Gaffe-Hit Stellantis NV: Another Blunder in Malaysia
Malaysian Social Media Users React with Criticism and Humor
Stellantis NV, a leading international automaker, has made a significant mistake, mislabelling Sabah as Sarawak in a presentation slide. The company is seeking to make Malaysia its Asean hub, but this error has sparked widespread criticism and ridicule on social media.
The Stellantis Group: A Global Presence with 14 Brands
The Stellantis group is a multinational company with 14 brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall. Despite its global reach, the company’s apology came too little, too late, with many netizens expressing outrage over the mistake.
Blunder Costs Criticism and Controversy
Malaysians took to social media to express their disappointment, questioning how such a mistake could be made, given Malaysia’s 64 years of independence. Some joked that this was a tactic to gain publicity, while others criticized the reduction in size of Sabah and Sarawak compared to Peninsular Malaysia. Geographically, East Malaysia is approximately 198,447 square kilometers, while West Malaysia is about 132,265 square kilometers.
Mislabelling and the Perception of Error
Feedback from users like Sarawak Sim highlighted the issue of the wrong ratio of East to West Malaysia, emphasizing that this was not the first time such a mistake had been made. "Mislabelling is one thing. The (wrong) ratio of East to West Malaysia is another common habit of some people. Amending the ratio of the Malaysian map should be a serious offence, much like changing any element in the Malaysian flag or coat of arms," he said.
A Familiar Blunder: Proton’s Mislap in June
This is not the first time a major company has made this mistake. In June, Proton, Malaysia’s national carmaker, mistakenly swapped the names of Sabah and Sarawak during a presentation. The company later apologized, expressing regret for the error.
Conclusion
The Stellantis NV gaffe serves as a reminder that even the largest and most established companies can make mistakes. As the world becomes increasingly connected, it is crucial that we address these errors with transparency and accountability. We must also recognize that such blunders can have long-lasting consequences, damaging reputations and eroding trust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Stellantis NV, and what is its presence in Malaysia?
A: Stellantis NV is an international automaker with a presence in Malaysia. It is seeking to make the country its Asean hub.
Q: What was the mistake made by Stellantis NV?
A: The company mistakenly labelled Sabah as Sarawak in a presentation slide.
Q: How did Malaysian social media users react to this mistake?
A: The community expressed criticism, ridicule, and disappointment, questioning how such a mistake could be made. Some suggested that this was a publicity stunt, while others criticized the reduction in size of Sabah and Sarawak compared to Peninsular Malaysia.