The Indian unit of Ford Motor Company has apologized for an advertisement showing former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi with a group of bound women in the trunk of a car, BBC News reported.

The advert, showing three women bound and gagged in the trunk of a Ford Figo car, appeared on a website. Berlusconi was shown in the driver's seat with a slogan: "Leave your worries behind with Figo's extra-large boot".

The advert has not been used commercially. Reports say that it was posted online by the India-based advertising agency hired by Ford.

The company said it regretted the incident and called the images "contrary to the standards of professionalism and decency within Ford".

"We deeply regret this incident and agree with our agency partners that it should have never happened," Ford said.

A spokesperson said that the company is taking the incident "seriously and are reviewing approval and oversight processes, and taking necessary steps to ensure nothing like this ever happens".

Last year Ford's chief executive Alan Mulally told the BBC that the Indian market is becoming "increasingly important" for the company.