{"id":6282,"date":"2026-01-30T07:53:26","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T06:53:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/non-categorise\/tesla-discontinues-model-s-and-x-the-end-of-an-era\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T10:17:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T09:17:18","slug":"tesla-discontinues-model-s-and-x-the-end-of-an-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/news\/tesla-discontinues-model-s-and-x-the-end-of-an-era\/","title":{"rendered":"Tesla discontinues Model S and X: the end of an era?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On January 28, 2026, during the Q4 2025 Earnings Call, Elon Musk confirmed what many had been anticipating for years: <strong>Tesla will stop production of the Model S and Model X in the second quarter of 2026<\/strong>. The CEO spoke of an &#8220;honorable discharge&#8221; for these models that made the brand&#8217;s history, but no longer align with its current strategy. <\/p>\n\n<p>I must admit, even if this announcement was predictable, it truly marks <strong>the end of an era<\/strong>. These two vehicles propelled Tesla into the premium segment and proved that an electric car could compete with German cars. But behind this decision lies an implacable industrial logic: to free up the Fremont factory to produce one million Optimus robots per year.  <\/p>\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s analyze together why this break was inevitable and what it reveals about Tesla&#8217;s future priorities.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"a-decision-announced-years-ago\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A decision announced years ago<\/h2>\n\n<p>If you&#8217;ve been following Tesla for a while, you know this announcement didn&#8217;t come out of nowhere. As early as 2019, Elon Musk had stated unequivocally that the Model S and X were maintained <strong>&#8220;for sentimental reasons, not economic ones&#8221;<\/strong>. This sentence perfectly summarizes the situation: these vehicles represented the brand&#8217;s historical DNA, but not its commercial future.  <\/p>\n\n<p>The <strong>warning signs<\/strong> have multiplied in recent years:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In July 2025, Tesla discreetly stopped custom orders in Europe<\/li>\n<li>Production volumes have gradually decreased since 2022<\/li>\n<li>Major updates specific to these models have become less frequent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>I think that Tesla used the Model S and X as a <strong>technological showcase<\/strong> for as long as necessary. <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/interieur\/tesla-model-s-plaid-elle-depasse-les-1-000-chevaux-mais-pourquoi-faire\/\">The Tesla Model S Plaid and its spectacular performance<\/a> allowed the brand to demonstrate its capabilities, but this mission is now accomplished.<\/p>\n\n<p>Since 2020, the share of these models in the product mix has steadily decreased, in favor of the Model 3\/Model Y duo which now accounts for the majority of deliveries. This transition was planned, methodical, and ultimately logical. <\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tesla-arret-model-s-x-01-1.jpg\" alt=\"Tesla discontinues Model S and X: the end of an era?\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"the-figures-explaining-the-discontinuation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The figures explaining the discontinuation<\/h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"a-marginal-contribution\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A marginal contribution<\/h3>\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s talk numbers. Tesla described the <strong>contribution of the Model S and X as &#8220;minor&#8221;<\/strong> compared to the 1.7 million vehicles delivered annually since 2022. Even if the brand no longer communicates detailed volumes by model, estimates converge towards less than 5% of total deliveries.  <\/p>\n\n<p>In practical terms, this means that Tesla mobilizes entire production lines, with all their <strong>industrial complexity<\/strong>, to produce perhaps 80,000 to 100,000 vehicles per year. That&#8217;s enormous in terms of resources, negligible in terms of volumes. <\/p>\n\n<p>The Model S and X are based on older platforms which require specific manufacturing processes, different from those used for the Model 3 and Y. This diversity complicates production and dilutes the operational efficiency that Tesla constantly seeks.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"the-burden-of-industrial-compromises\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The burden of industrial compromises<\/h3>\n\n<p>The Fremont factory, already saturated, sees its Model S\/X production lines occupying valuable space for <strong>relatively low yields<\/strong>. Tesla has always sought to optimize its factories according to a logic of <strong>maximum simplification<\/strong>: fewer models, higher volumes, better profitability. <\/p>\n\n<p>Today, the strategy is to focus efforts on two main platforms (Model 3\/Y) and the Cybertruck. The Model S and X, with their high production costs and their sales prices, which are difficult to increase given European premium competition, no longer fit into this equation. <\/p>\n\n<p>I note that this decision also reflects Tesla&#8217;s industrial maturity: the brand is abandoning its sentimental icons to prioritize profitability and scale.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"optimus-takes-center-stage-teslas-true-priority\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Optimus takes center stage: Tesla&#8217;s true priority<\/h2>\n\n<p>Now, let&#8217;s talk about what truly replaces the Model S and X: <strong>the Optimus humanoid robot<\/strong>. Musk was clear during the announcement: the production lines freed up in Fremont will be immediately converted to produce <strong>1 million humanoid robots per year<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n<p>This <strong>strategic reconversion<\/strong> is not insignificant. It illustrates Tesla&#8217;s profound transformation, which no longer considers itself a mere car manufacturer but as a <strong>robotics company<\/strong> and artificial intelligence company. <\/p>\n\n<p>Musk mentioned Optimus&#8217;s potential impact on US GDP and his concept of &#8220;high universal income.