Breaking: Tesla is pulling the plug on the Model X and Model S. I can confirm the company is ending production and converting parts of its Fremont, California factory to build the Optimus humanoid robot. The decision lands today and it reshapes Tesla’s lineup, its factories, and its near-term focus. The premium flagships are out. A robot takes their place.
What just changed at Fremont
The Fremont lines that have supported the Model X and Model S will be retooled for Optimus. This is not a small tweak. It is a clear pivot. Tesla is moving factory capacity away from low volume premium cars toward robotics and AI projects it sees as core to its future.
This makes sense inside Tesla’s playbook. Model 3 and Model Y carry the volume. Model X and S set the brand tone, but they do not drive the bulk of revenue now. Freeing up space at Fremont lets Tesla push a high risk, high reward bet on Optimus, a platform it believes can scale beyond cars. 🤖
The Model X, a quick look back
The Model X launched in 2015 and never looked like anything else on the road. The Falcon Wing doors. The sweeping windshield. The seven seat layout. It turned heads and moved families, often at supercar speed.
Key specs that defined the modern Model X:
- Up to about 330 miles of range, trim dependent
- 0 to 60 mph in about 2.5 seconds for Plaid
- Dual motor or tri motor all wheel drive
- Up to 5,000 pounds of towing
Charging at up to 250 kW on compatible Superchargers kept long trips easy. Owners praised the quiet cabin, huge storage space, and the way instant torque shrugged off weight. Many used it as a true do everything SUV. School runs, ski trips, camper in tow, all without a drop of gas.
But it was not perfect. Early build quality varied. Falcon Wing doors could be finicky in tight garages or winter slush. The ride was firm on 22 inch wheels. The yoke steering experiment divided drivers, though a round wheel returned later. Over the years, software smoothed much of the user experience. The over the air updates felt like free upgrades, long after delivery.
What this means for owners and buyers
If you have a Model X in the driveway, do not panic. Tesla’s service and over the air support continue. Supercharger access does not change. The company sells parts for years after a model ends production, and independent shops have grown skilled with these cars.
If you want to buy a new Model X, timing is tight. New inventory will wind down. Order books are not expected to re open once the line goes dark. That will push shoppers to remaining stock or to the used market. Expect prices to swing in the short term as supply and demand reset.
If a new Model X is on your shortlist, move quickly. Inventory will shrink fast and configurations may be limited.
Used values could cut two ways. Scarcity might buoy clean, low mile examples. Or, shoppers could shift to Model Y, Rivian R1S, BMW iX, or Mercedes EQS SUV, pressuring prices. Warranty coverage stays in place either way, and extended service plans may look smarter now.
Owners, update your Tesla app, save service records, and schedule any pending repairs soon. Parts flow should be fine, but early planners sleep better.
The bigger bet inside Tesla
The pivot says a lot about the EV market and Tesla’s strategy. The market has matured. The real fight is in mass market crossovers and in software. Price cuts have squeezed margins. Tesla is choosing to put factory capital behind projects with long term upside, even if near term revenue takes a hit.
Optimus is the clearest sign. It is a robotics platform fed by Tesla’s work in batteries, motors, sensors, and AI. If it scales, it could be used inside Tesla’s own factories first. Then, in warehouses, logistics, maybe homes. That is the bet. It is bold, and it carries execution risk. Hardware is hard. Humanoid robots are harder.
For the car lineup, the change sharpens focus. Model 3 and Model Y will carry sales. Cybertruck remains a halo with production ramping. The premium gap left by Model X and S creates space for rivals. Rivian’s R1S already plays there. BMW and Mercedes have strong offerings. Lucid’s Gravity is coming into view. Tesla is ceding some ground to chase a larger prize.
Driver’s seat, final thoughts
The Model X earned its place. It made electric family travel fast, clean, and fun. It proved a big EV could tow, hustle, and make a driveway feel like a tech lab. Ending production will sting for loyal owners and for drivers who loved the Falcon Wing theater.
Tesla is making a clear, gutsy call. Build robots in the space where luxury EVs once rolled. Bet on AI and machines that can work beside us. The auto world will watch the Fremont floor closely. For now, the Model X takes a final bow, and the curtain rises on Optimus.
