Few cars changed the auto industry at large as much as the Model S upon its arrival in 2012. To call Tesla a polarizing automaker is an understatement. That said, even the brand’s loudest detractors simply cannot deny the significance of the Model S. The car utterly shifted the perception of electric vehicles entirely on its own merits, blending efficiency and genuine performance in a tech-forward package that was unlike any other vehicle found in dealerships.
The shocking debut was 14 years ago, however, and the world and Tesla are in very different places these days. Over this past weekend, the brand confirmed that production of both the Model S and the Model X has officially come to an end at the company's Fremont factory. Elon Musk first suggested that the Model S and Model X were destined for the history books back in January, during a 2025 Q4 earnings call event.
View Price on AmazonMore specifically, the CEO noted that the brand would move to transition the Fremont Factory to assist in the production of the brand’s upcoming Optimus humanoid robots. The fact that both the Model S and the Model X had been facing declining sales for years was a noted factor in the decision. The brand will continue to build the Model 3 and Cybertruck for the foreseeable future, while Musk continues to promise that the second-generation Tesla Roadster is very much a real car that will be made at some point.
The Model S and Model X were each treated to a unique send-off model based on the Plaid trim level. 250 of these “Signature Edition” Models S were built, while supplies were limited to just 100 examples of the X. Both models carried an MSRP of $159,420.
The brand has been making a bit of news today over the handling of these special editions however, as Musk abruptly postponed the scheduled delivery event slated for May 12th. Considering these buyers are surely the brand’s most die-hard fans, I can’t imagine that leaves anyone feeling particularly well-respected.
Source: roadandtrack.com
