Tesla bid farewell to its iconic Model S and Model X with a final Signature Edition delivery event at its Fremont factory. The event marked the end of production for these groundbreaking vehicles, which have been in production for 14 and 11 years respectively, with over 750,000 units built at the Fremont factory.
The company is now shifting its focus towards the production of its Optimus humanoid robot, as it closes the chapter on the Model S and Model X. Tesla paid tribute to these vehicles, stating that they “changed automotive history forever” by proving that an electric vehicle could be the best car of any kind. The Model S and X are credited with driving the broader auto industry from 50,000 EVs sold globally in 2011 to 21 million per year today.
The list of achievements for these vehicles is impressive. The Model S was the first EV to achieve a 400-mile range, the first production car to accelerate from 0-60 in under two seconds, and the first production sedan to complete a quarter mile in 9.23 seconds. It also boasted a roof strong enough to break NHTSA’s testing machine. The Model X, on the other hand, was the fastest production SUV ever made and the first SUV to pass regulatory rollover tests.
Tesla highlighted that both vehicles underwent continuous updates throughout their lifetimes, with 40% fewer parts today than when they were first launched, and only 3% of parts shared with their original versions. Elon Musk, alongside engineering VP Lars Moravy and designer Franz von Holzhausen, emphasized that the success of these cars was driven by genuine passion and love during their design and production.
Musk stated, “Those cars were designed with love… do something that you truly love. Your customers will feel that love.” The emotional impact of these words was evident, with Moravy expressing how each vehicle was built with love and von Holzhausen reflecting on the love poured into the products. Despite bidding farewell to the Model S and X, the team is committed to continuing to infuse that passion into future products.
The event was captured in a replay video, allowing enthusiasts to relive the moment when Tesla celebrated the legacy of the Model S and Model X. As the company transitions to new ventures, the spirit of innovation and passion that drove the success of these vehicles will continue to guide Tesla’s future endeavors.