Chinese Citizens Mock Canadian Ambassador's Car Choice
David Mulroney, Canada’s ambassador to China, was mocked on a Chinese social networking site for committing a major social faux pas – according to commenters on Weibo, a Chinese social networking site, Mulroney’s Toyota Camry, his official car, lacked sufficient prestige for a man of his station.
While the Audi A6L is the standard vehicle of choice for anyone who is somebody in China, Canadian cabinet ministers are capped at a car allowance of $32,500. Most Canadian politicians opt for Canadian built cars, which leaves them with a pretty good selection of rides; the Ford Edge, Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger and Chevrolet Impala can be seen in motorcades and government building parking lots. Prime Minister Stephen Harper usually rolls around in a black Suburban, and our Governor-General (the British Monarchy’s representative in Canada, and our official head of state) gets a Canadian made Lincoln Town Car.
The Globe and Mail article goes on to explain the semiotics of Chinese and Canadian car choices. Two obvious differences; any Canadian government official that bought an expensive luxury car with taxpayer funds would be publicly crucified – in fact, it’s happening right now. Second, driving a Buick minivan in North America is anything but a status symbol, no matter how cool it is in China.
More by Derek Kreindler
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Here's a link to the Globe and Mail article: http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/worldview/in-de-coding-class-in-china-cars-are-your-best-clue/article2319674/?service=mobile
It always makes me stop and think whenever I visit a capital city and see an enormous Mercedes or BMW with diplomatic plates emerge from the gates of an embassy of an african banana republic that receives millions in aid.
And it's not even stretched or gold plated! Boo haoww!
Well, the Camry is a premium vehicle in China, tho lower than GM or the Germans. Still, status is important in China, and if you are an official driving anything lower than an A6 they will laugh at you.