California Ford Dealership Went With The AGGRESSIVE Wildfire Disaster Advertisement Route To Move Some New Cars
CALI – A Ford dealership in California has been hit with a barrage of criticism over a tone deaf ad which tried to make light of the deadly wildfires ravaging the state. The ad, which was published by the company’s Simi Valley dealership on November 11, read: ‘Well we didn’t catch fire but these deals are smoking hot. Take a look!’ It was slammed on Twitter as ‘disgusting’ and ‘distasteful’. The dealership published another post later in an attempt to apologize. It read: ‘Hello Friends, Our advertising team picked a heading for this week’s campaign that appears to be insensitive to some.’ It linked to a Facebook page which has since been removed.
How do you respond to the deadliest wildfire in California history that’s caused billions in damage? With Smokin’ Hot Deals, obviously! That’s Ford Tough! People may be dying and losing everything in their lives but at least rebuild and SAVE on a first class 2018 Ford Escape SE. Heck, if they could literally go through hell, what’s a little more to get to the Simi Valley Ford dealership! Seriously, people would have to travel through literally HELL itself to get a half-assed sale on a new car.
Yeah, this is what we call bad advertising, bad PR, bad EVERYTHING when it comes to running a business. Or just living a life. Even the non-apology apology is pretty disingenuous. Car salesmen are already known for doing whatever it takes to seal the deal. Buddy Garrity. David Puddy. Crazy Vaclav. You gotta have some real sleaze to make it happen in the vehicle sales market, and even they wouldn’t go as low as this.
PS – Listing those old car salesman made me think of the Internet classic, Winnebego Man. So here he is to enjoy for a watch or 18. Still holds.