Tesla's Model S and X Days are Numbered: The Rise of the Cybercab

As Elon Musk confirmed this week, there are only a few hundred Tesla Model S and Model X vehicles remaining unsold. Custom orders for these models have ended, leaving only those in inventory. This marks the end of an era for Tesla, as these models were once the company’s best-sellers.

The decline of the Model S and Model X is not surprising, given their sales history. Since peaking in 2017 at 101,312 vehicles, combined sales have steadily fallen over the years, outpaced by the success of Tesla’s more affordable entries, the Model 3 and Model Y. In 2025, just 50,850 vehicles (including Cybertruck) were sold, a fraction of the 1.63 million delivered globally last year.

Tesla’s decision to discontinue the Model S and Model X was inevitable, given their declining sales. But what comes next is more complex. Musk has chosen not to fill this void with a traditional EV, instead focusing on the Optimus robot, which will begin production at Tesla’s Fremont, California factory once the Model S and Model X end of life. The Cybercab, an all-electric two-seater autonomous vehicle, will also enter production this month at the Austin, Texas factory.

The Cybercab, with its autonomous capabilities, represents a significant shift for Tesla. It marks a bet on the future of AI-driven transportation, rather than traditional electric vehicles. This strategy has both risks and opportunities.

A look back at the history of the Model S and Model X reveals that their introduction marked critical moments in Tesla’s development. The Model S launched in 2012 as Tesla’s first volume EV, changing consumer perception of electric vehicles and prompting legacy automakers to take notice. The Model X followed in fall 2015, initially criticized for its complexity but ultimately introducing the company to a new market: women.

The success of the Model X helped set the stage for the affordable mass-produced EV that would become the Model 3. While the Model Y has been instrumental in cementing Tesla’s status as the top-selling EV producer globally, even it is facing slowing growth and declining sales.

In January, Tesla reported a decrease in vehicle deliveries for the second year in a row, with 1.69 million vehicles sold in 2025. The company’s efforts to boost sales through cheaper versions of the Model 3 and Model Y have had some success, but its overall growth has stalled.

Tesla’s pivot towards AI-driven transportation, embodied by the Cybercab, raises questions about the future of electric vehicles. While the Optimus robot may be a key part of this strategy, the Cybercab is perhaps the most vulnerable to criticism. As an autonomous vehicle without traditional controls, it will rely heavily on AI to navigate roads and traffic.

The risks associated with this approach are significant. The development and deployment of such technology require massive investment in testing, validation, and infrastructure. Moreover, the Cybercab’s lack of human control raises concerns about safety, particularly in the event of system failure or malfunction.

As Tesla embarks on this new path, it is clear that the company is betting big on AI-driven transportation. While there are risks involved, there are also opportunities to revolutionize the way we travel and interact with our vehicles.

Analysis based on: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/03/the-final-days-of-the-tesla-model-x-and-s-are-here-all-bets-are-on-the-cybercab/