Is Doug DeMuro getting there, or has this Tesla changed the future of transportation?
Tesla discontinues Model S, X, shifts focus to Optimus factory
Tesla has announced plans to end production of the Model S and Model X and shift focus to its Optimus robot factory.
- The Model S changed public perception by proving that EVs can be practical, luxurious, and capable.
- Model S and Model X production space will be repurposed for Tesla’s next Optimus robot.
Did Tesla make the most influential car of the past few decades?
Doug DeMuro is an author and YouTuber who has amassed millions of subscribers by creating content for car enthusiasts. Demuro has the ear of many consumers looking for the best new and used car models. Tesla, which is in crisis, is “the number one most important car of the last 30 years,” according to an auto influencer.
When it first arrived, the 2012 Tesla Model S was an electric car unlike any other on the market. According to DeMuro, this is why the Tesla EV is so impactful.
Why Tesla Model S is important to the auto industry
When Tesla Model S deliveries began in June 2012, the electric vehicle landscape was very different than it is today. There were very few fully electric cars on the market, much less EVs that the general public would consider practical.
The Model S was not only practical, but also attractive from a performance standpoint. Tesla’s Model S effectively changed the way many consumers viewed electric cars, proving that electric cars can (in some ways) be just as practical, sporty, and luxurious as internal combustion engine cars.
Tesla’s 2012 Model S produced 416 horsepower, which is incredible for its size. Initially, multiple battery options were offered, with a maximum range of approximately 265 miles. The fastest 2012 Model S could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.4 seconds. This was an impressive acceleration time for an EV at the time.
The Tesla Model S was a game-changer as it pushed the boundaries of what electric vehicles were capable of. The Model S “made us think EVs could be cool, fast, luxurious, and for enthusiasts,” DeMuro explained in a recent YouTube video.
Reasons why Tesla will discontinue production of electric car Model S
Why would Tesla discontinue such an influential model after paving the way for so many EVs? Simply put, the Model S is no longer the brand’s most popular electric vehicle. In addition, Tesla plans to use the Model S and Model X production space to develop its next Optimus robot.
Tesla sold just 5,889 Model S electric cars in 2025, compared to a whopping 192,440 Model 3 electric cars. The clean energy and electric vehicle company sold 357,528 Model Y small electric SUVs in 2025, according to Kelley Blue Book’s 2025 Electric Vehicle Sales Report.
The Model S caused a big shock when it first appeared, but EVs have evolved since their debut, with models such as the Model Y, a small electric SUV, becoming mainstream. On the other hand, the new Model S still has a lot to offer before production ends.
Should you buy a 2026 Tesla Model S?
The 2026 Tesla Model S starts at $94,990. The estimated range is an incredible 410 miles. This EV produces 670 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds.
The more expensive Plaid final trim ($109,990) has a range of 309 miles and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds.
The Model S remains one of the most impressive electric cars on the market. With its outstanding range and quick acceleration, few competitors in this segment can match its performance specs.
