.
‘But if that’s the case, viva la revolucion,’ he said.
He was referring to CarTogether, a new initiative proposed by Mercedes-Benz that allows like-minded strangers to find passengers with whom to carpool.
uring the pitch, the famous Alberto Korda photo of Guevara was proximately displayed – but on his beret was the logo of the luxury car brand, msnbc.com reports.
Out of anger, several anti-Castro activists launched petitions against Mercedes. (Read More)
I would boycott the company, but their automobiles are a bit out of my price range.
H/T Black and Right
It’s baffling to me why the world treats this homicidal manic with such reverence. I’ve even seen moms put shirts with this image on their new born children. It’s like glamorizing Hitler. Disgusting.
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It is absolutely incredible to me that a company from a country such as Germany that has long apologized for its’ native son’s acrymonious actions to apologize for “mindlessly” using a killer’s image as part of its launch campaign. Regardless of age, marketing prides itself on research, and stating that it mindlessly used this image as part of a powerpoint presentation as a hapless defense is actually insulting. Every image and word used in a global product launch of this caliber is calculated and the truth is the only acceptable excuse for Che’s image’s use is IGNORANCE. Truth is you would expect more from a supposed product leader. I am ashamed my husband drives a Mercedes Benz and truth be told, if I have anything to do with it, it will be the LAST one either of us ever drives. As educated consumers we expect more from the companies we support. Truth be told, so should Mercedes Benz given the rich history of shame its own country holds in human rights. Che = Hitler. Try that on for size!
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