Volkswagen has withdrawn a social media advert after bosses agreed with backlash that said it was racist and insulting.
The video showed a dark-skinned man being pushed around by a giant white hand before being flicked dismissively through a doorway.
It was supposed to mimic videos put up on social media where one person appears to be controlling another like a puppet.
The advert was one in a series to promote the Volkswagen Golf 8 and was supposed to depict a love story between a man and a woman.
Initially VW responded to criticism saying that the origin of the people depicted was not relevant, and that it was “surprised and shocked that our Instagram story could be so misunderstood”.
However, it later backtracked, saying: “We fully understand the disgust and anger in response to the video.
“It is quite clear that this video is wrong and distasteful.
“We firmly distance ourselves from the video and apologise sincerely.”
Volkswagen said it would investigate how the advert had been published.
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