The Daily BuzzVolvo insensitively ‘pumps its own tires’ in sympathetic post online
Typical car salesman…er, make that car company. They're always trying to sell you on why their product is superior.
But when an airplane full of 239 passengers traveling to Malaysia vanishes over the Gulf of Thailand, maybe it's not the best time to advertise, especially when it's a thinly-veiled attempt at consoling. Talk about insensitive.
Volvo is in some hot water over an inappropriate message posted to popular Chinese social network Sina Weibo on Saturday, addressing the tragedy of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. The message failed in its attempt to be sympathetic when Volvo not-so-subtly took the opportunity to mention the safety of their vehicles.
Really Volvo? Too soon!
Volvo’s message read: “The rescue operation for the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 plan is in full swing. Passenger safety is also a top priority at Volvo Cars, let’s pray together for the 239 lives that were on board of the plane. Bless them and may a miracle occur.”
Many users were up in arms about the supposed attempt by Volvo to link their strong reputation of safety with the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
And how could they not be? With so many families still in the dark about what has happened to their loved ones, thinking about the safety features of a new car probably isn’t up there on their list of things to do right now.
So why did Volvo choose to so insensitively advertise this way?
A spokesman for Volvo said that the post was a “mistake”. “It’s not Volvo’s intention to do it this way,” he said.
A formal apology from the company was later released, stating that the “statement did not properly reflect the deep concern that all our employees feel as the search for the missing plane continues. Our thoughts are with the families of those involved.”
It’s far from the first time a company has enraged people with an online message.
[ Related: The 5 biggest PR blunders of 2013 ]
SpaghettiOs, the Campbell Soup treat that most kids love, posted a tweet that featured a cartoon version of the SpaghettiOs mascot waving a large American Flag. The kicker, though, was the message that went along with it.
The original tweet read: “Take a moment to remember #PearlHarbor with us.” Yikes.
Users expressed outrage over the tweet as they believed Campbell’s was using a 'stupid mascot' to remember an important tragedy. Maybe if it was July 4th it would have been a little more acceptable.
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