The mayor of a Newfoundland town has changed her mind about a Nissan television commercial that she initially found offensive.

The spot for the Bonavista Nissan special edition sports utility vehicle featured a fast-talking salesman with a strong Newfoundland accent, describing the vehicle's features.

Bonavista Mayor Betty Fitzgerald has changed her mind about a television commercial for the Bonavista Nissan SUV.
(CBC)

As the actor speaks, subtitles translate idioms into conventional English phrases.

In September, Mayor Betty Fitzgerald worried that the commercial depicted town residents as unable to speak properly.

She has since changed her mind — giving merit to the saying that there's no such thing as bad publicity.

"I think with that ad, tourism has increased this past year," Fitzgerald told CBC News.

Consequently, the town is more diplomatic, and even features a link to the commercial on Bonavista's website.

The advertisement sparked strong reactions in Newfoundland and Labrador, with some finding it hilarious and others categorizing it as an insult — or a bad imitation of Newfoundland accents.

Fitzgerald said she is not inclined to put down something that is clearly drawing interest in her town.

"Being Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we're famous for our sense of humour anyway," she said.

In fact, she hopes Nissan will bring one of the SUVs to Bonavista this summer as a feature attraction for its Discovery Day celebrations on June 24. On that date, according to legend, explorer John Cabot landed at Bonavista in 1497, claiming Newfoundland as England's first colony.