Tesla Model S/X Deliveries Drop By Half to Hit All-Time Low

Tesla, its fans, and investors are celebrating a very good year for overall vehicle production. In 2021 the company reports its total deliveries reached 936,172 vehicles. That is up from 499,550 in 2020. However, these global deliveries consist almost entirely of the Model 3 and Model Y. The more expensive, higher-performance Tesla models, the Model S sedan and the Model X minivan/crossover have dropped to the lowest levels since the Model X began its production ramp.

The chart above contains data from Tesla’s annual delivery reports posted to its public website. As shown, the Model S/X have dropped every year since the Model X’s production capability was fully realized. Sales this year of Tesla’s two most advanced models are now just one-quarter of the sales achieved five years ago, and dropped by half over the past 24 months. The decline began well before the market disruption.

24,964 units of very expensive vehicles that can top $100,000 are nothing to sneeze at. However, it is important to remember this is not a U.S. market delivery volume, but global, accounting for Tesla total sales in all markets and all countries. Tesla still has a very long lead over upstart companies like Lucid and Rivian, who will begin to take market share in the S and X segments in 2022.

Related Story: It's Been This Many Years Since Tesla Promised the Roadster, Cybertruck, and Semi

Tesla’s very popular Cybertruck sold zero units in 2021 as did its new Roadster. Both vehicles have yet to begin consumer deliveries. The media coverage for these two models is almost embarrassing given this fact.

If Tesla supplies a market and model breakdown of its four models we will provide a full analysis of the brand’s market share by segment. That Tesla does not provide this information is no accident. With sales now doubling year to year overall, we suspect Tesla will begin providing more details on its deliveries in important markets to highlight its success.

Tesla retail image by John Goreham

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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