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Police on the hunt for GMC truck that caused Tesla Model 3, another vehicle, to roll over

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A Tesla Model 3 and another vehicle rolled over when a GMC pickup truck side-swiped the electric vehicle in Cottonwood Heights, Utah on Saturday afternoon. As of reporting, local police are still looking for the driver of the truck, who promptly fled the scene after causing the crash.

According to witnesses, the black GMC full-size pickup truck attempted to illegally pass several vehicles in the area of 7100 South Wasatch but failed to complete the maneuver. This resulted in the collision with the white Tesla Model 3, which crashed into another vehicle in the adjacent lane. The Tesla and the other vehicle were both forced off the road, rolling over in the process. Initial reports say that five individuals who were not seriously injured were treated at the scene and released.

Authorities were able to retrieve a video of the incident from the Model 3, but it did not show the license plates on the truck. The Cottonwood Heights Police Department (CHPD) has not published the video but shared information that the GMC pickup truck most likely sustained damages on its passenger side. The Tesla Model 3 owner has also not shared footage from the electric sedan.

CHPD is asking the public to contact them at 801-944-7100 for any information that will lead to the capture of the reckless driver of the GMC pickup truck involved in the accident.

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While it is unfortunate to hear a crash caused by irresponsible drivers on the road, the Tesla Model 3 being one of the safest cars on the road today might have helped prevent serious injuries in this incident. Rollover crashes are notoriously dangerous, with the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stating that around 35% of all traffic fatalities are caused by rollovers. Despite this, the occupants of the Model 3 were able to escape the incident without serious injuries.

This crash, if any, proves that the Model 3’s stellar safety ratings are no fluke. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the Model 3 with its highest safety rating available and deemed qualified to receive its Top Safety Pick+ award. Tesla attributes the Top Safety Pick+ rating to the overall good architecture and design of the Model 3.

“Part of what makes Model 3 so safe is its all-electric powertrain design, which gives the car a low center of gravity that reduces roll-over risk, as well as its rigid aluminum and steel passenger cabin that provides exceptional strength to equally protect drivers and passengers,” Tesla wrote. Furthermore, since the vehicle doesn’t have an engine like conventional gas vehicles, the Model 3 also has a large crumple zone that helps absorb impacts more effectively compared to a gas car keeping occupants safer during accidents.

Tesla Model 3’s all-glass roof is also supported by a tough metal body structure that also helps protects occupants in roll-over crashes such as this one in Utah. Tesla claims the roof of the Model 3 can support the weight of five Model 3s on top of the vehicle’s roof. Other elements such as the car’s seats, restraint system, and airbags contribute to ensuring the safety of the driver and passengers.

With the combination of passive safety, active safety, and available technologies, Tesla produces the safest vehicles today and this also contributes to the safety of other drivers on the road. The car manufacturer shared its latest data In its Q3 2019 Vehicle Safety Report:

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“In the 3rd quarter, we registered one accident for every 4.34 million miles driven in which drivers had Autopilot engaged. For those driving without Autopilot but with our active safety features, we registered one accident for every 2.70 million miles driven,” Tesla wrote. Those driving without Autopilot and active safety features, Tesla registered one accident per 1.82 million miles driven.

A curious soul who keeps wondering how Elon Musk, Tesla, electric cars, and clean energy technologies will shape the future, or do we really need to escape to Mars.

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Tesla axed one of the Model Y’s best features in ‘Standard’ trims: here’s why

Lars Moravy explains why Tesla chose to go with a glass roof in the new Standard trims, despite it not being visible.

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Credit: Tesla

Tesla chose to implement a glass roof on the new Model Y ‘Standard’, despite the fact that you won’t be able to see it from the inside.

In the new Model Y ‘Standard’ configuration, one of the biggest changes is the lack of a glass roof, which is one of the more unique features Tesla offers.

How Tesla’s Standard models will help deliveries despite price disappointment

The entire roof of the Model Y’s ‘Premium’ and Performance trims is glass, giving everyone in the car an astounding view of the sky.

However, Tesla chose to cover this up in the new ‘Standard’ trim level. Here’s a look at it:

Credit: ItsKimJava | X

Despite it not being visible from the inside, the roof is still made of glass. It is only visible from the outside. Even if you removed the headliner in the Model Y ‘Standard,’ you would not be able to see the outside, because the glass is opaque:

Tesla’s Vice President of Powertrain, Lars Moravy, commented on the use of glass in the Premium models and how it differs from the glass in the Standard trims:

“All glass is NOT created equal. Remember, the Model Y Premium glass is laminated with silver IR reflective coatings to make it super comfy and reject solar load… the standard is not… plus LOTS of people wanted a closed headliner, always trying to listen (and improve road noise at the same time).”

The decision to cover up the glass while still using it was an efficiency choice. Moravy said Tesla chose to keep the glass for the new Standard models due to “cost, supply chain, and manufacturing efficiency.”

