People's Daily criticizes Mercedes-Benz: Why hurt the Chinese people when trying to make money in the Chinese market?

The rapid growth of China's economy has created huge market demand for the global expansion of many international brands. However, because the products are too easy to sell and the money is too easy to make, many foreign brands have begun to swell their hearts, and have become "two-faced" people who try to please Chinese users at home while hurting the feelings of the Chinese people abroad.

Recently, the luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz prominently marked "Dalai Lama's famous quotes" in the promotional picture of its C-Class Coupe released on its official overseas social media, and stated that "the new week begins with sharing the Dalai Lama's new views." Not only did it publicly promote the views of the "public enemy of the state" Dalai Lama, but it also chose to make only a "targeted" apology to China in the first immediate aftermath of the incident, trampling on the principles and bottom line of the Chinese people.

In response, the People's Daily published a commentary emphasizing that "national interests cannot be challenged, and the Dalai Lama's desire to split China in the name of 'autonomy' is well known to the world." It also pointed out that as an old company, Daimler was "knowingly and willfully" making such a "low-level mistake."

At the same time, the People's Daily also took out the sales data given by Daimler Greater China Chairman and CEO Troska not long ago, that is, in 2017, Mercedes-Benz delivered more than 600,000 new cars in the Chinese market, setting a sales record for the brand in a single global market. However, it is certain that a car company that hurts the feelings of the Chinese people will inevitably find it difficult to continue running.

As for the "targeted" apology made by the Mercedes-Benz brand in China, the People's Daily believes that "it cannot be said that the apology was untimely, but the sincerity was insufficient." It also called out to foreign brands: "You are making a lot of money in China, so why do you still lack understanding of Chinese culture and values ​​today?" It questioned Mercedes-Benz's motives for making money in the Chinese market while hurting the Chinese people.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.