Chicagp — U.S. soybean export premiums are at their highest in 14 months, as grain merchants race to ship out a record-large U.S. harvest ahead of the U.S. presidential election and fears of renewed trade tensions with top importer China, traders and analysts said. Nearly 2.5 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans were inspected for…
U.S.-based Jewish organizations are working to get out the vote among Americans living in Israel ahead of the November election, which comes weeks after the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks. Nathan Diament, the executive director of public policy for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, said his organization has…
This file photo taken Oct. 24, 2023, shows the venue of the Korea Electronics Show 2023 in southern Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yonhap) SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — The industry ministry on Tuesday kicked off the annual Korea Electronics Show (KES), where businesses will showcase their visions for a sustainable future through the use…
This file photo taken Oct. 24, 2023, shows the venue of the Korea Electronics Show 2023 in southern Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yonhap) SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — The industry ministry on Tuesday kicked off the annual Korea Electronics Show (KES), where businesses will showcase their visions for a sustainable future through the use…
Al Pacino donated his entire salary from an “exploitative” gay film to charity.The 84-year-old Hollywood icon wrote in his new memoir ‘Sonny Boy’ that his donations were anonymous and had never revealed the fact until now, following his role in the 1980 crime thriller ‘Cruising’, which sees a serial killer targeting gay men.He claims the producers of the William Friedkin film begged him to defend the movie, writing: “After all, they had paid me a lot of money, and I wasn’t going to just abandon them.“But I wanted to go somewhere far away from the madness. I’d had enough.”Despite giving his paycheque to a good cause, Pacino admitted he’s still not sure if it “eased his conscience”.He added: “I never accepted the paycheque for ‘Cruising’. I took the money, and it was a lot, and I put it in an irrevocable trust fund, meaning once I gave it, there was no taking it back.“I don’t know if it eased my conscience, but at least the money did some good.“I didn’t want to make it a PR stunt, I just wanted one positive thing to come out of that experience.”The ‘Godfather’ star played detective Steve Burns, who finds himself immersed in New York’s gay S+M subculture in a bid to hunt down a serial killer.During filming, the flick was hit with backlash, with gay rights advocates protesting due to its “exploitative” nature.However, he admits he “didn’t see it as that when I was doing it”, and was not “as sensitive” as he could have been back then.Even though it initially received bad reviews, ‘Cruising’ went on to become a classic.In his tell-all, Pacino penned: “To this day, it’s still the biggest film I ever did.“The residuals still support me. I can live on it. I mean, if I lived like a normal person. But, it does contribute, let’s put it that way.”
The Covid-19 pandemic brought widespread economic disruption across the globe, and Cambodia was no exception.
Known for its bustling garment factories and vibrant tourism industry, the country faced significant challenges during the pandemic.
“The garment, tourism and construction sectors, in particular, were hit hardest, leading to unprecedented job losses and economic instability,” according to an Asian Development Bank (ADB) report in June 2020.
However, as the world recovers from the pandemic, the country’s key industries have been slowly bouncing back, with garment manufacturing and tourism showing signs of recovery despite ongoing challenges.
During the height of the pandemic, Cambodia faced a steep rise in unemployment. ADB and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) reported that between 390,000 and 570,000 jobs were lost across multiple sectors.
“This included significant job suspensions, particularly in the garment industry, where over 323,000 workers experienced partial or full layoffs,” said the ADB report.
The pandemic was a severe blow to the Cambodian economy, which relies heavily on tourism and the export of garments for foreign exchange and employment.
In 2020, the country saw its unemployment rate surge from 0.7% in 2019 to between 3.2% and 4.4%, with major job losses in manufacturing, construction, hotels, restaurants and transportation.
“This spike in unemployment had far-reaching effects. A substantial portion of the population fell into poverty, with estimates suggesting that up to 1.1 million workers slipped into moderate poverty, and 205,000 workers fell into extreme poverty,” according to the report.
