Tesla Ends Model S and Model X Production: End of an Era

Tesla Says Goodbye to the Model S and Model X

Tesla has officially confirmed it will stop manufacturing the Model S and Model X in the second quarter of 2026. The announcement was made by Elon Musk during the Q4 2025 earnings call on January 28, 2026.

Musk's exact words closed a historic chapter for the company: "It's time to basically bring the Model S and X programs to an end with an honorable discharge. If you're interested in buying a Model S and X, now would be the time to order it."

Why Is Tesla Discontinuing Them?

The decision comes down to two main factors:

Plummeting sales: The Model S and Model X accounted for just 3% of Tesla's deliveries in 2025. Out of 1.59 million vehicles delivered, only an estimated 30,000 were Model S and Model X combined.
Factory conversion: The Fremont, California production line, which had capacity for 100,000 units per year of these models, had been operating well below capacity for years. Tesla will convert it to manufacture Optimus humanoid robots, targeting 1 million units per year.

Sales Decline: The Numbers Tell the Story

Quarter	"Other Models" Deliveries*
Q4 2024	23,640
Q1 2025	12,881
Q2 2025	10,394
Q3 2025	15,933
Q4 2025	11,642
FY 2025	50,850

Includes Cybertruck and Tesla Semi. Actual Model S/X sales estimated at around 30,000 units in 2025.

The Model S and Model X Legacy

Model S (2012-2026)

The 16.5-foot sedan that changed everything. Launched in 2012, the Model S proved that an electric car could be desirable, fast, and practical. It dominated the premium electric sedan segment for years with no real competition.

Model X (2015-2026)

The SUV with the iconic falcon-wing doors. Arriving in 2015, the Model X carved Tesla's path into the luxury SUV segment. Its polarizing design became a signature of the brand.

Both models were instrumental in funding the development of the Model 3 and Model Y — the cars that made Tesla accessible to the mass market.

The Last Refresh: A Quiet Farewell

In June 2025, just seven months before the discontinuation announcement, Tesla released a minor update for the Model S and Model X:

New paint color option
Front bumper camera
Slightly improved range
Ambient lighting features
$5,000 price increase (Model S from $84,990; Model X from $89,990)

In hindsight, this update felt more like a farewell tour than a reinvestment.

What Competitors Fill the Gap?

By the time of their departure, the market had already evolved. The Model S and Model X had been running on fundamentally the same platform for over a decade:

Lucid Air: Has surpassed the Model S in range and interior luxury
Rivian R1S: Directly competes with the Model X in the premium SUV segment
Mercedes EQS and BMW iX: German brands have closed the technology gap

What's Next: Optimus Takes Over

The Fremont factory won't sit idle. Tesla will use the freed production space to mass-produce its Optimus humanoid robot. The stated goal is to reach a production capacity of 1 million robots per year — a radical strategic bet: shifting from luxury car manufacturing to general-purpose robotics.

Last Chance to Buy a Model S or Model X?

If you've ever dreamed of owning a Model S or Model X, this is literally the last chance. Production ends in Q2 2026 with no replacement models planned.

For the Model 3 and Model Y, which remain Tesla's best sellers, you can use our referral code to get $500 off your purchase.

Conclusion

The end of the Model S and Model X marks the close of an era for Tesla. These were the cars that put Tesla on the map and proved electric vehicles could compete with the best. But with sales that had plummeted and an underutilized factory, the decision to convert Fremont for Optimus production makes strategic sense.

The Model S and Model X legacy lives on in every Model 3 and Model Y on the road today.