Tesla is killing off the Model S and Model X

Los Angeles: Tesla is stopping the production of the Model S sedan and Model X SUV, CEO Elon Musk shared on Wednesday. The last versions of both electric vehicles will be made next quarter. Musk assured current Model S and Model X owners that support will continue “for as long as people have the vehicles.” He mentioned that it’s time to retire these models as Tesla looks to the future of self-driving technology.

Both the Model S and Model X are made at Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California. After production ends, that space will be used for making Tesla’s Optimus robots. However, they will keep making the Cybertruck in another factory outside Austin.

The Model S was launched in 2012, and it changed how people viewed electric cars. The Model X was Tesla’s second big electric vehicle. Tesla expected more affordable models, like the Model 3 and Model Y, to sell better, but both have seen slow sales lately. They also face tougher competition from traditional carmakers and newer companies like Rivian and Lucid Motors.

Musk expressed a mix of sadness and acceptance, saying it is indeed time to conclude the S and X models. While the Model S was not the first car from Tesla, it was the first built entirely by them and became very popular. It offered different battery sizes and a roomy interior.

When it launched, there were over 10,000 reservations before the first cars were delivered! By 2013, it won MotorTrend’s car of the year. The Model S had impressive features like “Ludicrous Mode,” allowing it to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds.

The Model X faced challenges, especially with its unique “Falcon Wing” doors that were hard to produce consistently. Despite its issues, it sold decently and got a refresh in 2021. However, production troubles continued, with Musk admitting past mistakes in production readiness.

Musk had hinted before that the Model S and X were not critical for Tesla’s future. He admitted these models were kept for nostalgia rather than necessity. Meanwhile, the Cybertruck, unveiled in 2019, faced delays and did not sell as expected.

Both the Model S and Model X will always be important parts of Tesla’s early history, helping shape the company into what it is today. As Tesla aims for future innovations in self-driving cars and robots, the time has come to say goodbye to these iconic models.