Daimler AG had to fire a top-level executive after he reportedly announced that all Chinese people were bastards and then pepper-sprayed one into submission. The incident, which took place on Sunday, began as an ugly dispute over a parking space before evolving into a small-scale race war.

The Shanghai Daily reports that Rainer Gaertner, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks and Buses Ltd., and a Chinese driver were vying for the same parking space in an upscale Beijing suburb. The exchange became heated after Gaertner exited his Mercedes-Benz and the two men began arguing.

Deciding to toss all composure out of the window, Gartner allegedly exclaimed, “I am in China one year already. The first thing I learned here is that all you Chinese are bastards.”

The minor brouhaha turned into a melee as concerned residents and pedestrians came to defend the Chinese driver and Gaertner began pepper spraying them. One person was alleged to have suffered spray-related injuries from parking space scuffle.

China’s Global Times quoted Kang Zuoru, a friend of the injured person, as stating, “These kinds of foreigners take money from the Chinese people with one hand while also abusing them. They must hate China from the bottom of their hearts.”

Weibo, one of China’s most popular social media sites, exploded with news of the fracas while outraged readers began demanding that Gaertner be deported right away. Many users also posted comments saying they would avoid buying Daimler-produced cars.

In response, Daimler’s Chinese unit stated the dispute itself was a private issue but added that it had “immediately” relieved the manager of his position within the company.

“The nature of the dispute and in particular the manner in which it was conducted, irrespective of any comments alleged to have been made, is adjudged to be not only of concern to the public but viewed by us as detrimental to the standing of our company, unbecoming of a manager of our brand and prejudicial to our good name,” Daimler Greater China said in an statement.

“Such an incident reflects in no way the values of Daimler AG and we sincerely apologize for the concerns raised by this matter and the views that people have felt obliged to express following the reports of this regrettable matter.”

Rainer Gaertner has not yet been reached for comment.