Tesla Driver Walks Away Unharmed: A Testament to Vehicle Safety Amid Disaster

By Kevin Armstrong
Local 10 News, ABC
Local 10 News, ABC
Not a Tesla App

In the aftermath of a tragic crane collapse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which tragically claimed the life of a construction worker and inflicted injuries upon others, the resilience and advanced safety features of a Tesla involved in the incident have been brought into focus.

As we offer our deepest sympathies to all affected by this unbelievable event, it's also important to recognize the role of advanced technology, particularly the engineering of Tesla vehicles, in safeguarding human life under such extreme circumstances. This unfortunate incident serves as a poignant reminder of Tesla's unwavering commitment to safety, illustrating the capability of its vehicles to offer protection in the most unpredictable situations.

A Testament to Tesla's Safety

Mark Cerezin, behind the wheel of his Tesla, experienced an unimaginable scare. He described it to NBC Miami, “I felt a compression. I looked up, and I saw the blue structure coming down. I slammed on my brakes. It sheered off the front of my Tesla, and all the airbags went off. I’m very lucky to be alive.” Despite the severity of the incident, Cerezin not only emerged completely unharmed, he was then seen helping someone else who appeared to have a head injury. “There was a lady that was bleeding, and I took off my shirt and put compression and helped her,” he said.

“From this day forward, I’m just happy to go home to my wife. I’m happy to go home to my family and my friends. I’m just so grateful,” he said. This remarkable escape underscores the exceptional structural integrity and safety design of Tesla vehicles, engineered to protect occupants even under the most dire circumstances.

Tesla's Safety Philosophy

Tesla's approach to vehicle safety is holistic, integrating active and passive safety features. The brand's vehicles are renowned for their high ratings in crash tests conducted by safety organizations worldwide. This results from meticulous engineering, from the vehicle's frame design to cutting-edge driver-assistance technologies.

Vice President of Vehicle Engineering Lars Moravy showed viewers the cornerstone principles behind Tesla's acclaimed safety features. Central to Tesla's design philosophy is a robust passive safety system aimed at protecting occupants and the vehicle's battery in the event of an accident. This includes a progressive crash structure designed to absorb impact energy before it reaches the cabin, multiple load paths for effective energy distribution regardless of collision type, and reinforced cabin safety through strategic placement of door rings, glass, and a low-situated battery that also lowers the center of gravity to reduce rollover risks.

Conclusion

As Tesla continues to innovate and refine its vehicles, the emphasis on safety remains paramount. The brand's commitment to meeting and exceeding safety standards is reflected in the sophisticated safety technologies embedded in each model, from Autopilot to advanced airbag systems. Tesla's ongoing dedication to safety innovation advances its mission toward sustainable transportation and ensures that drivers and passengers are afforded the highest levels of protection possible.

Tesla Has Now Exported Its 1 Millionth Vehicle from China

By Karan Singh
Not a Tesla App

After a post on X, Tesla has confirmed that it recently exported its 1 millionth car from Giga Shanghai. That’s a massive number of vehicles from a factory that only opened in December 2019.

Since Q3 2021, Giga Shanghai has been responsible for producing over 50% of global EV production – with the single exception of Q2 2022 – where production fell to about 40% while the factory was retooling. That’s a jaw-dropping figure for a single factory.

1 Million Exports

Giga Shanghai produces Teslas for practically the entire world, including the European, Australian, Chinese, and other Southeast Asian markets. For now, it also produces cars for Canada; however, an upcoming tariff could change this.

Giga Shanghai also celebrated the shipping of 100,000 vehicles to Australia with the 1 million vehicles exported mark. While the majority of vehicles end up in Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia are still massive markets for Tesla.

Going forward, Giga Shanghai, with its continued expansions, will be at or above 1 million vehicles produced per year. A good chunk of these vehicles stay within China, while the rest are exported. Tesla sells on average 40 to 80,000 cars per month in China, depending on the season, with an average of 90,000 cars produced per month in 2024 so far.

Automated Production

This is all thanks to Giga Shanghai’s 95% automated production line. Giga Shanghai is likely one of the most automated and advanced factories in the world, a testament to Tesla’s manufacturing and engineering expertise. Giga Shanghai produces one vehicle every 40 seconds.

We’re looking forward to seeing how Tesla’s expansions and factory innovations continue in the coming months and years.

Tesla Adds 'Critical Alerts' to App That Bypass Mute Switch For Emergencies

By Not a Tesla App Staff
Not a Tesla App

Tesla’s last app update, version 4.37.1, introduces support for critical alerts on the iPhone. These alerts are designed for emergency situations and will override standard notification settings, including the mute switch, Focus modes, and Do Not Disturb. This ensures that owners are notified when immediate action is required, even if their phone is set to silent.

How to Enable Critical Alerts

  1. Activate Dog Mode: Open the Tesla app and turn on Dog Mode.

  2. Main App Screen: After activating Dog Mode, go back to the main section of the app.

  3. Enable Critical Alerts: A new option called Critical Alerts will appear under Live Camera and the quick action icons (Tip: You can add up to 5 quick actions). It’ll state, “Grant permissions to receive critical notifications.” Tap it, and you’ll see a system dialog asking for permission to allow critical alerts for the Tesla app.

  4. Confirm Permission: Choose to allow the Tesla app to send critical notifications, which will grant the app special privileges for sending urgent alerts.

This new feature is likely intended for situations where Dog Mode needs to be turned off unexpectedly. For example, if the vehicle’s battery drops below 20% or if the temperature inside the cabin rises or falls drastically outside of your set temperature, the Tesla app is expected to send a critical alert to the owner, ensuring they are informed right away.

What Are Critical Alerts?

Critical Alerts are a type of iOS notification available only to approved apps, which must meet specific criteria set by Apple. These alerts are designed to be used in emergencies and bypass all standard notification restrictions. This means that regardless of whether your phone is silenced or in Do Not Disturb mode, the alert will play a sound and appear prominently.

By adding support for Critical Alerts, Tesla is prioritizing the safety of pets who may be left inside the vehicle with the expectation that Dog Mode will keep conditions safe. This change makes the app more reliable for alerting owners when immediate attention is needed, ensuring they are always kept informed—even when their phone’s settings would typically prevent other notifications from coming through.

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