Mercedes and Che: It Doesn't Get Much Hurlingly Tackier
It seems like a story from The Onion, but no, it's news -- CBS News, complete with a gigundo picture of mass murdering evil scumbag Che Guevara doctored to include a Mercedes logo on his beret. Daniel Terdiman writes:
"Some colleagues still think that car-sharing borders on communism," Mercedes-Benz Chairman of the Board of Management Dieter Zetsche said onstage at CES today, speaking about Mercedes' new CarTogether initiative. "But if that's the case, viva la revolucion!"To be sure, a luxury-car maker like Mercedes is not actually promoting communism. But during his CES talk, Zetsche pushed hard on a vision that the company has for a greener future that allows drivers to reduce emissions by using connected and social technology to easily find compatible passengers to share rides with.
Still, it's odd--and no doubt intended to stir up conversation--to hear a company so inexorably tied to money and lavish lifestyles invoking philosophies like communism. Especially with a picture of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara towering over Zetsche as he talked. Of course, Che's signature beret sported a Mercedes logo.
In remembrance of Che, will they be lining up people the chairman doesn't like against a Mercedes and gunning them down?
UPDATE: Loved this tweet by @Popehat:
Eh. The Mercedes thing is interesting, but I'm holding out for a Pol Pot Porsche.
via @DavidBurge
This sounds like maybe what he is talking about. http://slug-lines.com/ A friend was telling me about it. Informal carpooling.
The Former Banker at January 11, 2012 11:22 PM
Slugging is a way of life out where I live, although I've never done it myself. Throughout the area one can find parking lots we call "slug lots" where people queue up and wait for drivers going where they're headed.
Oh, by the way: The sign pointing to the parking garage at the Franconia-Springfield train and Metro station is appropriately labeled "Park and Ride." The sign pointing to the passenger drop-off point is labeled "Kiss and Ride." I always thought that was cute.
Old RPM Daddy at January 12, 2012 4:58 AM
Hmmm, since Zetsche thinks ride sharing is such a great idea, he should give us the name of the guy (or guys) he carpools with. Do as I say, not as I do....
sheepmommy at January 12, 2012 7:11 AM
It's ironic either way...
... if you hate Che, you are not attracted to Mercedes by the ad.
... if you love Che, you are against Mercedes anyways.
Hey, I got the car question!!!
NicoleK at January 12, 2012 7:57 AM
For Dieter Zetsche - Daimler (Mercedes) to invoke the sickly, pock mark faced little vicious sadistic coward rapist and and mass-murderer Ernesto Guevara, AKA "Che" in iconic symbol for their brand is simply beyond unconscionable, beyond outrageous. Honestly, there simply are not words. Going the route of Mercedes "leadership", headed up by Zetsche, why not invoke Senor Schnicklgruber, AKA Adolf Hitler in Mercedes promotion...? After all, Hitler did more for Mercedes than Guevara ever could or did, was renowned to drive around in Mercedes - therefore really promoting the brand.
Dieter Zetsche and the entire Daimler board ought to be fired, period.
ps: Hey Deiter, I have a question for you. How many Mercedes Benz are annually sold in Cuba? Just asking.
John at January 12, 2012 8:05 AM
Using a Communist for advertising. Isn't that the ultimate insult (to a person who deserves it)?
Ori Pomerantz at January 12, 2012 8:46 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/01/12/it_doesnt_get_m.html#comment-2912260">comment from Ori PomerantzThat's the upside of this, Ori.
Amy Alkon
at January 12, 2012 8:49 AM
"to hear a company so inexorably tied to money and lavish lifestyles"
Yeah but they're also inexorably tied to every single movie about a dictatorial African regime ever. every single one. Mercedes is THE car of the third world dictator. Is Che really much of a jump?
I think he's on to something. I would need to split the cost of a g class five ways to afford one.
My mission is to get a picture of me driving to work in a Pirate.
smurfy at January 12, 2012 10:23 AM
Informal carpooling.
We have the "casual carpool" out here. You wait in the designated area for someone going your way and ride with them.
It's probably a good idea, but it always seemed to me more like a buffet line for serial killers.
Conan the Grammarian at January 12, 2012 10:30 AM
I highly doubt that anything that has to do with sharing a car is connected to communism. Che Gurrera really doesn't deserve a lot of the praise heaped on him and we should all just ignore him.
DieselBlue at January 12, 2012 10:45 AM
If you read about a guy getting a DUI riding around in a hollowed-out life-sized Captain Morgan statue powered by a lawnmower engine, that's probably me. They've got the statue at a bar downtown, but it's in a casino, tight security. The mission is taking shape.
smurfy at January 12, 2012 11:12 AM
Back in the 70's, anyone could line up a ride using rideshare bulletin boards at the colleges, or even radio notices.
jefe at January 13, 2012 11:08 PM
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