THE BREAKDOWN
- Model S and X are ending production in 2026 after years as Tesla’s flagship vehicles.
- Fremont will shift to Optimus robot production, not cars.
- Tesla is seemingly going all in on AI and robotics.
Say goodbye to the Tesla Model S and Model X. The EV maker is set to end production of its two longest-running model lines next quarter to make room for humanoid robots, obviously.
CEO Elon Musk confirmed the news during Tesla's earnings call on Wednesday, announcing that production of the Model S and Model X will wind down at the company’s Fremont, California, factory to make way for large-scale manufacturing of its Optimus humanoid robots.
"It’s time to basically bring the Model S and X programs to an end with an honorable discharge," Musk said during the call. "We’re really moving into a future that is based on autonomy."
Musk acknowledged that the decision was a "sad" moment for the company, but said Tesla is targeting annual production of up to 1 million Optimus robots once the shift is complete.
Despite recent refreshes for both the Model S and Model X, the move isn’t entirely surprising. The Model S has been in production since 2012 and got a major update for the 2017 model year. The EV received a minor facelift toward the tail end of 2025, gaining a light design update and more range.
The Model X debuted in 2015, but it didn’t see meaningful changes until late last year. Like the Model S, the Model X received minor design tweaks and modest range improvements, with the SUV offering up to 352 miles on a single charge. Not that it matters much now.
Tesla will continue producing the Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck. In 2025, the company sold more than 1.6 million Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, making them two of the best-selling EVs in the world. By comparison, Tesla sold just 50,850 units of the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck combined.
Motor1's Take: We’re actually a bit sad to see the Model S go—especially with so many sedans leaving the market. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a stylish luxury EV—and in Plaid form, it was impressively quick. The Model X, on the other hand? We won’t miss it too much, if we’re being honest.
