Canada Ford ad offends in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- A Ford ad in Manitoba, Canada, has upset some Winnipeg residents, who accused the company of using poor judgment.

The ad, which ran in Friday's City & Business segment of the Winnipeg Free Press, shows a bumper sticker on the back of a vehicle which features the phrase, "Drive Like you stole it" above a "Built for Manitoba" caption.

"Nauseated, offended -- you can use any term you want to describe it, I think it's just ridiculous," said a Winnipeg man who was hit by a stolen vehicle in 2007.

Winnipeg has been pegged as the car-theft capital of Canada, with approximately 20 auto thefts reported daily, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

Ford spokeswoman Gina Gehlert said the ad has been pulled.

"It was never our intention to offend anyone," she said.