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Tesla Model 3 Sedan Aces All of U.S. Safety Agency's Crash Tests

Tesla Inc.’s Model 3 sedan has been awarded five stars in all crash tests conducted by the U.S. safety agency’s crash tests.

Tesla Model 3 Sedan Aces All of U.S. Safety Agency's Crash Tests
The Tesla Inc. Model 3 vehicle is displayed during an event in Los Angeles, California, U.S. (Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg)

(Bloomberg) -- The results are in, and Tesla Inc.’s Model 3 sedan has been awarded five stars in all crash tests conducted by the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Key Takeaways

  • NHTSA conducts tests to simulate head-on collisions, crashes into side barriers and poles and rollovers, and the Model 3 earned the top rating in every category, according to the agency’s website.
  • The ratings are a relief after months of Tesla crashes making headlines -- particularly with incidents involving the company’s driver-assistance system Autopilot.
  • Tesla has made controversial assertions about data related to the safety of Autopilot, and both the company and NHTSA have resisted releasing data to back up claims made in the wake of a fatal crash involving a Model X crossover in March.
  • The Model X and Model S both also earned five stars in all categories.

To contact the reporter on this story: Craig Trudell in Southfield, Michigan, at ctrudell1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Craig Trudell at ctrudell1@bloomberg.net, Jamie Butters

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