Tesla fans in Europe have been startled. The electric car company has discreetly halted new orders for its two most expensive vehicles, the Model S and Model X. For years, these cars have served as Tesla’s premium flagships. However, if you try to customize one in Europe, Tesla’s website would link you to pre-built inventory listings instead.
Earlier this month, Tesla disabled the possibility to order the Model S and X from Europe. This shift occurred quietly—no huge announcement, no press release. Customers in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Norway were sent to inventory pages rather than the standard vehicle configurator.
This has provoked much debate online. Is Tesla discontinuing its high-end models in Europe? Is this merely another brief halt?
A Familiar Pattern From 2021
This is not Tesla’s first time doing this. Tesla suspended orders in Europe in 2021, following a substantial upgrade of the Model S and X. Orders were reopened in August 2022, after a roughly two-year delay.
We might be witnessing the same thing now. Tesla just announced a minor facelift of both vehicles in June 2025 in North America. Only a month later, European orders were halted. It appears that Tesla intends to introduce the upgraded variants in Europe soon—but nothing has been formally verified.
Delays, Hints, and Long Wait Times
Earlier this year, Tesla was still taking orders in Europe for its older Model S and X. But in March, something changed. Delivery times began to extend all the way into July or August. At the time, a Tesla executive hinted at a possible upgrade. This would explain the longer wait times.
Now that the refresh is official in the United States, Tesla may change its European operations to accommodate the revised models.
One likely reason is production limitations. Tesla only builds the Model S and X in one place: the Fremont factory in California. The company faced big challenges ramping up production after the last refresh. And recently, it has scaled back production of these models due to lower demand.
Declining Demand and Aging Models
Another key reason might be falling interest. The Model S was initially released in 2012. That’s more than 13 years ago. The Model X arrived in 2015. While both cars have had minor modifications, they have not undergone a complete overhaul in years.
That is a considerable time when compared to other automakers. Since 2012, the BMW 5 Series and Honda Civic have both undergone two complete redesigns. Tesla has also stopped making right-hand-drive versions of these cars, cutting off sales in markets like the UK and Japan. These moves suggest Tesla is losing focus on these models.
No existing European orders have been canceled. Tesla is continuing delivering cars from its current inventory. However, there is no official indication on when or if clients would be able to place fresh orders. This could be temporary, as it was in 2021. Alternatively, it could be the start of a slow goodbye for Tesla’s older models in Europe.
Tesla’s Model S and Model X were once considered the future of driving. They may now be fading into obscurity in Europe. The corporation has not verified whether the recent order stop is permanent. However, with outdated designs, limited production, and declining demand, the future of these luxury EVs is unclear.
Whether this is a smart halt or a silent retreat, one thing is certain: Tesla’s priorities are altering. And, for the time being, fans of the Model S and X in Europe may have to search elsewhere.
