Tesla Model S and X to Remain in Production, Get Updates

Tesla's flagship Model S and Model X vehicles will remain in the company's lineup, with updates expected later this year, despite speculation about their future due to lower delivery volumes compared to mass-market models [3]. The decision confirms the continued production of Tesla's initial public offerings, which have been described as foundational for later, more affordable models [3].

Future of Flagship Models

Tesla's VP of Vehicle Engineering, Lars Moravy, stated that there are no current plans to discontinue the Model S and Model X, noting that they are not "going anywhere anytime soon" [3]. Moravy indicated that the vehicles would receive "some love later this year" in the form of updates, building on a significant architectural and structural upgrade implemented a couple of years prior [3]. He highlighted the Model S and Model X's suitability for autonomy and robotaxi applications, citing the Model S's quality and the Model X's interior space [3].

The Model S and Model X, which were Tesla's first vehicles offered to the public, have been grouped with the Cybertruck in recent quarterly delivery reports [3]. In Q4, these models collectively accounted for 23,000 deliveries, prompting questions about their long-term viability within Tesla's expanding product range [3].

Recent Updates and Market Adjustments

Tesla has recently implemented several changes and updates for the Model S and Model X. The company expanded its "Blind Spot Warning While Parked" safety feature globally, rolling it out to 2021 and newer Model S and Model X vehicles [3]. This feature, initially launched in 2024 with the Model 3 "Highland," chimes and delays door opening if an approaching object is detected in the blind spot, aiming to prevent "dooring" incidents [3]. Dooring accounts for 10-20% of bike-related crashes in major cities [3].

In terms of pricing, Tesla recently raised the prices of the Model S and Model X in China by 19,000 Chinese yuan [1]. This followed earlier price cuts in other markets, which appeared to boost sales [1]. Tesla also offered 10,000 Supercharging miles for Model S and Model X customers taking delivery by the end of Q1 [1]. Deliveries of the 2023 Model S and Model X have commenced in Mainland China and South Korea, with shipments to Europe continuing after initial deliveries last year [1].

Other recent developments include the introduction of an Ultra Red color scheme and teased improvements such as a lighter glass roof and performance brakes [1]. Tesla also began offering an Extended Service Agreement (ESA) for select models, extending coverage by up to two years or 25,000 miles [1].

What to watch

• Upcoming updates: Monitor for specific details on the "love" and updates planned for the Model S and Model X later this year, as indicated by VP Lars Moravy [3].
• Delivery figures: Observe future quarterly delivery reports to see if planned updates or market adjustments impact the sales volume of the Model S and Model X [3].
• Autonomous vehicle integration: Track how the Model S and Model X are integrated into Tesla's broader autonomous driving and robotaxi strategies, given Moravy's comments on their suitability [3].

The continued commitment to the Model S and Model X suggests Tesla views them as important for brand positioning and future autonomous applications, even as the company prioritizes higher-volume models like the Model 3 and Model Y [3].