Tesla has decided to stop making its two oldest vehicles, the Model S and Model X, sooner than many expected. The company plans to end production as early as the next quarter to make room for a new focus on humanoid robots. Chief executive Elon Musk shared the news during a recent financial results call with investors. He described the move as a necessary step toward a future centered on autonomous technology.
Musk called it time to wrap up the Model S and Model X programs with a ceremonial farewell. “It’s time to basically wrap up the Model S and Model X programs with a ceremonial farewell,” he said. He added that the company is truly turning toward a future based on autonomy. Though he admitted the moment feels sad, Musk emphasized the excitement of shifting resources to produce the Optimus robot on a large scale.
The Model S first appeared in 2012 and quickly set the standard for luxury electric sedans. It received major updates over the years, including a significant refresh in 2017 and smaller improvements to lights and range at the end of 2025. The Model X arrived in 2015 with its distinctive falcon-wing doors and followed a similar path of minor updates rather than full redesigns. Those recent changes now seem overshadowed by the decision to discontinue both vehicles entirely.
Tesla will keep building three other vehicles for now. The Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck remain in the lineup. In 2025 alone, the company sold more than 1.6 million units of the Model 3 and Model Y combined. By comparison, the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck together accounted for just over 50,000 sales.
The main reason for ending the older models involves freeing factory space in Fremont, California. Tesla wants to convert those production lines for the Optimus humanoid robot. Musk has set an ambitious goal of eventually making up to one million Optimus units per year once everything is running smoothly. The shift shows how seriously the company is pursuing robotics alongside its automotive business.
Many people remember the Model S as a groundbreaking car that proved electric vehicles could offer long range and high performance. Its Plaid version, in particular, delivered astonishing acceleration that outperformed many traditional supercars. The Model X brought practical family features like extra seating and those eye-catching doors while keeping strong electric performance. Together, the two models helped establish Tesla as a leader in the industry during its early growth years.
The end of these vehicles marks a clear turning point for the company. After more than a decade on the market, the Model S and Model X represented Tesla’s original vision of premium electric cars. Newer, more affordable options have taken over as the volume sellers. The move toward Optimus reflects broader goals in artificial intelligence and automation that go beyond traditional automobiles.
Tesla introduced the Model S as one of the first mainstream electric cars capable of traveling hundreds of miles on a single charge. It helped change public perception of what battery-powered vehicles could achieve. The Model X expanded that idea into a larger SUV format with innovative storage and access features. Both models played a key role in pushing other manufacturers to accelerate their own electric programs.
Optimus, the humanoid robot project, aims to create machines that can perform useful tasks in homes and workplaces. Tesla has shown early prototypes walking and handling simple objects. The company believes mass production could make these robots affordable and widely available. Shifting factory resources from cars to robots underlines how Tesla sees its future in advanced technology rather than only in transportation.
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