Back seater.
Yep, I would have trouble driving with that in the passenger seat next to me.
Posted on 06/10/2016 12:59:27 PM PDT by Impala64ssa
Despite the tone of America's current presidential campaigns, it is, in fact, 2016. In theory, companies should understand the kinds of actions that might be interpreted as racist or sexist.
Unless, of course, those companies make laundry detergent in Italy or China. Or unless they're Fiat.
Alas, Fiat has learned that the hard way, after facing serious backlash over an owner's manual distributed to customers in Argentina.
Most startlingly, the manual assumed that cars would always be driven by men, with women only riding as "co-pilots" in the passenger's seat or back seat. It also assumed that women don't know how to wear pants.
Among the most egregious quotes from the manual (translated from Spanish by the BBC):
"If a lady's skirt is too short, we recommend that she travel in the backseat to keep our concentration."
"If the skirt is not that short but you tend to have a wandering hand, she should also travel behind."
Fiat says that the owner's manual has been pulled, but the Facebook page "Ni Una Menos" ("Not One Less") has posted several photos of the manual's pages. That means that they're on the internet, and since the internet is forever, those images will be, too.
Our take
Normally, we try to give companies the benefit of the doubt when they're staring down the barrel of a PR crisis. We understand that intentions can be misconstrued, or that human beings in front of microphones can go off-script. (Again, see the U.S. presidential election.)
In this case, we're not feeling that generous. The division that put together this manual--whether it was written and designed internally or by a third-party--failed in both content and tone. Management failed by approving it. Dealerships failed by handing it out.
Seriously: outside Saudi Arabia, how can anyone assume that the driver of a car will always be male? Or straight? That women will always be passengers, with no value other than their sexual allure? (FYI, the manual insisted that female co-pilots should "at least have nice legs".)
It's especially appalling that this would happen in Argentina, which has been grappling for years with the issue of violence against women. In fact, the group "Ni Una Menos" was launched to support a demonstration in 2015 that rallied in favor of enforcing laws that prohibit hate crimes based on gender.
Pulling the owner's manual is the least Fiat can do. How much further will the company go to make things right?
Same with StupidCar.
Spoken like a man.
It is totally unprofessional. But not too shocking from Italians.
My biggest surprise is Argentinians being put off by it.
Seems appropriate, since that's what I am.
It is totally unprofessional.
According to whom? I agree, it's sophomoric. But I don't think it's worth getting upset about. It's certainly no worse than half the cheesy innuendos one encounters on TV sitcoms.
I learned while in the Army Italians hated helicopters.
One reason was the noise the main rotor made: Wop wop wop wop wop wop.
But then, if you get close to the tail rotor, it’s going Guinea guinea guinea guinea guinea guinea.
Back seater.
Yep, I would have trouble driving with that in the passenger seat next to me.
Mom and dad bought one that looked okay on the (Iowa dealer's) showroom floor, but within six months it was beginning to corrode alarmingly. Adding insult to injury, the FIAT badge on the front was one of the first things to lose its plating and begin the transition to oxides.
(The mechanics at the dealership hated - absolutely HATED - to work on the thing.)
Mr. niteowl77
Hmmm.... No women drivers? Sounds like a decent plan. And I guess Islam gets ONE thing right...
:)
Same thing. They all need to get better morals, for starters, never mind stop condescending to women (partly by assuming everyone is a male, which really gets old, including on this forum).
Autocar UK tested it at 49.6 urban mpg (40m/USg)
Italians would consider the Fiat a chick car. Probably a manual only for the gaucho area
2017 Fiat 124 Spider
It’s a Miata with different front end styling and different interior. Probably a good thing from a reliability standpoint.
Better Japanese engineering with Italian styling, rather than the other way around...
DANG!
Nah, for a better starter, morals are no help.
But play it safe, stick with the major makes-- Delco, Bosch, Nippon Denso, etc.
Just don't lose any of the shims (and have a few extra handy, or a make-do) when changing out starters on GM small-block V-8's. They are notorious for less then precise engine block castings when it comes to proper starter motor in relation to flex plate ring gear spacing.
The Fiat is more true to the Miata as originally conceived than the Mazda is, oddly enough. Mazda’s getting a little too slick with the styling.
I really like the looks of new Spider. I could see myself buying one in the not too distant future.
Who’s building it, Mazda or Fiat? If it’s Fiat, I’d wait a year and check the recalls and reliability reports. They’ve made tremendous strides but still haven’t reached the appliance-like level of reliability that Americans expect.
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