Why Musk's Decision to End Model S/X Production Makes Sense for Tesla

Core Insights - Tesla is phasing out the Model S and Model X, which have become less relevant in the current competitive EV market, to focus on more promising growth areas [1][3][5] Group 1: Model S and Model X Performance - Tesla has stopped reporting Model S and X sales separately since Q4 2023, grouping them with the Cybertruck under "other models," which accounted for only 50,850 vehicles in 2025, representing just over 3% of total sales of 1.64 million units [2][8] - Sales of "other models" fell nearly 40% year-over-year in 2025, while Model 3 and Model Y deliveries remained more stable with a decline of about 7% [3][8] - The Model S and Model X now generate less than 5% of Tesla's total revenues, making continued investment in these models unjustifiable [3][8] Group 2: Strategic Shift and Future Plans - Tesla plans to retool its Fremont plant to support the production of Optimus, its humanoid robot, potentially producing up to one million units per year [4][8] - The company is reallocating resources from low-return luxury models to areas with greater long-term growth potential, emphasizing a shift towards robotics, automation, and AI-driven platforms [5][6] - Tesla's capital expenditure for the year is projected to exceed $20 billion, focusing on humanoid robots, autonomous vehicles, and AI chip manufacturing [6][8] Group 3: Comparison with Competitors - Unlike General Motors and Ford, which are adjusting their production strategies to stabilize earnings by focusing on profitable gas-powered vehicles and hybrids, Tesla is exiting low-impact models entirely [10][8] - This strategic exit allows Tesla to free up capital and factory capacity to concentrate on autonomy, robotics, and AI-driven growth [10][8]