It’s the end of an era, Elon Musk officially announced during the Q4 2025 Earnings Call that Tesla will stop producing the Model S and Model X. The production of these vehicles is scheduled to wind down in the second quarter of 2026.
The announcement was later reiterated by Tesla on X, explicitly linking the decision to Tesla’s pivot towards autonomy.
An Honorable Discharge
Elon described the discontinuation as an honorable discharge for the two vehicles that defined the modern electric car era. While the Model S proved that EVs could be desirable and fun, and the Model X demonstrated engineering audacity, their role in Tesla’s future has been steadily shrinking for years.
In Q4 2025, the combined sales of Tesla’s “Other Models” (which include the Model S, Model X, Cybertruck, and Semi) accounted for just 11,642 units. When compared to the Model 3 and Model Y sales figures (406,585), they account for just 2.8% of Tesla’s vehicle sales.
The writing has been on the wall for years now, but until now, Tesla has reassured fans that the Model S/X holds a special place in their hearts and that they fulfill a need. The price of these vehicles has fluctuated quite a bit, with the Model S dropping down as low as $75,000 in 2023. However, since then, they have seen a steady climb and now sit at $95,000 with the included Luxe Package.
The price increases and the lackluster refreshes have led to diminishing sales. Many buyers expected the 2026 refresh to include significant new features such as steer-by-wire, 800V architecture, V2L support, and other features found in the Cybertruck.
You could tell from Musk’s announcement that this was a difficult decision for Tesla. They’re sad to see them go, but they also acknowledge that the company's future lies in affordable autonomous vehicles, and the Model S/X just don’t fit their vision.
You can watch Musk announcing the discontinuation of the Model S and X below: (8:40 mark)
Why Now?
The decision to pivot is also driven by the need for more factory space. Elon revealed that the floor space currently used to build Tesla’s flagship vehicles at the Fremont factory will be converted to produce the Optimus humanoid robot.
This reallocation of resources is part of Tesla’s continued transition from a pure automaker to an AI and robotics company. As stated on the Earnings Call, Tesla is moving towards a future based on autonomy first, and the S and X, despite their enduring legacy, are physically standing in the way of the high-volume Optimus production lines.
Was This a Last-Minute Decision?
While the sales trend has been downward for some time, the finality of the announcement caught many by surprise. There were no substantial outward signs regarding an immediate cancellation leading up to the Earnings Call, and Tesla had released a refresh for the Model S and Model X just seven months ago, leading many to think this may have been a last-minute decision.
The lack of a significant design overhaul since the 2021 refresh left these vehicles feeling stale and potential owners waiting for the next major release. Tesla has also introduced many features that were exclusive to the Model S and Model X to the Model 3 and Model Y, including ventilated seats and the rear screen. In fact, some features of the updated Model Y, like the power rear-folding seats, weren’t even available on the Model X, which is almost twice the price.
What This Means for Existing Owners
For the thousands of Model S and Model X owners, this news brings immediate concerns regarding long-term support.
Parts & Service
Elon explicitly stated that Tesla will continue to support existing owners with parts and service. However, the reality of maintaining a discontinued, lower-volume vehicle typically becomes difficult over time. As the years pass, the availability of third-party parts is likely to be significantly lower than for the ubiquitous Model 3 and Model Y, potentially making repairs more expensive or time-consuming in the next decade.
Yes – we will continue to support Model S & X programs for as long as people own the vehicles (service, software updates, etc)
— Tesla (@Tesla) January 29, 2026
Software Updates
Historically, the Model S and Model X have lagged behind Tesla’s mainstream vehicles in receiving new software features due to their different hardware architectures, dashboard display, and, for legacy vehicles, the vertical display. With production lines stopping, Tesla will likely dedicate even fewer engineering resources to adapting future features for the legacy S/X fleet.
We expect that, over time, owners will eventually see a slowing cadence of updates as Tesla prioritizes current vehicles.
The Final Call
Tesla posted a message on X the day after the Earnings Call, confirming the timeline officially and thanking the early adopters of the Model S and Model X who made Tesla’s growth possible. The 2012 Model S was not only named vehicle of the year by MotorTrend, but it was also recently named one of the top inventions of the past 25 years. It truly is a vehicle to remember, and it will always hold a special place in fans ’ hearts.
As we shift to an autonomous future, Model S & X production will wind down next quarter.
— Tesla (@Tesla) January 29, 2026
If you’d like to own one of them, now’s a good time to place your order.
Tesla wouldn’t be what it is today without Model S & X and their (early) owners – thank you for your support over… pic.twitter.com/4J06T1QjVM
For those wanting a factory-fresh example of the car that started it all, the order window is closing rapidly. Production is scheduled to cease entirely by the end of Q2 2026.
