Stellantis has responded to a viral TikTok video by Los Angeles-based content creators who disassembled parts of a Jeep Recon display vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show, calling their actions “destructive and unprofessional,” according to a report by Car Dealership Guy.

The video, posted by influencer group “The Middle Lane,” criticizes the build quality of the Recon show car and questions whether the SUV justifies its $65,000 price point. The content shows two individuals pointing out gaps in interior panels, disassembling components, and shaking parts of the vehicle. 

The video has accumulated over one million views.

Stellantis spokesperson Kaileen Connelly addressed the controversy in a statement to Detroit Free Press. 

“The vehicle in question is a pre-production show car, built exclusively for reveals and events to highlight the design inspiration for the final product,” Connelly said. “These prototype units are typically hand-built and not intended to demonstrate final production, durability, quality, or integrity of materials.”

Influencer Disputes ‘Destructive’ Characterization

Luke Miani, founder of “The Middle Lane,” contests Stellantis’ description of the actions as destructive. Miani noted that the video shows the influencers “holding certain interior parts together were loose and the parts easily pop out by hand without damage.”

Research from inBeat shows that more than 36% of auto shoppers incorporate influencer marketing into their vehicle purchase decision-making process. Over 60% of car buyers visit a dealership or brand website after viewing vehicle-related video content. 

Additionally, 46% of consumers view automotive influencer marketing content as trustworthy information sources.

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