During Tesla’s Q4 2025 earnings call early this morning (Thailand time), Elon Musk delivered a historic announcement: Tesla will officially cease production of the Model S and Model X starting next quarter. This move marks the conclusion of a 13-year journey for the two flagship vehicles that transformed Tesla from a niche startup into a global automotive titan.
Making Way for the Future: Optimus Takes Over
Musk stated that it is time to retire both models "with honor." The production lines at the Fremont Factory, which historically birthed these electric pioneers, will be repurposed to accelerate the mass production of Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot. Musk issued a final call to enthusiasts, noting that those who still wish to own these iconic vehicles should "buy them now" before the remaining inventory is gone.
The Legacy of the Pioneers
Model S (Launched 2012): The luxury sedan that proved electric cars could be sexy, high-performing, and long-range. It set the blueprint for the modern EV.
Model X (Launched 2015): The futuristic SUV famous for its "Falcon Wing" doors and panoramic windshield, pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering.
Despite their legendary status, sales for the S and X have steadily declined as Tesla shifted its focus toward the high-volume Model 3 and Model Y, which currently dominate the global mass market.
- Although the Model S and X are expensive, their production costs and engineering complexity (especially the Model X's gull-wing doors) meant their unit profitability couldn't match the simplicity of the Model 3/Y. The discontinuation is therefore a profit optimization strategy to redirect funds to higher-growth projects like AI and robotics.
- Elon Musk once stated that the Optimus robot could be worth more than Tesla's automotive business. The decision to redirect the Fremont production line specifically to robotics reflects Tesla's transition from a "car company" to a "Thai and robotics company" by 2026.
- Sudden production stoppages often result in Model S and X becoming collector's items, particularly the high-performance Plaid model, potentially leading to soaring resale prices in the near future.
- The Fremont factory was formerly a GM and Toyota (NUMMI) plant before Tesla revolutionized the world with the Model S. The fact that this former factory is about to become a base for humanoid robot production is a significant step marking a new chapter in global industrial history.
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Source - The Verge
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