The Tesla Model S is officially blowing out 17 candles this week, but the celebration is bittersweet. As the car that single-handedly proved electric vehicles could be sexy, fast, and practical reaches this milestone, Tesla is preparing to pull the plug. With production scheduled to end in the second quarter of 2026, the automotive world is saying goodbye to a legitimate legend.
Unveiled by Elon Musk 17 years ago on March 26, 2009, in Hawthorne, California, the Model S was a radical departure from the small, hobbyist EVs of the time. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California at the time, was in attendance to witness what would become the blueprint for the modern car.
Elon Musk unveiling the Tesla Model S 17 years ago.
— Nic Cruz Patane (@niccruzpatane) March 26, 2026
Arnold Schwarzenegger was in attendance as he was the Governor of California at the time. https://t.co/fhmMawVIbw pic.twitter.com/sVe4qR6tsR
The Car That Shattered Every Myth
When the Model S first hit the streets in 2012, it didn't just compete with other EVs — it embarrassed luxury gas cars. In 2013, the Model S was named MotorTrend’s Car of the Year by a unanimous vote, the first time in the award's 64-year history that a non-combustion engine car took the top prize.
The accolades didn't stop there. Consumer Reports famously gave the 2012 Model S a 99 out of 100 score, the highest they had ever awarded a vehicle at the time. Testing specialists were floored by its "invigorating performance" and "world-class" handling. TIME Magazine even listed the 2012 Model S among the top inventions of the past 25 years, cementing its place in history alongside the iPhone and the Mars Rover.
Evolution Over 17 Years
The craziest thing about the Model S is how little its "face" has changed. While most cars go through four or five total body redesigns over 17 years, the Model S has kept its original 2012 silhouette, save for a few bumper and headlight tweaks. Tesla’s strategy was always to iterate on the inside; they constantly updated the motors, battery chemistry, and computer hardware while keeping the exterior timeless.
The earliest units were definitely "beta" products, often criticized for panel gaps and interior quality as Tesla figured out how to be a real car company. However, the 2021 Plaid refresh turned it into a hypercar killer, breaking performance records with a sub-2-second 0–60 mph time and even attempting to become a "gaming console on wheels" with its own dedicated GPU.
Moving From the Past to the Future
So, why is it being discontinued? Tesla is shifting its focus from luxury sedans to AI and robotics. The production lines at the Fremont factory that currently build the Model S will be retooled this summer to produce the Optimus humanoid robot.
With Musk recently teasing a completely new model — likely an SUV for customers with larger families — and the next-gen Roadster likely taking over as the high-end performance halo, the Model S simply doesn't have a seat at the table anymore. It’s an "honorable discharge" for the car that changed the world, leaving a legacy that every modern EV on the road today owes a debt to.
