Volkswagen Passat Ad Pulled From Canadian TV [Video]

Luke Vandezande
by Luke Vandezande

Volkswagen Canada is pulling a television commercial after receiving complaints that it is insensitive and offensive. The ad features the Volkwagen Passat, but the complaints center around what happens after the man pulls into the emergency lane.

He jumps out of the car in a panic, saying his wife is having a baby, but stops to chat about how great his Passat is after the EMT seems impressed. They ignore the woman’s cries to check out the interior, and the spot ends with the husband shutting the driver’s door, apparently having forgotten his wife altogether.

Volkswagen Canada spokesperson Thomas Tetzlaff told the Winnipeg Free Press that the company apologized after a small number of customers said they thought the ad portrayed pregnant women in a bad light.

The website Art Threat tried to take credit for the removal, but Volkswagen insists that they removed it a week before the site published its article, and that their decision was a response to their customers.

GALLERY: 2011 Volkswagen Passat

[Source: Winnipeg Free Press]

You can watch the ad below


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Luke Vandezande
Luke Vandezande

Luke is an energetic automotive journalist who spends his time covering industry news and crawling the internet for the latest breaking story. When he isn't in the office, Luke can be found obsessively browsing used car listings, drinking scotch at his favorite bar and dreaming of what to drive next, though the list grows a lot faster than his bank account. He's always on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> looking for a good car conversation. Find Luke on <A title="@lukevandezande on Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/lukevandezande">Twitter</A> and <A title="Luke on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/112531385961538774338?rel=author">Google+</A>.

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  • Ed Stanisz Ed Stanisz on Dec 21, 2011

    Stop pandering to the extreme minority. The commercial is outstanding and should have remained on air. For those who are offended, television channels can be changed!

  • John Lee John Lee on Dec 23, 2011

    This world of no-fault and no-offence is ridiculous. If I don't like something then it should be removed for all, if I do something wrong its television or a music group that made me do it. Face it you can't please everyone nor should you try nor should we bow to the individual when to the masses its hillarious. Shame on VW for pulling it.

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