Influencers’ Assault on Jeep Recon Prototype Condemned

New Delhi, November 28, 2025: A viral video showing social media influencers deliberately disassembling a pre-production model of the all-electric Jeep Recon at the Los Angeles Auto Show (LA Auto Show) has resulted in a swift and sharp public reprimand from the Jeep brand. The footage, which captured interior components being removed, was circulated widely, leading the automotive manufacturer to label the actions as “both destructive and unprofessional.”

Prototype Was Vandalized

The incident occurred during a press event at the 2025 LA Auto Show, where the highly anticipated Jeep Recon EV was on display. The unauthorized removal of parts from the show car by individuals associated with an Instagram account, The Middle Lanes, was captured on video. The actions included visibly tearing apart the interior of the new model. The clip was later deleted from the platform following intense public backlash.

It was quickly clarified by the manufacturer that the vehicle in question was a pre-production show car, which was hand-built exclusively for reveals and events to highlight the design inspiration for the final consumer product. These prototype units are not intended to demonstrate the final production quality, durability, or material integrity of the commercial version.

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Official Condemnation is Issued

A formal statement was released by Jeep, strongly condemning the influencers’ behavior. The company emphasized that the actions taken to disassemble the vehicle were unacceptable, particularly given that the car was a valuable, hand-built unit. The statement confirmed that the integrity of the vehicle had been compromised by the reckless conduct.

The public reaction strongly mirrored the manufacturer’s sentiment, with many viewers expressing outrage over the lack of respect shown for the property and the industry event. Online comments frequently called for the influencers to be banned from future auto shows and even prosecuted for vandalism. The general consensus was that the need to create sensational content had completely overridden professional etiquette.

Broader Industry Concerns Are Raised

The incident has opened up a significant discussion within the automotive industry concerning the relationship between brands and social media influencers. Questions were raised about the standard of professional behavior expected at major events and the ethical boundaries that should not be crossed in the pursuit of viral content. The company assured the public that the final production version of the Jeep Recon will embody the uncompromising capability and authenticity expected by Jeep owners, indirectly addressing the initial negative commentary the influencers had attempted to create regarding the vehicle’s build quality.

The immediate removal of the video by the content creators was viewed as an acknowledgement of the gravity of their mistake and the public relations crisis that had been generated.