Final Tesla Model S rolls off the production line

Over the weekend, Tesla announced on X that production of its two premium models has ended. As stated in January, the section of the Fremont, California, plant that previously manufactured these models will now be repurposed to produce Tesla’s humanoid robot. After 14 and 11 years of production, respectively, and including several updates, the Model S and Model X had become less significant in Tesla’s sales mix and are being discontinued without a direct successor.

It is not possible to determine exactly how many Model S and Model X vehicles Tesla sold recently, as the company’s reports group these premium models together with the Cybertruck under ‘other models.’ In 2025, Tesla sold just 50,850 units of these ‘other models,’ compared to 1.6 million Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Tesla had previously indicated that the production capacity for the Model S and Model X in Fremont was 100,000 vehicles per year. However, as the 50,000-unit figure also includes Cybertrucks produced in Texas—where annual capacity is 125,000 vehicles—the assembly lines for the premium models in Fremont were likely operating at very low utilisation.

The final vehicle to roll off the line is a black Model S. All production staff signed the bodywork, and this unit will likely become a showpiece. The Model S holds significant historical importance for Tesla: it was the company’s second model line after the Tesla Roadster and the first ‘true’ Tesla developed entirely in-house. While the Roadster featured a Tesla electric drivetrain, it was still based on a Lotus chassis.

To mark the end of these two model lines, Tesla released a special Signature Edition, limited to 350 units—250 Model S and 100 Model X vehicles—each priced at $159,420. These vehicles were not available for general sale but were offered exclusively to selected Tesla owners. The Signature models feature a distinctive garnet red paint finish, gold accents throughout the vehicle, including gold Tesla logos, gold brake callipers, and “Signature” lettering in the interior.

However, controversy has already arisen surrounding these vehicles. Tesla reportedly postponed the delivery event for the Signature Edition, scheduled for Tuesday, 12 May, at short notice on Saturday. The brief message sent to Signature customers, which circulated on social media, read: “The Signature Edition Delivery Event scheduled for May 12, 2026, has been postponed. We apologise for any inconvenience.”

This decision has not been well received by many customers, who had already spent around $160,000 on one of the vehicles and booked flights and hotels for the event. Tesla has not commented on whether it will cover the costs incurred, and a new delivery date has yet to be announced.

x.com (end of production), electrek.co (Signature Edition)