See what a Tesla Cybertruck looks like after crashing into a ditch
Tesla is conducting testing on its upcoming Cybertruck, and a video was posted today showing the aftermath of of a “ditch rollover” crash test, including a look at the rear seat and included 8-inch screen, like on the Model S/X and refreshed Model 3.
We’re getting more and more Cybertruck news and sightings lately with the Cybertruck release imminent. We’ve seen a “Release Candidate” supercharging, seen the frunk open with liner installed, and seen under the hood, including a look at the interior.
We haven’t seen much of the rear seat, yet, though, and today we got a video that includes a quick and clear look at the rear seat – but with a little extra debris strewn around.
This is because this video is of a “ditch rollover” tested Cybertruck – after it went through the test. Ditch rollover testing is meant to simulate what would happen to a car if it veered off the road into a ditch, causing the vehicle to roll over.
We don’t have actual results of the testing, or of the crash test dummies inside, merely a look at the aftermath of the vehicle after it was put onto the truck to head back home.
The video was posted to TikTok by @ctllogisticsinc, an account with only 2 videos and 6 followers, seemingly owned by Chicago-based trucking company CTL Logistics. It seems it was the company responsible for moving the Cybertruck after the test. The video was then deleted, but has been archived in a thread on cybertruckownersclub forum.
We can see two Cybertrucks in the video, with one covered and the other visible, clearly having been through a big crash. The video goes on to show the inside of the Cybertruck’s “vault” (trunk/bed) and the rear seat, including plenty of assorted debris.
The truck is missing its two rear “bulletproof” windows, though the front windows and windshield are relatively intact. The roof bow, the “peak” of the Cybertruck’s triangular roof, is bent inward. And metal body panels along the side roof rail are bent up.
That last bit might raise some eyebrows from those who have followed Cybertruck since the beginning. The Tesla Cybertruck has been marketed as having an “exoskeleton” construction which will help reduce manufacturing costs because the vehicle body panels would also be vehicle structural pieces. This was one key point of why the Cybertruck looks so weird.
But more recently we’ve seen pictures of the Cybertruck being built and it looks like it has a traditional unibody frame, with body panels on top – those panels are just flat, rather than curved like on most other vehicles.
This video seems to add evidence to that view, since the crashed and bent body panels kind of look like they’re hanging off the actual vehicle frame underneath – more like traditional auto construction, and not actually a breakthrough in exoskeleton manufacturing as Tesla originally suggested. Though this is a bit of an arcane conversation regardless.
But the panels are still mostly straight, not nearly as deformed as most vehicle body panels would be after a crash. This is probably owing to Tesla’s use of much thicker “ultra hard” stainless steel body panels, compared to the much thinner steel or aluminum panels other vehicles use (though it should be noted that vehicles are supposed to deform in a crash, because vehicle deformation dissipates crash energy that would otherwise be transferred into the bodies of the occupants).
Moving on, we can see inside the “vault,” with a bunch of debris inside it. One large piece is the trim from the exterior wheel arch, which is missing from the vehicle exterior, so we can imagine that other pieces in the truck bed might have come from other parts of the vehicle as well. Oddly, the interior of the vault looks pretty smashed up, with the truck bed having dents in it – perhaps this happened due to overall deformation of the vehicle body/frame in the crash?
Then the video shows the rear seat, and in that we see something new: two octagonal “cyber cupholders” (perhaps not the most stable for holding circular shapes… maybe Tesla will release a “Cyber water bottle” along with its recently-released Cyber spoon?) and the pièce de résistance, an 8-inch rear screen, much like the Model S, X and now the refreshed Model 3 have.
This is the first full look we’ve seen at the rear seat in light – we’ve been inside it at the Cybertruck introductory event, but that was an early version (and all we can note is that it was comfortable and cavernous on our short ride). A blurry video circulated recently, but it was taken from the perspective of someone sitting in the seat, so we haven’t seen the actual seat yet until now.
What do you think of the video of this crashed Cybertruck? Notice anything we didn’t? Want to exercise your typing fingers arguing about the definition of “exoskeleton?” Let us know in the comments.
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The Stripe logo on a smartphone with U.S. dollar banknotes in the background.
Budrul Chukrut | SOPA Images | LightRocket via Getty Images
Stripe cut 300 jobs, representing about 3.5% of its workforce, mostly in product, engineering and operations, CNBC has confirmed.
