Whether you love or hate the company, Elon Musk’s Tesla has been at the forefront of electric car production for several years.
The US company has changed the electric vehicle landscape with its range of models, which includes the Model 3, Model Y and uniquely designed Cybertruck.
However, revenues from Tesla’s car business dropped by 11% year-on-year in 2025, suffering a 16% decline in vehicle deliveries. This was particularly hampered by a drop in sales in Europe.
As a result, Tesla has announced it will axe two of its longest-standing cars: the Model S saloon, which has been on sale since 2012, and the Model X large SUV, which arrived in 2015.
Elon Musk said: “It’s time to basically bring the Model S and X programs to an end… We expect to wind down S and X production next quarter.”
The Model S and Model X have long been a mainstay of the Tesla lineup, pioneering much of the manufacturer’s modern technology. The Model S was offered with four battery options, ranging from 60kWh to 100kWh, with a range of up to 632km (393 miles).
The car was deemed the class leader in Autocar's 2013 road test, earning a 4.5-star rating. This score positioned it ahead of its direct competitors, including the contemporary Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid and the hybrid versions of the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Audi A8.
The Model S Plaid launched in 2021, and with a claimed 0-60mph sprint of just 1.99 seconds, Musk heralded it as the "quickest production car ever made of any kind." However, this figure was achieved using a small 'roll-out' method.
The Model X used much of the same technology, offering identical batteries and a range of over 482km (300 miles). While the Model S was a saloon car targeted towards BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the Model X was a large, seven-seat SUV - one of the first of its kind to go on sale with electric power.
The Model X featured distinctive 'falcon-wing' doors and an optional seven-seat configuration. While it was clearly based on the Model S and didn't achieve the same segment-leading status (with issues like a firm ride and subpar build quality being key weaknesses), it nevertheless outperformed many conventional rivals.
Despite being Tesla's technological flagships, particularly the 1020bhp Plaid variants, the Model S and Model X contribute only a small portion to the company's annual sales. Last year, Tesla delivered fewer than 50,000 Model S and Model X vehicles combined, starkly contrasting with the nearly 1.6 million Model 3s and Model Ys sold.
The two models will make way so Tesla can ramp up its robotics production. Musk said the Model S and Model X factory in Fremont, California, is due to be converted for production of its upcoming Optimus robot.
The move further indicates a shift away from electric car production for Tesla, with a renewed focus on artificial intelligence and robotics. The firm is heavily invested in the production of the Otlimus robot, its consumer-focused humanoid machine, and self-driving technology with the Robotaxi.