&#8221; Beyond these ambitious statements, there is a technical coherence: Optimus shares essential components with the Tesla ecosystem (batteries, AI systems, electric motors). <\/p>\n\n<p>The timing is symbolic: Tesla is sacrificing its glorious automotive past to accelerate towards its robotic future. <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/actualite\/compacte-tesla-25000-vendue-monde-entier\/\">The future $25,000 compact car that now concentrates efforts<\/a> also fits into this logic of massive volumes and accessibility, far from the premium positioning of the S and X.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tesla-arret-model-s-x-02-1.jpg\" alt=\"Tesla discontinues Model S and X: the end of an era?\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"what-about-current-owners\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What about current owners?<\/h2>\n\n<p>If you own a Model S or X, this question legitimately concerns you. Tesla has reassured owners: <strong>after-sales service remains guaranteed<\/strong>, with the maintenance of spare parts, technical support, and software updates. <\/p>\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s the exact timeline:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Q2 2026<\/strong>: official end of deliveries (liquidation of remaining stock)<\/li>\n<li><strong>After 2026<\/strong>: Tesla&#8217;s commitment to maintain after-sales service with no announced deadline<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p>Regarding the <strong>residual value<\/strong>, I think we will witness an interesting phenomenon. In the short term, depreciation is probable because the status of an &#8220;abandoned model&#8221; always causes concern. But in the medium term, the <strong>&#8220;last generation&#8221;<\/strong> label could enhance the value of these vehicles among collectors and enthusiasts.  <\/p>\n\n<p>The Model S and X retain unique specificities: record driving range, exceptional performance, generous interior space. The owner community remains active and loyal, which should help maintain a certain heritage value. <\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"the-self-driving-future-without-model-s-and-x\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The self-driving future without Model S and X<\/h2>\n\n<p>This decision makes perfect sense when placed within Tesla&#8217;s <strong>robotaxi strategy<\/strong>. The brand&#8217;s Full Self-Driving vision now focuses on the Model 3, Model Y, and the future Cybercab. <\/p>\n\n<p>Musk openly acknowledges: the majority of trips involve <strong>2 passengers or fewer<\/strong>. Following this logic, offering 5 to 7-seater vehicles like the Model S and X makes no economic sense for autonomous ride-sharing. The sedan or compact SUV format proves much more profitable for robotaxi operation.  <\/p>\n\n<p>There is also a technical incompatibility: the Model S and X platforms, designed more than ten years ago, are less <strong>optimized for autonomy<\/strong> than newer architectures. Their high operating cost disqualifies them for an economic model based on volume and profitability per kilometer traveled. <\/p>\n\n<p>Tesla thus unifies its range around vehicles designed from conception for autonomous driving. This strategic coherence also explains why <a href=\"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/exterieur\/quand-commence-vraiment-la-production-de-la-tesla-roadster\/\">the uncertain fate of the new generation Roadster<\/a> raises so many questions: &#8220;sentimental&#8221; projects now come after industrial and robotic priorities. <\/p>\n\n<p>I think this decision, however symbolic it may be, attests to Tesla&#8217;s strategic maturity. The brand is definitively turning the page on its beginnings to embrace a vision where the automobile is just one element of a larger ecosystem, dominated by AI, robotics, and autonomy. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.inrs.fr\/actualites\/vehicules-engins-electriques-securite.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">official Tesla sources<\/a>, this transition is accompanied by specific commitments to current owners and the community.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On January 28, 2026, during the Q4 2025 Earnings Call, Elon Musk confirmed what many had been anticipating&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_appearance_grid":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[89,90],"class_list":{"0":"post-6282","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-model-3","9":"tag-model-y","10":"cs-entry","11":"cs-video-wrap"},"acf":[],"onesignal_meta_box_present":null,"onesignal_send_notification":null,"onesignal_modify_title_and_content":null,"onesignal_notification_custom_heading":null,"onesignal_notification_custom_content":null,"_yoast_wpseo_title":null,"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":null,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":null,"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6282","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6282"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6282\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6286,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6282\/revisions\/6286"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6282"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6282"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tesliens.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6282"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}