You're missing the magic.. By asking for preorders and setting a high bar:
        "1,000 USD gets you a place in line for a car sometime in the short term"
they're getting rid of early and late majority markets and of course laggards, and focusing on visionaries and innovators(*) who WILL cut them a bit of slack.. They will be the first ones to have Tesla 3's.. That's what they're after.. That's why the formed a line outside of the dealerships..
(can you imagine someone who trusts his Camry to fork 1,000 bucks for a car that's maybe going to happen sometime and maybe be delivered in a bit over a year? - not)

That's something not talked about anywhere.. Market penetration strategy.. Loved it..

Mede

* - Checkout Geoffrey Moore's "chrossing the chasm"..

Exactly. You don't have to reinvent the wheel here. You can consider options such a well executed JV, buying out an existing player (I like Mazda, for what they've been achieving so far).
What I feel is that they're just going the least resistant path and trying to "conquer the whole autonomous vehicle market" through an add-on service, whereas they've always before been into luxurious well designed experience goods which they can mark-up accordingly.. I really don't think you can provide a full experience without controlling the whole product. Software is only a part of if.
I just feel this derives from the differences in Cook's vs. Jobs' visions and mindsets..

Unbelievable how they don't get that the vertical integration of the iOS architecture (hardware + software + services) is what makes them stand out with the grand majority of users (not talking about technologists and hobbyists, but mom, pops and most users)

Windows will never have that while catering to multiple hardware vendors
Android will never have that while catering to multiple hardware vendors

As far as I can tell Tesla is the only one doing the all-around solution approach, while others are going with accesorizing other's cars..

Incredible how that single factor being key in their success so far, doesn't make them go all the way in Cars as well. It's not that they don't have the money.. Not saying it's easy!! But come fucking on..! Take big obstacles HEAD ON, damn it!!

Of course to get from point A to B, it takes more time when you eliminate left turns... But think that you actually have points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.. And Multiple trucks.. Meaning that maybe point B is not served by truck 1, even when it's two blocks away from its original route, but it's taken by truck 2 because it's better served by the no-left-turn algorithm..

That's what I call economies of scale.. And not the idiot thing of being able to push your providers tu give you better prices because you're a big buyer..

+1

By the way, I can't believe slashdot changed the link to the source...

Don't go to techspot.

Go to geohot.com

I'm the one who submitted this story in trying to raise awareness and get you to raise funds from the slashdot community.. You deserve backup from many people to stand a good fight vs. sony..

Be careful, George.. You have a very strong opportunity to make a difference.. No one is saying you shouldn't benefit from it after it's over.. In fact, YOU SHOULD..

But take cautious steps in the middle.. You've appeared one time too many as being too media and attention centric.. Focus right now and enjoy the benefits later.. Listen to older people..

mede