Automobile company Hyundai found itself trending on Twitter this afternoon with the hashtag #BoycottHyundai, over a now deleted tweet by Hyundai Pakistan.The tweet read, “Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in support as they continue to struggle for freedom.” The company tweeted the same on February 5th.
Based on the hashtags used by the company’s twitter handle, the tweet seemed to be addressing the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’. However, given the outrage on Indian Twitter, the brand clearly stands to lose favour among some Indian customers. Netizens turned furious over the tweet and hence #BoycottHyundai became a Sunday afternoon topic of discussion on Twitter.
Abhishek Asthana (known as ‘Gabbbar’ on Twitter) questioned brands’ needs to meddle in politics. Another user pitched in saying that brands should stay clear of woke politics. “This is clearly woke politics. And Hyundai seems to be a glutton for punishment,” the user wrote.
Why do brands need to meddle in Politics? pic.twitter.com/j5xPqWvLCN
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) February 6, 2022
Problem is brands should stay clear of woke politics.
This is clearly woke politics. And hyundai seems to be a glutton for punishment.
— Not a Number (@NumberNota) February 6, 2022
Some users speculated whether the company did this because it sees a higher market potential in Pakistan. “Will be interesting to see how this impacts the Indian market for @HyundaiIndia,” he further asked.
Will be interesting to see how this impacts Indian market for @HyundaiIndia. Looks like @Hyundai_Global sees a bigger market potential in Pakistan than India
— pH (@praveenhortikar) February 6, 2022
Netizens seem to believe that this will not end well for the brand. A user wrote, “They may lose entire brand equity for so many years.” Some even seemed furious because Hyundai allegedly blocked accounts of a couple of users. “And no apology from Hyundai as well! Instead there’re blocking accounts. This’ll surely decline the sale of Hyundai in India,” wrote another user.
This is not going to end well for the brand. They may loose entire brand equity for so many years
— Harsh Vardhan Bhandari (@hrsbhandari) February 6, 2022
And…..And no apology from Hyundai as well! Instead there’re blocking accounts.
This’ll surely decline the sale of Hyundai in India, which is 100x bigger market compare to Paxtan #BoycottHyundai pic.twitter.com/nQuHir6szm— Meet Doshi (@meetdoshiii) February 6, 2022
The company’s handle ‘Hyundai Pakistan’ deleted the post a while ago. Asthana pitched in yet again and wrote, “Global bosses came into picture I guess :)”.
Post has been quietly deleted. Global bosses came into picture I guess 🙂
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) February 6, 2022