Chrysler has criticised an advertisement created for a European unit because it depicts cruelty to a dog.
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However, the clip was still on a video-sharing website at 14:00 BST on Friday, despite the automaker’s request to remove it.
A statement from US-based Chrysler Group communications chief Jason Vines said: “Chrysler Group was dismayed to discover [Thursday] that an advertisement created by an ad agency supporting our Netherlands Market Performance Centre goes far beyond the bounds of what the company considers appropriate.
“The advertisement for the new Dodge Nitro, recently introduced into the market, which includes fictional yet inappropriate treatment of an animal is in extremely bad taste.
“Although European commercials – especially ‘viral’ ads like this one – are often edgier, this one went over the edge. Chrysler Group is investigating the origins of this commercial.
“We have requested the viral ad be pulled from YouTube.com.”
Ford Europe was accused in 2004 of encouraging animal cruelty in a viral ad for the Ka Sport – which showed the sunroof decapitating a cat – but the automaker strenuously claimed the ad was a rejected agency concept distributed without its approval.
More recently, a TV ad for the Mazda 3 screened here in the UK showed a headlight washer jet squirting a dog sniffing at a wheel.
As far as just-auto is aware, that ad attracted no complaints.
