End of an era: Tesla delivers final Model S and X vehicles at Fremont farewell
Tesla has delivered the final Model S sedan and Model X SUV vehicles at an emotional farewell event at its Fremont factory in California, marking the end of production for two models that helped turn electric cars from niche purchases into mainstream vehicles.
The event was held on May 20, with Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, chief designer Franz von Holzhausen and employees reflecting on the legacy of the two vehicles as the final units were handed over.
Tesla had earlier confirmed on social media that the last Model S and Model X had been produced at Fremont, marking 14 years of history for the Model S and 11 years for the Model X.
The Model S entered production in 2012 with a starting price of about US$60,000. Early versions offered around 265 miles (426km) of range and featured a large touchscreen that made the car feel dramatically different from most petrol-powered sedans of the time.
About to hand over the last Model S & X cars ever made https://t.co/UoOQDf1PgS
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 21, 2026
Tesla later added Autopilot, improved efficiency and pushed range as high as 410 miles (660km) for the 2026 model year.
The company says the Model S and Model X changed automotive history by proving an EV could be “the best car possible – of any kind”.
Tesla says the vehicles helped push the industry from around 50,000 EVs sold globally in 2011 to 21 million a year, with 750,000 Model S and Model X vehicles built.
The company says the Model S was the first EV to achieve a 400-mile (644km) range, the first production car to complete 0-60mph in under two seconds, and the first production sedan to run a 9.23-second quarter mile.
Tesla also says the Model X was the quickest production SUV and the first SUV not to roll over in regulatory tests.
Speaking at the event, Musk described the handover as a “bittersweet moment”.
“These vehicles really are what made Tesla into a great car company, and profoundly changed what people’s perception of an electric car was,” Musk says.
The last Model S & the last Model X have been produced at Fremont Factory
14 years of history for Model S, 11 years for Model X
— Tesla (@Tesla) May 10, 2026
“People used to think electric cars were slow, low range, undesirable, really kind of like golf carts.”
“The profound thing that the Model S, especially, showed was that an electric car could actually be the best car of any kind, period.”
Musk says the Model S and Model X succeeded because they were “designed with love”.
“I think that’s at the heart of any great product. If people making it, genuinely love that product, just like you know when you genuinely love your kids, you care about things in a different way.”
Von Holzhausen also reflected on the end of the two models in a social media post.
“After nearly 18 years I can stop working on Model S and X. We put so much love into these products, but will continue to pour that into the future products,” he says.
“Thanks to everyone who believed in and supported these cars through the years. We strived for the best and will never stop. Saying goodbye to something great and making room for something even greater!”
Tesla says both models continued to be refined throughout their production lives and now have 40% fewer parts than earlier versions, while sharing only 3% of parts with their original designs.
The end of Model S and Model X production comes as Tesla increasingly shifts attention toward robotics and artificial intelligence projects, including development of its Optimus humanoid robot programme.
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