The situation was dire, particularly for those reliant on industries such as garment manufacturing, which saw diminished demand from key markets like the US and EU.
In 2024, Cambodia’s garment exports picked up slightly, accounting for 16.9% of total exports in the first nine months of the year. Post Staff
Recovery in the garment industry
The garment sector, which is a cornerstone of the country’s economy, employing a large portion of its workforce, suffered a significant blow during the pandemic.
Many factories had to suspend operations due to a drop in international demand, as lockdowns and economic downturns in key markets caused orders to plummet.
By 2021, however, recovery efforts were underway. Government social protection programmes helped cushion the blow for laid-off workers.
These programmes provided financial assistance to garment workers, with the government and employers offering employees a $70 subsidy per month during the crisis.
This support was instrumental in lowering the unemployment rate to 2.9% by the end of 2021, a significant improvement from its peak in 2020.
The UN is working with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the private sector, garment factories and the Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Association in Cambodia (TAFTAC) to provide tailored upskilling courses for female garment workers, using education as a tool to enhance their resilience to economic shocks.
The courses aim not only to improve the basic literacy and numeracy skills of garment workers but also to enhance their financial literacy and knowledge of reproductive health, nutrition, workers’ rights, and labour laws.
“The Factory Literacy Programme (FLP) has continued through the Covid-19 pandemic and has served over 2000 workers across 12 provinces through 25 partner factories. The programme will expand and continue for another three years,” according to a June 2021 news release from the UN in Cambodia.
Katta Orn, spokesman for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, said that after the pandemic, working conditions have improved and the number of factories has increased.
“The layoffs from the Covid-19 crisis ended in 2022, and from the Russia-Ukraine crisis by the end of 2023. For these layoffs, workers received $70 per month, with employers paying $30 and the government providing $40,” he told The Post.
While the garment industry has resumed production and many factories have reopened, recovery has been uneven.
International demand, particularly from the US and Europe, remains inconsistent, slowing the rehiring process.
According to the World Bank, the garment industry continued to struggle throughout 2023, with export demand declining.
However, in 2024, the country’s garment exports picked up slightly, accounting for 16.9% of total exports in the first nine months of the year.
Orn reported that the number of factories has risen to 44,441, of which 1,539 are garment factories – up from 1,326 before Covid-19. These garment factories currently employ 917,069 workers, compared to 840,000 in 2020 before the pandemic impacted the industry.
“Today, these factories operate normally and in compliance with proper labour laws,” he added.
In 2023, Cambodia welcomed over 5.4 million international tourists, a remarkable 139.5% increase from 2022. Yousos Apdoulrashim
Revival of tourism sector
If the garment industry’s recovery has been slow, the country’s tourism sector tells a slightly brighter story.
The sector, which contributes 15-20% to Cambodia’s GDP, was devastated during the pandemic, with international arrivals plummeting as countries-imposed travel bans and restrictions.
Hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses were forced to shut down or drastically scale back operations, leading to widespread job losses.
The revival of the sector began in earnest in 2023 as travel restrictions were lifted, and international demand started to return.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, international arrivals surged by 32% in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, signaling a strong recovery.
“Cambodia received 548,828 international visitors during [August 2024], marking an 18.1% increase compared to August 2023,” according to the ministry’s tourism report released in September 2024.
The latest report noted that from January to August 2024 the total number of international arrivals reached 4.29 million, a 22.5% year-on-year increase.
Siem Reap province, home to the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex, saw a substantial rise in visitors, especially following the opening of the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) in late 2023.
By the airport’s one-year anniversary, it had already handled over 1.3 million passengers and facilitated nearly 15,000 flights, according to the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA).
This new infrastructure, alongside improvements in transportation and accommodation options, has made it easier for tourists to explore beyond traditional attractions.
ASEAN member states remained the largest source of tourists, with 2.72 million visiting Cambodia in the first eight months of 2024.
