Cybertruck Window Fail: Tesla Designer Calls Viral Moment a 'Great Meme'
In a memorable moment from the 2019 unveiling of the Tesla Cybertruck, the vehicle’s “armored glass” windows unexpectedly shattered live on-stage when Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, threw a metal ball at them. Years later, von Holzhausen has reflected on the viral incident, calling it a “great meme” and attributing it to “Murphy’s law.”
The incident occurred during a highly anticipated demonstration intended to showcase the Cybertruck’s extreme durability. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had just highlighted the truck’s “exoskeleton” design and its resilience against sledgehammer blows to the vehicle’s body. With great confidence, Musk then introduced the “Tesla Armor Glass,” which he claimed was “transparent metal” and “bulletproof to a 9mm handgun.” To prove this, von Holzhausen was tasked with throwing a heavy steel ball at the driver’s side window.
To the surprise of the audience and Musk himself, the window immediately cracked like a spiderweb. A visibly stunned Musk exclaimed, “Oh my fucking God,” and suggested, “Maybe that was a little too hard.” Despite the initial setback, von Holzhausen was encouraged to try the rear passenger window, which also shattered upon impact. Musk attempted to lighten the mood by noting, “It didn’t go through, that’s the plus side,” and adding, “Room for improvement.”
The embarrassing on-stage mishap quickly became a global sensation, generating countless memes and widespread media coverage. While it appeared to be a significant PR blunder at the time, some speculated it could have inadvertently boosted the Cybertruck’s visibility. Elon Musk later suggested that the prior sledgehammer impacts on the door might have subtly compromised the base of the glass, leading to its unexpected failure when struck by the metal ball. Von Holzhausen himself confirmed that the durability tests had been conducted successfully multiple times backstage just before the live presentation.
In a recent interview with Tesla Club Austria, published on August 5, 2025, von Holzhausen provided his updated perspective on the now-iconic moment. He candidly stated, “I think it was just one of those Murphy’s law kind of things where something bad happens. But it turned out to be a great meme.” He further added that the incident “turned into a great marketing moment,” suggesting that the unexpected viral attention ultimately served the Cybertruck’s public profile.
Franz von Holzhausen has been Tesla’s chief designer since 2008, overseeing the design of all major Tesla models, including the Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y, and the Cybertruck. His recent comments highlight a shift in perception regarding the 2019 event, transforming what was initially seen as a failure into a unique, if unconventional, part of the Cybertruck’s legacy.