14/08/2008 / SAUDI ARABIA
"I can't say
too much about this. But as far as I'm concerned this ad would only annoy the
princes, not the people. Also, the decrease in petrol use by cars is not really
a problem for the Saudi economy, because it only represents a tiny part of oil consumption
[oil is principally used in industry]."
I don't think it is offensive, but I also don't think it is funny. I find it tasteless and it plays on cheap stereotypes. It is a poorly done ad and they should have expected that it would cause a negative reaction in the Gulf. I hear Nissan has withdrawn the ad after the controversy that it caused".
Got an electric car? "May eagles gouge your eyes out!"
This advert for a Nissan-Renault car, aired in Israel, has incensed the Saudi population.
According to the Jerusalem Post, a Saudi official speaking on a United Arab Emirates channel said that Nissan had made "a grave error in playing on [racist] sentiments", to the extent that the Franco-Japanese company deserves punishing.
The ad is promoting Tiida, a low mileage car that Nissan-Renault hope to sell in Israel - a country that is trying to reduce its energy dependence. The car manufacturer is teaming with an Israeli entrepreneur on Project Better Place in an electric vehicle project (thanks to Andrew for the tip).
"This ad would only annoy the princes"
Abdullah is one of our Observers in Riyadh.
"I can't say
too much about this. But as far as I'm concerned this ad would only annoy the
princes, not the people. Also, the decrease in petrol use by cars is not really
a problem for the Saudi economy, because it only represents a tiny part of oil consumption
[oil is principally used in industry]." "I (...) don't think it is funny"
Ahmed Al-Omran is a student in Saudi Arabia. He blogs here.
I don't think it is offensive, but I also don't think it is funny. I find it tasteless and it plays on cheap stereotypes. It is a poorly done ad and they should have expected that it would cause a negative reaction in the Gulf. I hear Nissan has withdrawn the ad after the controversy that it caused".
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Comments
Is it a stereotype if there is truth to it?
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 17/08/2008 - 21:17.Unfortunately in the Arab community this is less than a stereotype, due to a lack of education and too much money, this stereotype is very real, In Saudi Arabia a rape victum was going to be punished?
This stereotype only makes Arab people who have gone to school gotten an education feel bad because they know it's all too true about the uneducated they left behind, and their lack of power to make positive change.
If Islam is so great, then why is it that Muslims need to go to non-muslim contries to get ahead? to be treated fairly? to enjoy freedom? to enjoy a country that has a basis of law keeping the peace?
If you don't like the stereotype, don't make it truth, just like Muhammad with the bomb in his turban, if Arab people didn't make it a reality, it wouldn't have that "truth" it needs to be considered "satire".
Unregistered user
It's funny! I wouldn't like
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 17/08/2008 - 06:57.It's funny! I wouldn't like it if I were from the Gulf either, but still its funny.
Unregistered user
It's advertising
Submitted by Dave Takaki (not verified) on Sat, 16/08/2008 - 20:14.I can see how someone would find it offensive, but the stereotype is deliberate.
So, I find it is offensive, tasteless, stereotypical, and hysterically funny.
Get a life, er.. get a car
Unregistered user
I personally found this ad
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 16/08/2008 - 18:40.I personally found this ad hilarious and funny!
Where is the sense of humor, why is everything 'offensive'?
I;m Muslim and I wasn't offended.
Abdull in Minnesota USA
Unregistered user
I was not able to find an
Submitted by Andrew (not verified) on Fri, 15/08/2008 - 07:58.I was not able to find an "electric" Tiida when I searched for one online. Maybe the ad was about the good fuel efficiency of the car.
Unregistered user
Thanks !
Submitted by Team Observers on Fri, 15/08/2008 - 13:35.Hi Andrew,
Thanks for your comment. You're right, Nissan's electric car will only be ready in a few years. The Tiida is a low mileage car. We made the modification.
Thanks a lot.
Team Observers