“Tourists from Thailand and Vietnam led the influx, with 1.34 million and 868,445 visitors, respectively. Both countries recorded double-digit growth compared to 2023,” the report added.
Northeast Asia, including China, South Korea and Japan, also saw significant increases in tourist numbers to Cambodia.
China sent 538,834 travellers to Cambodia, representing a 47.7% increase compared to 2023.
The “Kingdom of Wonder” marketing campaign, alongside visa policy adjustments, helped promote the country as a safe and attractive destination.
In addition to heritage tourism, Cambodia is increasingly promoting ecotourism as a way to diversify its offerings.
Ecotourism appeals to environmentally conscious travellers and focuses on the country’s natural beauty, such as the Cardamom Mountains and Tonle Sap Lake.
The sector has experienced growth, providing a new avenue for sustainable tourism development.
Cambodia is expected to continue this upward trend, with projections indicating there will be seven million international visitors in 2026. Hong Raksmey
The post-pandemic struggle
Cambodia’s economic growth in 2024 and 2025 is expected to be driven by a recovery in the garment sector, spurred by rising demand from key developed markets.
The non-garment manufacturing sector is anticipated to maintain its upward trajectory, bolstered by consistent inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI).
Consumer price index (CPI) inflation, which peaked in 2022, averaged 2.1% in 2023 before experiencing slight deflation in early 2024.
The volatility in CPI inflation is largely influenced by shifts in food and oil prices, which are sensitive to global economic trends.
“Gradually approaching pre-pandemic levels, CPI inflation is expected to rise to 2.2% in 2024 and 2.3% in 2025 due to higher domestic demand and a possible rebound in energy prices,” according to AMRO’s Annual Consultation Report on Cambodia.
Before the pandemic, the country experienced a steady increase in international tourist arrivals.
“By 2019, the country welcomed over 6.6 million international tourists, a 6.6% rise from the previous year,” according to the Tourism Statistics report.
Tourism contributed significantly to the country’s economy, accounting for 12.1% of its GDP that year.
However, the report showed that the pandemic caused a drastic reduction in visitor numbers. In 2020, international tourist arrivals dropped by over 80%, with only 1.3 million tourists, and further declined to just 196,000 in 2021.
This severe impact on the sector mirrored global travel restrictions and public health concerns.
Post-pandemic recovery has been rapid. In 2023, Cambodia welcomed over 5.4 million international tourists, a remarkable 139.5% increase from 2022.
The government set up the Cambodia Tourism Marketing and Promotion Board (CTB) in June 2024 led by tourism ministry as a public-private partnership aimed at boosting the country’s global appeal.
The CTB includes representatives from eight public institutions and seven private sector stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive approach to promoting the country’s tourism.
The board’s key objectives are to address challenges in the sector and work towards sustainable development goals (SDGs) by fostering collaboration between the private sector and the government.
It plays a crucial role in aligning Cambodia’s tourism strategy with global trends, focusing on cultural heritage, natural beauty and enhancing the country’s competitiveness as a top travel destination.
Major contributors to this growth are tourists from neighbouring countries like Thailand, Vietnam and China.
The country is expected to continue this upward trend, with projections indicating there will be seven million international visitors in 2026, Prime Minister Hun Manet said during World Tourism Day 2024.
The recovery efforts have been supported by government initiatives such as infrastructure development, tax incentives for tourism operators and a focus on promoting the Kingdom as a safe destination.
The Covid-19 pandemic brought widespread economic disruption across the globe, and Cambodia was no exception.
Known for its bustling garment factories and vibrant tourism industry, the country faced significant challenges during the pandemic.
“The garment, tourism and construction sectors, in particular, were hit hardest, leading to unprecedented job losses and economic instability,” according to an Asian Development Bank (ADB) report in June 2020.
However, as the world recovers from the pandemic, the country’s key industries have been slowly bouncing back, with garment manufacturing and tourism showing signs of recovery despite ongoing challenges.
