A compact automotive crashed right into a parked Tesla Cybertruck, messing with the electrical truck’s rear suspension. The expertise of making an attempt to restore the truck was so difficult and expensive that it ended up as a salvage.
The Cybertruck introduces a number of improvements, together with its partially 48-volt digital structure, drive-by-wire steering, and stainless-steel exterior.
Nonetheless, improvements within the auto business typically include increased or unpredictable restore prices.
Edmunds came upon the laborious method.
The publication purchased a Cybertruck final 12 months for long-term testing, however they disclosed this week that the truck was concerned in an accident in December.
A “compact sedan” crashed into the rear wheel and bumper space on the driving force’s facet of the Cybertruck whereas it was parked. As you possibly can see from the image above, the injury didn’t look too dangerous, as you’ll anticipate for a 6,000-lb truck after an affect from a a lot smaller sedan.
Nonetheless, earlier than they knew it, the Cybertruck was totaled.
First off, Edmunds needed to go to a Tesla Collision Middle that may work on the Cybertruck and there are solely two round Los Angeles, the place they’re primarily based.
The primary one mentioned that it will take a month earlier than they may estimate the restore, and one other 6 months to begin the repairs.
The second heart, positioned in Ontario, California, additionally acknowledged that there’s a one-month wait to obtain an estimate, however repairs can start instantly after that.
Edmunds determined to go together with the Tesla Collision Middle in Ontario, however the restore by no means occurred because the complete value was estimated at over $57,000.
Right here’s the breakdown of repairs that the Cybertruck wanted:
- Stripes and moldings: $619
- Motors and parts: $4,191 (together with $3,000 for an EV drive unit)
- Motor mounts: $77
- Wheels and elements: $1,758
- Steering: $2,040
- Rear suspension: $9,149 (together with $2,500 for a brand new suspension crossmember)
- Cab and parts: $3,800 (together with $3,240 for a high-strength metal body)
- Mattress: $8,762.79 (together with $1,595 for the outer panel, $4,280 for the aluminum rear part and $1,055 for the mattress ground)
- Tailgate: $2,495
- Rear bumper: $2,417.73
- Rear physique, lamps and ground plan: $1,668.50 (together with $800 for the internal taillamp meeting)
- Miscellaneous elements: $357.22
- Different elements: $5
- Paint and supplies: $610
- Tax on elements and supplies: $3,320.65
- Labor: $16,584
- Sublet repairs: $25
For sure, the truck was declared totaled, and it simply fetched $8,000 on a salvage automotive public sale website.
Electrek’s Take
Holy moly! That’s insane. The suspension getting screwed from the car smashing instantly into the rear wheel I get. That would have occurred with any truck, and positive, you’d be over $10,000 in damages simply.
Nonetheless, $9,000 to repair the mattress, $2,500 to repair the rear bumper, and $2,500 to repair the bumper, and that’s simply in elements earlier than the $16,500 of labor total, is nuts and doesn’t scream “heavy obligation” and “apocalypse proof” truck.
The Cybertruck was presupposed to be a rugged, stainless-steel truck that you just wouldn’t thoughts getting dinged and scratched. I feel it will likely be difficult to justify this with $57,000 in damages for a comparatively gentle crash.
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