The Tesla Model S has seen improvements over the years, gaining power and advanced driver assists. However, while competitors like the Porsche Taycan and Lucid Air have evolved, the Model S has stagnated.
The Model X, Tesla’s SUV, faced its own challenges. It took years to develop, and the innovative “falcon wing” doors, meant to replace traditional sliding doors, created significant problems. I remember getting hit on the head by one during my first encounter with this unique vehicle. Still, back in 2016, it was one of the standout options among SUVs.
Fast forward a decade, and the Model X is still unique, but not in a good way. Its design hasn’t aged well, and the competition has surged with companies like BYD, Rivian, and Lucid joining the electric SUV market. Traditional automakers are also catching up, making it even tougher for Tesla.
This competition is reflected in the sales figures. Tesla stopped producing right-hand drive versions for markets like the UK and Japan in 2023. The sales of the Model S and X have dropped steadily, falling by over half in the last quarter of 2025 compared to earlier figures for the year.
Concerns arise about the future of Tesla’s projects, like the Optimus robot. During a recent call, Elon Musk admitted that no robots are currently performing useful tasks at Tesla. His previous claim that the company would produce 10,000 robots this year seems unfounded, as he later described Optimus as still being in the early research and development phase. This raises questions: will Tesla face more hurdles like it did with past vehicles?
Interestingly, a recent survey found that 52% of consumers are skeptical about the reliability of fully automated cars, which could impact Tesla’s efforts in this direction. As it stands, the brand must adapt quickly to the changing market to maintain its once-leading position in electric vehicles.
