Hyundai sex ad Getz the chop

2005-03-22 08:22

Antoinette Pienaar

Johannesburg - "We are both adults. Let's skip dinner and the movie"

These words come from a young woman in a television advertisement after her boyfriend picks her up for a date.

The ad now has the motor manufacturer in hot water with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Jeff le Roux laid a complaint against Hyundai Automotive South Africa with the ASA because he believes the ad creates the impression that it is acceptable for young adults to have sex outside of marriage.

He claims this is an irresponsible message to send out, particularly in a country facing an HIV/Aids crisis.

Le Roux's complaint had the signatures of 62 other people who feel the same about the advertisement.

The Jupiter Drawing Room, an advertising agency who does work for Hyundai, has withdrawn the ad in the meanwhile and agreed not to flight it again.

In the ad, which was broadcasted in English on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) channels, a somewhat nervous young man picks up his date.

Once they're in his Hyundai Getz, ready to go out, the woman tells him that they are both adults. "Let's skip dinner and the movie and just get on with it."

The words "Good things happen to Hyundai drivers" then appears on the screen.

Le Roux said neither of the two characters looked much older than 17 or 18 years and this enforces the message that premarital sex is acceptable.

After a meeting on the matter, the ASA directorate accepted the advertiser's offer to withdraw the ad and added that it must not be broadcasted again.

- Beeld