There are dozens of low volume sports car manufacturers around. But, in any case, I've never seen a seven seat sports car before, so I think it is aimed more at the four door luxury saloon market.
As there are no other cars like Tesla, then the conventional "rest of the auto world cannot be wrong" mantra doesn't apply. Why would it, for a car that doesn't need servicing or parts on a regular basis? Don't most dealers make a lot of money from the warranty and other servicing costs, rather than actually on the vehicle itself? Isn't that why three states in the US have banned the sale of Teslas, under pressure from the motor retailer associations?
Michigan, New Jersey, Texas ... who's next?
Musk says:
"What's good for gasoline cars is not necessarily good for electric cars. Tesla is selling a new product with a new technology. The evidence is overwhelming that a traditional dealer-based approach does not work for electric cars. Moreover, GM distorts the purpose of the franchise laws (including in Michigan), which are in place not to cement a monopoly for franchised dealers but rather to prevent companies with existing franchises from unfairly competing against them. Tesla has never used franchised dealers, so these concerns are simply irrelevant."