The payments company, valued at about $70 billion in the private markets, still expects to increase headcount by 10,000 by the end of the year, which would be a 17% increase, and is “not slowing down hiring,” according to a memo to staff from Chief People Office Rob McIntosh. Business Insider reported earlier on the cuts and the memo.
A Stripe spokesperson also confirmed to CNBC that a cartoon image of a duck with text that read, “US-Non-California Duck,” was accidentally attached as a PDF to emails sent to some of the employees who were laid off. Some of the emails mistakenly provided affected employees with an incorrect termination date, the spokesperson said.
McIntosh sent a follow-up email to staffers apologizing for the “notification error” and “any confusion it caused.”
“Corrected and full notifications have since been sent to all impacted Stripes,” he wrote.
In 2022, Stripe cut roughly 1,100 jobs, or 14% of its workers, downsizing alongside most of the tech industry, as soaring inflation and rising interest rates forced companies to focus on profits over growth. The Information reported that Stripe had a few dozen layoffs in its recruiting department in 2023.
Stripe’s valuation sank from a peak of $95 billion in 2021 to $50 billion in 2023, before reportedly rebounding to $70 billion last year as part of a secondary share sale. The company ranked third on last year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list.
In October, Stripe agreed to pay $1.1 billion for crypto startup Bridge Network, whose technology is focused on making it easy for businesses to transact using digital currencies.
Brothers Patrick and John Collison, who founded Stripe in 2010, have intentionally steered clear of the public markets and have given no indication that an offering is on the near-term horizon. Total payment volume at the company surpassed $1 trillion in 2023.
WATCH: Early Bridge investor weighs in on $1.1 billion Stripe deal
Thinking about upgrading your EV? Rivian (RIVN) launched a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1S or R1T. Here’s how you can snag some savings.
Rivian R1S and R1T upgrade deal offers up to $6,000
Rivian delivered over 51,500 vehicles last year as the EV maker gains momentum. Although it was only slightly higher than the ~50,100 delivered in 2023, Rivian is expected to see even more growth this year.
After shutting down its Normal, IL manufacturing plant last April and renegotiating supplier contracts, Rivian has seen “significant cost improvements,” according to CEO RJ Scaringe.
Rivian also began delivering its next-gen R1S and R1T models last year. The new Large and Max battery packs have redesigned modules and more efficient packaging, “making them easier to manufacture and service.” For example, Rivian’s new EVs use seven ECUs, down from 17 in the first-generation R1T and R1S.
With new plant upgrades, reworked supplier contracts, and more efficient vehicles, Rivian is now passing the savings on to customers.
Rivian introduced a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1T or R1S. The bonus amount varies by trim:
- Tri with Max battery: $6,000 USD / CAD 8,600
- Dual with Max battery and Performance upgrade: $4,500 USD / CAD 6,500
- Dual with Max battery: $3,000 USD / CAD 4,300
The offer is for current R1T or R1S owners or lessees in the US and Canada. Rivian launched the new promo on January 21, and it runs through March 31, 2025.
After you purchase or lease a qualifying vehicle, Rivian will apply a discount toward the MSRP. You must take delivery by March 31, 2025. In the fine print, Rivian stated, “You must request a trade-in estimate to qualify for this offer, but trade-in of a vehicle is not required.”
Any other models are excluded from the offer. These include Dual Standard configurations, Dual with Large battery configurations, custom builds, demo vehicles, and pre-owned vehicles.
The new offer follows Rivian’s previous upgrade promo introduced last October, giving qualifying gas-powered vehicle owners or lessees up to $3,000.
Check out the Rivian R1 Shop to view eligible models. You can see eligible Rivian R1S here and R1T models here.
Electrek’s Take
Rivian’s R1S was already the tenth best-selling electric vehicle in the US last year, with nearly 27,000 models sold. With more driving range and power at a lower cost, the electric SUV could see even more demand in 2025.
Then again, with the arrival of new luxury electric SUVs, like the Jeep Wagoneer S and Volvo EX90, Rivian will face more competition in the US.
Rivian’s latest promo comes as the Company looks to carry the momentum from the end of 2024 into the new year. The EV maker is offering other deals, including 1.99% APR for 60 months on the R1 Dual with a Max Battery and Performance upgrade.
Even if you are not eligible for the promo, we can still help you find deals on Rivian’s electric SUV in your area. You can use our links below to view offers on the Rivian R1S and R1T near you today.
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