A television ad that Lancia produced for its new Delta hatchback has angered China as it touched on the sensitive issue on Tibet’s attempts to gain independence from China.
The commercial shows actor Richard Gere driving the Lancia Delta in a Tibetan village where he makes a hand print in the snow with a young Tibetan monk. Richard Gere has been well known to speak out publicly against China’s Tibet policies. The ad ends with the message “The power to be different”… a hidden (or not so hidden) message about Tibet not wanting to be a part of China? Delta is also the symbol of “difference” in maths.
Fiat has issued an apology to the People’s Republic of China over an misinterpretations of its position of neutrality and said that the use of Richard Gere in the ad does not mean Fiat endorsed his political views, however a top Fiat official said the ad was “politically advanced” and since Lancia did not sell cars in China, it was free to comment on the whole Tibet-China issue.
Unfortunately Fiat does sells cars in China, albeit that is another hairy situation as it does not actually have any cars to sell now, still being in a transition period from its partnership with Nanjing to its new partnership with Chery.
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I not too fond of RG, but I love Lancia though.
The car have some Fiat’s DNA but the grille?
good on you Richard Gere, once again in a subtle way you have shown the Tibetan people as they are, loving, compassionate and peaceful, great statement and looks like a great car
I think Richard Gere is a wonderful person, a true Buddhist at heart. His sincerity, passion and love for Tibet and it’s people is very evident and strong. He’s a great voice for Tibet. And, of course, his taste in cars is great too!
it’s always good to support truth..Richard Gere is preaching a lesson of truth to the world …
Richard Gere is a wonderful,wonderful,selfless,kind human-being, a man full of compassion for humanity.Fiat, by selecting Richard Gere to endorse their car showed their strong character as true American in the process.Therefore,they (Fiat)shouldn’t even be apologizing to PRC.America still has its self respect in tact.We should be able to keep it that way.