While Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) organised a simple preview ceremony for its new Macan crossover in Malaysia, Porsche Cars North America decided to go a bit further by bringing live tigers to their showroom to launch the Macan. As you probably know, the name Macan is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger, which explains the connection between the crossover and the jungle cat.
A Tampa, Florida dealership had already displayed some three-week-old cubs, but PETA or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said that tigers for display should be at least 8 to 12 weeks old. Even then, the group argued that the animals can suffer due to stress, malnourishment, neglect and a lack of veterinary care. The group also brought up legal concerns, as well, arguing that if one of the cubs bit a customer, the dealership could be held liable.
Porsche’s PR department responded to PETA’s claims immdiately, with Vice President of Marketing Andre Oosthuizen, telling the group that Porsche is concerned about the “welfare of any animal, large or small, wild or domesticated.” Porsche then advised its North American dealers to drop all plans to use live tigers at Macan events.
“Over the next few days, our field force across the country will personally make contact with every Porsche dealer to reinforce our appeal that no animals whatsoever be used in any dealer activity,” Oosthuizen told the activist group.
Source: Autoblog
