German automaker Porsche scrambled to release a new version of an ad after coming under fire for editing out a statue of Jesus Christ in the original ad.
The ad plugs Porsche’s 911 S/Tm marking the 60th anniversary of the Porsche 911, and it was initially released with the giant Cristo Rei statue, which is located in Lisbon, Portugal, edited out — Â the statue of Christ stands 90 feet tall and sits on a pedestal that is 270 feet tall and overlooks the Tagus River which divides the Portuguese cities of Almada and Lisbon.
Social media users took note of the critical omission, and Porsche would quickly be made aware of the discontent and wasted little time apologizing.
“In an early version of a film created in Europe, the Cristo Rei Statue does not appear,” the automaker said in a statement. “We are truly sorry and can fully understand the hurt this has caused. This film has been removed.”
Hey, @Porsche , why did you erase the statue of Jesus Christ from your video filmed in Lisbon? pic.twitter.com/VxcfUBrN8D
— Alex B. (@maisumcarneiro) August 5, 2023
The new ad can be seen here, with the Cristo Rei statue appearing at the 44-second mark:
Porsche’s 911 S/Tm starts at $290,000 and accelerates to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds. It has 518 maximum horsepower and the top speed is 186 mph.
With power like that, owners may need Jesus on their side.
As for the pushback, here’s a sampling of responses to the story from Twitter/X:
Boycott @Porsche
JESUS CHRIST IS KING. pic.twitter.com/tTevgyHw4F
— Coalition for Canceled Priests (@canceledpriests) August 7, 2023
Why? PR firm is anti- Christ? If I was responsible for hiring the ad agency that did this, or @Porsche employee who approved? ⚡☄
— Deb Treister (@DebTreister) August 7, 2023
Been a lifelong Porsche enthusiast and customer… very much inspired by the 993’s spectacular design and racing spirit as a kid and that inspiration for good design and utility has continued. If this specific editing of a Lisbon landmark just because it was a statue of Jesus…
— larry covert (@ldcovert) August 7, 2023
“If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.”
— Nick Givas (@NGivasDC) August 7, 2023
What’s the difference between a Porsche and a porcupine? A porcupine has the pricks on the outside!
— Big Tom Callahan (@CallahanAutoCo) August 7, 2023
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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