Tesla Model S and Model X Apparently Dropped In Europe

We now have a much better idea, because Tesla has dropped both of them from its lineup in Europe. That change seems to be linked with the mild refresh of the two, suggesting sales are so low in Europe it doesn't make sense to homologate the changes there.

There was no announcement of the change. Tesla simply dropped the two vehicles from its site's new car configurator in Europe. There are vehicles in stock, but when they're gone they're gone. The Model S and Model X will continue to be sold in the US and Canada.

On Tesla's second-quarter deliveries report, it said that it delivered just 10,394 "other models." That's the catch-all category for the Model S, Model X, and the Cybertruck added together. In Q1, the number was 12,881. In Q2 of 2023, before the Cybertruck went on sale, the S and X sold 19,225 units. Which means that even with the addition of the Cybertruck, Tesla was selling about half as many of those three.

Data from Cox Automotive hints that around half of the 10,394 sales were Cybertrucks, meaning only around 5,000 S and X cars found customers in three months. With that volume, it's easy to see why Tesla would drop them from Europe.

The Model S and Model X are Tesla's two oldest models. The S first went on sale in June 2012. It's had some minor updates since then, but the last of any significance came with the addition of the 1,020 horsepower Plaid in 2021. The Model X first went on sale in 2015, and it too has only had small changes.

Tesla's changes to the pair this year include some new trim for Plaid models and a new blue paint option. Tesla also updated the active noise cancellation system and changed the suspension bushings in an effort to improve ride quality.

The question now becomes: will Tesla replace them? Tesla's last new model was the Cybertruck, and it's been on sale since late 2023. The Model S and X are ancient by automotive standards, and there is no sign of a second generation. The Model 3, which entered production in 2017, received only a mild update in 2023, making it one of the older models currently on sale as well.

Meanwhile, CEO Elon Musk has seemingly been distracted. X (Twitter), Space X, xAI, DOGE, and his own efforts to start a political party have all made demands of his time. Tesla is currently testing Robotaxis in Austin, Texas, ahead of the planned launch of the Cybercab, but that model is still not set to start production until later in 2025. It's also not intended for standard ownership like the company's other cars.

Traditionally, Musk uses his significant online reach to make his future model plans extremely clear. This time, though, he is being strangely silent. The only thing even hinted at is that the so-called $25,000 Tesla will actually be a decontented Model Y, instead of a new model.