Watch: Bakkie ad receives complaints for ‘dangerous’ behaviour
Toyota Hilux’s new advertisement, featuring a man and his dog on the back of his bakkie, has raised safety concerns among some viewers.
Toyota Australia’s latest ad on the new Hilux has caused quite a stir – receiving complaints that it depicts ‘dangerous and potentially illegal behaviour’. Watch the ad below.
Titled ‘Pied Piper’, in the opening scene of the ad, we see the owner walking towards his Hilux and signalling to his dog to come along. His loyal companion then jumps into the loading bay and they set off; traversing a gravel road en route to town.
During the drive, they pass several other bakkies (of different makes, mind) with dogs in the back – the latter deciding to ditch their owners and the bakkies they drive, some of which broken down or stuck, in favour of the new Hilux. What follows is a pack of dogs chasing the ninth generation before hopping into its loading bay.
Packed with dogs, the new Hilux finally arrives in town, with an elderly gentleman quipping, “Even the dogs know, you don’t send a ute to do a Hilux job.”
Also read: Every bakkie confirmed for SA in 2026
So, what were the complaints surrounding this ad? Well, according to a Case Study of the Ad Standards Community Panel, the complaints were based on the ad depicting ’dangerous and potentially illegal behaviour’.
The complaints included that dogs are meant to be on a leash or safely transported to ensure safety when travelling, and that the ad does not reflect best practice for transporting dogs.
As reported by CarExpert, Toyota Australia responded to the complaints, saying the dogs that star in the ad were trained and not harmed, with no live dogs unsecured in the back of a vehicle while it was driving on public roads.
In addition, the firm said props and CGI were used in many of the sequences where vehicles were driving.
The post New Toyota Hilux ad receives complaints for ‘dangerous’ behaviour appeared first on Car Magazine.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
