We now have a full year of data for the Cybertruck, and a strange preponderance of headlines about Cybertrucks exploding into flames, including several fatalities. That’s more than enough data to compare to the Ford Pinto, a car so notoriously combustible that it has become a watchword for corporate greed. Let’s start with the data […]
TL;DR: The CyberTruck is 17 times more likely to have a fire fatality than a Ford Pinto
While i agree with your intent here i thing we should rather begin with a more thoughtful criticism of the articles, rather than criticizing the websites name or if it’s vibe can be considered pandering.
Like how the statistics used is hyperbolic in it’s conclusions. While 34,438 produced cars are many, but not loads in car terms (especially when compared to the 3,173,491 built Pintos) and the there have only been two actual accidents with fire fatalities leading to 4 deaths. (The Vegas firebombing should not count.) Sure it’s two to many but it’s not really significant.
On the other hand the article does point out something here, “only” 27 deaths did lead to a huge recall, and i for one am not sure that a company that have yet to commit for a NHTSA will adhere to a similar standard. And fire safety over all has been a long concern in Tesla cars.
I think you touch on something important here. Some folks say the sample size is too small, on a strict statistical basis. Automotive safety works on different scales, often fast-paced decisions are made about auto safety and we don’t wait around for “statistical significance” in an academically rigorous sense.
Ironically, the smallest production run of cars to receive a recall in the United States (that I could find) was… the Ford Pinto, because the accelerator pedal got stuck! That was its first year of production. All 26,000 were recalled 2 months after the model was released.
DOUBLE ironic… the smallest production run of pickup trucks to receive a recall in the United States (that I could find) was… the Tesla Cybertruck! ALSO because the accelerator pedal got stuck! All 4,000 were recalled a few months after deliveries started at scale, in the first full year of production.
Isn’t that funny? History doesn’t repeat itself, but it is basically a dirty limerick. And what an awful chapter of automotive history to repeat, our vehicles should be vastly safer in 2025 than they were in 1971.
Considering that statistically sigificant numbers here would be writen in blood a low threashold “better safe than sorry” approach deffintely is for the better.
And these are some crazy stats you found, thanks for posting that.
While i agree with your intent here i thing we should rather begin with a more thoughtful criticism of the articles, rather than criticizing the websites name or if it’s vibe can be considered pandering.
Like how the statistics used is hyperbolic in it’s conclusions. While 34,438 produced cars are many, but not loads in car terms (especially when compared to the 3,173,491 built Pintos) and the there have only been two actual accidents with fire fatalities leading to 4 deaths. (The Vegas firebombing should not count.) Sure it’s two to many but it’s not really significant.
On the other hand the article does point out something here, “only” 27 deaths did lead to a huge recall, and i for one am not sure that a company that have yet to commit for a NHTSA will adhere to a similar standard. And fire safety over all has been a long concern in Tesla cars.
Thanks Iceman. I loved your work in Top Gun.
I think you touch on something important here. Some folks say the sample size is too small, on a strict statistical basis. Automotive safety works on different scales, often fast-paced decisions are made about auto safety and we don’t wait around for “statistical significance” in an academically rigorous sense.
Ironically, the smallest production run of cars to receive a recall in the United States (that I could find) was… the Ford Pinto, because the accelerator pedal got stuck! That was its first year of production. All 26,000 were recalled 2 months after the model was released.
DOUBLE ironic… the smallest production run of pickup trucks to receive a recall in the United States (that I could find) was… the Tesla Cybertruck! ALSO because the accelerator pedal got stuck! All 4,000 were recalled a few months after deliveries started at scale, in the first full year of production.
Isn’t that funny? History doesn’t repeat itself, but it is basically a dirty limerick. And what an awful chapter of automotive history to repeat, our vehicles should be vastly safer in 2025 than they were in 1971.
Considering that statistically sigificant numbers here would be writen in blood a low threashold “better safe than sorry” approach deffintely is for the better.
And these are some crazy stats you found, thanks for posting that.
I just discovered… a scientist tested my findings! Well that’s real nice, we held up with statistically significant findings.
https://www.someweekendreading.blog/cybertruck-vs-pinto/