Hyundai Motor India’s headquarters in Gurugram, India. (image: Hyundai)
SEOUL, Feb. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Corp., the South Korean carmakers that have been leading India’s automobile market, now face a movement for an online boycott after being embroiled in a territorial dispute.
Several local netizens are calling on boycotting the two carmakers on Twitter and other social media platforms under the hashtags ‘#boycotthyundai’ and others.
Nishat Group, yundai Motor’s Pakistani partner, recently posted a tweet asking followers to “remember and support the sacrifices of our Kashmir brothers.”
Kia Motors Crossroads-Hyderabad also posted a tweet that said “we unite for the freedom of Kashmir.”
The posts appeared on Kashmir Solidarity Day, a national holiday in Pakistan, on Feb. 5.
Kashmir is a source of decades-old dispute between India and Pakistan, as the two nuclear-armed neighbors control parts of the Himalayan territory but both lay claim to all of it.
The posts were reportedly uploaded by a local dealership. Hyundai Motor does not have an official branch in Pakistan.
Nevertheless, the posts have sparked anguish in India, claiming that Hyundai Motor is ‘supporting Pakistan.’
In response, Hyundai Motor’s India branch posted an official tweet on Sunday, taking down the controversial tweets and sending a strong warning to the dealership in Pakistan.
“Hyundai Motor India has been committed to the Indian market for more than 25 years now,” the tweet said. “We will continue our efforts towards the betterment of the country as well as its citizens.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
How stupid is Hyundai to allow a Pakistani affiliate to use it’s name to tarnish their brand. Frankly, Hyundai deserves this backlash for having poor brand control.