During the height of the pandemic, Cambodia faced a steep rise in unemployment. ADB and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) reported that between 390,000 and 570,000 jobs were lost across multiple sectors.
“This included significant job suspensions, particularly in the garment industry, where over 323,000 workers experienced partial or full layoffs,” said the ADB report.
The pandemic was a severe blow to the Cambodian economy, which relies heavily on tourism and the export of garments for foreign exchange and employment.
In 2020, the country saw its unemployment rate surge from 0.7% in 2019 to between 3.2% and 4.4%, with major job losses in manufacturing, construction, hotels, restaurants and transportation.
“This spike in unemployment had far-reaching effects. A substantial portion of the population fell into poverty, with estimates suggesting that up to 1.1 million workers slipped into moderate poverty, and 205,000 workers fell into extreme poverty,” according to the report.
The situation was dire, particularly for those reliant on industries such as garment manufacturing, which saw diminished demand from key markets like the US and EU.
In 2024, Cambodia’s garment exports picked up slightly, accounting for 16.9% of total exports in the first nine months of the year. Post Staff
Recovery in the garment industry
The garment sector, which is a cornerstone of the country’s economy, employing a large portion of its workforce, suffered a significant blow during the pandemic.
Many factories had to suspend operations due to a drop in international demand, as lockdowns and economic downturns in key markets caused orders to plummet.
By 2021, however, recovery efforts were underway. Government social protection programmes helped cushion the blow for laid-off workers.
These programmes provided financial assistance to garment workers, with the government and employers offering employees a $70 subsidy per month during the crisis.
This support was instrumental in lowering the unemployment rate to 2.9% by the end of 2021, a significant improvement from its peak in 2020.
The UN is working with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the private sector, garment factories and the Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Association in Cambodia (TAFTAC) to provide tailored upskilling courses for female garment workers, using education as a tool to enhance their resilience to economic shocks.
The courses aim not only to improve the basic literacy and numeracy skills of garment workers but also to enhance their financial literacy and knowledge of reproductive health, nutrition, workers’ rights, and labour laws.
“The Factory Literacy Programme (FLP) has continued through the Covid-19 pandemic and has served over 2000 workers across 12 provinces through 25 partner factories. The programme will expand and continue for another three years,” according to a June 2021 news release from the UN in Cambodia.
Katta Orn, spokesman for the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, said that after the pandemic, working conditions have improved and the number of factories has increased.
“The layoffs from the Covid-19 crisis ended in 2022, and from the Russia-Ukraine crisis by the end of 2023. For these layoffs, workers received $70 per month, with employers paying $30 and the government providing $40,” he told The Post.
While the garment industry has resumed production and many factories have reopened, recovery has been uneven.
International demand, particularly from the US and Europe, remains inconsistent, slowing the rehiring process.
According to the World Bank, the garment industry continued to struggle throughout 2023, with export demand declining.
However, in 2024, the country’s garment exports picked up slightly, accounting for 16.9% of total exports in the first nine months of the year.
Orn reported that the number of factories has risen to 44,441, of which 1,539 are garment factories – up from 1,326 before Covid-19. These garment factories currently employ 917,069 workers, compared to 840,000 in 2020 before the pandemic impacted the industry.
“Today, these factories operate normally and in compliance with proper labour laws,” he added.
In 2023, Cambodia welcomed over 5.4 million international tourists, a remarkable 139.5% increase from 2022. Yousos Apdoulrashim
Revival of tourism sector
If the garment industry’s recovery has been slow, the country’s tourism sector tells a slightly brighter story.
The sector, which contributes 15-20% to Cambodia’s GDP, was devastated during the pandemic, with international arrivals plummeting as countries-imposed travel bans and restrictions.
Hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses were forced to shut down or drastically scale back operations, leading to widespread job losses.
The revival of the sector began in earnest in 2023 as travel restrictions were lifted, and international demand started to return.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, international arrivals surged by 32% in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, signaling a strong recovery.
