I don't think this really speaks to his point though. It's not as if the Tesla is less expensive or disruptive in any way. It's a superior product in almost every way.

I don't think the innovator's dilemma applies here. I think the OP glosses over a lot of very complicated engineering and the fact the founder also happened to found a God damned space company.

So ... you're saying that Musk has disrupted disruption by turning the model on its head?

He took long-established product. And sold a _less_ capable, _more_ expensive version (the Roadster). And used that to sell a _slightly_ more expensive, but _more_ capable product (Model S). Aiming eventually for a comparably priced product with far better capabilities, but at mass-market marque.

That's actually somewhat like the Apple model, so it's not completely novel. But we're not used to thinking of cars as high-tech products (or at least haven't been for a century or so).

My thought exactly.