The Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) has ruled that Kia South Africa's TV advert for the Tasman bakkie breached advertising standards by potentially trivialising neurological disorders.

The commercial, which depicted people shaking uncontrollably, was found to create an initial impression of medical conditions like Parkinson's disease, despite the company's claim the shaking represented rough vehicle rides.

The ARB determined that using neurological symptoms as a basis for humour, even if the cause is later explained, could be seen as offensive to those affected by such conditions.

Kia argued the ad was acceptable hyperbole and had been reviewed by legal experts, but the ARB upheld the complaint, stating the ad could cause offence to people living with neurological disorders.The ruling highlights tensions between commercial creativity and sensitivity to medical conditions in advertising.