Manufacturing Halted for 2 EV Models That Made Tesla a Major Market Force
Tesla, which holds a significant share of the international electric vehicle (EV) market, has ceased manufacturing for two of its EV models. These two models played a pivotal role in bolstering Tesla’s reputation while simultaneously fueling customer interest in this segment.
According to a media report, the Model S and Model X—the vehicles that propelled the company to a dominant position in the market—were being manufactured at Tesla’s Fremont factory in the United States. For billionaire Elon Musk’s Tesla, the Model S had been a high-volume seller. The company had introduced the Model X as its first electric SUV. Tesla has manufactured the Model S and Model X for many years; over this period, improvements were made to the manufacturing processes, battery technology, and features of both EV models. The company also introduced new software updates and driver-assistance technologies for these vehicles.
Earlier this year, during the announcement of Tesla’s financial results, Musk had signaled the discontinuation of these two EV models. He stated, “The Model S and X will be retired with dignity. We are moving toward autonomy. If you wish to purchase a Model S or X, you may place an order now. Manufacturing for these two models is likely to cease in the coming quarter.” Over the past few years, the contribution of the Model S and X to Tesla’s overall sales volume has declined. The Model 3 and Model Y are now the primary drivers behind the company’s sales growth.
Tesla launched its operations in India last year, beginning with the Model Y. However, the company’s sales figures have fallen short of expectations. Two variants of the Model Y—the Rear-Wheel Drive and the Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive—are currently available in the country. The starting price for the Model Y is ₹59.89 lakh. The price of its Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive variant is ₹67.89 lakh. The All-Wheel Drive (AWD) variant of the Model Y is also available in the international market. The Rear-Wheel Drive variant of this electric SUV offers a range of approximately 500 kilometers on a single charge. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.
