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Tesla Model 3 test drives in Shenzhen paused after customer crashes first unit
Tesla set out to remove the perception that electric cars are slow, boring vehicles which are no more special than glorified golf carts. The company accomplished their goal with the original Tesla Roadster, the Model S, Model X, and now, the Model 3. While Tesla’s electric cars are proven to be quick on their feet, there is one particular fact that usually gets overlooked — it takes a responsible and proficient driver to handle the power provided by the company’s vehicles.
This point was highlighted recently in Shenzen, China. Tesla is expected to begin deliveries of the Model 3 in the Asian country, and to help prepare reservation holders and potential customers for the sedan’s arrival; the electric car maker has started a test drive program for the vehicle. Just as planned by Elon Musk for the United States, the test drive units that were initially sent to China were Model 3 Performance, the top tier variant of the electric sedan that is known for being very quick, whether in straight-line acceleration or around a track. Unfortunately, one test driver in Shenzen, China proved to be unprepared for the power of the Model 3 Performance.
As shared by Tesla owner-enthusiast JayinShanghai on Twitter, the Model 3 test driver ended up crashing the electric sedan. An image of the vehicle, as well as a short clip of the electric car after the accident, showed the extensive damage to the front of the car. While Tesla has not revealed the specifics of the incident, the damage incurred by the Model 3 Performance suggests that the vehicle might have crashed into a pole.
First Tesla Model 3 Performance Crash in China. Test Drive Car in Shenzhen, 3.5 second (0-100Km/h) isn’t for everyone. Photo credit to 新出行小编 via Weibo #Tesla #TeslaChina #Model3Performance #TeslaCrash #特斯拉 pic.twitter.com/K6NsT4QiIv
— Jay in Shanghai 电动 Jay 🇨🇳 (@JayinShanghai) February 7, 2019
Due to the crash, Model 3 test drives in Shenzen were promptly stopped, at least until another test unit could be shipped to the area. Fortunately, the wait for another Model 3 test drive car was short. As shared by Tesla enthusiast Kelvin Yang on Twitter, reports have emerged stating that another Model 3 Performance has been shipped to Shenzen as a replacement for the crashed test drive unit. Unlike the red sedan that was damaged from the incident, Shenzen’s new Model 3 Performance test drive car is painted black and equipped with 19″ Power Sports Wheels.
Seemingly without missing a beat, Tesla has reportedly started taking appointments for test drives in the new vehicle. In a later update, Yang noted that the new Model 3 test drive car is already fully booked, with interested customers being required to wait an average of more than two hours for their turn.
New test drive vehicle arrived pic.twitter.com/o3ajG7FXDh
— Kelvin Yang (@KelvinYang7) February 8, 2019
Tesla’s rapid response to its damaged Model 3 test drive unit in Shenzen is impressive. Considering that deliveries in the country are yet to begin, the company showed a considerable amount of proficiency with its logistics by shipping another test drive unit to the city immediately following the first vehicle’s crash. This, if any, bodes well for the upcoming Model 3 deliveries in the region.
Unlike the Tesla Model S P100D and the Model X P100D, the Model 3 Performance is not equipped with a dedicated feature that optimizes it for straight-line acceleration. Instead, the Model 3’s top variant utilizes the raw power of its dual electric motors, which produce a combined 450 hp and 471 lb-ft of torque. The Model 3 Performance lives up to its moniker, with its 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds, its top speed of 155 mph, and its range of 310 miles per charge. The car is also equipped with a Track Mode feature, which optimizes the vehicle for intensive driving around a racetrack.
Watch the aftermath of Shenzen’s Model 3 Performance test drive unit’s crash in the video below.
Model 3 test car crashed and all test drive in Shenzhen got cancelled /facepalm. Video from local WeChat group pic.twitter.com/n3ifTpkVpV
— Kelvin Yang (@KelvinYang7) February 7, 2019
Elon Musk
Starlink achieves major milestones in 2025 progress report
Starlink wrapped up 2025 with impressive growth, adding more than 4.6 million new active customers and expanding service to 35 additional countries, territories, and markets.
Starlink wrapped up 2025 with impressive growth, adding more than 4.6 million new active customers and expanding service to 35 additional countries, territories, and markets. The company also completed deployment of its first-generation Direct to Cell constellation, launching over 650 satellites in just 18 months to enable cellular connectivity.
SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s impressive 2025 progress in an extensive report.
