The Tesla Model S entered production in 2012.
Tesla began producing the Model S at its Fremont, California, factory in June 2012. Unlike the earlier Roadster, which was a low-volume sports car, the Model S was designed as a practical luxury sedan with seating for five adults and additional rear-facing child seats in some versions.
The car used a large floor-mounted battery pack, which lowered its center of gravity and helped provide a long driving range. Tesla also introduced over-the-air software updates and a dedicated fast-charging network alongside the Model S, features that became closely associated with the brand.
The first customer cars were delivered in June 2012 at an event in Fremont. Later versions increased range, performance, and charging capability. The Model S is often described as the vehicle that established Tesla as a major electric-car manufacturer, although the company’s smaller Roadster was its first production model.