Tesla Cybertruck’s first fatal crash prompts NHTSA to seek more information

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Tesla Cybertruck’s first fatal crash prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to seek more information from the automaker, the agency confirmed to Teslarati.

Earlier this week, several reports of the first fatal crash involving the Tesla Cybertruck circulated, bringing questions to light regarding the all-electric pickup.

Unfortunately, someone lost their life as a result of the accident, which is still under investigation.

However, the NHTSA confirmed to us that it is “aware of the crash and fire, and is gathering additional information from the manufacturer.”

AP initially reported on the NHTSA’s request to Tesla for more information.

We asked the NHTSA whether it was common for the first fatal accident of a new vehicle design to illicit additional scrutiny from the agency, or whether vehicles without official crash test ratings were also commonly subjected to additional information requests.

Tesla Cybertruck crash test rating situation revealed by NHTSA, IIHS

The agency did not answer either of those questions.

The Cybertruck has been involved in several accidents since it first started deliveries in November, but this is the first instance of a fatality.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla Cybertruck’s first fatal crash prompts NHTSA to seek more information





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Tesla ‘recall’ – fixed by Software Update

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Tesla will “recall” 1.68 million vehicles built from October 2020 to July 2024 in China, although they will not need physical servicing and will be repaired through an Over-the-Air Software Update that the car will automatically download and apply to remedy the issue.

The issue impacts Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X vehicles in China, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation, which said on Tuesday that the issue was related to the hood of those cars.

An unlatched bonnet could obstruct the driver’s view of the road as the hood could open and cover the windshield.

The vehicles impacted by the issue were built between October 17, 2020, and July 17, 2024, according to the South Chinese Morning Post, which viewed the recall report put out by the Chinese government.

Tesla will fix the issue with an Over-the-Air update, which requires drivers to have an internet connection in order to download the remedy software and apply it to their vehicles.

Tesla fans call for recall terminology update, but the NHTSA isn’t convinced it’s needed

The Model 3 and Model Y vehicles impacted by this particular recall were built in China, while the Model S and Model X cars were built in the United States and sent to China for customers.

Tesla remedied vehicles in the United States with this same issue last week, fixing the cars with an Over-the-Air update as well.

Tesla recalled over 1.8 million units in the United States last week due to a fault that could cause the hood to unlatch and obstruct the driver’s view of the road.

Only 1 percent of vehicles were expected to actually have the defect, the NHTSA said in recall documents released last week.

China is a strong market for Tesla, as its EVs are one of the most sought-after cars in the sector. Tesla’s market competition in China is much more robust than in the United States, where EVs are less prevalent and not as affordable.

However, Tesla has a strong relationship with the Chinese government and recently struck a deal to bring the company’s Full Self-Driving to the country after CEO Elon Musk met with officials earlier this year.

I’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please email me at joey@teslarati.com. You can also reach me on Twitter @KlenderJoey, or if you have news tips, you can email us at tips@teslarati.com.

Tesla ‘recall’ – fixed by Software Update – makes its way to China





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Tesla China sees 12,500 new vehicle registrations in August’s first week

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Tesla China seems to be maintaining its pace this third quarter, with the electric vehicle maker seeing 12,500 new vehicle registrations in the week of July 29-August 4, 2024. This represents a 7.41% week-over-week drop compared to the 13,500 units that were registered in the week ending July 28. 

Tesla China does not report its weekly sales figures, though a general idea of the company’s overall domestic sales can be inferred through new vehicle registration data. Fortunately, vehicle registrations are tracked by industry watchers. Some automakers in China like Li Auto have also taken it upon themselves to report registration data on a regular basis. 

And as per Li Auto’s recent posts, Tesla China saw 12,500 new vehicle registrations in the week ending August 4, 2024. Industry watchers have noted that the electric vehicle maker’s domestic sales seem to be just down 1.8% year-over-year. This suggests that Tesla China is steadily getting closer to matching or perhaps even exceeding its domestic sales last year. 

Tesla China seems to be seeing some tailwinds this third quarter. In July alone, the electric vehicle maker sold 74,117 units wholesale, as per data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Tesla China’s July 2024 results represented a 4.38% improvement over the 71,007 units that were sold wholesale in June. It also represented a 15.3% increase year-over-year compared to the 64,285 units that were sold wholesale in July 2023. 

Tesla China plays a huge part in the electric vehicle maker’s operations, with Giga Shanghai being the company’s primary vehicle export hub. Earlier this year, reports emerged claiming that Giga Shanghai was throttling its vehicle production. Members of local Chinese media outlets who visited Giga Shanghai, however, have claimed that the electric vehicle plant is operating at full capacity once more. 

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

Tesla China sees 12,500 new vehicle registrations in August’s first week





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