Key achievements from Starlink’s 2025 Progress
Starlink connected over 4.6 million new customers with high-speed internet while bringing service to 35 more regions worldwide in 2025. Starlink is now connecting 9.2 million people worldwide. The service achieved this just weeks after hitting its 8 million customer milestone.
Starlink is now available in 155 markets, including areas that are unreachable by traditional ISPs. As per SpaceX, Starlink has also provided over 21 million airline passengers and 20 million cruise passengers with reliable high-speed internet connectivity during their travels.
Starlink Direct to Cell
Starlink’s Direct to Cell constellation, more than 650 satellites strong, has already connected over 12 million people at least once, marking a breakthrough in global mobile coverage.
Starlink Direct to Cell is currently rolled out to 22 countries and 6 continents, with over 6 million monthly customers. Starlink Direct to Cell also has 27 MNO partners to date.
“This year, SpaceX completed deployment of the first generation of the Starlink Direct to Cell constellation, with more than 650 satellites launched to low-Earth orbit in just 18 months. Starlink Direct to Cell has connected more than 12 million people, and counting, at least once, providing life-saving connectivity when people need it most,” SpaceX wrote.
News
Tesla Giga Nevada celebrates production of 6 millionth drive unit
To celebrate the milestone, the Giga Nevada team gathered for a celebratory group photo.
Tesla’s Giga Nevada has reached an impressive milestone, producing its 6 millionth drive unit as 2925 came to a close.
To celebrate the milestone, the Giga Nevada team gathered for a celebratory group photo.
6 million drive units
The achievement was shared by the official Tesla Manufacturing account on social media platform X. “Congratulations to the Giga Nevada team for producing their 6 millionth Drive Unit!” Tesla wrote.
The photo showed numerous factory workers assembled on the production floor, proudly holding golden balloons that spelled out “6000000″ in front of drive unit assembly stations. Elon Musk gave credit to the Giga Nevada team, writing, “Congrats on 6M drive units!” in a post on X.
Giga Nevada’s essential role
Giga Nevada produces drive units, battery packs, and energy products. The facility has been a cornerstone of Tesla’s scaling since opening, and it was the crucial facility that ultimately enabled Tesla to ramp the Model 3 and Model Y. Even today, it serves as Tesla’s core hub for battery and drivetrain components for vehicles that are produced in the United States.
Giga Nevada is expected to support Tesla’s ambitious 2026 targets, including the launch of vehicles like the Tesla Semi and the Cybercab. Tesla will have a very busy 2026, and based on Giga Nevada’s activities so far, it appears that the facility will be equally busy as well.
News
Tesla Supercharger network delivers record 6.7 TWh in 2025
The network now exceeds 75,000 stalls globally, and it supports even non-Tesla vehicles across several key markets.
Tesla’s Supercharger Network had its biggest year ever in 2025, delivering a record 6.7 TWh of electricity to vehicles worldwide.
To celebrate its busy year, the official @TeslaCharging account shared an infographic showing the Supercharger Network’s growth from near-zero in 2012 to this year’s impressive milestone.
Record 6.7 TWh delivered in 2025
The bar chart shows steady Supercharger energy delivery increases since 2012. Based on the graphic, the Supercharger Network started small in the mid-2010s and accelerated sharply after 2019, when the Model 3 was going mainstream.
Each year from 2020 onward showed significantly more energy delivery, with 2025’s four quarters combining for the highest total yet at 6.7 TWh.
This energy powered millions of charging sessions across Tesla’s growing fleet of vehicles worldwide. The network now exceeds 75,000 stalls globally, and it supports even non-Tesla vehicles across several key markets. This makes the Supercharger Network loved not just by Tesla owners but EV drivers as a whole.
Resilience after Supercharger team changes
2025’s record energy delivery comes despite earlier 2024 layoffs on the Supercharger team, which sparked concerns about the system’s expansion pace. Max de Zegher, Tesla Director of Charging North America, also highlighted that “Outside China, Superchargers delivered more energy than all other fast chargers combined.”
Longtime Tesla owner and FSD tester Whole Mars Catalog noted the achievement as proof of continued momentum post-layoffs. At the time of the Supercharger team’s layoffs in 2024, numerous critics were claiming that Elon Musk was halting the network’s expansion altogether, and that the team only remained because the adults in the room convinced the juvenile CEO to relent.
Such a scenario, at least based on the graphic posted by the Tesla Charging team on X, seems highly implausible.
Starlink achieves major milestones in 2025 progress report
Tesla Giga Nevada celebrates production of 6 millionth drive unit
