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Tesla Model 3 had no chance in this tug-of war-bout for so many reasons
An owner of both a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range+ and a Chevrolet Duramax pickup truck pitted the two vehicles against each other in a tug-of-war to see what car would come out victorious.
YouTuber Michael of the lowlifeduramax YouTube channel decided to continue a string of tests with his Standard Range Plus Model 3. In the past, the YouTube host has used the electric sedan in a burnout competition and race against a Dodge Hellcat. He has also modified the Model 3, allowing the RWD vehicle to become a serious drift machine.
Tug-of-war tests have been popular with other Tesla vehicles like the Model X and the newly unveiled Tesla Cybertruck. However, this time around, Michael chose to have the Model 3 battle the mammoth Chevy pickup to see “how much torque the electric motor can put out.”
His RWD Model 3 Standard Range+ was purchased in early December, according to the Instagram page he runs under the same name as the YouTube channel. Michael decided to add a tow hitch to the vehicle as he states he would like to do other tests in the future with the recently-purchased electric car.
The Duramax outweighs the Model 3 by nearly 4,000 pounds. The truck came in at 7,500 pounds, according to Michael. That’s a far cry compared to the Tesla Model 3 SR Plus’ listed weight of 3,627 pounds. Needless to say, the tug-of-war battle between the two vehicles was short, with the Model 3 outmatched due to its serious weight disadvantage and several flaws in the tug-of-war test itself.
Initially, Michael chose to perform this test with the least expensive and least powerful version of the Model 3 apart from the off-menu Model 3 Standard Range. While it is understandable that this is the vehicle he chose for the test since it’s his personal car, it is not technically fair to peg this test as an accurate assessment of the Model 3’s power because it is the variant of the vehicle that is designed primarily as an excellent entry-level car, not peak performance.
On top of this, the angle of the hitch gave the Chevrolet pickup truck an unfair advantage. To perform a fair and accurate representation of this test, it would be more preferable to have the two vehicles’ tow hitch heights be the same. The car with the higher hitch will pull the other vehicle off the ground if he begins to gain an advantage, causing the vehicle to lose traction and never have a legitimate chance at regaining a lead.
Following the conclusion of the test, Michael stated that “it was bound to happen” because of weight differences. However, he also quipped that the tug-of-war results between the F-150 vs. Cybertruck may simply be because the Ford lacks “Chevy Power.”
Perhaps in another test, Michael could obtain a Model X from a friend or fan. The Model X is a pretty heavy car, and though it would not match the Chevy pickup in sheer weight, it should prove to be a more formidable opponent for the huge, diesel-powered Duramax truck.
Watch lowlifeduramax‘s video of the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range+ taking on a Chevrolet Duramax in a tug-of-war test below.
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Tesla’s Sweden standoff draws UAW support as unions widen pressure campaign
In a post shared on social media, the United Auto Workers stated that it stands with IF Metall workers who are striking against Tesla Sweden.
The United Auto Workers (UAW) has publicly expressed solidarity with Swedish union IF Metall as its strike against Tesla continues, adding international attention to the extended labor dispute in the European country.
UAW supports IF Metall’s strike
In a post shared on social media, the United Auto Workers stated that it stands with IF Metall workers who are striking against Tesla Sweden. UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith stated that the union fully supports IF Metall’s efforts to secure a collective bargaining agreement with the automaker.
“UAW stands with IF Metall workers on strike against Tesla, fighting for a collective bargaining agreement. UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith pledged the UAW’s full support and solidarity,” the UAW International Union stated in its post.
IF Metall launched its strike against Tesla Sweden in late 2023 over the electric car maker’s refusal to sign a collective agreement. The action has since been supported by other unions through sympathy strikes affecting ports, logistics, and service operations.
Tesla Sweden has maintained that it complies with Swedish labor laws and offers competitive pay and benefits, though the company has not publicly commented on the UAW’s latest show of support.
Tesla owners get union attention
Pro-union groups in Sweden have recently expanded their outreach beyond Tesla’s facilities and workforce. Activists have begun distributing informational leaflets against the EV maker directly on Tesla vehicles parked across Stockholm, as per a report from Swedish outlet Dagens Arbete.
