Kia Motors deletes controversial ad mocking 'crazy' Elon Musk
What's the story
Kia Motors has removed an advertisement that featured one of its electric vehicles with a bumper sticker ridiculing Tesla owner Elon Musk. The ad was posted on the social media accounts of Kia Norway and showed the firm's entry-level electric car, the EV3, with a sticker saying, "I bought this after Elon went crazy." The statement was a take on a viral trend among Tesla owners who have been voicing their discontent with Musk's political involvement through similar bumper stickers.
Statement
Take a look at Kia's clarification
The company released a statement saying, "Kia Corporation is aware of a social media post by Kia Norway, which has since been removed. The post was an entirely independent local initiative that does not reflect the position of Kia Europe or Kia Corporation."
Trend
Anti-Musk stickers gaining popularity
The ad by Kia Norway went viral online recently, just as anti-Musk stickers have become popular among Tesla owners. The stickers have grown in popularity as some Tesla owners protest against Musk's political views and controversial business decisions. Entrepreneur Matthew Hiller noted a spike in sales of these anti-Musk stickers after he made a Nazi-style salute in January.
Competition
Kia's EV3 to compete with Tesla's Model Y
Kia Norway's post comes at a strategic time as the South Korean carmaker has been aggressively expanding its EV lineup. The EV3 is set to compete in the same market segment as Tesla Model Y.