Gary Zhou 
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk announced only a few hundred Model S & X cars left in inventory—order now if interested.
- Production of new Model S and X has ceased; custom orders halted in early April.
- Model S (launched 2012) and X (2015) end 14-year chapter as EV halo cars with falcon doors and luxury features.
- Remaining inventory, mostly Plaid variants, sees prices rise $15k as instant collector’s items.
- Fremont factory space shifts to mass production of Optimus humanoid robot for chores and labor.
- Tesla pivots from flagships to autonomy, Robotaxis, AI; Model Y sales strong amid calls for large SUV.
- Musk’s tweet emphasizes final call for storied vehicles paving EV history.
In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the EV community, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that production of the iconic Model S and Model X has officially ceased. ❶ ❷ Custom orders were halted in early April 2026, leaving only a few hundred units – roughly 600 globally – in inventory. ❶ Musk himself tweeted: “Custom orders of the Tesla Model S & X have come to an end. All that’s left are some in inventory.” ❸ If you’ve been eyeing these flagship halo cars, this is your final call – order now before they’re snapped up as instant collector’s items.
As a veteran Tesla watcher and EV blogger with over a decade tracking the company’s twists and turns, I see this not just as the end of a product line, but a pivotal strategic pivot. These vehicles paved the way for the entire EV revolution, and their sunset marks Tesla’s full-throttle shift toward autonomy, AI, and robotics.
A Storied Legacy: 14 Years of Innovation and Iconic Design
Launched in 2012, the Model S was Tesla’s breakthrough sedan – the world’s first viable long-range electric car that humbled luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes. ❹ It set records for acceleration, range, and safety, earning MotorTrend’s Car of the Year twice. The Model X followed in 2015, introducing those signature falcon-wing doors, all-wheel drive, and seating for up to seven – a luxury SUV that blended spaceship aesthetics with family practicality. ❺
Key Milestones in Model S/X History:
- 2012-2015: Model S dominates with 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds (Plaid later hit 1.99s) and over 400 miles of range.
- Falcon Doors Magic: Model X’s upward-hinging doors became a viral sensation, though not without early glitches.
- Plaid Variants: Tri-motor powerhouses with 1,020 hp, making them faster than Lamborghinis.
- Tech Pioneers: First with over-the-air updates, Autopilot hardware, and yoke steering in refreshes.
These weren’t just cars; they were statements. They proved EVs could be desirable, performant, and profitable. Over 14 years, they sold hundreds of thousands, but volumes paled compared to the mass-market Model 3 and Y.
Why Now? Low Volumes Meet Ambitious Pivots
Production wind-down was telegraphed earlier. During Tesla’s Q4 2025 earnings call, Musk announced the end in Q2 2026 to free Fremont factory space. ❻ ❼ S/X accounted for under 2% of output – tiny in a company churning out millions of vehicles annually.
The real driver? Tesla’s grand pivot to AI, Robotaxi, and Optimus. Model Y sales remain robust (Tesla’s bestseller), filling the void amid customer demands for a new large SUV. ❽ But the big bet is robotics.
Fremont Factory’s Radical Transformation
The Fremont plant’s S/X lines are being repurposed for mass production of Optimus humanoid robots – Tesla’s bi-pedal bots for chores, factory work, and beyond. ❾ ❿ Musk aims for 1 million units per year from this space alone. ❿ Optimus Gen 3 is already in pilot lines at Fremont, showcasing advanced AI for tasks like folding laundry or assembly. ⓫
My Take: Bold genius or risky gamble? EVs were Tesla’s foundation, but Musk sees robots as a $25 trillion market. With Robotaxi unveilings (Cybercab) and FSD v13 pushing autonomy, ditching low-volume luxo-barges for high-margin AI makes sense. Shares rose post-announcement, signaling investor buy-in. ❽
The Remaining Inventory: Prices Spike, Collector’s Gold
With production over, inventory is dwindling fast – Model X already sold out in the US. ⓬ Mostly Plaid trims remain, now $15,000 pricier as “final edition” premiums kick in. ⓭ ⓮
Buyer’s Guide: Should You Grab One?
- Pros:
- Unmatched performance: Plaid S/X hit 200+ mph, ludicrous acceleration.
- Luxury perks: Many include “Luxe Packages” with premium audio, wheels. ⓯
- Appreciation potential: Early adopters saw 2x value growth; these could be EVs’ “last V8 muscle cars.”
- FSD-ready: Lifetime software updates.
- Cons:
- High cost: $120k+ post-hike.
- Aging platform: No new hardware refreshes.
- Service network optimized for 3/Y.
Advice: If you’re a Tesla enthusiast, family needing 7 seats, or collector, act fast. Check Tesla’s inventory page for demos/new stock – South Korea even set order deadlines. ⓯ Finance wisely; resale could boom as “last of the Mohicans.”
What’s Next for Tesla? Autonomy, Robots, and a New SUV?
Tesla isn’t abandoning SUVs. Model Y dominates, but fans clamor for a large SUV – think Cybertruck-inspired 7-seater “CyberSUV.” ⓰ ⓱ Musk teased something “way cooler than a minivan,” possibly filling the 3-row gap with more space than Model X. ⓲
Future Roadmap Teasers:
- Robotaxi (Cybercab): Driverless fleets by late 2026.
- Optimus Scale-Up: Internal use 2026, sales 2027 at $20k/unit.
- Affordable EVs: “Model 2” and Juniper Y refresh.
- Energy/AI Synergy: Megapacks powering robot factories.
Opinion: S/X exit accelerates Tesla’s “physical AI” vision. Critics call it a revenue dip risk, but with Y/Cybertruck booming and AI hype, it’s visionary. Long-term, Optimus could dwarf car profits.
Final Thoughts: A Bittersweet Chapter Close
The Model S and X weren’t perfect – falcon doors jammed, builds lagged – but they ignited the EV fire. As inventory vanishes, they’re not dying; they’re ascending to legend status. Tesla’s pivot feels right in 2026’s AI race. Grab one if it fits your garage and wallet, or wait for the robot revolution.
What do you think – collector’s item or obsolete relic? Drop comments below!
