Porsche dealers scolded for using live tigers
German sports car brand admonishes US dealers for using tigers to promote Macan SUVNorth American Porsche dealers have been quietly asked not to use live tigers or any other live animals when promoting the new Porsche Macan compact SUV.
The name ‘Macan’ means tiger in Indonesian.
The Macan is expected to overtake the Cayenne as the world’s most popular Porsche in due course, and is currently being launched in the USA, with reports of one dealer already using live tiger cubs to spruik the vehicle.
US auto industry publication Automotive News has reported that Reeves Import Motorcars in Florida had rented tigers as part of the Macan’s launch promotion in early May, 2014.
Another dealership, Leith Porsche in North Carolina, also planned to use live tigers to attract attention to the Macan.
Animal rights groups contacted Porsche Cars North America after learning of the promotions, which has since issued a “cease and desist” notice to all US Porsche dealers.
Nick Twork, a spokesperson for Porsche Cars North America, told Automotive News that “Porsche does not condone in any way the use of live animals for advertising”.
North America is currently the world’s single largest Porsche market, but is expected to be pipped by China by early 2015, thanks in large part to the new Macan.
Note: No animals were harmed in the creation of the CGI depicting a tiger riding shotgun in a Macan.
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