Tesla Model 3 unmoved after being sideswiped by fast moving fossil fuel ute

A Tesla Model 3 has caught on camera the moment it was sideswiped by a bright yellow Holden ute, and came out of the encounter with barely a scratch.

In fact, the driver of the vehicle says it didn’t even move an inch when it was hit.

The Teslacam video was shared on Twitter on Wednesday by @JPTsla, who said: “Tesla Model 3 is built tough and safe.

“Sideswiped by a ute; didn’t move an inch. Ute slides off out of control. TeslaCam for the win. Straight to cops for ID; filed for insurance.”

“Get your family in a Tesla – now.”

The video clearly shows the ute drive into the Tesla before bouncing off and doing a one-eighty onto the verge.

Fellow Tweep @RobRobDean (who has at times also published here on The Driven) asked if the swipe was no accident. “Was that a deliberate sideswipe from the Ute driver?” he said.

Another Twitter account known as Occupy Mars said, “Dang!! That ute deserved to be wrecked.”

(From a personal standpoint, I wouldn’t be surprised if the swipe was deliberate. Having driven a Tesla for the last 15 months, it’s surprising how many 4x4s don’t seem to be able to keep within their lanes in oncoming traffic compared to when I didn’t drive a Tesla.)

The tweet itself does read a little like an ad campaign (let’s face it, Tesla doesn’t need an advertising budget given the enthusiasm of its owners in sharing their driving experiences.)

But it is worth noting that the Tesla Model 3 was awarded a five-star safety rating in 2019 by ANCAP, in particular for its steering assist system that can actively intervene when a hazard is identified, to help the vehicle avoid a collision.

ANCAP boss at the time, James Goodwin, also noted that the Tesla Model 3 was also commended for “safety fundamentals through structure & restraints.”

No doubt there will be media outlets that will turn the story around though, as the reader who brought this Tweet to our attention said: “Daily Mail headline – Tesla autopilot causes Holden ute to sideswipe and lose control.”