Germany's Volkswagen has pulled a social media ad for a new car and apologized after an outcry over its racist overtones.
The ten-second spot posted on Instagram and Twitter shows a massive white hand pushing a black man away from beside a new yellow Volkswagen Golf parked on the street, then moving him to an open doorway and flicking him inside a French cafe.
Commentators on social media also noted that as the German-language slogan "Der Neue Golf" – "The New Golf" – fades into view, the jumble of letters can be read as a racial slur for a brief moment.
And the cafe's name is Petit Colon, which in French literally means the "Little Colonist."
Volkswagen told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the video had been pulled and that "we can understand the outrage and anger."
"Without question: the video is inappropriate and tasteless," Volkswagen wrote. "We will clarify how something like this could happen, and there will be consequences."
The Wolfsburg-based automaker, founded under the Nazis to produce "the people's car," said that given its history it has always sought to "position itself against all forms of racism, xenophobia and discrimination."
"Many initiatives in the company and in our global workforce promote diversity, integration and unprejudiced cooperation," Volkswagen said. "That makes it all the more annoying that we made this mistake."
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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