Tesla jokes with fans, unexpectedly postpones the launch ceremony for the latest Model S and Model X

Short about the event

At the beginning of January it became known that production of Tesla’s flagship electric cars, the Model S and Model X, would be halted to free up the line for Optimus robots. As part of a “farewell” batch of 350 fully‑optioned vehicles, the company planned to hand them over to owners on May 12 in a ceremonial ceremony in Fremont (California). However, the event was postponed indefinitely and, according to Electrek sources, this happened literally three days before the scheduled start.

What happened
Item | Details | Reason for production halt | Planned hand‑over date | Number of cars | Event shift
---|---|---|---|---|---
Production line redirected to Optimus robots | 12 May ceremony in Fremont | 350 units with “rich” trim (cost up to $159,420) | Officially announced last weekend, no new date given

How it affected owners
- Travel and expenses: Many buyers had already booked hotels and purchased airline tickets, some even took time off work for the trip.
- Financial losses: Postponing the event three days before the start means refunds for tickets and accommodation will be difficult.
- Unforeseen circumstances: Unlike past cancellations (when new models were not yet ready), this involved a finished batch of cars that the company was supposed to distribute.

Tesla’s reaction
- Apology: The company publicly acknowledged the inconvenience and apologized.
- No explanation: It did not disclose reasons for the postponement or provide a new ceremony date.
- Context: This is not the first time Tesla’s schedule has changed. Previous cancellations were tied to unfinished products; this time it concerned handing out already finished cars.

Additional restrictions
Tesla introduced conditions for owners of the “farewell” versions:
- Resale ban: Cars cannot be sold within the first year of ownership without written permission from the manufacturer.
- Buy‑back rights: Tesla reserves priority in buying back such vehicles.
- Penalties: Violating the condition can result in a fine up to $50,000 and a ban on purchasing any future Tesla vehicles.

Conclusion
Postponing the hand‑over ceremony for 350 “farewell” Model S and Model X cars created financial and logistical difficulties for owners, and the lack of a specific date or explanation from Tesla caused dissatisfaction. Additional resale restrictions heighten tensions between the company and its customers.