Earlier this year two old stalwarths in Tesla’s lineup called it quits. After 14 years on the market, it became official and Tesla announced that 2026 would be the last model year for the Model S and X. While it is true that both of these models are long in the tooth, and to some extent, a Model 3 performance is a better car for less money. The decission to abandon the high end of the market spells trouble for Tesla.
Tesla is not having an easy go at it these days (source). Mr. Musks political schenigans aside (source), the company faces quite the dilemma: Invest in a moonshot and go heavy into robotics, or salvage a successful car company. Both cost lots of money, if buisness fundamentals (e.g. revenue and profit) are important, that car company could do with some new models. If share price is important, selling all the cars in the world at a massive profit mind you, will not justify a doubling of Telsa’s share-price.
It seems Mr. Musk wishes to take Tesla through door number 2. And the Freemont factory (Tesla’s oldest source) is slated to become the manufacturing hub for the Tesla optimus (source). It remains to be seen if people want these anywhere near the kitchen knives (source, source). At least for the electric car, one need not ask the question if people want cars, they sure do, and have been driving them for more than 100 years (source), the questions more centered around “are electric cars better”.
Removing the Model S and X from Tesla’s lineup leaves Tesla with only three models: Model 3, Y and Cybertruck. It will be hard to cover the market with just these three. In particularly the lack of a three row SUV is notable. Both Rivian and Lucid have three row SUVs available (source and source), and it seems just about every other automaker makes an effort to have one on sale. I know, some versions of the Model Y have a third row, but that third row is unusually tiny (source).
There is some hope that perhaps the Cybertruck chasis could be recycled to make a CyberSUV (source). If so, that might help Tesla, as the Cybertruck sales have so far been disapointing (source), and perhaps there is excess manufacturing capacity that could bring a CyberSUV to market soon.
Either way, I am disapointed in lack of new EV tech comming from Tesla. While it is true, Tesla remains the one to beat (source and source) others are catching up. The supercharging network is loosing its shine, remaining at 400V, while other networks are expanding their 800V capacity, allowing compatible cars to charge faster. Plug and charge is now available on several other charging networks (source, and source), making charging more convenient than ever.
Indeed the competition is catching up, and perhaps pulling ahead of Tesla (source). The point of the flagship is to re-imagine a better EV. Why is it BYD that is telling us how megawatt charging makes EV charging better (source)? Or Lucid that has crafted an EV with so much range that I can go from Toronto to Quebec City without charging (source). And should I need to use the washroom, I might be able to charge that Air at 300 kW (source). Common Telsa, you need to do better to stay in the game.
Electric car adventures 