Shanghai – Chinese authorities are looking into the possibility that a typographical error led to the production of millions of green automobiles.

Earlier this week, a proposal was submitted to the State Council regarding plans for the long-term production of environmentally-friendly automobiles. The plan called for the investment of more than 100 billion yuan ($14.8 billion U.S.) to spur China toward being a global leader in the production and sales of “green” automobiles.

Chinese Automakers Learn the True Meaning of Going Green

Upon learning of the proposal, Chinese automakers were quick to jump on board. One up-and-coming brand, Ridderkah-Dwinkgas, started churning out the vehicles immediately to meet the anticipated demand.

Then someone noticed a problem.

At a public relations event to announce the rollout of the new green vehicles, one reporter—a member of the foreign press corps—noticed all of the automobiles driving off the assembly line were identical in color. Company executives and engineers proudly acknowledged the astute observation.

“Millions more behind them too,” one executive boasted.

The reporter noted that all the cars rolling off the line were green in color.

“Yes, very green,” the CEO insisted. “Green automobiles for everyone.”

Interpreters intervened to clarify the mistake. Ridderkah-Dwinkgas executives failed to understand that “green” is slang referring to “environmentally friendly” rather than the actual color.

Taking a Page From Henry Ford

Realizing the mistake, executives quickly changed the discussion to solve the problem of what they would do with 30 million gallons of green paint. Taking a page from Henry Ford’s marketing book, Ridderkah-Dwinkgas instituted a new advertising campaign boasting that “customers can get cars in any color … as long as it’s green.”

Photo by Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden