DEAD: Tesla Is Killing Off the Model S and Model X

The OG Volume Teslas

We can still remember reading the reviews from 2012. Like it or not, the Tesla Model S was pivotal in making EVs gain mass-market appeal, not just in America, but worldwide. It helped that it was a hugely competent car and practically set the baseline for EVs in the coming years.

A few years later, it was followed up by the Model X to satisfy the crossover-hungry market. Divisive Falcon Doors aside, it, too, was a massively impressive vehicle in its day, spawning several competitors along the way.

However, there’s no denying the fact that these cars are far from the youngest offerings in the market today. Incremental updates last year notwithstanding, the Model S is now 13 years old, while the Model X entered its 11th year in production.

During a recent earnings call, it was decided that the two long-running models will be discontinued before the end of 2026. Production will conclude next quarter, with no successors in place yet.

Making Way For Something Totally Different

The ages of the models were probably a factor, but the true reason behind the end of production is to make way for something else. The plant that currently assembles the Model S and Model Y will soon be converted to produce the company’s Optimus humanoid robots.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk made the decision to discontinue both as part of the company’s move to beef up its robotics line. It targets to build one million Optimus robots per year once production has commenced.

During the call, Musk said, “It’s time to basically bring the Model S and X programs to an end with an honorable discharge, because we’re really moving into a future that is based on autonomy.”

Model S and Model X Sales

The Model S and Model X were once the crown jewels of Tesla. The Model S in particular broke barriers, even becoming the world’s best-selling EV at several points in its production. However, the EV market has been cooling off, and the two saw significant declines in sales in recent years.

In 2025, the Model S recorded just 5,889 unit sales, 52.6 percent down from 2024’s 12,426. The Model X fared slightly better at 13,066 units, but was still down by 34.2 percent from the 19,855 sales in 2024. Combined, the two accounted for 18,955 units, which is a little over half of Model 3 sales…in a single quarter (37,260).

Doing Just Fine With 3 and Y

Given the combined sales figures of the Model S and Model X, the Model 3 and Model Y don’t have much slack to pick up. Besides, the two models have consistently appeared in the top ten world’s best-selling cars for the last couple of years. The Model Y was even the world’s top-selling car in 2023, and over 1.2 million were built that year.

In the U.S. alone, Tesla shifted 192,440 Model 3s in 2025, marginally up from 2024’s 189,903 tally. But it’s the Model Y that remains the undisputed sales champion for the brand, with 357,528 sold in 2025. In comparison, Model S and Model X sales are a drop in the bucket.