Audi apologises for ‘creepy’ advert saying it was a ‘mistake’

Audi has released a statement apologising, following the backlash of a new advert which shows a young girl eating a banana while leaning on a car. 

The advert was shared on Twitter to promote the Audi RS 4 Avant. It saw the picture of a young girl eating a banana with her back leaning on the car.

The image was posted alongside the caption: “Lets your heart beat faster – in every aspect. #AudiRS4”.

Twitter users were quick to criticise the advert, with some users describing it as ‘strange’, ‘creepy’, and ‘sexually suggestive’. 

Others pointed out the links to dangerous driving and the risk of children being run over. 

One wrote: “There is a young child on the bumper. Do you know about pedestrian fatalities and luxury cars?”

Another added: “It’s a subliminally disgusting ad. You know it. Seriously used to love Audi’s after owning one once. Not now. Cannot support this nonsense.”

Audi responded to the criticism with a statement that reads: “We hear you and let’s get this straight: We care for children.”

The added: “We sincerely apologise for this insensitive image and ensure that it will not be used in future.”

The firm also said it will be investigating how this campaign has been created and if control mechanisms failed in this case. 

Others have looked to the people suggesting the ad as provocative as the problem. One user wrote: “if you think there’s something sexual about a child eating a banana, surely the problem is with your mind, and not Audi”.

Another simply wrote: “dont listen to em audi this ad is fine”.

What do you think?