 "Daimler fires China chief for insulting Chinese people")
German luxury car giant Daimler has apologised and fired its top executive in China after he allegedly made insulting remarks against Chinese people during an altercation over car parking here.
The case had drawn huge attention on social media and provoked anger among Chinese.
The truck and bus company released a statement saying it has decided to part ways with Rainer Gartner, President and CEO at Daimler Trucks and Buses China Limited, following the incident.
The manner in which Gartner had conducted himself during the dispute was "detrimental to the standing of our company, unbecoming of a manager of our brand and prejudicial to our good name", the company said.
"Such an incident reflects in no way the values of Daimler AG, and we sincerely apologise for the concerns raised by this matter," state-run People's Daily quoted the firm as saying.
The daily report said Gartner has made a disparaging comment on Chinese people, saying "I have been in China one year already; the first thing I learned here is: All you Chinese are bastards".
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His gaffe came after a parking row with a Chinese driver at a residential community in Beijing's northeastern Shunyi district.
It was alleged that the Chinese driver was reversing into a parking space, when a black Mercedes-Benz suddenly clinched the spot.
The quarrel drew passersby to come and defend the Chinese, but they were pepper sprayed by the German executive.
The entire scene was posted on social media, drawing anger and discussions among Chinese netizens.