Tesla launched the Standard models on Tuesday. The cars were effectively a counter to the loss of the $7,500 EV tax credit.

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How Tesla’s Standard models will help deliveries despite price disappointment

“What a giant miss,” one person said.

“With all due respect, no way is this what y’all have been hyping for 6 quarters…” another one claimed.

“So…where are the affordable models?” another reply read.

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Credit: Tesla

When Tesla unveiled its Standard versions of the Model 3 and Model Y this week, reactions were mixed. Many liked the addition of two new models, but they were also concerned about the price.

“What a giant miss,” one person said.

“With all due respect, no way is this what y’all have been hyping for 6 quarters…” another one claimed.

“So…where are the affordable models?” another reply read.

Tesla launches two new affordable models with ‘Standard’ Model 3, Y offerings

There’s no arguing it: $36,990 and $39,990 for the Model 3 Standard and Model Y Standard were not what consumers had in mind.

But, despite Tesla getting its new offerings to a price that is not necessarily as low as many expected, the two cars still have a chance to assist with quarterly deliveries.

Here’s how:

First-time Tesla buyers will lean toward Standard models

Tesla owners have become accustomed to expecting all the bells and whistles in their cars. Heated seats, ventilated seats, acoustic glass, vegan leather, industry-leading performance, world-class range, and a glass roof are all expected by current or past owners.

But what about new owners?

New owners do not have these high expectations, so to many of those who have not sat in a Tesla or driven one before, they are going to be blown away by the minimalistic looks, capabilities, and features of the Standard models.

The Premium models will feel like the high-end offerings that other automakers also have for sale, except they’ll only be a few thousand dollars more than Tesla’s base models. With other companies, the price for these higher-end trims is $10,000 or more.

The more affordable Standard models will be there, but if buyers want the extra features, they’ll likely be able to justify the extra few thousand dollars.

Tesla’s Standard Models fall under the U.S. Average Transaction Price

Kelley Blue Book releases a new report each month showing the average transaction price (ATP) of all vehicles sold in the U.S. for that month.

The latest report, released on September 10 for the month of August, revealed an ATP of $49,077. This was up 0.5% from July ($48,841) and higher year over year by 2.6%.

Technically, Tesla’s new Standard models fall well under that ATP, meaning they technically do qualify as “affordable.” However, realistically speaking, affordable does not mean “under the national average.”

It means accessible for low-income families, single-parent households, and other groups. This would likely be under $30,000.

Déjà Vu with the Cybertruck Rear-Wheel-Drive

When Tesla offered the Cybertruck RWD, it stripped out many of the best features of the Cybertruck, such as the adjustable air suspension, powered tonneau cover, and interior materials, just to name a few.

It was $10,000 less than the Cybertruck AWD, but many people essentially viewed it as a way to push consumers toward the more expensive variants, since the discount was a better value than missing out on features.

Tesla released the Cybertruck RWD to make the AWD look like a deal

Something similar could happen with the Standard models. With it only being a few thousand dollars less than the Premium Model 3 and Model Y, some consumers will see it as a better option to go with the more expensive trim levels.

Even if they don’t, many car buyers will see it as a deal to grab the Standard versions.

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Tesla will let you bring back this removed Model 3 part for a price

It will cost $595 and is available on Tesla’s website. You will have to have a Model 3 on your Tesla account to purchase the stalk retrofit kit.

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Credit: Tesla Asia/X

Tesla is now letting Model 3 owners in the United States bring back one part that the company decided to remove after it refreshed the all-electric sedan last year. Of course, you can do it for a price.

With the Model 3 “Highland” refresh that Tesla launched last year, one of the most monumental changes the company made was to ditch the turn signal stalk altogether. Instead, Tesla opted for turn signal buttons, which have been met with mixed reviews.

I drove the new Tesla Model 3, here’s what got better

The change was widely regarded as Tesla preparing for more autonomous driving in its vehicles, especially as its interiors have gotten even more minimalistic.

The lack of a stalk in the new Model 3 was just another move the company made to adjust drivers and passengers to seeing less at the steering wheel column.

However, many drivers did not prefer the use of buttons and wanted the stalk reinstalled. Tesla allowed it in several regions, launching a retrofit kit. It has now made its way to the United States:

It will cost $595 and is available on Tesla’s website. You will have to have a Model 3 on your Tesla account to purchase the stalk retrofit kit.

It is interesting to note that despite Tesla’s strategy to remove the stalk with the new Model 3, which was released in early 2024, the company did not choose to make the same move with the new Model Y.

The new Model Y launched in the United States in early 2025, and Tesla chose to install a stalk in this vehicle.

It seemed as if the turn signal buttons were too much of a polarizing feature, and although the company technically could have given orderers an option, it would not have been the most efficient thing for manufacturing.

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