Toyota and BMW targeted by European climate activists

Toyota and BMW are the targets of climate change activists in Europe after hundreds of parody billboards and posters were placed there earlier in January.

Subvertisers International, Brandalism, and Extinction Rebellion have been involved with the campaign – each parody advert having the #BanFossilAds hashtag, urging governments committed to mitigating climate change to enforce a ban on fossil-fuel vehicle advertising, Stuff reports.

The parody billboards and posters – most echoing Toyota and BMW’s advertising style – appeared on walls in public areas, on bus stops, and inside trains, as well as other areas.

The two brands were reportedly targeted by activists due to “using advertising to greenwash their public image whilst lobbying hard against climate regulations”, Stuff adds.

Following the mock billboard roll-out, Toyota has underlined its past commitments to emissions reduction through its pioneering of hybrid technology in mainstream models, adding that a focus solely on production of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is likely to leave some behind.

Toyota has also indicated an accelerated shift to electrification.

BMW says sustainability is central to its corporate strategy, that it introduced the BEV BMW i3 in 2013 and it expects at least half its global sales will be all-electric by 2030.