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Is there anything Tesla can’t do in the automotive world?

(Photo: Andres GE)

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I know, I know. Just asking the question, “Is there anything Tesla can’t do?” alone sounds like stooge-level propaganda with a predictable answer at the end: No. However, I promise you that I’m actually considering it objectively in light of what has been parading in the headlines.

The Porsche Taycan vs. Tesla debates were a bit exhausting over the last couple of weeks, but the ‘Plaid Mode’ reveal took them to another level. Then, a German media outlet reported that a Model S already beat the Taycan’s Nürburgring time by almost 20 seconds after all that hoopla about “turns” and overheating being inevitable doom bringers for Tesla.

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And all this excitement started co-existing with more news about the spiffy stuff included in the V10 firmware update that Tesla’s Early Access Program participants were downloading. Leaked pictures of the made-in-China Model 3 were really just the icing on the cake yesterday for anyone keeping score.

So, I think it’s fair to start wondering what Tesla has left to achieve that may be a serious challenge.

Obviously, there’s plenty on the plate for the next few years at least: Model Y, the Tesla Truck, the Tesla Semi, the next generation Roadster, and now refreshed ‘Plaid Mode’ Model S’s and X’s. Oh, and the regulatory hurdles to make Full Self-Driving a legal reality still need to come through. I suppose having a few more Gigafactories would be a good idea also, like the one teased for Europe.

Okay. Perhaps this question is more tedious than I thought. On one hand, Tesla doesn’t need to do everything a car maker could possibly do. Plenty of manufacturers are content with sticking with their niche markets. But I don’t see Tesla settling for that, especially considering all the markets they’re targeting already and the sales numbers they’re aiming to achieve.

How about outdoor-oriented vehicles, considering the next competitor for Elon Musk to comment on will likely be Rivian? The Michigan-based EV newcomer has completely branded itself to appeal to the travel adventure crowd, and their R1T pickup truck has every whiz-bang thing (to borrow a phrase) they could dream of needing for a mountain camping trek. Rivian even has a patent application for a “digital” jerrycan to extend their battery range for such trips.

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An artist’s render of the Tesla Pickup Truck. (Credit: Emre Husman)

While the Tesla Truck is coming, a ‘Blade Runner’ cyberpunk theme doesn’t seem to have the Rivian-type customers in mind. That’s fine, but would Tesla want to appeal to that base if it proves lucrative? Why bother building a truck in the first place if you don’t want to attract, you know, truck people? Rivian’s R1S SUV might really be where the customers are, though. The Model Y will appeal to a significant base, but the R1S will tap into another large crowd as well. The Model X may be the Fabergé egg of cars, but sports and camping-oriented families may find an SUV that’s traditionally designed and half the price a bit more…feasible.

It seems like there may be a decent amount of crossover between Tesla and Rivian’s bases – both sets of customers have similar values and possibly similar budgets. Will Tesla make a play with its own rough-and-tumble vehicles? Or will they just peacefully co-exist? I mean, Tesla and Porsche are supposedly not really meant to be competitors, yet there’s still a Model S at Nürburgring despite that um, fact.

A Tesla Model S prototype on the Nurburgring. (Photo: Stefan Baldauf/Auto Motor Uund Sport)

What about military vehicles? Other automakers like GM and Ford have developed equipment for defense purposes over the decades, and Musk is already well versed in having government entities as customers via SpaceX. The US military is looking for alternative fuel vehicles, although hydrogen fuel cell tech seems the be the focus. I’m sure Tesla’s tech could easily win any competition, especially given their semi truck work and advanced battery products. But, would Tesla even want that sort of customer? SpaceX and Tesla have different core missions, although they are compatible. I could also lay out some ironies in Tesla developing military vehicles, but I’m sure you can imagine what they are.

Finally, what about smaller vehicles like water crafts, ATVs, motorcycles, etc.? Non-vehicle products? Those are areas several other car makers have entered as separate ventures, and successfully at that. Musk may have once joked about Tesla making an electric leaf blower, but Honda could perhaps vouch for the profitability of home DIY equipment. Rivian has even hinted that it’s developing something that’s ‘not necessarily’ a car. After going from the original Roadster to manufacturing and delivering several types of cars all over the world (not to mention solar kits), Tesla could probably easily outfit its customers’ homes with a variety of other battery-powered products. Tesla vs. John Deere, anyone? I’m not sure what kind of culture war that might ignite, but Musk isn’t really the type to back down from such a challenge.

It doesn’t seem like Tesla needs much more on its plate in the immediate future, but after seeing what they’ve accomplished thus far in so little time, the next expansion may end up being around the corner before we know it.

Accidental computer geek, fascinated by most history and the multiplanetary future on its way. Quite keen on the democratization of space. | It's pronounced day-sha, but I answer to almost any variation thereof.

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Elon Musk

X account with 184 followers inadvertently saves US space program amid Musk-Trump row

Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

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Joel Kowsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

An X user with 184 followers has become the unlikely hero of the United States’ space program by effectively de-escalating a row between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on social media.

Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

A Near Fall

During Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fallout last week, the U.S. President stated in a post on Truth Social that a good way for the United States government to save money would be to terminate subsidies and contracts from the CEO’s companies. Musk responded to Trump’s post by stating that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately. 

Musk’s comment was received with shock among the space community, partly because the U.S. space program is currently reliant on SpaceX to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Without Dragon, the United States will likely have to utilize Russia’s Soyuz for the same services—at a significantly higher price.

X User to the Rescue

It was evident among X users that Musk’s comments about Dragon being decommissioned were posted while emotions were high. It was then no surprise that an X account with 184 followers, @Fab25june, commented on Musk’s post, urging the CEO to rethink his decision. “This is a shame this back and forth. You are both better than this. Cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” the X user wrote in a reply.

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Much to the social media platform’s surprise, Musk responded to the user. Even more surprising, the CEO stated that SpaceX would not be decommissioning Dragon after all. “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk wrote in a post on X.

Not Planned, But Welcomed

The X user’s comment and Musk’s response were received extremely well by social media users, many of whom noted that @Fab25june’s X comment effectively saved the U.S. space program. In a follow-up comment, the X user, who has over 9,100 followers as of writing, stated that he did not really plan on being a mediator between Musk and Trump. 

“Elon Musk replied to me. Somehow, I became the accidental peace broker between two billionaires. I didn’t plan this. I was just being me. Two great minds can do wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a breather. Grateful for every like, DM, and new follow. Life’s weird. The internet’s weirder. Let’s ride. (Manifesting peace… and maybe a Model Y.)” the X user wrote.

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Lifestyle

Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger

The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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Credit: Hammer_of_something/Reddit

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail. 

A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.

Charging Charger Fails

As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.

Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.

Alleged Aftermath

As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.

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The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.

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Lifestyle

Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results

Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

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Credit: Led By Donkeys/X

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.

Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Tank vs. Tesla

In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.” 

He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.” 

The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.

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Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?

As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.

Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.

This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.

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