Influencers’ Actions on Jeep Recon Condemned

New Delhi, November 27, 2025: Strong condemnation was issued by the Jeep brand after a viral video surfaced showing social media influencers deliberately taking apart a pre-production model of the new Jeep Recon at the Los Angeles Auto Show (LA Auto Show). The footage, which featured components of the vehicle being removed by the influencers, was widely circulated, prompting the automotive manufacturer to issue a harsh public statement.

The Show Car Is Disassembled

The controversial video was originally posted by the influencers on their social media channel, @themiddlelanes. The clip showed parts of the highly anticipated all-electric Jeep Recon being actively pulled off the vehicle while it was on display at the auto show. It was clearly seen that sections of the pre-production model were being disassembled in an unauthorized and rough manner.

The vehicle in question was identified as a show car, a unique prototype built specifically for public reveals and events. Its primary purpose was to highlight the design inspiration and features that will be present in the final product. It was not intended to be a fully robust, production-ready model capable of withstanding such rough handling.

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Jeep Responds to Viral Stunt

The actions captured in the viral video were described by a Jeep spokesperson as “both destructive and unprofessional.” The company’s official statement underscored the serious nature of the transgression, particularly since the vehicle was a valuable, hand-built prototype. The statement emphasized that the vehicle’s integrity was compromised by the influencers’ behavior, which was seen as damaging to a key display asset.

The negative reaction from the brand was immediate and decisive. The entire situation was framed as a disappointing instance of individuals prioritizing attention-seeking content creation over professional conduct and respect for the property of others, especially within a controlled industry event like the LA Auto Show.

Video Is Removed

Following the strong public backlash and the official statement from Jeep, the original video was subsequently removed by its creators, @themiddlelanes, from their social media platforms. The removal was interpreted by many as an admission that the content had crossed a line, potentially causing irreparable damage to the highly anticipated vehicle.

The incident has opened up a broader conversation in the automotive industry regarding the relationship between brands and social media influencers. Questions were raised about the professional etiquette expected at major industry events and the balance between generating engaging content and maintaining respect for valuable, non-commercial display models. The damage caused to the prototype has not been fully quantified, but the public relations setback for the influencers was significant.