Tesla pulls the plug on new Model S and X orders in Europe

If you live in Europe and were waiting to order the updated Tesla Model S or Model X, you are, for the moment, out of luck. In a quiet but significant shift, the American automaker has removed the option to configure its two flagship electric cars from its European websites.

Previously, visiting Tesla's website to buy a Model S or Model X would take you to a configurator, a digital tool allowing you to pick your paint, wheels, interior, and powertrain options. Now, that option is gone. Instead of an "Order Now" button, customers in major markets like Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, and France are met with a button that says "Explore Inventory."

Tesla has offered no official explanation for the change, which naturally leads to speculation. The core of the issue, however, likely comes down to simple numbers. The Model S and Model X, once the symbols of the EV revolution, now represent a tiny fraction of the company's sales. In the second quarter of this year, Tesla delivered over 373,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles globally. By comparison, sales of the Model S and X were grouped into an "Other" category with the Cybertruck, totaling just 10,394 units combined across the world.

The picture is even more stark in Europe. In Germany, Europe's largest car market, the numbers are almost comical. During the first six months of the year, just 58 new Model S sedans and 59 Model X SUVs were registered. In that same period, Tesla sold 6,305 units of its smaller SUV, the Model Y. When your most expensive products are being outsold by a factor of more than 50 to 1, it's not hard to see why a company focused on mass production might reconsider its strategy.

For now, the future of these premium electric cars in Europe remains unclear. The halt on new orders could be a temporary measure to clear out the existing inventory of the pre-facelift models before eventually introducing the updated, more expensive versions. Or, given the incredibly low sales figures, it could mean a permanent withdrawal from markets where the Model 3 and Model Y are the undisputed stars of the Tesla show.

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