The Tesla Model S and Model X keep losing sales. The solution? Less performance, lower price

The success of the Tesla Model 3 and the Model Y is undeniable. In fact, the Tesla Model 3 became the best-selling car in the world in 2022. The problem with these two models remaining the most popular models in the brand is that the other Tesla models, which are more expensive and offer greater profitability, barely sell.

We are talking about the Tesla Model S, which made the American brand known, and the Model X. Both models have been dragged down by the success of the brand’s cheaper models and have gone several years with a substantial drop in sales. In fact, while the Model 3 and Model Y recorded 1,247,146 units sold in 2022, the Model S and Model X sold only 66,705 units over the same period.

Are they in danger?

Certainly, it is not very encouraging that these two Tesla models are failing to follow the path to success of the other two. Does this mean that the two models with lower sales are in danger? For the moment, no, but Tesla has had to make some moves to get sales of those two cars to recover, and has taken drastic measures.

These, of course, involve applying significant discounts to their prices. A Tesla Model S had a starting price of $88,490 in the American market, while the Model X started at $98,450. Since this month, these prices have been reduced by $10,000, which at the exchange rate means 9,200 euros less.

Thus, the Model S drops to 78,490 euros and the Model X starts at 88,490 euros, a price well below its original price. We are talking, mind you, about the United States, so it has not yet been applied in Europe. But this reduction comes accompanied by a reduction in the capabilities of both models.

Specifically, the battery capacity has been limited, which logically affects range. This limitation is not carried out by changing the battery, but through specific software. Range has been reduced to 515 km in the case of the Model S, a reduction of 136 km compared to the entry version. In the Model X, range stands at 433 km, 127 km below the entry-level version.

These new variants are named Standard Range and for now, their discounted sale only applies in the United States. We cannot rule out that this measure will also reach Europe, so we will be keeping an eye on news from the company in this regard.