Beijing: German luxury car giant Daimler has apologised and fired its top executive in China after he allegedly made insulting remarks against Chinese people during an altercation over car parking here. The truck and bus company released a statement saying it has decided to part ways with Rainer Gartner, President and CEO at Daimler Trucks and Buses China Limited, following the incident.
State-run People’s Daily said Mr Gartner made a disparaging comment on Chinese people, saying “I have been in China one year already; the first thing I learned here is: All you Chinese are bastards”. His gaffe came after a parking row with a Chinese driver. It was alleged that the driver was reversing into a parking space, when a black Mercedes-Benz suddenly clinched the spot. The quarrel drew passersby to come and defend the Chinese, but they were pepper sprayed by the German executive.
Last month, a Youtube video had emerged showing EU Commissioner Guenther Oettinger addressing a German business audience using the words “slitty eyes” and “chisellers” to refer to Chinese people, the Daily Mail reported. He had apologised.
