Teslarati - Tesla takes first step in sunsetting Model S and X with drastic move

[Zoidz]

The headline is a bit dramatic based on what Tesla is doing, but it could be a signal.... or not.....
With European and Chinese EV built shipments growing, and the tariff mess, it makes some sense.

Teslarati

Tesla has seemingly taken the first step in sunsetting two of its older vehicles, the Model S and Model X, by ending international orders.

The flagship sedan and SUV from Tesla are the two oldest cars in the company’s lineup. They account for a very small portion of overall sales, and several years ago, CEO Elon Musk admitted that Tesla only continues to build and sell them due to “sentimental reasons.”

Some took this as an indication that Tesla has kind of moved on from the Model S and Model X. A handful of people seemed to think Tesla would overhaul the vehicles substantially, but the changes were extremely minor and included only a few real adjustments.

In Europe, customers are unable to even put a new order in on a Model S or Model X.

We noticed earlier today that Tesla pressing the ‘Order’ button on either of the flagship vehicles takes you to local inventory, and not the Design Studio where you’d configure your custom build:

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[Dark-Fx]

Are we sure this isn't related to Elon's recent visit to the design center about the next epic thing Tesla is going to demonstrate?

 

[COdogman]

They can be replaced by "Robo"taxis with human drivers.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I'm no automotive executive, so take this with a grain of salt, but shouldn't you have new products before getting rid of the old ones?

 

[TexasBob]

They can be replaced by "Robo"taxis with human drivers.

I get it, my dogs think my Rivian is a robotruck. They get in and - after an excellent wind-blowing-in-your-face ride out the window - it magically arrives at a different place. The dogs are always amazed and excited to "go for a ride" whenever they can. It is basically the same behavior I see with the invite-only Tesla influenzers who post videos of the robo-taxi. (C'mon, let's go for a ride, who's a good boy?).

 

[COdogman]

I get it, my dogs think my Rivian is a robotruck. They get in and - after an excellent wind-blowing-in-your-face ride out the window - it magically arrives at a different place. The dogs are always amazed and excited to "go for a ride" whenever they can. It is basically the same behavior I see with the invite-only Tesla influenzers who post videos of the robo-taxi. (C'mon, let's go for a ride, who's a good boy?).

I am jealous of your dogs, who have no idea who Leon is or wtf a cybertruck is....

 

[Dark-Fx]

I'm no automotive executive, so take this with a grain of salt, but shouldn't you have new products before getting rid of the old ones?

Don't ask GM https://www.chevrolet.com/discontinued-vehicles

 

[twraps]

Model S/X could've beens such nice vehicles if Tesla made an effort... I think the EU configurator thing is less of an indication of the complete indifference to the S/X. A more compelling argument for it would be the recent 2026 refresh which was pretty disappointing. Essentially they changed the bumper (only for the Plaid), added new exterior color, added a front camera and ambient lighting (few years too late for that), increased the price and called it a day without addressing what matters to many:
* Poor quality build, especially when you compare to the latest Model 3 and Y
* X is a soccer mom vehicle which is highly impractical for almost anything else. I used to have the S and it was more of a utility vehicle than the X where the 2nd row seats don't fold (on the 6 seater version) and the 3rd row seats are sufficient only for toddlers.

 

[bigsky]

5 years in, my glorious Model S Raven is one of the best cars I ever will own. A great "old tech" sedan for crying out loud that still beats the crap out of many EVs out there, let alone ICEs, even so-called sports cars. Tons of fun driving it, never so much as a rattle, let alone quality issues. Whisper quiet air suspension always with no creaking, disconcerting sounds ever or the annoying noise from a whirring compressor.
Very efficient, and with free, gratis Tesla supercharger juice forever and ever. Thank you, Tesla!

 

[andrewgrhogg]

5 years in, my glorious Model S Raven is one of the best cars I ever will own. A great "old tech" sedan for crying out loud that still beats the crap out of many EVs out there, let alone ICEs, even so-called sports cars. Tons of fun driving it, never so much as a rattle, let alone quality issues. Whisper quiet air suspension always with no creaking, disconcerting sounds ever or the annoying noise from a whirring compressor.
Very efficient, and with free, gratis Tesla supercharger juice forever and ever. Thank you, Tesla!

This...i owned a 2013 Model S and a 2020 Model 3 and Model Y. The ancient Model S was far better built with more luxurious touch points, was far quieter, rode far smoother, was way faster, and was just overall a much better car. I thought the Model Y was great until i got in my Model S (which i bought used) and then i realized the Model Y and 3 are tin cans built for profit and nothing else. The screen is not a design aesthetic, its a "how do we reduce costs and warranty repairs" engineering decision, that make driving those cars far more annoying - kind of like Rivians dumb ass decision to make the air vents direction be controlled by the screen! I mean come on, even an AI wouldnt make that dumb-ass decision...