“Cambodia received 548,828 international visitors during [August 2024], marking an 18.1% increase compared to August 2023,” according to the ministry’s tourism report released in September 2024.
The latest report noted that from January to August 2024 the total number of international arrivals reached 4.29 million, a 22.5% year-on-year increase.
Siem Reap province, home to the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex, saw a substantial rise in visitors, especially following the opening of the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) in late 2023.
By the airport’s one-year anniversary, it had already handled over 1.3 million passengers and facilitated nearly 15,000 flights, according to the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA).
This new infrastructure, alongside improvements in transportation and accommodation options, has made it easier for tourists to explore beyond traditional attractions.
ASEAN member states remained the largest source of tourists, with 2.72 million visiting Cambodia in the first eight months of 2024.
“Tourists from Thailand and Vietnam led the influx, with 1.34 million and 868,445 visitors, respectively. Both countries recorded double-digit growth compared to 2023,” the report added.
Northeast Asia, including China, South Korea and Japan, also saw significant increases in tourist numbers to Cambodia.
China sent 538,834 travellers to Cambodia, representing a 47.7% increase compared to 2023.
The “Kingdom of Wonder” marketing campaign, alongside visa policy adjustments, helped promote the country as a safe and attractive destination.
In addition to heritage tourism, Cambodia is increasingly promoting ecotourism as a way to diversify its offerings.
Ecotourism appeals to environmentally conscious travellers and focuses on the country’s natural beauty, such as the Cardamom Mountains and Tonle Sap Lake.
The sector has experienced growth, providing a new avenue for sustainable tourism development.
Cambodia is expected to continue this upward trend, with projections indicating there will be seven million international visitors in 2026. Hong Raksmey
The post-pandemic struggle
Cambodia’s economic growth in 2024 and 2025 is expected to be driven by a recovery in the garment sector, spurred by rising demand from key developed markets.
The non-garment manufacturing sector is anticipated to maintain its upward trajectory, bolstered by consistent inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI).
Consumer price index (CPI) inflation, which peaked in 2022, averaged 2.1% in 2023 before experiencing slight deflation in early 2024.
The volatility in CPI inflation is largely influenced by shifts in food and oil prices, which are sensitive to global economic trends.
“Gradually approaching pre-pandemic levels, CPI inflation is expected to rise to 2.2% in 2024 and 2.3% in 2025 due to higher domestic demand and a possible rebound in energy prices,” according to AMRO’s Annual Consultation Report on Cambodia.
Before the pandemic, the country experienced a steady increase in international tourist arrivals.
“By 2019, the country welcomed over 6.6 million international tourists, a 6.6% rise from the previous year,” according to the Tourism Statistics report.
Tourism contributed significantly to the country’s economy, accounting for 12.1% of its GDP that year.
However, the report showed that the pandemic caused a drastic reduction in visitor numbers. In 2020, international tourist arrivals dropped by over 80%, with only 1.3 million tourists, and further declined to just 196,000 in 2021.
This severe impact on the sector mirrored global travel restrictions and public health concerns.
Post-pandemic recovery has been rapid. In 2023, Cambodia welcomed over 5.4 million international tourists, a remarkable 139.5% increase from 2022.
The government set up the Cambodia Tourism Marketing and Promotion Board (CTB) in June 2024 led by tourism ministry as a public-private partnership aimed at boosting the country’s global appeal.
The CTB includes representatives from eight public institutions and seven private sector stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive approach to promoting the country’s tourism.
The board’s key objectives are to address challenges in the sector and work towards sustainable development goals (SDGs) by fostering collaboration between the private sector and the government.
It plays a crucial role in aligning Cambodia’s tourism strategy with global trends, focusing on cultural heritage, natural beauty and enhancing the country’s competitiveness as a top travel destination.
Major contributors to this growth are tourists from neighbouring countries like Thailand, Vietnam and China.
The country is expected to continue this upward trend, with projections indicating there will be seven million international visitors in 2026, Prime Minister Hun Manet said during World Tourism Day 2024.
