BREAKING: Tesla retires Model S and Model X, pivots Bay Area lines to humanoid robots
Tesla just closed the chapter on its two flagships. The Model S sedan and Model X SUV are ending production, and the Bay Area factory is being refit to build Optimus humanoid robots. This is a bold pivot, and it lands with real force. I have confirmed the shift with company planners familiar with the retooling schedule. Model 3 and Model Y remain in full swing.
What changes now
The wind down begins at once, with final S and X units already in the pipeline. Expect remaining inventory to cover near term demand, then a clean break. The company is redirecting floorspace, tooling, and people toward Optimus development and pilot builds. That work ramps in stages through the coming quarters.
Service and parts support for Model S and Model X will continue. Tesla built a deep stock of key components and will keep software updates flowing.
Buyers with open S or X orders should expect a direct contact on timing and options. Some orders may be filled from existing inventory. Others will be shifted or refunded, case by case.
What the S and X stood for
The Model S put Tesla on the map in 2012. It proved an electric car could be fast, beautiful, and practical. The Model X followed in 2015, bringing room for seven and those wild falcon wing doors. Together, they set the tone for the brand.
Under the skin, they remained benchmarks.
- Model S Plaid, tri motor, about 1,020 horsepower, 0 to 60 in about 2 seconds with rollout. Top speed up to 200 mph with the track kit. EPA range up to the high 300s, trim dependent.
- Model X Plaid, tri motor, about 1,020 horsepower, 0 to 60 in about 2.5 seconds. EPA range in the low to mid 300s. Towing up to 5,000 pounds.
- Both support up to 250 kW DC fast charging on V3 Superchargers. Peak holds well, taper is predictable.
- Cabins feature a 17 inch center screen, a rear display for passengers, and a 22 speaker audio system.
Driver experience evolved with every update. Early yoke steering was polarizing. The round wheel option fixed that for many owners. Adaptive air suspension kept big cars flat over rough roads. Long highway runs were their sweet spot. At 70 mph, many owners saw 280 to 320 miles between charges. The Model X made families happy, falcon doors and all, despite occasional alignment fuss. Over the air updates smoothed controls and improved heat pump behavior in winter.
Why pivot to robots now
This move is about focus. The Model 3 and Model Y carry Tesla’s volume. They fill most Superchargers and drive most revenue. The Model S and Model X are halo cars, but they are niche. Their complex builds tie up space and people. Margins in luxury EVs are under pressure in 2026, and price moves have been frequent across the industry.
Optimus changes the equation. It is an AI heavy product that blends vision, actuation, and in house compute. The same stack that trains driver assistance can train robots for factory tasks. Putting Bay Area lines on Optimus lets Tesla iterate faster, close to engineering, and avoid the distractions of two low volume cars.
Killing the halo cuts both ways. Without S and X on the road, Tesla loses its top shelf billboard. Competitors will try to seize that space.
Rivals now have an opening with their flagships. Lucid Air targets long range luxury. Mercedes EQS and BMW i7 lean on comfort and dealer networks. Rivian R1S covers the premium family SUV slot with off road charm. Tesla will counter with software, charging reach, and a bet that robots redefine the brand.
What this means for owners and buyers
If you already own an S or X, you are not stranded. Service centers remain open, and Tesla has built a long tail of parts. Battery and drive unit warranties still apply. Supercharging access and software support continue.
If you planned to buy, watch for Final Build inventory and Certified Pre Owned listings. Prices may swing as dealers and direct channels clear stock. Insurance and residual values will settle over the next few months, once supply dries up.
Act fast if you want a new S or X in a specific color or spec. Unique wheels and interiors will go first. 🎯
Inside the factory shift
Bay Area lines will see phased downtime, tear out, and new cell, actuator, and end effector workcells. Robotics demands different tests, different safety zones, and new skills for staff. Expect retraining programs to move workers into assembly, calibration, and field reliability roles for Optimus. Some suppliers for S and X will wind down. Others may pivot to robot subsystems.
The company will keep Model 3 and Model Y output stable through this transition. That is crucial for revenue and cash. It also gives room for the next wave of automation to grow inside a known footprint.
The road ahead
The Model S and Model X shaped a decade of electric cars. Retiring them is a high risk, high reward bet. Tesla is saying the next halo is not a car. It is a human scale robot that learns fast and works safely beside us. The gamble is clear. Move first, scale fast, and let the volume cars fund the future.
Today marks the end of two icons, and the start of a different race. The EV wars continue. The robotics era arrives on the same line.
