JAPAN – Following an immense public backlash, Toyota Motor Corporation has issued a complete and unequivocal apology for the poorly considered wording of their multi-media ad campaign titled “Catch the Corolla Virus.”
“We were just so excited to introduce the world to the new, 2020 Toyota Corolla – now with passenger side automatic seat adjusters – that we failed to see the way some people might interpret the message,” said Yuto Watanabe, chief spokesperson for Toyota. “I guess inadvertently comparing a disease currently ravaging the entire planet, plunging economies into inconceivable chaos, and causing untold death and suffering to a car is kind of a bad thing.”
Backlash to the campaign was swift and uncompromising, and included citizens from every country across the globe. When surveyed for the most offensive parts of the ad, 45% of respondents stated “the whole thing” while many of the remaining participants focused on the fact that the TV commercial featured individuals from different households who were not socially distancing, and the part near the end where reveal the airbags are made out of N95 masks.
Spots for the campaign broadcast on TV, radio, and online all featured the same voice-over: “Solitude. It’s something we all want but can never get. Sometimes you just need an excuse to get away from everyone else. To be on your own. In the new 2020 Corolla, you can feel safe in your own bubble, away from the demands of the world. Spread the message around the world. Catch the Corolla Virus. It’ll take your breath away.”
“Yes, seeing that ad right now in its current context is definitely troubling. It didn’t click when we first wrote it but now that you hear it aloud. Yikes.” admitted Watanabe, “But you have to understand that we sunk a lot of money into trying to capitalize on this whole virus trend and it was just too expensive not to run.”
“We didn’t have this kind of issue during 2003’s “Toyota’s CARS Epidemic” event!” he exclaimed in Toyota’s defence.
Though other vehicle manufacturers could not be reached for their comment on the scandal, keen-eyed observers have noted Honda had suddenly discontinued their recently rolled out “Be part of the Minivandemic” campaign.
