THE TESLA MODEL S: THE CAR THAT CHANGED EVs FOREVER – AN HONORABLE END TO A LEGENDARY ERA Tesla just announced the end of Model S production (along with Model X) by Q2 2026, as the company shifts focus toward full autonomy and robotics. @elonmusk called it an “honorable discharge” to make way for the future of AI-driven mobility. But let’s never forget what the Model S truly was: the vehicle that single-handedly proved electric cars could be fast, luxurious, long-range, and desirable—forever shattering the myth that EVs were slow, boring golf carts. Launched in 2012, the Model S was revolutionary: • 0-60 in under 4 seconds (Plaid versions hit sub-2 seconds) — beating most supercars while being silent and efficient. • 300+ mile range when most EVs struggled with 100 miles — making road trips practical and killing “range anxiety.” • Over-the-air updates — the first car to get major performance, features, and safety upgrades wirelessly, like a smartphone on wheels. • Autopilot foundation — laid the groundwork for Tesla’s FSD ecosystem that now powers millions of vehicles. • Forced the industry to respond — GM, Ford, VW, Porsche, and others rushed to catch up, accelerating the global EV transition. Without the Model S proving EVs could dominate the luxury/performance segment, there might be no mass-market Model 3/Y revolution, no Rivian, no Lucid, and far slower adoption worldwide. It wasn’t just a car—it was the spark that ignited the modern EV era. As we say goodbye to new Model S builds, its legacy lives on in every Tesla on the road and every electric vehicle chasing what it started. Thank you, Model S—you changed the world.