On March 30, 2026, Lara Shusterman found herself in Netanya, Israel amidst the chaos of Iranian ballistic missiles triggering air raid sirens across the city. While she managed to stay safe, her 2024 Tesla Model Y was not as fortunate. A large piece of missile debris struck the car’s massive glass roof, leaving a deep crater but miraculously not shattering it. In a heartfelt Facebook post to the Tesla Israel community the next day, Shusterman recounted the harrowing experience, expressing gratitude towards Elon Musk and the Tesla team for creating a vehicle that provided her with a sense of security and trust even in the face of extreme situations.
Netanya, a coastal city in central Israel, has been a frequent target during Iran’s ongoing missile attacks following retaliatory strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian military targets. The city often experiences falling shrapnel from intercepted missiles, putting residents and their property at risk.
The incident involving Shusterman’s Tesla Model Y highlights the exceptional structural engineering of Tesla vehicles. The glass roof of the Model Y is designed to withstand over four times the weight of the vehicle itself, demonstrating its resilience in real-world scenarios. Previous incidents, such as a Model Y surviving a tree falling on it during a storm in California in 2021, and a dramatic cliff plunge in 2023 where all occupants walked away unharmed, further emphasize the safety features of Tesla cars.
Since its official launch in Israel in 2021, Tesla has quickly become a dominant player in the country’s electric vehicle market, capturing over 60% market share in its first year. With tens of thousands of Teslas now on Israeli roads, stories like Shusterman’s are becoming more common. Coincidentally, during the same week as Shusterman’s ordeal, the U.S. Space Force awarded SpaceX, another company founded by Elon Musk, a contract worth $178.5 million to launch missile tracking satellites, underscoring the interconnectedness of the Musk ecosystem with global security concerns.
The remarkable survival of Shusterman’s Tesla Model Y after being struck by Iranian missile debris serves as a testament to the durability and safety standards upheld by Tesla vehicles. In a world where conflicts and threats are ever-present, having a vehicle that can withstand such extreme circumstances provides a sense of reassurance to owners like Shusterman. The integration of advanced technology and innovative design in Tesla cars continues to set them apart in the automotive industry, making them a popular choice for consumers seeking both performance and safety in their vehicles.