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Nandos distances itself from fake flame-grilled Ford Kuga ad

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By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

January 18, 2017 | 3 min read

Portuguese Peri-Peri chicken brand Nandos has moved to distance itself from a fake ad doing the rounds on social media.

Ford Kuga in flames- South Africa

A Ford Kuga in flames / Twitter - @K_Dibatana

The ad compares the Ford Kuga to flame-grilled chicken, mocking the fact that the car was earlier this week recalled in South Africa over fears a fault appears to have increased the likelihood of it erupting into flames – with one alleged fatality.

The ad reads as follows.

Nandos issued a statement in response to the seemingly reactive ad: “The current poster doing the rounds poking fun at Ford Kugas is definitely not an official Nando’s advert. At Nando’s, we don’t poke fun at anyone who has experienced misfortune. In addition, this poster does not accurately reflect our visual identity and certainly does not reflect our brand values.”

Around 4556 cars, sold between 2012 and 2014 will be recalled across the country and likely beyond ,with at least 47 fires so far involving the model in question.

One incident proved fatal for a man on holiday in Western Cape, South Africa in December 2015. Reshall Jimmy was filmed burning to death in his car. It remains an accident the company denies liability for, and it maintains that the fire in question originated near the back of the car. The footage in question clashes with this claim, reported International Business Times.

Ford SA issued a statement: "The current data we have determined that the fires are due to engine overheating. This is caused by a lack of coolant circulation which can lead to a cracking in the cylinder head and, therefore, an oil leak. If the leaking oil reaches a hot engine surface, it can potentially catch fire. We are not aware of any injuries resulting from the engine compartment fires.”

At least 30 of the Kuga owners affected, including the Jimmy family who lost a brother in the blaze, are set to launch a class action lawsuit against Ford SA.

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