

Lifestyle
Tesla approved body shop highlights Model 3 repair in time-lapse video
Tesla-certified body shop, Autocraft Bodywerks based out of Austin, TX, has showcased just how much work goes into repairing and restoring a damaged Tesla Model 3 in a time-lapse video posted to YouTube. As could be seen in the video, workers of the body shop spent several days replacing Model 3’s rear-quarter body panel that was damaged in an accident.
According to Autocraft Bodywerks, the process of restoring a damaged Tesla back to showroom condition takes specialized training in aluminum welding and adhesive and mechanical joining technology used in the construction of Tesla vehicles. These skillets were highlighted in the company’s documentation of its recent Model 3 repair project, where the shop’s workers could be seen taking deliberate care in fitting, setting, and painting a new body panel.
Tesla’s Model S and Model X are made almost entirely of aluminum. While aluminum has several advantages over steel, such as lighter weight, stellar absorption of energy during collisions, and higher corrosion resistance, the material is also notoriously difficult to work with. Thus, Tesla requires factory training and specialized equipment before a body shop could be certified for repairs and restoration. Repair costs of the company’s vehicles are expensive as well. A Model S owner from the Tesla Motors Club forum, for example, stated that a minor damage on his vehicle’s rear passenger door was quoted $4,422 by a certified body shop. A picture of the damage could be viewed below.

A damaged Model S rear panel which was quoted $4,422 in repairs. [Credit: Hota/Tesla Motors Club]
It’s not just costly repairs that are giving Tesla owners difficulties, either. Tesla owners have also dealt with long wait times for their vehicles’ repair work to be completed, especially if body panels need to be replaced. Johnny, a Model S owner, for one, described his painful “Repair nightmare” story in Teslarati’s forum, stating that he had to wait months as the repair shop waited for parts to arrive from Tesla’s factory.
Repairing Tesla vehicles are set to improve soon, however. During Tesla’s 2018 Annual Shareholder Meeting, Elon Musk discussed the expansion of Tesla Service Centers and authorized body shops. Musk also stated that the company is also in the process of creating Tesla body shop repair locations, which are expected to be ready by the end of the month in several key locations across the United States.
“We’re rapidly expanding service centers. Year over year, probably see a doubling of service center capacity for Tesla. We’re making major progress on the body-shop front. This is quite a big deal. We’re creating Tesla body shop repair locations. We should have by the end of the month in at least the Top 10 metro areas in the US being able to be serviced by a Tesla body shop. This will be a dramatic improvement in the cost and time of body repair,” Musk said.
This is not all, however, as Musk also noted that eventually, Tesla owners could soon experience the convenience of having same-day body repair services. According to Musk, owners could expect an improvement in the time it takes approved body shops to repair vehicles.
“In fact, we think we might be able to do for a lot of them same-day body repair. It’s definitely possible. I think we want to aim for maybe some number of body repair to be same-day. Whereas if we go to a third party, best case is about a week, and some cases, it’s several weeks. We’re basically just taking our biggest service centers, adding an annex for body repair and pre-stocking the parts, so you don’t have to wait for the parts to come from the factory,” Musk said.
Tesla’s 2018 Annual Shareholder Meeting proved to be highly successful for the electric car and energy company. During the meeting, Musk and Tesla’s executives related several pieces of good news to shareholders, from upcoming free trials on Autopilot, the growth of Tesla Energy, and positive updates on the Model 3 production line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=31&v=HCWAnsRk1XQ
Lifestyle
Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger
The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
Lifestyle
Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp
The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.

Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.
Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.
Epic FSD Journey
As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive.
Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.
Previous Everest Trips
This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp. That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination.
In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.
Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.
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