By DEJI Osas
The Tesla Model S and Model X were once regarded as the pinnacle of electric vehicle innovation, but now they’re merely a footnote in the company’s history. Tesla has officially stopped accepting new orders for these models in China, marking a significant shift in their status. With rising import tariffs and disappointing sales figures, these two vehicles will continue to be available in the U.S., but their future in China is uncertain.
Tesla quietly made the change late last week, updating its Chinese website by removing the order page for the Model S and Model X. Although Tesla did not issue an official announcement, the update was noticed by Bloomberg. While it’s still possible for customers to purchase a Model S or Model X from existing inventory, the company is no longer shipping newly-built units of these flagship vehicles to China.
The main reason behind this decision is the increasing tariffs on U.S.-built EVs entering China and the modest sales numbers for these models. Despite China being the world’s largest EV market, it remains a highly competitive landscape, where foreign automakers, including Tesla, have struggled to capture local consumer demand. Tesla’s local production of the Model 3 and Model Y at its Shanghai factory has helped boost sales, but the company has had to implement significant price cuts to keep up with domestic rivals like BYD.
The decline of the Model S and Model X is a reflection of broader trends. Last year, Tesla sold fewer than 2,000 units of these two models in China, while sales of the Model 3 and Model Y soared to over 660,000, according to data from China’s Automotive Technology and Research Center.
This trend extends beyond China. Globally, the Model S and Model X are far outpaced by the Model 3 and Model Y in terms of sales. In 2024, Tesla delivered just over 85,000 units of its “Other Models” category, which includes the Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck, while the Model 3 and Model Y together saw a staggering 1.7 million deliveries worldwide.
Despite receiving a major update in 2021, the Model S, introduced in 2012, is beginning to show its age, and its high starting price of $80,000 is not helping its case. The Model X, even more expensive, is facing similar challenges. Over time, these flagship models have been phased out in several markets, starting with countries that require right-hand drive vehicles, such as the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia. In these regions, customers who had previously reserved a Model S or Model X were offered the option to switch to a Model 3 or Model Y, or cancel their orders altogether.
As the Model S and Model X fade into the background, Tesla’s focus seems to have shifted to more affordable, mass-market vehicles that cater to a broader audience. While the company continues to innovate, the days of these high-end models leading the EV market appear to be over.
