Yes, Tesla is still a niche luxury car. But in 2007 the iPhone was still a niche luxury phone. Despite clearly being far superior to competitors, the iPhone w

Yes, Tesla is still a niche luxury car. But in 2007 the iPhone was still a niche luxury phone. Despite clearly being far superior to competitors, the iPhone was often dismissed because of it's price tag and small market share. Here's what Steve Ballmer had to say in 2007: "Would I trade 96% of the market for 4% of the market? (Laughter.) I want to have products that appeal to everybody. Now we'll get a chance to go through this again in phones and music players. There's no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance. It's a $500 subsidized item. They may make a lot of money. But if you actually take a look at the 1.3 billion phones that get sold, I'd prefer to have our software in 60% or 70% or 80% of them, than I would to have 2% or 3%, which is what Apple might get." [1] (In my opinion this quote is Exhibit A in the case for firing Steve "No Chance" Ballmer). Tesla 2012 seems to be Apple 2007. Other motor industry players should be very worried. [1] http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2007-04-29-ballmer-ceo-forum-usat_N.htm http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/20...