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Sexist car ads spark outrage in India

Internet outrage in India has been sparked by a series of car advertisements, one depicting women bound and gagged in the trunk of a Ford driven by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, leading to an apology from Ford India.

Silvio BerlusconiThese controversial ads surfaced just after India enforced a stricter new law aimed at addressing sex crimes, a response to the tragic gang rape of a student in December that ignited unprecedented protests regarding the treatment of women nationwide.

The ads, which were posted on an industry site, originated from individuals at JWT India, a subsidiary of WPP, the world’s largest advertising conglomerate. Ford India has stated that these did not undergo the standard review and oversight procedures.

In a statement, the company expressed, “We deeply regret this incident and agree with our agency partners that it should have never happened.”

According to Ford India, “These posters are inconsistent with the standards of professionalism and decency upheld by Ford and our agency partners, and they were not part of any projects commissioned by Ford or WPP for commercial use.”

Ford India has not provided information regarding any actions it may take against the agency involved.

One advertisement features Berlusconi, who faces charges in Italy for soliciting sex with a minor, sitting in the front seat of a Ford Figo hatchback while flashing a victory sign, alongside a trio of partially clothed women bound in the trunk.

Another ad from the same series portrays a caricature of celebrity Paris Hilton in the driver’s seat, with women resembling the Kardashian sisters tied up in the trunk, accompanied by the tagline “Leave your worries behind with Figo’s extra large boot.”

WPP stated, “This was the consequence of individuals operating without proper oversight, and appropriate measures have been taken within the agency to address the situation.”

Reactions on Facebook and Twitter labeled the ads as “shameful” and “disgusting.”

A Facebook user expressed, “If this is what Ford represents, I will never buy Ford again and will avoid sitting in one as much as possible.”

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