Toyota could take legal action against the Vote Leave campaign after its logo was used in promotional material for the UK’s forthcoming EU referendum.
A leaflet delivered to voters used Toyota's logo as part of a collage of emblems belonging to companies that, the campaign said, would stay in the UK irrespective of the referendum result.
In a statement, Toyota Motor Europe said it strongly objected and was considering a formal legal complaint over unauthorised use of its trademark. It added that the logo’s inclusion could mislead readers into thinking that the company endorsed the Vote Leave campaign.
Above: Vote Leave pamphlet allegedly misused Toyota's trademark
Toyota has previously said it believes UK membership of the EU would be best for its operations but has declined to endorse either side’s official campaign.
“It’s not just a small regional issue. It’s a UK-wide official pamphlet,” said Chris O’Keefe, Toyota Europe's senior manager of external affairs.
“People raised it with us and Vote Leave hadn’t asked for our permission. We think it gives the impression, therefore, that somehow we are endorsing or supporting the campaign, whereas in actual fact we said back in February that, as a business, our preference was to remain.
"But we’ve agreed not to take any part in the campaign and that’s why we felt it was an inappropriate use of our logo. Because we’ve had a lot of questions and misunderstandings, we felt we needed to make a public statement just to re-clarify our position.”
O’Keefe said Toyota had been in communication with Vote Leave about the issue but declined to comment on the outcome.
Vote Leave has so far not responded to requests from Autocar for comment.
Phill Tromans
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Considering this, an exit will merely be the logical consequence of decades of criticism, obstruction, false "news" (the curve of bananas being the most ridiculous), biased information about the Brussel's institutions decisions omitting completely the responsibilities of the British government in the decision-making processes. Plus the "discount" on the British contribution to the EU budget.
So I pray for an exit. A firm and, above all, a definitive one, without privileges, buts or maybes.
In all friendship, needless to say. Long live the island of Britain!
n. leone wrote: As a non
This was tongue in cheek right? the suggestion that Britain in anyway 'holds back' the EU is hilarious! and mention of our rebate? what of it? we are still a very substantial net contributor, in other words a net loser! The UK needing to negotiate deals with the rest of the EU countries (or 'States' as Juncker prefers) after an exit is irrelevant as the EU will fall apart soon afterwards (the wealthier countries won't want to be left lumbered with the poor ones) and everyone will be negotiating deals with everyone else. As it should be.
Brexit
Furthermore, you show the gifts of a Nostradamus in stating - not speculating - that the EU will crumble as an effect of Britain's departure. I prefer to wait and see how the consequences will develop both for Britain and "the Continent".
Not Playing Fair