According to Olivier Francois, Chief Executive Officer of Lancia, Richard Gere was chosen for a recent ad for the Lancia Delta because he "is not merely a fine actor; not merely one of the most famous men in the world. He is a man with a great difference: the ability to combine talent, fame and style with great character. I'm talking about his commitment to peace." That affinity for peace stretches especially towards the people of Tibet, a people who's autonomy from China Gere supports.
This commercial, which you can watch after the break, features Gere driving a new Lancia Delta from Hollywood to Tibet in just 30 seconds and aired in Italy. After reports of the commercial appeared in Chinese newspapers, China was apparently none too happy about it. Fiat has decided to apologize, with a company spokesman saying, "Fiat Group extends its apologies to the Government of the People's Republic of China and to the Chinese people."
Our opinion? Gere's alright in Pretty Woman, but not much else after that. Apologies are usually pretty lame, but we'd appreciate one for Gere's horrible singing in Chicago as long as they are being handed out so freely. And how 'bout one for that Lancia's front end?
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Rick @ Jun 20th 2008 6:37PM
China out of Tibet, and come to think about it, out of the US through their Walmart division.
Kitko @ Jun 20th 2008 7:06PM
Perhaps you are not aware of the fact, that even the US army hats are Made in China.
ghosthunter @ Jun 20th 2008 7:55PM
I think you are horriblely mis-informed. and please STFU if you have no clue of whatever you are typing.
in the recent earthquake, a lot of Tibetan-Chinese are killed and their home a badly damaged. (you probably don't even know where the Tibet is and where did the earthquake take place). there are more than 3 billion RMB donated by other chinese. the government is trying its best to save the people. so what did
Lancia Delta say? Nothing, what did he do? Nothing.
furthemore, Lancia Delta's group was celebrating the devastating earthquake, calling it Karma and forget who suffered the most from the earthquake---their own people.
rdjl27 @ Jun 20th 2008 7:53PM
I'm sorry, but maybe you're confusing the Black Beret distribution debacle with current or past reality (where a new Army contractor outsourced the production of several million Black Berets which were to be issued to every solider, only to find that they had been made in China, to which they were sent back).
Every component of an US Army Soldier's uniform and gear is made in the United States
carlbolt @ Jun 20th 2008 8:21PM
How about the US out of California, Texas, Hawaii? and don't forget out of Iraq. Shameless knuclehead.
User @ Jun 20th 2008 8:41PM
How about the US out of California, Texas and Hawaii???
What on earth are you talking about? What makes you think that California, Texas and Hawaii don't want to be part of the US? If they weren't a part of the US there would be a huge lack of stability. This is how our federal government works. Go live in some crazy radical country if you want things to be more "exciting."
User @ Jun 20th 2008 8:43PM
Oh yeah, but I do agree with the US out of Iraq part.
I also agree with the China out of Tibet part.
MKIV @ Jun 21st 2008 1:29PM
It's a business people. You don't need a real reason to apologize as long as it helps the bottom line.
Everything has a price. Even an apology.
tekdemon @ Jun 21st 2008 1:38PM
@User, there were plenty of problems with instability in Texas and Hawaii. It's just that we managed to hold them off and/or win wars for so long that people gave up.
And FYI, many native Hawaiians ARE unhappy about being part of the US, except not all Hawaiians are natives anymore. Just google "hawaiian independence". Your claims that everyone in Hawaii loves the US is only true in fantasies. Just because they don't riot in the streets doesn't mean they're super happy.
arturo @ Jun 20th 2008 6:39PM
man I am really getting tired of autoblog news. is not like this guys did this because he wanted, is not his fault he accepted to do this job. he was just following what he was told. I am sticking with motortrend reviews and stuff for now.
tbyron @ Jun 20th 2008 7:07PM
word. slow news day eh?
Mary Ann @ Jun 23rd 2008 3:16PM
Why do people all think that was such a devious commercial. I thought it was peaceful and encouraging. I'm so tired of the "whole world" judging everything and everyone no matter what the content. Grow up America. Not everything has to do with PC.
Sean Flanagan @ Jun 20th 2008 6:45PM
They had to apologize... for THAT?
jake @ Jun 20th 2008 6:52PM
Despite how we feel politically about China, it's a large market for automobiles and it's growing. Companies are out to make money, they don't care about the politics, so they'll do everything not to offend people politically.
catgirlshyla @ Jun 20th 2008 7:14PM
And we still wait for Ford to apologize for not bringing over the Focus ST or GM bringing more Aussie muscle or Utes, or the Big 3 and the Imports in not giving us fuel efficient cars quick enough.
Elizabeth @ Jun 23rd 2008 6:41PM
yeah. I really don't get it. He puts his hands in the snow with a kid. Very offensive stuff there.
jake @ Jun 20th 2008 6:46PM
Ugh, more political content, here comes the China bashing again.
But about the front end it does look kind of cheap.
Ian B. @ Jun 20th 2008 6:57PM
Let me guess, Fiat is about to open a factory (or other business deal) in China, and the commerical would have created 'obstacles' unless they apologized and pulled it. Yep, it's a money thing.
AntBee @ Jun 20th 2008 7:37PM
You're more than likely dead on about this assumption! What a crock of shiat to apologize for a frakkin' commercial of all things! It's not like anyone from Fiat went over and took a dump in front of The Forbidden City or something. Jeesh! Get over yourself China!
El Paco @ Jun 21st 2008 4:42AM
They already have had a factory (well, a joint venture with Nanjing Auto), for a long time where they build Iveco and Fiat vehicles. China is a BIG market for Fiat, as it is for most of the world's important automobile manufacturers.