The recovery efforts have been supported by government initiatives such as infrastructure development, tax incentives for tourism operators and a focus on promoting the Kingdom as a safe destination.
Passengers prepare to board a flight at Phnom Penh International Airport in August 2024. Cambodia aviation
Cambodian officials are currently studying the possibility of joining the “Six Countries, One Destination” visa policy. The Thai government initiative aims to facilitate cross-border travel for tourists among six regional nations.
Cambodian Minister of Tourism Huot Hak met with Thai officials Dusit Manapan and Chayika Wongnapachant, advisors to Thai foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa, on October 21.
The Bangkok Post reported today that during the meeting, Hak had “agreed” in principle to the initiative and will continue discussions with relevant Cambodian ministries, including the Ministry of Interior, before submitting the proposal to the Cambodian government for review, ahead of an upcoming visit by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Cambodia.
According to the report, the “Six Countries, One Destination” initiative aims to enhance economic and tourism cooperation between Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. Thai authorities intend to use Cambodia as a pilot country before expanding the initiative to other nations.
The Bangkok Post noted that Monday’s meeting also included other discussions on enhancing tourism cooperation, such as public-private sector partnerships, connecting tourism destinations – especially UNESCO World Heritage Sites – and establishing flight connections between the six countries.
Both sides also discussed facilitating shared cultural festivals, such as the Khmer, Thai, and Lao New Year celebrations and Chinese New Year, through discounted accommodations and fast-track immigration services.
Top Sopheak, spokesperson for Cambodia’s tourism ministry, told the Phnom Penh Post today that the Thai side raised the “Six Countries, One Destination” proposal, and that Hak recognised it as a promising idea for boosting tourism.
He added that the tourism ministry looks forward to receiving a comprehensive concept note and related documents about the initiative through diplomatic channels in the very near future.
“This is a matter for the governments of both countries to decide. The relevant technical teams will study it in detail. The minister did not make any official agreement on participation, but accepted the proposal for consideration. There is no formal agreement yet on how cooperation might proceed,” Sopheak said.
“Studies are being carried out on the work that will be needed in different related sectors, and a final decision on the proposal will be made at a later time,” he added
Small and medium-sized business owners in the Caribbean aiming to expand have received advice to take several necessary steps to ensure a seamless loan application process.On this week’s episode of ECCB Connects, Arleta Rate Mitchel, Senior Manager of Retail Banking at the Bank of Saint Lucia Limited, shared essential guidelines to help business owners secure financing.
She underscored the need for businesses to be properly registered, have an active operating account, and keep thorough financial records as crucial requirements for applying for a loan.
Mitchel stressed the value of maintaining accurate records of income and expenses, as these allow business owners to monitor their daily operations closely.
The BOSL official added that proper records not only help businesses understand their financial position but are essential for gaining the trust of lending institutions.
She also emphasised that submitting a detailed business plan and a cash flow statement supporting financial projections is vital.
According to Mitchel, the absence of financial documents is one of the most common deficiencies when small business owners apply for loans.
“These documents are very important for lending institutions when deciding if a business qualifies for a loan,” she explained.
The President of the Small Business Association in Saint Lucia, Lucianna Johnny, echoed Mitchel’s recommendations and offered additional insights.
She remarked that applying for business loans in Saint Lucia is not overly complicated, thanks to government facilitation.
“There are no serious challenges when it comes to registration or application, as the costs are kept low and the process is straightforward,” Johnny stated. She disclosed that the government support aims to lower the barriers for small businesses seeking funding.”
Regarding financial management, the association’s president urged business owners to keep business finances strictly separate from personal funds to avoid confusion and ensure clarity in financial records.
In addition, Johnny highlighted the importance of implementing a structured and consistent approach to recording all transactions.
To further support small business owners, her association occasionally offers training sessions for its members, equipping them with skills to navigate financial management and lending requirements more effectively.
