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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
Tesla is planning for a new 300+ stall Supercharger station that will be an expansion of an existing facility, and the company is planning to add a surprise for the Semi.
The Firebaugh, California Supercharger is currently 72 Superchargers, but Tesla filed for an expansion that will add 232 additional plugs for passenger vehicles, and it also plans to add 16 Semichargers.
This will be the biggest Supercharger station Tesla will have to date, just months after it finished the Supercharger Oasis in Lost Hills, California, which has 168 stalls. This will have 304 total Supercharger stalls, and then the additional 16 Megachargers.
🚨 This Supercharger station will have 304 total stalls and 16 Semichargers following this expansion
Absolutely INSANE size 🔥
This is located on I-5, so many semis will be traveling along this route https://t.co/hM9hdLcWwg
— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) January 13, 2026
The Firebaugh Supercharger is located on I-5, which is a major reason for why Tesla has chosen the location for additional Megacharger plug-ins, as Tesla Semi Program Manager Dan Priestley said on X earlier today.
Lots of trucks to electrify on I-5
— Dan Priestley (@danWpriestley) January 13, 2026
The project was revealed by MarcoRP, a Supercharger tracker.
The expansion is a massive signal for charging demand, especially as Tesla’s Superchargers are opened to numerous automakers and are no longer exclusive to the company’s EVs. Additionally, the installation of Megachargers is a good sign to come for the Tesla Semi program, which aims to truly ramp up this year.
Tesla plans to launch production of the Semi later this year.
It could also mean Tesla is going to expand its footprint of large-scale Supercharger projects in the coming years, which would be a big boost as EV adoption continues to soar in the United States.
Tesla has made two big interior changes to several Model Y vehicles in its lineup, and the changes come just as the new model year begins production.
Last year, Tesla launched the Model Y Standard, which separated the previous models into the “Premium” category. The Standard vehicles lack several features, including more premium interior materials, acoustic-lined glass, and storage.
@teslarati There are some BIG differences between the Tesla Model Y Standard and Tesla Model Y Premium #tesla #teslamodely ♬ Sia – Xeptemper
The Model Y “Premium” trims are now getting several new upgrades, which come after the company launched a seven-seat configuration of the vehicle last night in the North American market for an upcharge of $2,500.
The new Model Y seven-seat configuration did not come with just an additional row of seating; it also came with a slew of other goodies that now come standard and were previously only available on the Model Y Performance, which was launched late last year.
All Black Headliner
The new Tesla Model Y Premium trims will now come standard with a black headliner, something that many owners have been requesting for some time.
The previous grey headliner and trim within the vehicle is now gone; it will be all black on all of the Premium trims from here on out, a welcome change:
Credit: Tesla
Larger and Higher Resolution Center Touchscreen
The center touchscreen in the new Model Y Premium configuration is now larger and has a higher resolution than the previous version.
In last year’s Model Y configurations (apart from the Performance), the center touchscreen was 15.4″. Now, Tesla has decided to go with the 16″ version across all Premium trims, which is a nice step up. It was nice to see this in the Performance, but it is really great to see Tesla include this in the Model Y’s more Premium trim levels.
Tesla Model Y Seven Seater
Tesla launched the latest iteration of the seven-seater for the Model Y on Monday night. Traditionally, the Model Y seats five passengers in total, but there were calls for a more spacious version several years ago.
Tesla released it, but it was extremely tight in the back, basically reserving those back seats for only small people or children.
Credit: Tesla
The new configuration looks to be slightly more spacious in the third row, but not as much space as most would require or want. Instead,
Elon Musk
Lufthansa Group to equip Starlink on its 850-aircraft fleet
Under the collaboration, Lufthansa Group will install Starlink technology on both its existing fleet and all newly delivered aircraft, as noted by the group in a press release.
Lufthansa Group has announced a partnership with Starlink that will bring high-speed internet connectivity to every aircraft across all its carriers.
This means that aircraft across the group’s brands, from Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines to Brussels Airlines, would be able to enjoy high-speed internet access using the industry-leading satellite internet solution.
Starlink in-flight internet
Under the collaboration, Lufthansa Group will install Starlink technology on both its existing fleet and all newly delivered aircraft, as noted by the group in a press release.
Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites are expected to provide significantly higher bandwidth and lower latency than traditional in-flight Wi-Fi, which should enable streaming, online work, and other data-intensive applications for passengers during flights.
Starlink-powered internet is expected to be available on the first commercial flights as early as the second half of 2026. The rollout will continue through the decade, with the entire Lufthansa Group fleet scheduled to be fully equipped with Starlink by 2029. Once complete, no other European airline group will operate more Starlink-connected aircraft.
Free high-speed access
As part of the initiative, Lufthansa Group will offer the new high-speed internet free of charge to all status customers and Travel ID users, regardless of cabin class. Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx shared his expectations for the program.
“In our anniversary year, in which we are celebrating Lufthansa’s 100th birthday, we have decided to introduce a new high-speed internet solution from Starlink for all our airlines. The Lufthansa Group is taking the next step and setting an essential milestone for the premium travel experience of our customers.
“Connectivity on board plays an important role today, and with Starlink, we are not only investing in the best product on the market, but also in the satisfaction of our passengers,” Vranckx said.
Tesla plans for new 300+ stall Supercharger with a special surprise for Semi
Tesla makes two big interior changes to several Model Y vehicles