The yellow slips, designed to resemble parking notices, urge regular Tesla owners to pressure the company into signing a collective agreement. Organizers involved in the effort have argued that the leaflets are intended to simply inform consumers rather than single out individual owners. When owners are present, however, activists stated that they explain the dispute verbally.
Tesla has not issued a public response regarding the leaflet distribution campaign as of writing.
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Starlink goes mainstream with first-ever SpaceX Super Bowl advertisement
SpaceX used the Super Bowl broadcast to promote Starlink, pitching the service as fast, affordable broadband available across much of the world.
SpaceX aired its first-ever Super Bowl commercial on Sunday, marking a rare move into mass-market advertising as it seeks to broaden adoption of its Starlink satellite internet service.
Starlink Super Bowl advertisement
SpaceX used the Super Bowl broadcast to promote Starlink, pitching the service as fast, affordable broadband available across much of the world.
The advertisement highlighted Starlink’s global coverage and emphasized simplified customer onboarding, stating that users can sign up for service in minutes through the company’s website or by phone in the United States.
The campaign comes as SpaceX accelerates Starlink’s commercial expansion. The satellite internet service grew its global user base in 2025 to over 9 million subscribers and entered several dozen additional markets, as per company statements.
Starlink growth and momentum
Starlink has seen notable success in numerous regions across the globe. Brazil, in particular, has become one of Starlink’s largest growth regions, recently surpassing one million users, as per Ookla data. The company has also expanded beyond residential broadband into aviation connectivity and its emerging direct-to-cellular service.
Starlink has recently offered aggressive promotions in select regions, including discounted or free hardware, waived installation fees, and reduced monthly pricing. Some regions even include free Starlink Mini for select subscribers. In parallel, SpaceX has introduced AI-driven tools to streamline customer sign-ups and service selection.
The Super Bowl appearance hints at a notable shift for Starlink, which previously relied largely on organic growth and enterprise contracts. The ad suggests SpaceX is positioning Starlink as a mainstream alternative to traditional broadband providers.
Tesla engineers deflected calls from Apple on a daily basis while the tech giant was developing its now-defunct electric vehicle program, which was known as “Project Titan.”
Back in 2022 and 2023, Apple was developing an EV in a top-secret internal fashion, hoping to launch it by 2028 with a fully autonomous driving suite.
However, Apple bailed on the project in early 2024, as Project Titan abandoned the project in an email to over 2,000 employees. The company had backtracked its expectations for the vehicle on several occasions, initially hoping to launch it with no human driving controls and only with an autonomous driving suite.
Apple canceling its EV has drawn a wide array of reactions across tech
It then planned for a 2028 launch with “limited autonomous driving.” But it seemed to be a bit of a concession at that point; Apple was not prepared to take on industry giants like Tesla.
Wedbush’s Dan Ives noted in a communication to investors that, “The writing was on the wall for Apple with a much different EV landscape forming that would have made this an uphill battle. Most of these Project Titan engineers are now all focused on AI at Apple, which is the right move.”
Apple did all it could to develop a competitive EV that would attract car buyers, including attempting to poach top talent from Tesla.
In a new podcast interview with Tesla CEO Elon Musk, it was revealed that Apple had been calling Tesla engineers nonstop during its development of the now-defunct project. Musk said the engineers “just unplugged their phones.”
Musk said in full:
“They were carpet bombing Tesla with recruiting calls. Engineers just unplugged their phones. Their opening offer without any interview would be double the compensation at Tesla.”
Interestingly, Apple had acquired some ex-Tesla employees for its project, like Senior Director of Engineering Dr. Michael Schwekutsch, who eventually left for Archer Aviation.
Tesla took no legal action against Apple for attempting to poach its employees, as it has with other companies. It came after EV rival Rivian in mid-2020, after stating an “alarming pattern” of poaching employees was noticed.
SpaceX strengthens manufacturing base with Hexagon Purus aerospace deal
Tesla’s Sweden standoff draws UAW support as unions widen pressure campaign
