Tesla shocked the automotive world when CEO Elon Musk announced during the Q4 2025 earnings call on January 28, 2026 that the company will discontinue the Model S and Model X in Q2 2026. The move was abrupt — no advance warning, no wind-down period. Just an announcement that two of Tesla's most iconic vehicles would be retired to make room for the company's next big bet: the Optimus robot.
"It's time to basically bring the Model S and X programs to an end with an honourable discharge, because we're really moving into a future that is based on autonomy." — Elon Musk, Q4 2025 earnings call
Why Is Tesla Killing Its Flagship EVs?
Musk's reasoning was straightforward: factory space is the constraint. The Fremont plant, where both vehicles are produced, needs to be repurposed for scaling Optimus production. With Tesla's robotics ambitions accelerating, the relatively low-volume (and aging) Model S and Model X were first on the chopping block.
The Model S and Model X have been around since 2012 and 2015 respectively. While they remained premium offerings — especially the Plaid variants — they were never high-volume sellers. In a world where Tesla is pushing toward mass-market robotics, the math simply didn't work.
What This Means If You Were Considering a Model S or X
If you were considering a new Model S or X, the window has now closed; only remaining inventory and used cars are left.
- Production ended in Q2 2026; the final Model S rolled off the Fremont line in May
- Existing inventory will be available until sold out — likely within weeks of the announcement
- Certified pre-owned (CPO) prices will likely spike as supply dries up
This is one of those rare moments when "buy now or miss out forever" is actually true.
European Market: What's Already Changed
In Europe, the wind-down had already begun before the official announcement. Tesla quietly stopped accepting new Model X configurations in several European markets in late 2025, directing buyers to existing inventory instead. In some countries like the Netherlands, by late 2025 there was effectively only a single 2025 Model X in stock — more of a flagship showroom car than a live product line.
The Model S has been similarly constrained. New European orders face delivery timelines stretching into late 2026, which effectively makes ordering new stock a theoretical exercise. The practical implication: if you want a new Model S or X in Europe, you're buying from what exists in inventory today.
The Resale Value Angle
Counterintuitively, the discontinuation could support resale values in the medium term. Limited supply + sustained demand from buyers who missed new stock = a floor on secondhand prices. The Model S Plaid in particular — still one of the fastest-accelerating production cars ever made — will command a premium as a collector item in the EV space. If you're buying one now, a well-maintained example may hold its value better than most outgoing models.
Can You Still Use a Tesla Referral Code?
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What Replaces the Model S and Model X?
Tesla hasn't announced a direct successor for either model, but the company's lineup is evolving:
- Model Y continues to dominate global sales
- Cybercab (robotaxi) is in early rollout in Austin, though scaling has been slower than promised
- New Model Y (Juniper refresh) is the current premium offering for families
- Optimus — Tesla's humanoid robot — is the new north star
The luxury EV market segment that the Model S occupied will likely be filled by competitors (Lucid Air, Mercedes EQS) unless Tesla introduces a new premium vehicle.
A Note on Tesla's Direction in 2026
The discontinuation is part of a broader pattern: Tesla is betting everything on autonomy and robotics. The Robotaxi service in Austin has 42 cars running (far below Musk's 500-unit promise), FSD had a high-profile viral fail in February, and now the company's original flagship EVs are being retired.
For Tesla bulls, this is a company that moves fast and makes bold bets. For skeptics, it's a company that overpromises and under-delivers while quietly sunsetting beloved products.
One thing is certain: the Model S and Model X, the cars that proved electric vehicles could be aspirational, are going out on their own terms — not with a recall or a bankruptcy, but retired to make room for robots.
Key Takeaways
- Tesla ended Model S + Model X production in Q2 2026
- Factory space needed for Optimus robot production
- New cars: remaining inventory only
- No direct successor announced
Ordering any Tesla while stock lasts? Read the step-by-step referral code guide or the full 2026 benefits breakdown to make sure you get up to free Supercharging credits (amount varies) before you confirm your order.