Tesla has completed the decommissioning of the assembly line at its Fremont, California, factory that produced the Model S and Model X for over a decade, repurposing the space to manufacture its Optimus humanoid robots. The teardown, which took 46 days, signals the end of production for the two models that once defined Tesla’s position in the electric vehicle market.
End of an Era for Model S and Model X
The Fremont factory began mass production of the Model S in 2012, followed by the Model X SUV in 2015. These vehicles were Tesla’s flagship models for years, but declining sales—driven by their higher price points relative to the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y—led the company to group them with the Cybertruck in the “Other Models” category of its financial reports. The final Model S and Model X units rolled off the assembly line in May 2026, concluding a 14-year production run.
Tesla shared a video of the decommissioning process, showing the dismantling of the entire assembly line. The company has not disclosed whether any of the equipment will be reused for other production lines, such as those for the Model 3, Model Y, or Cybertruck, or if it will be retired. The space is now being prepared for the installation of factory equipment to assemble the Optimus humanoid robot, which Tesla has been developing on a pilot production line within the same facility.
Shift to Robotics Production
Tesla’s decision to repurpose the Fremont factory floor reflects its broader strategic pivot toward robotics. Earlier this year, CEO Elon Musk stated that the factory would eventually produce 1 million Optimus robots annually, though the company has not provided a timeline for reaching this target. Tesla has ramped up hiring for the Optimus program in 2026, indicating internal progress, but public updates on the project have been limited. The company last shared substantive details in December 2025, when it described Optimus as “the biggest product ever made.”
The Model S and Model X played a critical role in establishing Tesla’s reputation for innovation. The Model S, in particular, was widely credited with redefining electric vehicle ownership by combining long-range capability with high performance. The Model X introduced the distinctive Falcon rear doors, which became a signature feature despite their mechanical complexity. However, as Tesla shifted focus to higher-volume models like the Model 3 and Model Y—now the best-selling electric vehicles in the United States—production of the older models declined.
Uncertainty Surrounds Optimus Timeline
While Tesla’s transition to robotics aligns with Musk’s long-term vision, the lack of recent public updates on Optimus has raised questions about the project’s progress. The company has not disclosed the scale of the pilot production line or the specific challenges encountered during development. The absence of a concrete timeline for achieving the 1 million-unit annual production target adds to the uncertainty.
The decommissioning of the Model S and Model X assembly line marks a significant milestone in Tesla’s evolution. The same factory floor that once produced the vehicles that helped shape the electric vehicle industry will now serve as the foundation for Tesla’s ambitions in humanoid robotics. As the company continues to expand its robotics program, the success of Optimus could determine the next phase of Tesla’s growth.
