Land Rover drops Carter as brand ambassador

Dan Carter has been dropped as a brand ambassador for Land Rover following his drink-driving incident in France last week.

The former All Black admitted to drink-driving in Paris last week.

Carter was caught drink-driving by French police on Wednesday night, reportedly with a blood alcohol level of 0.98g per litre — above the legal limit of 0.5g.

He also reportedly did not have his driver’s licence with him.

French rugby journalist Richard Escot said he understood Carter had consumed around four glasses of red wine at a dinner with his club and was not on a big night out when he was stopped by police for speeding on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

Carter shared a post on Facebook yesterday that said Land Rover had ended its corporate relationship with him. Carter’s latest contract with Land Rover was signed in September last year.

Comment is being sought on the extent of the deal and what benefits it gave Carter.

“Not surprisingly, Landrover, who for good reason have zero tolerance towards drink driving, have ended their relationship with me. I understand this completely and am disappointed I put them in this position,” Carter tweeted in response to the carmaker’s decision.

The All Blacks are sponsored by Ford, which rules out current players from endorsing competing automobile brands.

Carter arrived back in New Zealand on Saturday on a preplanned family holiday.

On Friday he apologised for drinkdriving, saying he made a “massive error of judgment”, on Facebook.

“No excuses — I made a massive error of judgment and have let down my club, my fans and most importantly my family,” he wrote.