Tesla has 325,000+ pre-orders for the model 3 a 35,000$ car.<p>For comparison Acura only sold 167,843 units in 2014 and they have some models for ~10,000$ less.*  And they have an extensive dealer network.   Honda their parent brand sells well under 2 million cars a year and is a major automaker.<p>*List price on a new ILX is 27,990 but this assumes people are paying sticker price.