 

[CarGuyCarl]

5 years in, my glorious Model S Raven is one of the best cars I ever will own. A great "old tech" sedan for crying out loud that still beats the crap out of many EVs out there, let alone ICEs, even so-called sports cars. Tons of fun driving it, never so much as a rattle, let alone quality issues. Whisper quiet air suspension always with no creaking, disconcerting sounds ever or the annoying noise from a whirring compressor.
Very efficient, and with free, gratis Tesla supercharger juice forever and ever. Thank you, Tesla!

The Raven might be peak Model S. I appreciate the 2021 refresh's widened body and slightly nicer interior, but the Ravens somehow felt like they were built with more care and had more of a sleeper vibe.

 

[bigsky]

This...i owned a 2013 Model S and a 2020 Model 3 and Model Y. The ancient Model S was far better built with more luxurious touch points, was far quieter, rode far smoother, was way faster, and was just overall a much better car. I thought the Model Y was great until i got in my Model S (which i bought used) and then i realized the Model Y and 3 are tin cans built for profit and nothing else. The screen is not a design aesthetic, its a "how do we reduce costs and warranty repairs" engineering decision, that make driving those cars far more annoying - kind of like Rivians dumb ass decision to make the air vents direction be controlled by the screen! I mean come on, even an AI wouldnt make that dumb-ass decision...

The Raven might be peak Model S. I appreciate the 2021 refresh's widened body and slightly nicer interior, but the Ravens somehow felt like they were built with more care and had more of a sleeper vibe.

When I bought my S Raven in early 2020, Tesla still was having QC issues. Indeed, when I inspected the vehicle on delivery day, I noticed it had a few paint defects and thus rejected it. Tesla assigned me a new VIN right away and delivered in a week the pristine S that I drive today. For my "inconvenience" rejecting the first S, as Tesla put it, it gave me a free, gratis 4-year extended warranty. My Raven came out of warranty this year, but because of Tesla, anything and everything that fails until 2028, even a full-blown battery pack replacement is fully covered and will cost me only $200 to fix. Oh, wait. Pack has 8-yr warranty. And it gave me free electricity for life on top of it all, not just a promo for a year or two. A nothing thing really, the latter, yet it feels so good and comforting to pull up to Tesla chargers a few times on long trips and see the $ meter always frozen at $0.00.

Tesla service centers have been outstanding. I always get my Tesla loaner and it too comes with free Tesla DCFC charging. By comparison, when I had my R1S serviced, I did get a loaner, but for charging it, well, you are on your own, buddy.

No other vehicle company has ever done so much to keep me fully satisfied on top of selling me EVs that are second to none. Some of the reasons why I am one of Tesla's most staunch supporters.

I did not care one bit about, nor did I buy my Teslas because of what the CEO said, thought, believed in or did then, and I still, and sure as hell DO NOT give a flying f about what the CEO does, says, thinks, or believes in today.

 

[COdogman]

When I bought my S Raven in early 2020, Tesla still was having QC issues. Indeed, when I inspected the vehicle on delivery day, I noticed it had a few paint defects and thus rejected it. Tesla assigned me a new VIN right away and delivered in a week the pristine S that I drive today. For my "inconvenience" rejecting the first S, as Tesla put it, it gave me a free, gratis 4-year extended warranty. My Raven came out of warranty this year, but because of Tesla, anything and everything that fails until 2028, even a full-blown battery pack replacement is fully covered and will cost me only $200 to fix. And it gave me free electricity for life on top of it all, not just a promo for a year or two. A nothing thing really, the latter, yet it feels so good and comforting to pull up to Tesla chargers a few times on long trips and see the $ meter always frozen at $0.00.

Tesla service centers have been outstanding. I always get my Tesla loaner and it too comes with free Tesla DCFC charging. By comparison, when I had my R1S serviced, I did get a loaner, but for charging it, well, you are on your own, buddy.

No other vehicle company has ever done so much to keep me fully satisfied on top of selling me EVs that are second to none. Some of the reasons why I am one of Tesla's most staunch supporters.

I did not care one bit about, nor did I buy my Teslas because of what the CEO said, thought, believed in or did then, and I still, and sure as hell DO NOT give a flying f about what the CEO does, says, thinks, or believes in today.

I thought you hated "virtue signaling"?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Are we sure this isn't related to Elon's recent visit to the design center about the next epic thing Tesla is going to demonstrate?

You mean instead of cars that can drive themselves, Optimus will now offer transportation services using rickshaws with piggyback rides?

 

[Dark-Fx]

You mean instead of cars that can drive themselves, Optimus will now offer transportation services using rickshaws with piggyback rides?

Personally I suspect the epic thing that was witnessed was probably Optimus robots emitting literal farts.

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