Tesla car crash in China caught on camera, automaker warns against 'rumours'

A video of a speeding Tesla Model Y car crashing into other vehicles in China has been shared widely on social media, with the US automaker saying it will assist police in finding out how it happened.

The incident happened on November 5 in the southern province of Guangdon, Jimu News reported, and a motorcyclist and a high school girl were killed.

The report quoted traffic police as saying that an unnamed family member of the driver said the 55-year-old had issues with the brake pedal when he was about to pull over and park in front of his family store.


The video, apparently a series of clips stitched together from traffic CCTV cameras, ended with the car crashing into a roadside building in a big cloud of dust and smoke.

Tesla in a message to Reuters however cautioned against believing rumours that the car went out of control.

Elon Musk's electric vehicle maker told the news agency that videos showed the car's brake lights were not on, and that data showed there was no action to step on the brakes while the car was speeding

"Police are currently seeking a third party appraisal agency to identify the truth behind this accident and we will actively provide any necessary assistance," Tesla said.

China is Tesla's second-largest market, and the crash was among the top trending topics on the Weibo social media platform on Sunday.