Elon Musk retweets post on Tesla Model Y surviving 800-metre cliff fall in China

A Tesla Model Y plunged off an approximately 800-metre cliff in China, tumbling down a mountainside, with the driver suffering only minor injuries, according to a post on X that was later retweeted by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The vehicle was completely destroyed, with shattered windows and a mangled body, but the A- and B-pillars reportedly held, preventing the passenger cabin from collapsing. The battery also did not ignite. Rescue teams had to dismantle the wreckage to recover the vehicle.

The incident was highlighted by X user Mario Nawfal, who described it as a “miracle of survival.” In his post, Nawfal said Tesla’s rigid structural design and low centre of gravity from the battery placement were key reasons the driver survived a fall of more than 2,600 feet. He added that most vehicles would not have withstood such an impact, calling the Model Y a “survival pod.”

Tesla Model Y features

Interior & Comfort: 15.4" center screen, rear 8" touchscreen, ventilated front seats, upgraded cabin materials with soft-touch surfaces and ambient lighting, 5–7 seats, panoramic glass roof, all-weather protection.

Performance: Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive (on some trims), quick acceleration (0–60 mph in 3.3s for Performance trim), regenerative braking, single-speed automatic transmission.

Technology: Tesla Theatre (Netflix, YouTube), Tesla Arcade (games), Sentry Mode, phone key, over-the-air updates, navigation.

Safety & Driving: Autopilot (standard), Full Self-Driving Capability (optional, requires supervision), 360° camera, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking.

Exterior: Aerodynamic design, LED lighting, flush door handles, power liftgate.

Convenience: Tesla App integration for remote control and charging, Supercharging network access, wireless phone charging.