The petition, which has accumulated more than 15,000 signatures at the time of writing, addresses the company as one that “loves selling cars to women, and has built up a progressive brand” for itself. The group of Saudi women’s rights activists uses the letter to point out that Subaru sponsors women’s surf festivals, the U.S. Women’s Triatholon Series and the Outstanding Woman in Science Award for the Geological Society of America.
“It’s funny, though, because while Subaru is marketed heavily at women, your company is simultaneously making hund reds of millions selling your cars in the only country on earth where women aren’t allowed to drive,” the petition says, before eventually going on to ask that the company publicly pledge to pull out of Saudi Arabia until women can drive.
“It’s a chance for your company to live up to its brand, and make a huge difference for nearly 13 million of us Saudi women,” the letter concludes.
Mashable has not received an immediate response to an emailed request for comment from Subaru’s headquarters in Saudi capital Riyadh. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that Tokyo-based Kenta Matsumoto — a spokesman for Fuji Heavy, Subaru’s parent company — says Fuji Heavy and Subaru dealers in Saudi Arabia haven’t received information about any campaigns. Matsumoto told Bloomberg the company only has dealers in Saudi Arabia — no factories — and that annual sales in the country are limited to 300 to 400...
