02:01 10-03-2026

Tesla discontinues Model S and Model X with referral cuts

Tesla has begun phasing out its flagship Model S and Model X vehicles. A recent step in this process was removing these cars from the referral program in the U.S. market. Previously, new buyers could get a $1,000 discount on these models through the referral program.

That incentive is now gone. For current Tesla owners buying a Model S or Model X, the loyalty bonus has been cut to $500. This move is seen as part of a strategy to wind down the models' lifecycle. Tesla had already announced that production of the Model S and Model X will end in the second quarter of 2026.

Company data shows sales of these vehicles continue to decline. In 2025, about 53,900 units of both models were sold, which is significantly lower than the figures for the more mainstream Model 3 and Model Y.

Tesla plans to use the freed-up production capacity for new projects. These include developing the next generation of vehicles and manufacturing the Optimus humanoid robots.

Changes have also affected the Cybertruck. For some versions of the pickup, the $1,000 referral discount has been canceled. Instead, buyers and owners receive three months of access to the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system.

The Model S and Model X played a key role in establishing Tesla as a premium brand. However, the automotive industry is changing rapidly, and the company is now betting on new technologies and more mass-market vehicles.