End of an Era for the Model S and Model X: Tesla Ends Flagship Production to Make Room for Optimus Robots

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has officially announced the end of production for the company’s flagship electric vehicles, the Model S and Model X.

Speaking during a conference call covering the company’s fourth-quarter financial results, Musk said Tesla’s Fremont, California, factory will be fully retooled to produce Optimus humanoid robots. He noted that it was time to “respectfully bring to a close” the programs for both models and encouraged customers interested in the premium vehicles to place orders while remaining inventory is still available.

The Model S and Model X are the oldest vehicles in Tesla’s current lineup after the original Roadster. The sedan went on sale in 2012, followed by the SUV three years later. Despite their historical importance, demand for both models has dropped sharply in recent years. More affordable Model 3 and Model Y vehicles accounted for roughly 97% of Tesla’s total deliveries last year, representing more than 1.5 million units. In the U.S., the Model S currently starts at around $95,000, while the Model X is priced from about $100,000.

The decision reflects broader challenges facing the company. Tesla’s annual report showed a decline in revenue for the first time, with sales falling in three of the past four quarters. As competition intensifies, Musk has been working to shift investor focus away from traditional car manufacturing and toward autonomous systems and intelligent robotics.

At the center of that strategy is Optimus, a bipedal robot designed to eventually handle a wide range of tasks — from factory work to household assistance and even childcare. Tesla plans to unveil the third generation of Optimus later this quarter, which Musk described as the first version engineered specifically for mass production.

According to Musk, the revamped Fremont facility will be capable of producing up to 1 million Optimus units per year. Achieving that scale will require building an entirely new supply chain unlike anything used in modern automotive manufacturing. Despite shutting down Model S and Model X production, Tesla plans not only to retain but significantly expand its workforce at the California plant to support record output of the new product line.