The World Is About to Lose One of the Most Iconic Car Models of the 21st Century

The revolutionary Tesla Model S and Model X have met the end of their road for…robots?

Close-up of the front left headlight and wheel of a black Tesla car with a sleek, modern design.

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Published January 29, 2026

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Updated January 29, 2026

It appears the Tesla Model S and Model X are dead. The Verge originally reported that the revolutionary carmaker is discontinuing its most iconic models The reason: to free up resources to make robots.

Yep, you read that correctly. According to the original report, production will end in the second quarter of 2026, citing word from Mr. Elon Musk himself.

And the plan is to open up its Fremont assembly line to commence production for the company’s latest Optimus humanoid.

From electric cars to space to robots

Red Tesla Model S driving on a winding forest road with motion blur on the trees and pavement. — It’s the end of the road for the Model S after a 13-year run.

If you’ve been lost in the mix of Musk’s wild and erratic ambitions, Tesla debuted the Optimus humanoid in August 2021. Also known as the Tesla Bot, it represented the company’s and Musk’s latest ambitions to jump on the artificial intelligence train.

Despite Musk’s history of promising groundbreaking technologies, few have actually followed through to production. The Optimus, however, appears to be on its way to becoming a reality.

White and black humanoid robot serving drinks to three people seated on mustard yellow outdoor chairs on a wooden deck at night. — Tesla’s next big ambition is the launch of the AI-powered Optimus humanoid robot.

But in order for that to happen, Musk had to cut some loose ends. Those, being the now slow-selling Model S and Model X.

“It’s time to basically bring the Model S and X programs to an end with an honorable discharge, because we’re really moving into a future that is based on autonomy,” Musk said in a supposed phone call with investors. “So if you’re interested in buying a Model S and X, now would be the time to order it.”

Red Tesla Model S with black roof and wheels driving on a bridge with blurred background. — Regardless of your opinion about Tesla and its owner, the Model S was a genuine trailblazer.

While Musk claims it as a matter of shifting resources, Tesla’s sales reports revealed a steady decline over the years. It was also further bolstered by the company’s refocus on its more affordable models, like the Model 3 and Model Y.

Then, came Musk’s controversial displays in the political space, which have seemingly amplified the recent downward trend.

Red Tesla Model S parked on a curved asphalt road with mountains and trees in the background. — The Model S is the electric vehicle that arguably put all other mainstream automakers on notice.

According to The Verge’s analysis, Tesla saw a roughly 40.2 percent reduction in sales year over year in 2025 alone, specifically in the group that includes the Cybertruck, the Model S and Model X.

The end for some real gamechangers

Blue Tesla Model X with falcon-wing doors open on a gravel road with dry hills in the background. — The Model X was also a groundbreaking vehicle, proving that electric crossover SUVs do work.

As controversial as Musk and the Tesla brand have been in more ways than one, there’s no doubt that the Model S and X were true pioneers. Both proved that mass-market electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure were entirely possible at a time when neither really existed en masse.

Introduced in 2012, following the limited success of the Roadster, the Model S showed the world the possibilities with EVs. It was an absolute pioneer in the segment that put all the conventional automakers on notice.

Blue Tesla Model X with falcon wing doors open, parked on a road with misty mountains in the background. — One of the Model X’s signature features is its powered gullwing doors.

The Model S was so good, that in 2013, it won the auto world’s coveted MotorTrend Car of the Year Award. It has since laid the groundwork for all of Tesla’s succeeding models. Such includes the Model X and the late-to-the-party Model 3 and Model Y.

But it wasn’t just electric propulsion systems and their infrastructure that Tesla and the Model S helped kick off. It also proved that semi-autonomous driving tech is viable, if not wildly imperfect.

Two Tesla Model S electric sedans, one red and one black, parked on a reflective tiled surface near a large white architectural structure by the water. — Tesla is still making cars, it’s just focusing on the mode affordable Model 3 (pictured) and Model Y.

The Tesla Model X also was a trailblazer in its own right. Built as an attempt to grab of the lucrative SUV market, it was supposed to be another pivotal success point for Tesla.

Especially with its uniquely engineered gullwing doors. But due to its incredibly high cost of entry, not many Model X’s flew off the lots.

Silver electric SUV driving on a rural road with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background. — The Model Y is also getting extra attention as Tesla focuses on providing more affordable options.

Initial versions of the Model X stickered for around $75,000. However, it wasn’t difficult to easily see prices rise well past the six-figure mark. Additionally, early adopters were required to pony up a serious deposit in order to claim one.

After building up the hype and asking for huge lump sums of money, Musk ended up delaying its launch for various reasons.

No immediate successors planned

Blue Tesla Model X electric SUV charging in front of a modern house with solar panels on the roof. — The Model X was not a cheap proposition, which likely led to its struggle on the market.

So, now that the Model S and Model X are no more, are there any follow-up acts? As of this news post, there are no known successors planned for either.

While the Model S endured a 13-year production cycle, the Model X lived for 11. They may be coming to the end of their roads. But by any series production lifecycle metric, they lived pretty good lives.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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