Tesla to End Production of Model S and Model X as Company Focuses on Autonomy
Tesla is phasing out the Model S and Model X to concentrate on new technologies like robots and autonomous vehicles
Musk said, “It’s time to end the Model S and X programs,” as Tesla looks towards a future with self-driving cars. If you want to buy a Model S or X, he suggested you order now. Both cars are made in Fremont, California, but when production stops, the factory will start making Optimus robots instead. The Cybertruck will still be produced in Austin.
Tesla first launched the Model S in 2012. It was the car that made electric cars very popular. The Model X followed as Tesla’s second big electric car project. Tesla wanted the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y to be more popular than the S and X, but sales have not grown much in recent years, partly because other companies are also making luxury electric vehicles.
Musk said it is “a little sad,” but it was time to conclude the S and X. The Model S wasn’t Tesla’s first car, but it was the first one made completely from scratch. This helped it avoid some problems found in the original Roadster and made it a great all-around car.
When the Model S was launched, it had a starting price of $57,400 and a unique battery design that made it spacious and exciting to drive. It quickly became popular, with over 10,000 orders before its first deliveries in June 2012. In 2013, it even won MotorTrend’s Car of the Year award.
Over the years, Tesla improved the Model S by changing battery options and adding features like “Ludicrous Mode” for fast acceleration. It also had a redesign in 2021. However, by then, Tesla’s business thrived more on the cheaper Model 3 and Model Y.
The Model X had a more complex journey. It was announced even before the Model S, but it didn’t come out until 2015. Its distinctive “Falcon Wing” doors made getting in and out easy, but they were hard to manufacture well. The Model X sold fairly well, but production problems delayed its updates.
Musk mentioned that retiring the Model S and Model X has been a long time coming. Back in 2019, he indicated these cars were now not as important. They were once popular, but Tesla’s future now focuses more on newer models like the Cybertruck.
Despite having big plans for the Cybertruck, like creating a base version for $40,000, the vehicle faced delays and has not sold as expected. Tesla hopes to improve its sales but has struggled since its launch.
Looking ahead, Tesla is focused on solving problems with self-driving cars and building robots, which is what led to retiring the Model S and Model X. While these models may be less important now, they played a key role in Tesla’s early success and in Musk’s rise as a prominent figure in today’s world.