The big 3 can't compete with Tesla in the electric car development and no way can do it cheaper. If they could they would already be doing it. They don't want to and are being drug into it kicking and screaming.
Most of the best and brightest college graduates want to work for Tesla/SpaceX/SolarCity. They don't want to go to the stogy establishment
status quo business, no excitement in that. But underperformance gets you fired quick at any Musk driven business. I don't know about Tesla popularity but I do see them around,
especially in the Seattle/California area. I wouldn't buy one myself, but I would buy a new mid-engine Corvette:)