ECU Ruling: Top Gear, BBC2, 30 January 2011

Complaint
The ECU investigated complaints (from 11 viewers and from the Mexican Section of the Latin American Studies Association) prompted by remarks about Mexicans by the presenters, made in the context of reviewing a Mexican car.

Outcome
Although the remarks were humorously intended (the intention being to call attention to the absurdity of a certain stereotype of Mexicans), their tone and cumulative effect seemed to the ECU to give the impression of reinforcing, rather than ridiculing, the stereotype.  Upheld

Further action
BBC Vision discussed the reasons for, and the issues arising from, the finding with the production team.