A Tesla owner’s harrowing highway experience has become the latest testament to the company’s commitment to safety engineering. According to a story shared by X user Menso, a customer walked away with only minor scratches after their Model 3 was crushed by a truck that lost control on the highway.
The responding officer reportedly told the driver that the Tesla performed “better than anything they have ever seen” in such severe crash conditions. The customer was so impressed by the vehicle’s protective capabilities that they returned just three weeks later to purchase another Tesla.
Roshan Thomas, VP of Supply Chain at Tesla, provided insight into the technical aspects that likely saved the driver’s life: “What a miracle! The ultra-strong hot-stamped door ring part of the body structure likely shielded the occupant from such a heavy impact.”
Roshan Thomas, VP of Supply Chain at Tesla
Thomas explained that this safety feature represented a significant investment for the company. “It was a costlier option when we introduced it into the Model 3 back in 2017, but we firmly believed it was the right choice for customer safety,” he noted.
When questioned about which model incorporated this feature first, Thomas clarified that his “costlier” comment referred to hot stamping technology compared to cold stamping. He explained that while the original Model 3 had multiple hot-stamped parts in the roof, B-pillar, and C-pillar that were stitched together, the Model Y was first to receive the one-piece hot stamped door ring, with the current Model 3 now also has a single-piece outer door ring featuring this design.
This incident highlights Tesla’s approach to vehicle safety that goes beyond regulatory requirements. The structural integrity that preserved the passenger cabin in such extreme circumstances—reportedly a truck loaded with oranges that fell onto the vehicle—demonstrates the practical benefits of Tesla’s engineering decisions.
For Tesla, these real-world validations of their safety features serve as powerful marketing. The company has long emphasized safety as a selling point, but customer stories of survival create more compelling evidence than any crash test rating.
This customer’s decision to immediately replace their destroyed Model 3 with another Tesla shows how safety engineering can drive brand loyalty when put to the ultimate test.
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