Racial Slur In Car Ad Prompts Dealership Apology

GEORGETOWN, TX. (AP) – An Austin-area car dealership apologizing over the distribution of an e-mail advertisement that included an ethnic slur against Hispanics.

Mac Haik Ford Lincoln Mercury in Georgetown also fired its general sales manager over the e-mail, which was headlined “Tired of the Wet Backs????” The e-mail listed promotions for vehicles with air-conditioned seats. The e-mail advertisement was sent last week to 1,200 customers, including members of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Haik General Manager Michael Winot met Tuesday with directors from the Hispanic Chamber and the League of United Latin American Citizens. Winot says he didn’t see the advertisement before it was distributed. That’s going to change. Winot says he and several other managers will review all ads before they’re distributed.

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