● Tesla officially ends production of its flagship sedan, the Model S, and its SUV, the Model X
● CEO Elon Musk announces an orderly retirement of the Model S and X programs as the company pivots toward an autonomous-driving future
● Fremont production lines will be converted into manufacturing facilities for the humanoid robot Optimus
● Tesla has closed new custom orders; only existing inventory is available. Software and service support will continue.
The Model S and Model X—vehicles that helped define the electric-vehicle era and pushed Tesla into the top ranks of the global auto industry—are being retired. Tesla announced it will stop accepting new orders and end production of its flagship Model S and Model X. The company says the decision is part of a larger strategy to transform itself from a traditional automaker into an AI-focused enterprise centered on autonomous driving and robotics.
The S and X bow out after shaping the EV era
Introduced in 2012, the Model S set the benchmark for modern electric cars with its long range and brisk acceleration. The Model X, which arrived in 2015, opened the luxury electric SUV segment with its distinctive falcon-wing doors and strong practicality. Elon Musk said both models laid the foundation for Tesla's autonomous-driving development and that the company has chosen to retire them to focus on that future.
Factory lines retooled — building robots instead of cars
Tesla will convert the production lines at its Fremont factory in California — where the Model S and Model X were built — into facilities to manufacture its next-generation humanoid robot, Optimus. The company plans to begin full-scale Optimus production by the end of 2026, aiming to accelerate its shift into a physical-AI business. As a result, Tesla's vehicle lineup will be streamlined around the mass-market Model 3 and Model Y and the Cybertruck to maximize efficiency.
Buyers limited to inventory; services will continue
Tesla has closed the custom-order pages for the Model S and Model X on its official website. Customers who still want these models can only purchase vehicles already listed as inventory. To accelerate clearance, Tesla is offering final inventory buyers lifetime Premium Connectivity and free Supercharging. The company says it will continue parts supply, software updates and other after-sales services for existing owners without interruption.
By Won Seon-woong (Global Auto News)
#Tesla#ModelS#ModelX#Discontinued#ElonMusk#ElectricVehicles#Optimus#Robots#AutonomousDriving#FutureMobility