Overall, the guidance the BOSL and the Small Business Association provide aims to empower Saint Lucia’s entrepreneurs to better position their businesses for growth by following best practices in financial management and loan application preparation.
A gun-toting Cybertruck owner took it upon himself to test out how bulletproof the electric vehicle is — and it did not go as expected.
Adult film star Dante Colle posted a video to his X account pointing a handgun at the $100K truck in the middle of an open field.
In the viral video, Colle fires a shot into the back of the Cybertruck, with the round producing a sizable hole in the exterior and, at first glance, appears to penetrate the vehicle.
Adult film star Dante Colle posted a video to his X account pointing a handgun at the $100K truck in the middle of an open field. @HippieGQ_/X
“F–k!” the adult film star shouts, dropping his handgun onto the ground and putting his hand over his head in shock.
“I don’t think it’s bulletproof, Dante,” the woman filming says while playfully laughing at his disappointment.
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But after inspecting the truck, while the round may have become lodged inside the Cybertruck, one of Colle’s buddies revealed the bullet did not go through.
Colle again assumes a firing stance with his pistol, this time on the side of the truck on an angle, for a second take.
During the second attempt, the round appeared to ricochet off the side of the Cybertruck, leaving a dent and scrape, but also did not penetrate the electric vehicle.
In the viral video, Colle fires a shot into the back of the Cybertruck, with the round producing a sizable hole in the exterior and, at first glance, appears to penetrate the vehicle. @HippieGQ_/X
“It worked!” Colle proudly says to the camera after the second try.
Since its release, multiple online personalities have tried testing the $80,000 Cybertruck’s durability.
YouTuber Zack Nelson, who runs the popular channel JerryRigEverything, uploaded a video of him unloading rounds from an arsenal of firearms into the truck In May, which included an AR-15 and a .50-caliber rifle.
During Nelson’s test, the truck withstood shots from a 9mm and a .22-caliber rifle, but rounds fired from a .17-caliber rifle, an AR-15, and a .50-caliber gun inflicted real damage.
Musk, 53, has long boasted that his Cybertrucks are bulletproof and can protect against gunfire.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk introduces the Cybertruck at Tesla’s design studio in Hawthorne, Calif. on Nov. 21, 2024. AP
The Tesla CEO botched a test in front of a live audience in Los Angeles when he first revealed the company’s electric pickup truck in 2019.
He asked his chief designer to throw a metal ball through the “bulletproof” glass, but the glass cracked, drawing groans from the crowd.
However, in a redemption test released by the company in December, Cybertruck lead engineer Wes Morrill uploaded a video to Tesla’s YouTube channel of his team firing different calibers of bullets at the vehicle’s 1.8mm thick stainless super alloy exterior.
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They started with a Tommy Gun, a .45 caliber round, and fired a hail storm of rounds into the side of the truck.
While the rounds laced the side of the pickup truck with dents, none of the bullets reached the interior of the vehicle, and a slow-motion shot showed many of them shattering upon impact.
The team then fired rounds from a 9mm Glock and an automatic MP5-SD into the truck, with all the rounds again not penetrating the vehicle.
Cybertruck lead energy Wes Morrill uploaded a video to Tesla’s YouTube channel of his team firing different calibers of bullets at the vehicle’s 1.8mm thick stainless super alloy exterior. Tesla / YouTube
Next, they fired 00 buckshot from an M4 Shotgun, which typically holds a 2 3/4-inch shell containing 8 metal pellets, into the side of Musk’s creation.
While the glass slightly cracked, none of the pellets penetrated the pickup.
In March, Morrill took to social media to implore some Cybertruck owners to stop abusing their vehicles.
“Cybertruck has lived a tortured life for entertainment – Jumped on, kicked, burned, beaten, and shot (multiple times), Morrill wrote on X.
“To quote the black knight, it’s just a flesh wound, I’m invincible! Now we’ve confirmed is tough, maybe Cybertruck can roam freely on and off-road in peace?”