- Influencers tore apart a Jeep Recon interior at the LA Auto Show.
- Stellantis called the act destructive, citing a pre-production model.
- The viral TikTok drew over 1.1 million views and 2,300 comments.
Stellantis has publicly condemned two influencers after a viral video showed them dismantling parts of the new fully-electric Jeep Recon during the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show. The clip, which spread quickly across social media, reopened the debate over how pre-production prototypes ought to be treated at auto shows.
The automaker explained that the show car mocked for its poor build quality was a hand-assembled pre-production prototype, not the finished model, describing the creators’ actions as “destructive.”
Online Outrage or Honest Critique?
The viral video, posted by an LA-based channel called “The Middle Lane,” has drawn more than 1.1 million views and 2,300 comments on TikTok since November 22. It reportedly appeared on YouTube and Instagram as well, though it has since been removed from both platforms.
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The creators blasted the build quality of the latest Jeep, saying they expected better fit and finish for a vehicle with an MSRP of $65,000. They are shown removing and then reattaching plastic pieces from the Recon’s interior, including trim around the center console and above the digital instrument cluster.
They also zoom in on uneven gaps between materials on the door panels and wiggle the infotainment screen and passenger grab handle, saying they were simulating “off-road use.”
@themiddlelanes Jeep Recon Moab build quality… #laautoshow #tiktokcartalkcontest #electriccar #buildquality ♬ original sound – The Middle Lane
Stellantis Responds
In response, Stellantis released a statement: “The vehicle in question is a preproduction show car, built exclusively for reveals and events to highlight the design inspiration for the final product. These prototype units are typically hand-built and not intended to demonstrate final production, durability, quality, or integrity of materials.”
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Kaileen Connelly, Senior Vice President of North America Communications at Stellantis, added in an email to the Detroit Free Press: “The actions taken to disassemble the all-new Jeep Recon on display at the LA Auto Show were both destructive and unprofessional.”
What the Creators Say
The Detroit Free Press later spoke with Luke Miani, founder of “The Middle Lane,” who said they were surprised by the video’s reach and the conversation it triggered. According to Miani, their intention had simply been to share “thoughts on many different cars.”
Addressing Stellantis’ statement, he explained, “I want to push back on the claims of ‘destructive’ conduct as the video clearly shows the clips holding certain interior parts together were loose and the parts easily pop out by hand without damage.”
He added that he looks forward to seeing the production version of the Recon, hoping that “the build quality is indeed improved.”
How the Public Reacted
Reaction online has been mixed. Some commenters expressed disappointment with what they perceived as poor craftsmanship, placing blame on Stellantis. Others defended the automaker, noting that the vehicle was a pre-production demo unit brought to LA for the show and never intended for close physical inspection.
The story also gained traction on Reddit, where many users criticized the influencers for “unprofessionalism,” while others argued that automakers should be more discerning about who gets access to display cars.
One self-identified “interior trim engineer” commented that building pre-production models is “way different” from production, describing a process where “employees are working on a table with a drill and some screws” long before an assembly line is operational.
The electric 2026 Jeep Recon is scheduled to enter production in early 2026 at Stellantis’ Toluca plant in Mexico. Initial deliveries in North America are expected shortly after, with global rollout planned for the final quarter of the year. The first version, a Moab trim exclusive to the US and Canada, will start at $65,000, with more affordable variants to follow
